ALL-STATE

All-State Program – Department of Washington VFW

2026–2027 Program

All-State Program

Department of Washington Veterans of Foreign Wars

If Not You, Then Who?

District Submission Routing

Use this rule when a District advances a program submission to the Department of Washington.

All-State Program Submit to the Department Adjutant.
Not an All-State Program Submit directly to the appropriate Department Chairman.
Simple Rule:
All-State = Department Adjutant
Not All-State = Department Chairman

All-State Programs Submitted Through the Department Adjutant

District-level submissions for the following programs are routed through the Department Adjutant so participation can be recorded for All-State purposes before the submission is forwarded to the appropriate Department Chairman when necessary.

  • Voice of Democracy
  • Patriot’s Pen
  • Youth Essay
  • Teacher of the Year — all three levels
  • Public Servant Awards
    • Law Enforcement
    • Firefighter
    • EMT
    • 911 Operator
    • Bomb Technician
  • Veteran of the Year
  • Scout of the Year
  • Chaplain of the Year
  • Humanitarian Award
  • Publication Award
District All-State Submissions
Department Adjutant: adj@vfwwa.net
Important: This rule applies to District-to-Department submissions. It does not change Post-to-District submission procedures, program deadlines, or required electronic submission systems.

When a program requires an official electronic system, including the Scholars App, continue to use that system as required. The routing policy above governs Department tracking and District-level submission to the Department.

Mission

The Department of Washington will build a stronger VFW through:

  • Aggressive membership growth
  • Consistent retention
  • Leadership development
  • Full participation in VFW core programs
  • Helping Veterans and their communities

Membership Goals

Posts must maintain 80% retention of prior-year annual members and achieve 100% + 1 growth.

2026–2027 All-State membership goals by Post division
Division Membership Size Minimum Goal
1 501 and above 100% + 1
2 351–500 100% + 1
3 246–350 100% + 1
4 190–245 100% + 1
5 150–189 100% + 1
6 125–149 100% + 1
7 105–124 100% + 1
8 90–104 100% + 1
9 70–89 100% + 1
10 50–69 100% + 1
11 10–49 100% + 1

Post Requirements

Administrative Compliance
  • Quarterly Trustee Reports of Audit submitted by July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30.
  • Quartermaster properly bonded by August 31, 2026.
  • Election Report submitted by June 1, 2027, with all elected positions filled.
  • No arrears at any level.
  • Delegate dues paid by June 1, 2027.
  • April Post minutes with delegate list submitted to the Department Adjutant by May 15, 2027.
  • Email delegate list to adj@vfwwa.net .
Training & Leadership
  • Commander, Senior Vice, or Junior Vice plus Quartermaster must attend Department or District School of Instruction.
  • Commander, Senior Vice, or Junior Vice must attend Mid-Winter Training.
  • Commander, Senior Vice, or Junior Vice must attend all District Meetings.
  • Commander, Senior Vice, Junior Vice, and Quartermaster must complete Washington VFW University training by January 1, 2027.
  • Required training includes officer-required modules and the Membership & Recruiting module.
Core Program Participation
  • Voice of Democracy: minimum 1 entry advanced through the Scholars App by November 15, 2026.
  • Patriot’s Pen: minimum 1 entry advanced through the Scholars App by November 15, 2026.
  • Teacher of the Year: minimum 1 teacher advanced by November 15, 2026.
  • Youth Essay: minimum 1 entry advanced by November 15, 2026.
  • Veteran of the Year: minimum 1 entry advanced by February 28, 2027.
  • Public Servant Awards: submit any two categories by December 15, 2026.
  • Public Servant categories include Law Enforcement, Firefighter, EMT, 911 Operator, and Bomb Technician.
  • Update the All-American dashboard by January 31, 2027, where required.
District submission reminder: When these programs advance from the District to the Department, follow the All-State submission-routing instructions at the top of this page.
Community Service
  • Submit 15 community service reports per quarter.
  • Reports must be event-based.
  • No summary reports.
  • Show 5% growth over the previous year.
  • Meet IRS 990 reporting standards.
  • Participate in VFW Day of Service in May.
  • Register VFW Day of Service participation on the OMS National website.
Buddy Poppy & Donations
  • Purchase 5 Buddy Poppies per member minimum.
  • Minimum purchase of 500 Buddy Poppies.
  • Order through the Department website at www.vfwwa.org .
  • Donate $100 to Heroes in the Ball Park through the Department Zeffy account.
  • Donate $100 to A Hero’s Promise through the Department Zeffy account.

All-State Post Awards

All-State Post All-State Streamer plus a two-night stay at Department Convention, including one banquet ticket.
Post Commander All-State Pin plus choice of All-State Cap or $70 gift card.
Post Quartermaster All-State Pin plus choice of All-State Cap or $70 gift card.

Captain of the All-State Team

To qualify, a Post must meet all All-State criteria plus complete the following:

  • Submit all program categories.
  • Submit Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen, and Youth Essay.
  • Submit Teacher of the Year in all three levels.
  • Submit Public Servant entries in at least four categories.
  • Submit Scout, Veteran, Chaplain, Humanitarian, and Publication entries.
  • Donate $100 minimum to Heroes in the Ball Park through Zeffy.
  • Donate $100 minimum to A Hero’s Promise through Zeffy.
  • Donate $125 minimum to NVS through OMS.
  • Donate $75 minimum to DPAA through OMS.
  • Complete full quarterly community service compliance.
  • Meet Buddy Poppy requirements.
Submission routing: Program submissions required for Captain of the All-State Team are included in the All-State submission process and should be routed from the District through the Department Adjutant.
One Post Commander may earn Captain of the All-State Team. If no Post meets the requirements, no Captain will be named.

District Commander Requirements

  • District Quartermaster bonds, election reports, inspections, and delegate dues must be current or paid and received at Department Headquarters.
  • District School of Instruction completed by October 31, 2026, with a Department Officer present.
  • Commander, Senior Vice, or Junior Vice plus Quartermaster must attend Department School of Instruction.
  • Commander, Senior Vice, or Junior Vice must attend Mid-Winter Training Classes.
  • Commander, Senior Vice, or Junior Vice must attend all Department Council of Administration meetings.
  • Commander, Senior Vice, Junior Vice, and Quartermaster must complete Washington VFW University training by January 1, 2027.
  • District must achieve 100% + 1 membership.
  • District Commander report must be submitted no later than 30 days after each District Meeting.
  • District audit must be submitted within 30 days of each District Meeting.

District Awards

  • All-State Streamer
  • Commander: All-State Pin plus Cap or $70 gift card
  • Quartermaster: Pin plus Cap or $70 gift card

Commander’s Message

Anyone can hold a position. Not everyone leaves a legacy.

This program is not about checking boxes. It is about building Posts that are strong, engaged, and committed to Veterans.

If not you, then who?

Frank Persa
State Commander
Department of Washington Veterans of Foreign Wars

This page summarizes the 2026–2027 Department of Washington VFW All-State Membership Program. Refer to the official program packet for complete requirements and final authority.