NEW HAVEN, CONN. (May 19, 2024)–Four of the six Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Connecticut Districts have endorsed an extensive revision of the department bylaws.
The “2024 VFW Connecticut Bylaw Revision” offers a comprehension review and reduction of the rules document governing state-level VFW operations, from 21 to seven pages.
The bylaw revision was initially adopted by Connecticut’s newest post, VFW 12150 New Haven, and cleared through its respective district VFWCT2. The revision was endorsed by:
- VFWCT2, April 14, 2024
- VFWCT3, May 4, 2024 convention
- VFWCT 6, May 16, 2024 convention
- VFWCT 1, May 18, 2024 convention
Submitted through proper channels (as stipulated by current Department Bylaws), the bylaw revision has been recieved by the department adjutant, forwarded and reviewed by the department Bylaw and Resolutions Committee, and distributed via email by the department adjutant to VFW Connecticut comrades and leadership.
Bylaw revision editor and proponent, Charles M. Pickett, 2023-2024 junior vice commander of the Department of Connecticut, said the revision has been crafted with professional help and well recieved by post and district leadership.
“I recieved subject-matter expert help with this extensive this bylaw revision,” Pickett said, “however, I have to stress, VFW National officers have to rightfully maintain a position of neutrality and there is NO implied endorsement of these bylaws–which I fully respect. In the spirit of true comradeship, they just reviewed the document from a neutral position–NOT endorsed this bylaw revision–to make sure they didn’t conflict with the National Bylaws. Truly, this bylaw revision is VFW Connecticut’s business, and will be decided on the floor of our June department convention; hopefully, by its adoption!”
Most of the reduction comes from the removal of many redundant, word-for-word copies of whole sections from the VFW National Bylaws. The biggest changes are:
- 21 pages to 7 pages
- removal of the many redundant sections
- removal of section violating national bylaws (Article XVI)
- removal of ignored mandates
- creation of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document
- updating portions to match national bylaws
- appointment of judge advocate and surgeon to match national
- change to “commander may appoint such chairmen and committees as deemed necessary to properly conduct the affairs of the Department” instead of 22 mandated standing committees (that are largely not staffed or understaffed)
- addition of “Robert’s Rules of Order” under procedural matter