Al "The Real Deal" Lipphardt

05/31/2022

In yesterday's Memorial Day post I shared with you the outstanding turn-out to commemorate those we gave their life while serving in uniform. Enjoy this rendition of the Lee Greenwood song and witness for yourself the patriotism evoked by the words and voice of this performance. VFW Post 12002 proud to be a participant and importantly a supporter in this community. "Believe In What You Do - Do What You Believe in"

03/22/2022

Good afternoon, Comrades,
Please visit the Department of Georgia website www.vfwga.com and click on the Resource Tab to scroll down to the Mentoring button and you will find Chapter 5, Combining Membership and Leadership for Emerging Leaders. This is the final chapter prior to publishing the epilogue of the ABC's of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders.

If you have enjoyed this series and have benefitted from the view of a VFW All American Triple Crown Commander, I welcome your comments. It has been both my honor and pleasure to provide lessons I have learned over the past 50 years in the world of not-for- profit volunteer service organizations.

Upon completion of the epilogue the material will remain available electronically for your convenience and use. Additionally, I intend to provide hard copies to those who may desire in June, 2022. All are at no charge. To not provide the benefit of my experiences with those who come behind is a disservice to future leaders.

Please email, text, call me with your questions, comments, or concerns. I stand available and ready to be of assistance. If there is anything you think I should be, or could be doing to help you all you need do is reach out. My email is [email protected], my cell number is 404-680-2891. If I am not available leave me a message and I will return your call.

"Believe In What You Do - Do What You Believe In"

From the home page find the resource tab, click on the mentoring button to find the ABC's of Membership and the latest addition, Chapter 5.

www.vfwga.com

,Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Georgia

03/09/2022

The ABC's of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders

Chapter 5, Combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders

Week 6 Being a leader in the Veterans of Foreign Wars

There are many descriptions of what constitutes a leader. I'd have to say that for the most part, all are correct when correlated with a particular circumstance. These are the three elements, that enable an individual to lead a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in any elected or appointed position. These same three elements enable elected or appointed individuals to fulfill the role at the district, at the Department and at the National levels.

First and foremost is Integrity, followed closely by comprehension, and personal courage.

There are volumes upon volumes written on the subject of integrity. It is the foundation upon which every other character is based. Without integrity there is no honesty, without integrity there is no loyalty, without integrity there is no respect, without integrity there is no humility, without integrity there is no respect, without integrity there is no compassion, without integrity there is no fairness, without integrity there is no reliability and without integrity there is no authenticity.

We, the Veterans of Foreign Wars are known as a Fraternal organization and while we continue to be referred as such, I would submit we are an assimilation of men and women united by the bonds of combat deployment. Back in the day you could say we were much like a fraternity in the sense of socialization, but we are so much more today. If we are referred to as a fraternal organization, we are assuredly, not a fraternity. Those whom we choose to lead our organization at each level must be chosen based on a clear and undeniable understanding of the purpose of our organization and substantiated achievements of successful leadership in volunteer, not for profit endeavors where synergy is key. These leaders must possess a vision ensuring our relevance and our significance in the lives of not only yesterday's veterans but those who serve today and into the future. To select the leader at any level in the organization based simply on popularity, aka our buddy, is a dis-service to our membership, our community, and frankly our nation.

Tomorrow we will delve into the element of comprehension in combining our membership with leadership for emerging leaders.

03/08/2022

The ABC's of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders

Chapter 5, Combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders

Week 6. Topic Tuesday Combining Membership.

Having previously reviewed Posts - Article II, Districts - Article IV, and Departments - Article V we now consider National - Article VI from the current Podium edition of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Congressional Charter, Bylaws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual.

To start this week's segment, we begin by considering what it is to be a member. Have you ever heard a member, when asked about their role, answer by saying "I'm just a member"? There is no such thing as "just a member".

As a member you preserve and strengthen comradeship among other members. You perpetuate the memory and history of our dead. You assist their surviving spouses and orphans. You maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America and fidelity to its Constitution and laws. You foster true patriotism. You maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom. You preserve and defend the United States from all enemies. So, though you may not hold an elected or appointed position in the post, district, department or national organization, the next time you are asked about your role tell them with an immense sense of pride what your membership represents. We are the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the only Veteran Service Organization dedicated to the combat warrior established in 1899 by veterans of the Spanish American War.

Our power as an organization, that is our influence, does not come from the top but rather it is from the volume and combined voice of the grassroots member. So, to hear someone say they are just a member is both disingenuous and demeaning. It indicates a dismissal and lack of understanding of the sacrifices to be eligible for membership in this prestigious organization and the strong influence as a collective body of individuals. The statement "there is strength in numbers" is not without validity.

Next, we will look at how we combine our membership with our leadership to continue our legacy of over 123 years, as President Abraham Lincoln noted, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.”





Infantry

02/22/2022

The ABC's of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders

Before I introduce the subject for the week, I want to tell you about several emails I received last week that were very disturbing. They indicated that I had violated policies concerning social media content and there were a number of sources who had reported such offenses. I deleted them immediately as they were from a third party and not Facebook.

The ABC's of Membership is a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders and has been provided based upon my experiences as a successful leader in the not-for profit world and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. The material is not sold and is freely provided. I have made every attempt to identify resources for this book and to give credit where credit is due. If I have omitted any attributions to either individuals or entities, it is unintentional and will be corrected with notification.

Should this page be deleted please visit www.vfwga.com for the complete series of the ABC's of Membership. Again, this material is free and you are encouraged and welcome to copy and distribute to other interested individuals.

Chapter 5, Combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders

Week 4 of 10. This week we talk about the next level of our organization, the District. Information on Districts is found in Article IV - DISTRICTS in the podium edition of the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Bylaws and Manual of Procedure. In this series for new VFW members and emerging leaders we will point out the differences between the post and the district when it comes to Bylaws and the Manual of Procedure.

02/19/2022

The ABC's of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders

Chapter 5, Combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders
Week 3 of 10.

Saturday

Earlier this week we referenced an element in Officers and Chairman Duties and Obligations that could be confusing. Because the word SHALL applied at every part of the listings, I needed to be sure I understood the intention of the phrase “perform such duties as are incident to the office or as may from time to time be required”. I contacted the Director of Operations, at the National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Comrade Johnathan Duncan for clarification. I appreciate his quick response and explanation. Essentially the phrase means the officer shall perform duties as required by their respective Commander in line with the historical duties and responsibilities of that office as found in Sections 218,418, 518, and 618 Officers and Chairman, Duties and Obligations

Some Posts, in addition to covering down for the Commander in their absence, the Junior Vice position is responsible for community service and the Senior Vice oversees membership recruiting although that is not defined in the bylaws. The responsibilities of these positions may vary from Post to Post or even from Commander to Commander in the same Post.

Additionally, some posts thought the traditional role of the Post Surgeon keeping a log of medical equipment, was missing an opportunity to utilize the position for the health and welfare of our members, so they expanded those duties to provide that the Surgeon would focus on health and wellness for members in the form of organizing fitness activities and events such as 5K’s. Some have also taken a more expansive view of the role of our Chaplain who could be better utilized beyond just leading prayers. We imbued our Chaplain with the responsibility of looking after the mental and spiritual wellness of our members.

At the end of the day, these duties and responsibilities are not clearly defined which is an opportunity to expand or shift their scope for the betterment of the Post and its membership.

Next week we will delve into the characteristics of leadership in combining them with our membership/managers for emerging leaders.

02/18/2022

The ABC's of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders

Chapter 5, Combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders
Week 3 of 10.

Remember Everyone Deployed (RED)

When thinking about combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders, as Veterans of Foreign Wars members, I think about the fact leaders are not born, they are made (developed). Secondly, I think about the camaraderie we shared in the hell holes of far distant lands. We existed in the severest of conditions with the prospect of death ever present. None of us, I believe, miss those places or times, but we certainly miss the comrades on our right and left and behind us. We knew whichever way we turned our comrades had our backsides covered.

While the reference was to "comrades" that is synonymous for soldier, marine, sailor, airman, or coast guardsman. We are and were inclusive. Branch of service is irrelevant to those who served. Short, tall, fat, skinny, hairy, bald, ugly, beautiful, male, female, white, black, red, brown or whatever other description or label you add, we that is those who were there did so understanding the ultimate sacrifice that may be required. We were truly one force - one team - one fight.

The time is now to get back to the unity of our service. Our nation needs us perhaps as critically as we were needed when “The shot heard round the world” referred to the opening shot of the battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Our nation has needed us to secure and protect our freedom ever since. Today, I ask myself how close we are, as a nation, to that day in 1775.

"Believe In What You Do - Do What You Believe In"

02/17/2022

The ABC's of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders

Chapter 5, Combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders
Week 3 of 10.

Some inspirational and motivational thoughts on combining membership and leadership. I use the term membership interchangeably with manage because of the creative and initiative aspects of leadership

“I read about a number of generals and colonels who are said to have wandered about exhorting the troops to advance. That must have been very inspirational! I suspect, however, that the men were more interested and more impressed by junior officers and NCOs who were willing to lead them rather than having some general pointing out the direction in which they should go.”. – Stephen E. Ambrose

“All leading from the rear gets you, is first place at the back of the line.”. – Mark W Boyer

"A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others." — Douglas MacArthur

“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” – Peter Drucker. “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

02/16/2022

The ABC's of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders

Chapter 5, Combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders

Week 3 of 10. During Week 3 of this chapter the focus is on Article II of our National Bylaws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual specifically Section 218 - Officers and Chairman, Duties and Obligations. As one moves from being a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to a leader in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, institutional knowledge is paramount, that is to say critical to understanding the responsibilities of the positions of leadership.

As you read the Manual of Procedure, the 218, 418, 518, and 618 series, Officers and Chairman, Duties and Obligations, you find itemized and defined responsibilities. However, you will also find a responsibility containing the words "perform such other duties as are usually incident to the office" and "perform such other duties as are incident to such office or may from time to time be required for the laws and usages of the organization or lawful orders from proper authority". We will delve into exactly what those words refer to later in this chapter.

Ensure you have the current edition of the Bylaws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual.

Note that in each series when citing responsibilities, the very first sentence for the position states, "Among the duties of the ###xx, the ###xx shall. That, my comrades, is a word not to be confused with a suggestion. SHALL MEANS YOU MUST.

By in large, be it the Post (218), District (418) Department (518) and National (618) the Officers and Chairman, Duties and Obligations have many of the same responsibilities but there are differences requiring your understanding and actions Remember, you shall.

Lastly there is a difference between a manager and a leader. Not all managers make good leaders and conversely not all leaders make good managers. But as warriors, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, we deserve the opportunity to serve at whatever level we choose. In VFW you make the decision to serve. Should you choose not to accept an appointment to a position or nomination for an office, it is your right. You are a volunteer. Should you accept either of those, are installed, you accept the obligation of SHALL and will be held accountable.

While it is not as exhilarating as a fire fight and defeating the enemy, knowing you have successfully led a group of combat veteran volunteers to meet a goal, hold your head high......you have made a difference.

"Believe In What You Do - Do What You Believe In"

02/15/2022

The ABC's of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders

Chapter 5, Combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders

Week 3 of 10. During Week 3 of this chapter the focus is on Article II of our National Bylaws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual specifically Section 218 - Officers and Chairman, Duties and Obligations. As one moves from being a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to a leader in the Veterans of Foreign Wars institutional knowledge is paramount, that is to say critical to understanding the responsibilities of the positions of leadership.

02/14/2022

The ABC's of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders

Chapter 5, Combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders

Week 2 of 10. A quick reflection on combining membership and leadership for emerging leaders new to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

02/13/2022

For whatever reason the majority of the post I shared was omitted. So here is the post in its entirety.

After spending three days in Dallas Texas visiting the One Tribe Foundation how could we drive through Bossier City without stopping to be with old friends and make new friends from Post 4588. Thank you Tim Sloan and Grant Rogers for making this happen at a great restaurant “Beaux Jax”

Carol and I had a truly great time. Your personal support of our efforts to move away from the “but we have always done it this way” mentality by implementing new energies, ideas, initiatives, and preparing our current conflict members to serve in leadership roles at every level of our organization such as Post, District, Department, and National.

And when I say making things happen that is exactly what I mean. Change will never happen if we remain ensconced in our past. We live in todays world and must adapt to the times and add the values and character traits of integrity and honor required to succeed. My Council, to all Departments in the VFW is, when you and your officers were elected by the delegates of the convention, they elected you to lead. Use the power of your position to do not what is popular but to do what is right.

Thank you for following the ABC’s of Membership, a mentoring series for new VFW members and emerging leaders from the perspective of an All American Triple Crown Commander (All American Post Commander, All American District Commander and All American Department Commander).
The series can be found daily on this page and also on www.vfwga.com click on the Resource tab and scroll to the Mentoring button and click to see the entire series to date.

May you always believe in what you do - do what you believe in to be the difference. Stand by the courage of your convictions. There is never a wrong time to do the right thing. And lastly, “Good, Better, Best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best”






#4588