Community Service
Community Service
Community Service is the primary justification for the VFW’s tax-exempt status. As such, the reporting of projects under this program is critical to our organization.
When community service programs are completed, reporting these programs to the Community Activities Chairperson (commonly the Junior Vice Commander) is essential for helping to maintain our tax-exempt status.
If the Post does well in the community, the Post will benefit from these activities. Good community service plus publicity will attract new members. Reporting is telling the story of the good work done by the VFW and its Auxiliary. We should be proud of our good work in the community. It also allows us to maintain our tax-exempt status.
Helpful Tips for Completing the Report
Please provide your info so if we have questions about the event reported we can contact you for clarification.
Calculating Time: this is the combined time of all VFW members who participated in the event. Minimum starts a 1 hour. (Example: 3 members for 2.5 hours = 7.5 hours)
Calculating Mileage: milage starts from Home/Post Address to the event location and then back to Home/Post address for each VFW member that attended. Mileage is the Sum Total.
Qualifying Expenses: receipts, donations, registration fees, etc. (Example: If the Rider's go to support someone else's charity ride, the entry fee for each Rider/Passenger is reportable.)
Documentation is necessary to maintain the integrity of the program and should be included in each report submitted. Please attach receipts, checks, programs, news clippings, letters, and emails related to the project by clicking on the "Attach Documents" link in the form.
For projects without documentation, this report must be verified and signed by the Post Commander, but this should be the exception rather than the rule. If the projects are to be considered toward 100% reporting status and All-State eligibility, ensure the project is appropriately documented. Also keep in mind the focus should be on the quality of projects, not the number of reports.
If the person reviewing the report at the Department level does not have enough facts to get a clear picture of what was done, they can disregard or return the report for more information.
When attaching documents, there is a 10 MB limit on individual files. If multiple files are uploaded the total cannot exceed 15 MB. If you have photos from the event, please send them separately to the JR Vice email: Communications@VFW7397.org.