A Buddy Poppy Display Contest will be held at the National Convention. Rules have been designed to put emphasis on the purpose and effectiveness of the displays. It is suggested that Department Contest rules be set up in conformance with this outline.
Rules
(1). Displays will be presented and judged in four categories:
Category 1. Public Promotion of Poppy Campaign
(Window, booth, parade, poster displays, campaign promotions, etc.)
(a). Displays must be designed for public exposure and must bear a message soliciting a
donation for and wearing of the VFW Buddy Poppy.
(b). At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color, with label
attached.
Category 2. Memorial or Inspirational Displays
(Wreaths, memorial tablets or plaques, patriotic or devotional themes)
(a). Displays must be designed to honor the dead, to inspire devotion to God and Country, or
to dramatize the activities supported by the Buddy Poppy.
(b). At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color, with label
attached.
Category 3. Artistic or Decorative Use of Poppies
(Post Home displays, table centerpieces, corsages, pictures, plaques, models, scenes, hats,
novelty pieces, etc.)
(a). Any display not meeting the qualifications for Categories 1 or 2 shall automatically be
entered in Category 3.
(b). At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color, with label
attached.
Category 4. Memorial or Inspirational Displays
(Junior Girls Units/Sons of the VFW)
(a). Displays must be designed to honor the dead, to inspire devotion to God and Country, or
to dramatize the activities supported by the Buddy Poppy.
(b). At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color, with label
attached.
(2.) Departments purchasing over 250,000 Poppies will be allowed
two displays in each of the four categories for the National
Display Contest ... all others will be allowed one display in each
of the four categories, no deviations.
(3.) The Department Adjutant will have to notify the Buddy Poppy
Director, in writing, by July 31 of the Posts that will represent the
Department in each category. This will allow us the time
necessary to ensure each entry has sufficient space to set up at
the National Convention.
(4.) The National Buddy Poppy Committee shall have no
responsibility in setting up, taking down, or returning displays.
(5.) Displays may be entered and set up at any time from 9 a.m.
Saturday until 4 p.m. on Monday of the Convention week.
(6.) Displays shall be set up in space provided in the Convention
exhibit or meeting halls. At the time the display is set up, the
responsible person must complete an entry form which will show
the category of competition, the number of Poppies used, the
purpose of the display, the Post and/or Ladies Auxiliary number
and location, and the name of the person who will dismantle and
remove the display at the close of the Convention.
(7.) Displays may be accompanied by a white card, not to exceed 4
inches by 6 inches in size, on which is lettered in black ink an
explanation of the theme for the display or other information of
interest to the viewer or the judges.
(8.) Post name, number or location may not be visible on display
entries; failure to comply will result in disqualification.
Judging
Judging of displays will be on the basis of effectiveness, purpose, clarity of theme, suitability, originality, beauty and number of Poppies used. Where a sample of a large number of identical items (such as corsages or wreaths) is entered, full credit shall be given for the total number of Poppies used.
Prizes
Plaques will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners in each of the four categories.
Department Commander & Ladies Auxiliary President
•Over 1 Million Club
A National Award will be issued to those Departments that have purchased 1 million or more Buddy Poppies during the current program year. Awarded automatically and presented at VFW’s National Convention.
•Divisional Contest
A National Award will be issued to those Department Commanders and Ladies Auxiliary Presidents who lead each of the nine divisions at the end of the Memorial Day Campaign — May 31. Will be
forwarded to Department Headquarters for presentation following National Convention.
Department Chairmen, VFW & Ladies Auxiliary
•Outstanding Department Chairmen
A National Award will be presented to each Department Buddy Poppy Chairman of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary who has exceeded their previous year’s total distribution along with their
Department’s three-year sales/campaign quota for the current program year ending May 31. Quotas will be established using the prior three-year sales/campaign history of each Department. Awarded automatically and mailed to Department Buddy Poppy Chairman.
National Convention Award
One Department Buddy Poppy Chairman per conference will have the opportunity to win a trip to convention and serve as a judge for the National Buddy Poppy Display Contest. Each Department that exceeds their previous year’s distribution total will be eligible to submit the name of its Buddy Poppy Chairman to the National Buddy Poppy Department to be entered into a drawing. One winner will
be selected from each conference. The deadline for submitting names will be June 15.
Each conference chairman will receive round-trip airfare to VFW’s National Convention and $500 in expense money to help defray the cost of attending the convention.
Post Commander & Ladies Auxiliary President
•Outstanding Post/Ladies Auxiliary
A National Award/Certificate will be issued to one Post and one Ladies Auxiliary in each Department that has the best Buddy Poppy Promotional/Public Awareness Program in their respective Departments.
Each Department Buddy Poppy Chairman will be asked to submit to the National Buddy Poppy Director the name of the outstanding Post and Ladies Auxiliary in his/her Department.
An Award/Certificate honoring the Department winners will be
prepared and mailed to the respective Department Headquarters
for proper presentation to the winning Post and Ladies Auxiliary.