Meeting Secrecy

Comment

Comment by Rob on May 24, 2009 at 3:39pm

I think you can use common sense here, I would never post the details of the QM report only that is was read and approved, I also would note post dollar values for a charity only that it was voted on to support the charity.
If a member wanted more info then that I would ask them to start coming to the meetings.

Comment by Chris Weber on May 22, 2009 at 9:23pm

I feel the Best way to handle to info sent out of the Post to the Public (anf Forums) is to check out the material in the Public Relations Guide and go out and Really Promote the Great work that you do. A lot of the thins in the Minutes could be setting up strategies on projects that you might not really be ready for public knowledge. Call your Blog Postings your Monthly Newsletter. Then EMail your minures to your Members. You can even put a small line at the bottom (or somewhere on your page) for your Members to request the Minutes. Just verify the membership. Events such as Awards and Presentations are meant to be Announced anyway you can. It is just the Behind the Scenes details that should be kept "secure". I hope this helps you understand where I am feeling on this. Your Post is doing great work and rest assure, there is No embarrashment there. Keep up you great Work and your News Letters.

Comment by Jack D. Higgins (ZAP44) on May 22, 2009 at 8:26pm

Chris I have reviewed each of your references. First there is a difference between secure and secret. Some of your references pertain to keeping records secure and say nothing about keeping them secret. However many of your references fall back to one line “I will never make known to anyone – not authorized to receive it – any of the work of this order.” Well following that to the letter we are in violation with every post officer installation photo, every VOD and PP winner photo, and partially everything else that we do. The article 9 you refer to as an offense to release the inner post information doesn’t say that at all. What it says is “Divulging any of the private business of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States with the intent or effect of embarrassing the Veterans of Foreign Wars or members thereof.” I certainly hope my post meeting minutes are not embarrassing to the VFW or any member. I will not be posting the Post Quartermaster ledger or information on many financial matters, personal issues, e-mail addresses, phone numbers etc. Not that they violate the By-laws but doing so would violate common sense. Now some financial matters such as our recent $8,000 roof repair project has been well publicized and in fact won us a $500 grant towards it from our friends at Wal-Mart. Anyway we have discussed this and by unanimous vote of the membership the minutes will continue to be posted with anything not appropriate being removed.

Comment by Chris Weber on May 15, 2009 at 1:55pm

I have made comments in several different entries on Post Minutes. It is kind of covered in the By-Laws. From the 2008 edition;
As far as places in the By Laws which may indicate to keep the financial records and minutes secure, here are a few;
2009 Podium Edition
Manual of Procedure
Page 24, Sec 522,c, Dept Budget
Page 66, Sec 218, 5, h, Post QM Duties
Page 81, Sec 518, 4, g, Dept QM Duties
Page 82, Sec 518, 4, k, Dept Budget
Ritual Manual
Page 22, Member's Obligation (Short Form)
Page 33, Member's Obligation,(Full Ceremonial)
Page 44, Instituting a New Post, Member's Obligation
Page 44, Instituting a New Post, Officer's Obligation
Page 51, Installing Post Officers, Officer's Obligation
Page 59, Installing Dept Officers, Officer's Obligation
Page 60 - 61, Installing Dept Officers, QM Duties
Page 61, Installing Dept Officers, Commander's Duties
Page 62, Installing Dept Officers, Commander's Obligation
I don't recall right now, but it is also mentioned as an Article 9 offense to release the inner post information.
Now, take to mind, they give the general idea that some things are to be controlled and permitted to be seen in secure areas. In the Meetings is considered to be in a secure location. That is why only VFW Members are permitted to attend. When a Non VFW Person is granted an audiance in a VFW Meeting, that is why the Bible is Closed.
Now, general anouncements of planned Post activities is great.

Comment by Iris Joe Kelley on May 15, 2009 at 7:54am

I agree with you Jack. The only thing I will not post on the post weblog or discuss outside of the confines of the organization is how much money is spent on any particular donation. I know the word gets around but I do not feel that we should advertise specific amounts because that might draw shysters trying a scam to get a donation. I will publish total donations made annually though. Those members that might wish to know can always attend a meeting or simply ask to look at the books. I keep them handy and open to all. Our post certainly has nothing to hide and I would wonder about any post that feels that they have something to hide, maybe they do.
Cheerily
Joe

Comment by Jack D. Higgins (ZAP44) on May 14, 2009 at 4:10pm

My post blog is getting anonymous comments about posting our monthly meeting minutes on our blog. http://www.vfwwebcom.org/me/post9787/ I guess if someone wants to join a secret post ours isn’t the one…we voted unanimously to continue posting our minutes. There are some members who think we are a secretive organization which we are not. Some things of course should not be on the internet…not that they would be a violation of the by-laws but a violation of common sense. However the purpose of the VFW is fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable and educational and how you further those while being secretive is beyond me.