By Nestor Tamayao
As my reign as Post Commander comes to a close in June, it dawns on me that the tenure of the position is fairly short. Twelve months are not a lot of time to accomplish many things that I had on my “to-do” list regarding the post.
Membership was one of those items I wanted to address. As of this writing, the post is fairly close to 100 percent membership. We lost members over the past several years which affected our membership total. The VFW as a whole has had some difficulties with declining membership. Gone are the heydays after World War II when the VFW was a strong and robust organization with millions of members. Our own post, I’ve been told, was a flurry of activity and social events many years ago with Saturday night dancing, dinners and post and auxiliary meetings with many members in attendance.
The decline in the membership of the VFW is, in my opinion, attributable in part to its difficulty in recruiting younger veterans. I have talked to younger veterans and have encouraged them to join our post. Many of them say they would think about it but don’t follow through. I have a feeling it may be the impression they have of the VFW – stodgy members who sit around and drink. But we all know that is far from the truth.
Younger veterans comprise a different generation than a majority of us. So they have different outlooks and ways of doing business. In order for us to attract them, we need to ensure that we make the VFW relevant to them. Our post has had new initiatives, committees and activities that have improved the vibrancy of the post. Members have stepped up to chair events, participate in fund-raisers such as Buddy Poppy distributions, and improve communications through social media and our newsletter which resumed publication after many years of being idle.
All of us are “recruiters” for VFW membership. And when you get an opportunity to talk about the VFW to a prospective new member, bring out what the VFW does and the benefits available with membership. But most importantly, tell them why you joined. I’m sure that would perk their interest.
Speaking of membership, I received a letter from National VFW Commander-in-Chief Brian Duffy acknowledging Comrade Harold Rodenberger’s recruitment of 10 new and returning members to our post. Comrade Rodenberger’s accomplishment typifies the level of involvement of post members. I thank him for his single-handed effort which is recognized with a special pin indicating the recruitment of 10 members.
Clearly, membership is paramount for the VFW organization and our Post to endure. I certainly can’t see into the future, but I am confident that the VFW and Ballard Eagleson Post 3063 will continue to be a premier fraternal organization with the mission of “Veterans Helping Veterans.”