PREPARING A PROPOSED
RESOLUTION
The policy of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is established by resolutions adopted by the delegates attending Department and National conventions. Most such resolutions originate at the Post level and are passed through the District and Department before being acted upon at a National Convention. However, sometimes an otherwise worthy idea languishes merely because it is not correctly presented.
General speaking, a resolution contains two separate parts: a statement of the problem to be solved and the proposed solution to the problem. The problem is outlined in the “WHEREAS” clauses, and the proposed solution is given in the “RESOLVED” section.
The “RESOLVED” section of a resolution should be complete in itself without depending on the “WHEREAS” clauses to give it additional meaning.
how NOT to prepare a resolution
WHEREAS, the rising cost of living has created an intense hardship on those disabled veterans whose only income is a meager pension check; and
WHEREAS, non-service connected pensions should be increased accordingly; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we petition Congress to do so immediately.
(Note: The “RESOLVED” section says nothing when it is separated from the “WHEREAS” clauses.)
how to CORRECTLY prepare a resolution
WHEREAS, the rising cost of living has created an intense hardship on those disabled veterans whose only income is a meager pension check; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we petition Congress to enact legislation which would provide a substantial increase in non-service connected pension rates.
(Note: The “RESOLVED” section now has a proposed solution that makes sense and can stand alone without the “WHEREAS” clause having to give it meaning.)
A resolution may involve a local problem, in which case it needs no action on a level higher than that of the Post. If the problem concerns an area larger than that served by the Post, it should, after Post approval, be presented before the District or County Council. All resolutions of statewide, regional or national concern must be acted upon by the Department Convention. Those resolutions approved by a Department Convention, which affect persons or matters outside the state boundaries, must be forwarded to the National Convention for final disposition. A resolution disapproved by the Department Convention or not acted upon by the Department Convention will not be considered by the National Convention.
When submitting resolutions to the Department Convention, a notation on the bottom should show the previous action taken, such as approval by a Post and, if applicable, by the District or County Council.
Because the Department and National Conventions are held only once a year, it is of prime importance that Post resolutions be acted upon and submitted to the Department Adjutant at least a month prior to the opening of the Department Convention.
Resolutions may be originated by Department officers or by the Department Convention itself and acted upon by the Department Convention. A National Officer may originate a resolution concerning National affairs and submit it directly to the National Convention without Department action. Likewise, a National Convention Committee may originate a resolution and present it for approval during the National Convention.
The policy of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is established by resolutions adopted by the delegates attending Department and National conventions. Policy set by the National Convention is binding upon all subordinate units of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. No Post or Department is permitted to take any individual action or espouse any cause contrary to the National By-Laws or to the actions of the National Convention except that it may propose changes in policy by the preparation of a resolution for consideration as outlined in Preparing A Resolution.
CLICK HERE FOR THE MEMORANDUM FROM ALLEN "GUNNER" KENT