Officer’s Duties & Responsibilities

No One Does More for Veterans

He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander

Aristotle

The Installing officer admonishes the incoming officers with the following

statement:The By-Laws and Ritual of this our organization prescribe in detail the duties of your office.

By virtue of the confidence placed in you, through your election, we assume that you will acquaint yourselves thoroughly with your duties.”

Comrade Commander, this Post will be placed in your

charge

The supreme quality of leadership is integrity.

Dwight Eisenhower

You don’t lead by hitting people over the head—that’s assault, not leadership.

Dwight Eisenhower

Commanders Duties Preside at all meetings of the Post Presiding duties fall to the Senior Vice Commander if the

Commander is late or absent. If the SVC is absent the duties fall to the Junior Vice

Commander In the absence of all 3 commanders the membership

elects a Commander Pro Tempore Start all meetings on time Enforce strict observance by-laws Appoint officers, committee chairs and necessary

committees (She/he may also remove same)

Assure that the Quartermaster is bonded according to Sec. 703 of the by-laws

Assure that all reports are correctly prepared and promptly forwarded

Assure that either she/he or proper representative attend all District and County Council conventions and meetings

Sec. 218 of the Manual of Procedure enumerates all officers

duties.And states…Failure without just cause to perform the duties of Commander may result in removal from office

POST AUDITSA Charge to the Commander:

“It will be your responsibility to see that the Trustees, in accordance with the National By-Laws, audit the books of the Adjutant, Quartermaster and the canteen or club manager.”

• Failure to insure this is done could void the bond

• The Bond should be equal to the liquid assets of the post

Paying the Bills:

The post should have a resolution or Post by-law dictating how checks are signed…i.e.

With more than one signature And/or if the Commander must

countersign Or if Debit cards are to be used

The Commander Shall also: Ensure that a properly completed

Election Report for the ensuing year is submitted to Department and National Headquarters

Decide all questions of law…subject to appeal according to the By-Laws

Share all applicable correspondence with members

Assure the business of the Post is moving in a timely and orderly manner

Observe Commemorative dates

The final charge to the new Commander:

“Much of the success of this post will depend on you. Guard well its interests, so that you may fill your high office acceptably…I present you with this gavel, the emblem of authority. Upon assuming office you will use it firmly, but with discretion.”

Senior Vice Commander

“Comrade Senior

Vice Commander, it will be your duty to assist the Commander in preserving order, to preside in the absence of the Commander and to perform such other duties as may be required by the laws and Ritual.”

Junior Vive Commander“It will be your duty to assist the Commander, and Senior Vice Commander in preserving order, to preside in the absence of the Commander and Senior Vice Commander and perform other duties as required of you by our laws and ritual.

The responsibilities of Commanders are designed to perpetuate and preserve the goals of the VFW. Abuse of the positions can destroy a post and the reputation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. There are no positions in the organization that allow for Bullies or Dictators.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

John Quincy Adams

Comrade Quartermaster

You are responsible for all funds and assets of the post…..an awesome responsibility and

TRUST. ALL funds of the post are your responsibility…no one

else can assume that responsibility nor can you pass

that on to anyone else.

“It will be you duty to take charge of and accurately account for the funds of the Post. The duties of your office are prescribed in detail in the By-Laws.”

The Quartermaster Shall

Qualify and secure a bond in a sum equal to the liquid assets of the post

Collect and secure all funds and properties of the post

Be the treasurer of all committees handling funds

Disburse funds only on the authority and approval of the post membership

Shall sign ALL checks along with any other member designated by the QM and/or post by-laws

Debit cards may be used…by resolution or by-law directive

Provide on a regular basis all records, files and statements to the Trustees

Maintain a Post Relief fund Per Sec. 717 Maintain a Dues Reserve Fund Per Sec

704

Reconcile and verify all transactions listed on ALL bank statements

Maintain Books & Records in a legible and uniform format

Record keeping may be by electronic means provided a paper backup is maintained

Make books & records available for inspection by authorized Officers & Post Members at reasonable times

A PRIME DIRECTIVE The QM controls ALL…funds, records,

property and assets…PERIOD The QM MUST have possession of ALL

records of the office The QM is the treasurer of all committees

that handle money…i.e. Bell Jars, Bingo, Bar Funds and Fund Raising

Must file all Federal, State & local forms and reports…i.e. 990,s…. Etc.

Adjutant Duties Be the official corresponding officer for the post Takes the minutes of all meetings Sign all official documents Maintain proper , legible records Keep a file of all members original applications Maintain a record of deceased comrades Maintain a current copy of the VFW By-Laws Maintain a copy of proof of eligibility submitted

by officers pursuant to Section 216

Just to name a few

Post Judge Advocate

“Comrade Post Advocate, you are the legal assistant and adviser to the commander and the Post in all legal matters”

judge Advocate DutiesAdvise the commander and

members on all legal matters Interpret the By-laws &

Manual of ProcedureThe Advocate advises but

does not make rulings

Chaplain

“Comrade Chaplain the members of this Post look to you for spiritual and inspirational guidance…”

Chaplain Duties

Perform duties such as but not limited to: Be the spiritual guide to the post Visit and comfort the sick and

disabled Participates in every ritual Comfort the bereaved Set the example in spiritual matters

Surgeon

“Comrade Surgeon, you shall be the chairman of the health committee…”

Surgeon Duties

Need NOT be a Medical DoctorWill NOT operateWill promote and direct the health

programs for the benefit of members and the community

May visit Hospitals

updateThe Advocate, Chaplain and

the Surgeon need not be professionals

Any competent member can hold those positions

The Judge Advocate and Surgeon are now Appointed postitons at the Post level.

Trustees

“Comrade Post Trustee, it will be your duty to make correct audits and reports of the Post records…”

Trustee Duties Every three months they must audit

the books of the QM, the Adjutant and any other records & books of committees

Failure to do so will jeopardize Post votes at Council, District, State and National Elections

And…could very well void the bond

FINAL DIRECTIVE

Take your responsibilities seriously and be aware…the

future, stability and effectiveness of your VFW Post

is in your hands. We all answer to the

membership and our sacred duty is to all veterans and the

community.