Bylaws: Training, Forms & Templates

The 2025 Podium edition is now available.

Published annually following the VFW National Convention, the 2025 VFW Podium Edition contains the VFW's Congressional Charter, National Bylaws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual. This must have go-to reference book contains the organization's most up-to-date rules and regulations. From how to run a meeting, to guidelines for Posts, Districts and Departments, here you will find the answers to all your questions. Don't go to a meeting without it!

Members may purchase a hard copy through the VFW Store (available soon), or download the digital version here for free. 

District

• District Election Report
• District Inspection Form & Instructions

Post

• Post Authorization Agreement for Auto (ACH) Deposits Form
• Post Charter Application (Fillable)
• Post Charter Application (Printable)
• Post Charter Location Change Form
• Post Charter Report of Institution Form
• Post Consolidation Form
• Post Continuous Member Transmittal Form
• Post Election Report & Convention Mailing 2024
• Post Inspection Form & Instructions
• Post Inspection Form & Instructions (Fillable)
• Post Member Change Request Form
• Post Name Change Form
• Post Quartermaster Transmittal Summary Form
• Post Riders Group Approval Form
• Post Transfer Member Declaration Form

General

• Authorization Agreement for Auto Payments Form
• Disciplinary Action Forms (DA) - PDF
• Disciplinary Action Forms (DA) - Word
• Quartermaster's Detail of Receipts and Disbursements
• Quartermaster Draft Book (Voucher/Payment Order) - Form 4211
• Trustees' Report of Audit Form (Fillable)
• Trustees' Report of Audit Form (Printable)
• Use of Name and Logo Authorization Form
• VFW Store Order Form

• District Articles of Incorporation Template
• District Bylaws Template
• Post Articles of Incorporation Template
• Post Bylaws Template

Training Videos and Webinars

• Conducting a VFW Post Meeting Opening - Need to know details about opening a Post meeting
• Conducting a VFW Post Meeting - Discover the rituals and ceremony surrounding a Post meeting
• Conducting a VFW Post Meeting Closing - Understanding the Post closing ceremony
• Challenging a VFW Member's Eligibility - Do's and don'ts of challenging a VFW member's eligibility
• Election Report & Convention Mailing - A breakdown of the important Quartermaster mailing
• Submitting Post Bylaws & Articles of Incorporation - Ins & outs of adopting and amending Bylaws
• ID.me: Introduction - Understand what ID.me is, and why the VFW is using it to protect your account
• ID.me: Resetting Your Password Tutorial - Instructions on how to reset your ID.me password
• ID.me: Sign Up - A step-by-step look at how to create an ID.me and a VFW online membership system (OMS) account

Parliamentarian Procedure Training Videos

• 123rd National Convention Parliamentary Training Session - If you missed the training session at convention, watch it here
• 123rd National Convention Parliamentary Training PowerPoint - Download the training session presentation from the 2022 national convention
• Governing Documents & Rules - From charters and statutes, to bylaws, here we discuss the VFW's various types of rules and documents
• Unnecessary Committee Reports & Shortening Your Meeting - Great news - you don't have to include "Time-Wasting Committee Reports” on your meeting agenda
• How to Make & Handle Motions - The Dos and Don'ts of correct motion making
• Misconceptions of the Second - You know that "seconds" happen, but here we outline the actual purpose and and operation of the a second
• Nominations & Elections - Don't wait for an election to be contested or go wrong before seeing what Robert's Rules says
• How to Close Debate - Don't let your meeting drag on forever with needless discussion - here are some facts to know before moving directly to a vote
• Taking a Vote - Use our tried-and-true method for taking a vote that relies on a pattern and using consistent language
• Presiding Officer Vote - Can the Presiding Officer vote - here we discuss why the answer is yes, but only sometimes
• Challenge Announced Results of a Voice Vote - The ‘ayes’ don’t always have it
• Request for Meeting Minutes - Learn the ins and outs of a proper request
• Tabling a Motion - In this video we will discuss tabling a motion according to Robert's Rules of Order.
• Suspending the Rules - Are you ready to learn about the wild world of suspending rules? Buckle up because it's about to get crazy.
• Motion to Commit - In this video we will explore how the motion to commit works, according to Robert's Rules of Order.
• Dealing with Disruptive Members - Have you ever dealt with a Comrade at a meeting who just won't stop talking or keeps interrupting others? Or maybe someone who's acting out of order or causing a disturbance? Well, fear not, because Robert's Rules of Order, and our National Bylaws, have a solution for dealing with out of order members. 
• Motion to Take from the Table - In a prior video we learned how to table a motion when something urgent comes up. But now we must learn how to bring that motion back for consideration by the membership.
  
   

Training Guides & Standard Operating Procedures 

• Amendments & Resolutions Manual - Your go-to guide for preparing amendments and resolutions
• Ceremonial Rifles, Ammunition & Military Equipment - Instructions for conditional donations
• Cross of Malta and Logo Usage - Discover the do's and don'ts to using VFW insignia
• Guide to Disciplinary Action (Article IX) - This procedural guide is designed to supplement the rules outlined in the Bylaws and MOP
• Guide to Protocol - Take the stress out of planning a major VFW event
• M1 Garand Operation and Maintenance Guide - The ultimate care and how-to guide from CCDC-AC
• M1 Garand Operation, Safety and Maintenance - The U.S. Army's official M1 Garand website
• Post Suspension Guide - Ensure your department understands the purpose and procedures of suspending a Post
• VFW Riders Guidelines - All you need to know about the standards and purpose of VFW Riders 
• VFW Riders Guidelines (Fillable) - All you need to know about the standards and purpose of VFW Riders

Elected and Appointed Officer-Specific Materials 

Commanders

• 2024-25 Commander's Guide - Guides and training materials to educate and assist you in your role
• District Commander Manual - Your guide to district leadership, duties and responsibilities
• Leadership and Development Manual - Leadership tips and tools to inspire action
• Officer Responsibilities - Administrative Policy & Procedures - Get familiar with your job
• Values Based Leadership - A presentation by past VA Secretary McDonald
• VFW Programs Leadership Reference Guide - What you need to know about VFW Programs

Quartermasters

• 2024-25 Quartermaster's Guide - Guides and training materials to educate and assist you in your role 
• Quartermaster Guide Introduction - A road map to Quartermaster duties and responsibilities
• Quartermaster Guide to Federal Tax Information - Tax rules and procedures you should know
• Quartermaster Guide to Financial Reporting - Uniform System of Post Records/Accounts 101
• Quartermaster Guide to Member Services & Dues Processing - Find out what forms to fill out, and when

Trustees

• 2024-25 Trustees' Guide - Guides and training materials to educate and assist you in your role

Chaplains

• Chaplain's Handbook - Information and guidelines to be a successful Chaplain
• National Chaplain Website - Here's your one-stop-shop for all things VFW Chaplain
• VFW/Auxiliary Joint Memorial Service (Contemporary) - Helpful instructions for a joint memorial service

Training the Trainer

Inspector Training - Training that creates successful inspectors

• Inspector's Guide - Trainer
• Inspector's Guide - Trainee

Leading Your Organization - Establish priorities and create an action plan

• Leading Your Organization - Trainer Guide
• Leading Your Organization - Trainee Handout
• Leading Your Organization - Trainer PowerPoint Presentation