Received:  May 6, 2008

 

The VFW always has job fairs for our Veterans. I would like to see that to include the spouses, widows and children of our Veterans as well. We stand behind our Military and all it stands for and need the resources also.

 

Thank you

Pam Cain

 

Reply:  As of May 28/2009

You are right Pam; the VFW, in addition to veteran’s employment needs to support employment for the spouses, widows & children of veterans. The VFW supports Vet Jobs job site at www.vetjobs.com.Currently the VFW Department of Michigan, in partnership with the State of Michigan’s Department of Labor & Economic Growth have been hosting job fairs at VFW Posts around the state and are open to everyone; the state typically promotes the job fairs directly to veterans. A listing of upcoming job fairs is displayed on www.michigan.gov/veteranjobfairs.  The state has an online signup for a free “Employment & Training News”  www.michigan.gov/veteraninfo that notifies folks about upcoming job fairs (in the character of service box type “spouse”) that would help find out about upcoming events.

Perhaps the VFW, Department of Michigan could look into setting up their own website sign up so the Department of Michigan can forward information on various employment opportunities to all interested veterans and their families. The VFW Department of Michigan, and its past & present leadership, has been very supportive of offering veteran employment assistance. While the VFW of Michigan is probably one of the leaders in veteran employment services in the country, you have brought up an area where we can improve.

Thank You,
David Marin

 

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Received:  May 8, 2008

Delegates to the 2008 Michigan State Convention:

 

     Included in the upcoming May/June issue of the MOV will be a proposal to change National By-Law Section 703 that would allow individual business units the option of choosing a bond or dishonesty insurance to protect their units’ liquid assets.  A letter with a copy of the proposal was mailed to each District Commander on January 14, 2008.

     A similar proposal, recommended for approval by the By-Laws and Resolution Committee, was defeated on the floor of our 2007 Michigan State Convention. I believe it was defeated because of misunderstanding and misinformation proffered by the delegates who stood in opposition to it. I addressed each of those delegates’ statements in writing in October 2007. I received no reply.

     The facts are simple: All posts must purchase a bond to comply with Section 703 or face suspension. The VFW Post Insurance Program includes a $150,000 dishonesty policy as part of its business coverage to protect a post’s liquid assets. All officers, employees, and volunteers are included in that coverage. It has a $500 deductible. A Quartermaster bond in the amount of $150,000 through the Department costs $525. It has no deductible.

     It’s easy to be mislead into believing that the coverage provided by a bond provides protection superior to that of dishonesty insurance. It does not. Nor does the language of a surety bond require officer accountability or reinforce adherence in other requirements to the By-Laws as some purport. The time to change this 50 year old program is now. How long will we continue to needlessly line the pockets of the insurance companies, their underwriters, and agents by mandating the purchase of a Quartermaster bond? It is duplicitous and a pitiful waste of money.  

     I urge all delegates to the 2008 Michigan State Convention to stand in support of this change.  Provided an option, the posts will make the decision that best meets their business needs. Isn’t providing freedom of choice what America is all about?

 

Jim Muzzin

Trustee Post 9021

Warren, MI.

May 8, 2008

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