The Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary was founded in 1922 to assist the parent organization in their mission of service to honor our country’s defenders for their sacrifices by assuring they were not forgotten by our nation and its legislators.

Your membership strengthens the DAV Auxiliary in its battle to defend against benefit deterioration. You can be as active as you want to be. Local unit activities vary widely.

Extended family members of an honorably discharged veteran (includes all veterans – whether disabled or not disabled) or extended family of DAV Auxiliary members may join the organization.

We offer a scholarship program to DAVA life members; we have a program that offers one-time financial assistance to members in dire financial need. We have a project called DAVA for Kids where donations are providing transportation expenses so military children can attend Camp Corral for a week of a lifetime.

For members age 18 and older, we offer two types of adult membership: annual and life. Annual membership, on average, is $15 per year. Life membership can be secured with a $20 down payment and the total amount is based on the applicant’s age. Persons age 80 and older receive a complimentary life membership. For $3.00 annual dues, children age 17 and under can join as Junior members.

Contact the national headquarters office (859.441.7300, option #5). In most cases, we will provide you with a contact on the state level who may be more familiar with the units in your area.

You can apply online or download a membership application. Or, you can contact our national headquarters office to have an application sent to you. Also, if you prefer, any member of the national headquarters staff will accept your membership application and credit card payment by phone. 877.426.2838, option 5.

Yes! If no unit is specified on your application, you will be placed in the national at-large or if you prefer we can assign you to the state at-large. You will still be supporting the organization with your membership; however, you would not have a voice or vote at a state or national convention.

Yes. Membership cards are sent to senior members following our month-end processing.

Unfortunately, no, since all monies paid on the annual membership have been distributed.

No, there are no insurance benefits available at the present time.

Yes. You have access to highly-trained DAV National Service Officers who can answer your questions concerning VA benefits. Also, you can find a list of member discounts on our web site.

Yes. However, only one issue is sent per household.

No. Members are welcome to join the unit of their choice.

Yes, provided the multiple memberships are not in the same state.

Call or visit the facility and ask to speak to the program manager in the Voluntary Services department. You can designate the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary (DAVA) as the sponsoring organization for your volunteer hours.

If the DAV parent chapter approves the formation of an Auxiliary unit, ten new senior members are required to charter a new unit. Contact the Auxiliary state department or national headquarters office for further assistance.

Our membership year runs from July 1 through June 30.

A complimentary life membership pin is sent to any member who begins their life membership and pays it in full within the same membership year (July 1 through June 30), not a calendar year.

Yes. Log in to www.davmembers.org. Enter your membership number and date of birth as your password. After the initial log-in, you will be asked to establish your own personal password. If you encounter problems logging in, please contact our office 877.426.2838, option 5.

Contact national headquarters and a card will be reissued. Keep in mind that membership cards are only generated at the end of each month.

Bylaws and other DAVA fraternal sale items (other than the Auxiliary Manual) are ordered through the DAV National Service Foundation, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076, phone 859.441.7300, ext. 3252, e-mail: purchasingsupplies@dav.org. The constitution and bylaws are also available to view with printing capability on our website under the Membership/Publications tab.

An interim committee performs an annual review of the constitution and bylaws and considers all resolution submissions. Recommendations of this committee are presented to the national convention committee and changes are adopted on the convention floor by the registered delegates. Also, changes are made to the listings of national officers, chairmen, and national executive committee members.

Each unit is required to conduct an annual election for each individual office. All officers must be installed in accordance with the DAV Auxiliary bylaws.

Various methods can be used for election notification: postcards, newsletters, emails, letters. If your unit sends out one newsletter a year, you can list the date of the annual election and this would be considered written notification even if it is months in advance. The important point is that all senior members must be notified.

Outgoing officers should be prepared to turn over all records and possessions to their successor at the time of installation. On the state level, however, it may be difficult for the outgoing treasurer to turn over the checkbook until convention hotel bills are paid since the newly elected treasurer would not yet be an authorized check signer. Regardless, the outgoing and incoming officers should come to an agreement to assure a timely transition of property.

Yes. However, if you want to have a voice and/or vote on the convention floor, you must be a member of a chartered unit in good standing with your dues paid and be elected as a delegate.

Units are required to hold a minimum of four meetings per year; however, units tend to find that more frequent meetings provide better productivity.

Five senior members shall constitute a quorum. One member present must be the Unit Commander or a Unit Vice Commander.

It is recommended that units establish standing rules to cover unique situations specific to that particular unit. Standing rules may be changed at any regular business meeting by vote of the unit members present.

No. As a member of this organization, the Commander has the right to cast their vote on any issue.

If, for some reason, the Commander cannot attend a meeting, this would not be grounds to cancel a meeting as the bylaws allow for the Senior Vice Commander (or Junior Vice Commander as described in the national bylaws) to fill that role and conduct the meeting. In the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances that would prevent members from attending a meeting, these would be instances where a meeting is cancelled by the Commander with proper member notification.

We strongly suggest that you refer to Article XV, Sections 3 and 4 of the DAV Auxiliary national bylaws. Once the unit body votes to hold a fund raiser, it is recommended that written request for parent-chapter permission be delivered to the Chapter for consideration and approval. Said approval should be in written form. Where no commissions are to be paid, no prior approval shall be required from the DAV Department Executive Committee when the gross receipts will be less than $5,000. However, advance notice of such fund raising activity shall be furnished to the DAV State Department not less than 30 days prior to the fund raising event.

Yes. The Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Adjutant, and Membership Chairman can log in under their membership number and password. The system will recognize you as an officer and certain permissions will allow you to generate reports under the “Request for Information” tab. Contact national headquarters in the event of questions.

This identifies the type of membership they hold. F = Full-paid life member; P = Part-paid life member; S = Annual senior member; J = Junior member.

These letters were established many years ago to identify unit status. R = the unit has Reached last year’s total membership, but has not met quota; A = the unit has Achieved Quota for the current membership year; I = this is an Independent unit that has no parent chapter.

The national organization sends monthly mailings to each unit to the attention of the Unit Adjutant. It is the Adjutant’s responsibility to see that all communications are brought to the unit meetings and made available to the Commander and members. These mailings are not the personal mail of the Adjutant and he/she is acting as the agent to receive and deliver communications. The Headquarters News monthly newsletter is posted on our web site under the News & Events tab. Back issues are also available for viewing. Members can also sign up for the E-newsletter and have mail delivered directly to their inbox.

Make them feel welcome by including them in unit activities. Juniors are the future of the DAV Auxiliary. In the near future, we hope to have a page specifically geared to Junior members on our web site.

No, a junior charter is not required.

The chapter suspension does not include suspension of the Auxiliary unit and does not affect unit functions or voting strength at state or national conventions. If your unit approves a fund raiser, though, the parent chapter will not be able to grant approval (under suspension) and the unit must contact the DAV state department for said approval.

The reason for the hold status will be explained in a letter to the unit adjutant and/or commander. While on hold, your unit can meet and carry out the normal business of the unit as well as vote at state and national convention (provided the unit itself is not indebted to the organization). The effect it will have on the unit is that fund distribution and mailings are withheld.

The DAVA does have an education scholarship program and details can be found under the Membership/Programs tab of our web site.

No.

Contact national headquarters by phone (859.441.7300) or email (dava@davmail.org) and we will be happy to forward you an electronic or printed version of the application.