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There are two types of Life Membership in the National Home and privileges and responsibilities that go along with each. Please review the information below to learn more about Life Membership, and contact us with any questions you may have.
Life Members
Any
active member of the VFW or Ladies Auxiliary, or any organizations
such as Post, Auxiliary, Pup Tent, Pup Tent Auxiliary, District,
Department, or Department Auxiliaries thereof can become a voting
Life Member of the National Home. New Life Members receive a
certificate, wallet card, and a copy of the Bylaws. A Life Membership
pin is available for $5. Reprinted membership cards can be requested
for a suggested donation of $5.00.
Associate Life Members
Any person who is not a VFW or Ladies Auxiliary member, yet believes in the National Home and supports its mission can become an "Associate" Life Member. This individual does not have voting privileges. Organizations such as clubs, fraternal organizations, businesses, etc. also can become Associate Life Members.
Voting Privileges
National Home Life Members, whether individuals or organizations, are entitled to only one (1) vote in the election of trustees. Having more than one (1) regular membership does not entitle a Life Member to additional votes. Associate Life Members do not have voting privileges.
Addresses
The National Home must have the complete home mailing address for individual Life Members. This needs to be sent to us at the time the membership is ordered. This information is used to mail the trustee election ballot and the bi-annual newsletter, Lifeline; therefore it is vital that Life Members immediately inform the National Home of any address change. This information is not available to the National Home through any other source.
Organization Affiliation
It is important that we have on file the current number of the individual Life Members in a Post or Auxiliary in order to provide Life Membership awards. To be considered Active (Voting) Life Members of the National Home, individuals must have paid dues currently with the VFW organization. Keep in mind, we do not record your membership by MOC or MOCA number. We record by Post or Auxiliary number only.
Deceased Individuals
Life Membership in the National Home cannot be purchased in the name of a deceased individual. However, Life Memberships can be purchased in the name of a living individual or organization, in memory of a deceased individual. The notation "in memory of ..." is placed on the face of the Life Membership certificate underneath the name of the member.
Please note that the National Home does not keep a record of the ’in memory’ information. It must also be noted that once a living Life Member becomes deceased, his or her membership cannot be transferred to another individual or organization. The name of the deceased Life Member remains permanently on the record as someone who helped support the National Home.
Joint Membership
A Life Membership cannot be issued in a joint name, such as husband and wife, brother and sister, etc. due to the fact that each regular Life Member is entitled to one (1) vote in the election of trustees; therefore, only one (1) name can appear on the membership.
Transfer of Membership
Life Memberships cannot be transferred from one person to another. In the event that a membership is ordered, and it is later learned that the individual already has one, we can make a change; however, this must be done within a three-month period from the original order date.
Ballot Information
When the six-year term of the National Home Trustee in your District expires, you will be mailed a ballot at the end of August. If you are a Life Member and do not receive your ballot during an election year in your District by October 1, contact the National Home immediately. Provide us as much information as possible, including the date of membership as it appears on the face of your certificate, and/or the number which appears on your National Home wallet card. Ladies should indicate the name under which the membership was purchased if it is different from the current name, such as maiden name or previous married name. If you have transferred from one organization to another, also please include the original organization number as well as a previous address.
Timely Ordering of Life Memberships
It is best to allow a minimum of four (4) weeks for the processing of a Life Membership. At peak times, such as March and April, or prior to Christmas, it is best to allow even more time. Mail can take as long as a week each way, depending on your location. If you need a membership for a special presentation, give us the date and we will make every effort to get it to you in time.
It is especially important that you inform us of deceased members and new addresses or name changes. If we do not have the member’s correct home mailing address, we will be unable to mail the annual ballot for the election of trustees in the fall.
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