General:
Sharing information is critical to the continued success and future development of AMVETS and AMVETS Riders Programs. Your reports become the basis of our report card as a Veteran Service Organization to Congress and the public at large as we work on behalf of veterans and this nation’s citizens. AMVETS is a Congressionally Chartered Veteran service organization and as such we as an organization must report to Congress on our participation in our communities. The “Values” reported are utilized to give AMVETS a stronger voice on the congressional floor and add to the clout given to the National Commander to be heard on important issues concerning Veterans today.
It also fulfills an IRS accountability requirement we must meet as a tax-exempt organization at all levels.  If a Chapter were to get audited, you must be able to show what you have done with your time and money to keep your tax exempt status.
 
A consortium of over 500 volunteer organizations relies on the formulas of the Independent Sector. The Dept. of Veterans Affairs also uses these criteria to account for and report VAVS hours. Currently the figure is $19.51 for volunteer hours. (Uncompensated workers.) And the mileage is determined by the IRS guidelines that authorize standard Volunteer Mileage Expense deductions, which is currently .14 cents and that is how we come up with the Programs Values.
 
Submission:
You have the capability of reporting online and submitting your records electronically. The
online system is very user friendly and may be accessed directly using the report programs tab on the bottom of any page the www.amvetsridersnational.org website or the AMVETS National Website: www.amvets.org/amvets-in-action/reporting-programs. Your Department and National leadership will receive your online report immediately when you hit the submit button. User instructions are incorporated on the pages, however, if you still have questions or need assistance in utilizing the online reporting program; please call the Riders National 2nd Vice President at (319) 382-2484, extension 3. You may also contact the AMVETS Programs Department toll free at 877-726-8387, extension 4031, or download the Programs Reporting Manual at: http://www.amvets.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Online-ReportingGuide.pdf.
 
What not to report:
•Chapter meetings (including set up, take down, buying food/drinks, etc.) Hanging out at the
   Post canteen for comradery
•Department/National conferences/SEC/NEC/Conventions
•Volunteer events for other organizations (i.e. if you volunteer at a Ladies Auxiliary event,
   because they claim it. We can’t double dip).
•Coaching a little league team / volunteer activity such as volunteer firefighter, not directly
   related to your Chapter or AMVETS.
•Attending a luncheon for another organization
•Any volunteer hours served in the VA Medical Center or VA related center (health care
   centers, outpatient centers, veteran’s homes, etc.) These hours are reported through the VA
 
Activities to Report (Just a sampling):
•Attending a school or Eagle Scout meeting to tell students about the Americanism contest
•Mileage and hours associated with any and all Military Funeral Honors
•Fundraising activities, including time, mileage and money spent buying supplies and setting up
    for the event
•Time spent taking a sick or hospitalized veteran to and from doctor’s appointments
•All the volunteers and their hours for your events, even if they are from other organizations (i.e. American Legion Riders riding in your Poker run can be reported under your programs)
•Riding in a parade for Memorial Day with your AMVETS Riders vest
•Supporting and attending local Stand Downs in your area
•Mileage and hours for visiting Veterans in a retirement home
•Conducting or supporting Troop Return celebrations
 
Deadlines:
Chapters are required to make a report to their respective Departments at a minimum of twice each year. The six-month calendar periods, January – June and July – December. However, with
online reporting, you may make your reports at any time and they will automatically be shared
with your Chapter, Department and National Officers immediately. They will also be automatically included in the bi-annual National reports without any additional action on your part.
 
This Programs Guide has been designed to help you set up, run, and report programs for your Chapters and for Department 2nd Vices to understand what is required of the Chapters. Department 2nd Vices should strive to become the product expert to be able to help your Chapters.
 
LRB/LRS,
 
Tom McNamara
National 2nd Vice
AMVETS Riders

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPORTING YOUR PROGRAMS
​
Go to:  www.amvets.org    (This is the NATIONAL AMVETS site)
Scroll to the bottom (footer), click on:  Reporting Programs under ‘AMVETS in Action’
Click on the blue button: Login to Online Reporting
On the next page under NEW USER, enter your membership number.
Follow the prompts to get registered.
Once registered, go to RETURN USER SIGN IN
Enter your MEMBERSHIP # and your PASSWORD.
Click:  LOGIN
Click on:  ADD NEW PROGRAM DATA
On Post #:  put in your RIDERS CHAPTER #
Department is your STATE.
Under PROGRAM CATEGORY, click on the down arrow on the right.
Scroll down to * RIDERS CHAPTERS (only)
Tab over to COMMENT block.  Put in a brief explanation of your program.
Tab to VOLUNTEERS and enter the # of volunteers.
Do the same with the # of HOURS, # of MILES, the ACTIVITY COST, & CASH DONATION. 
The TOTAL VALUE OF PROGRAMS will populate.
When you are done entering all your programs, click on PREVIEW DATA (Step 1 of 2)
On the following page you will click SUBMIT DATA (step 2 of 2).

Please direct all questions to:

Tom McNamara, RN2V
National 2nd Vice
95 Cypress Place
Winder, GA 30680
Phone: (319) 382-2484 Ext. 3
E-mail: hueycchief@yahoo.com