Presented by Jim Martin State Judge Advocate

1. VFW School of Instruction Rules and Regulations of Canteens and Club Rooms Presented by Jim Martin State Judge Advocate

2. CONGRESSIONAL CHARTER AND BY-LAWS and MANUAL OF PROCEDURE and RITUAL Sec. 708 & 709

3. Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) is a federally chartered membership corporation created by Act of Congress. The VFW does not own an interest in any clubroom, canteen, facility or any fund raising activity operated by any such chartered unit, nor are clubrooms, canteens, facilities or other fund-raising activities operated for or on behalf of the VFW.

4. The VFW does not derive any profit from such facilities or activities. Clubrooms, canteens, facilities and other fund-raising activities of Chartered unit are carried on by such units in furtherance of the fraternal, Patriotic, historical and educational purpose set forth by Congress.

5. No unit chartered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and no clubroom or canteen sponsored or conducted or operated by, for or in behalf of any such chartered unit shall incorporate under the laws of the state in which it is located for any purpose

6. The VFW shall not be responsible for the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions nor contractual obligations or debts of any Post, nor for the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions or contractual obligations or debts of any activity, clubroom, holding company or unit sponsored, conducted or operated by, for or in behalf of any Post.

7. Any activity or club room sponsored, conducted, or operated by or in behalf of a Post shall be at all times under direct control of such Post and all funds derived therefrom shall be at all times under direct control of such Post.

8. Any Post owning and/or operating, directly or by reason of a holding company or other entity substantially controlled by the Post or it’s members a canteen or clubroom or other facility to members and their guest must maintain general liability insurance including if necessary or appropriate, liquor liability insurance.

9. Such insurance must be of a type and amount sufficient to protect the Post and must name, as additional insured's, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and the Department in which such Post is located

10. All money, property or assets of any kind or nature, as well as all books and records, owned, held or used by any activity, clubroom, conducted or operated by, for or in behalf a Post shall be the property of such Post, must be placed in the care and custody of the quartermaster. Such money, property, assets, books and records shall be subject to the same rules and under the same procedures as any other Post money, property, assets, books and records.

11. No Post clubroom operated by for or on the behalf of any Post may own any property jointly or in common with any individual, firm, partnership, association or corporation or other business or charitable entity, including veterans organizations, nor may they participate in any arrangement whereby the funds of such Post clubroom are expended on property held by another entity for joint use of such Post.

12. Posts are under no obligation to serve any person in their canteen, except for their own Post comrades and auxiliary members. However if their Post By-Laws admit other VFW members and Auxiliary members. The word “Auxiliary” pertains to Men's Auxiliary members as well as Ladies Auxiliary members. In order to prove that a visitor is a member of the VFW or its Auxiliaries, he/she should be required to show a valid membership card.

13. Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control What are the rules for a club? Basically the rules for clubs are the same as for retail operations with the exception of hours of sale and brown bagging. Clubs are limited to members and their invited guests except for specific and limited times they may operate open to the public.

14. How old does a person have to be to purchase alcoholic beverages? 21 What hours can happy hours be conducted? 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM How many drinks can a patron purchase at one time? No more than two drinks of wine, beer or mixed beverages during Happy Hour. During all other times, no more than two mixed drinks at one time, wine and beer - no restriction.

15. Can a convicted felon be employed in a licensed establishment? No; however, they may be employed as a busboy, cook or other kitchen help. When can employees drink alcohol? Employees of a wine and beer licensed establishment may consume at any time but may not become intoxicated. Employees of a mixed beverage licensed establishment may consume on a dinner break or when they have gone off duty for the evening.

16. No sales are permitted to underage persons, who are defined under ABC law as persons less than 21 years of age • Do not allow a person less than 21 years of age to possess or consume alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises • Do not sell or serve alcoholic beverages to intoxicated persons, or allow someone else to purchase alcoholic beverages for intoxicated persons. • Do not allow an intoxicated person to consume or possess alcoholic beverages on the premises of your business.

17. Do not allow an intoxicated person to loiter on the premises of your business. • An ABC manager must be on the premises whenever a licensee is open for business • ABC managers must be: • -At least 21 years of age • -On-duty at all times • -Be responsible for overseeing all business conducted under the license while the establishment is open and for posting his or her name clearly

18. All licensees must always have at least one ABC manager on duty who can satisfactorily speak and read English. • An employee who is on duty and in a position that is involved in the selling or serving of alcoholic beverages to customers in a mixed beverage, or wine and beer establishment, cannot consume any type of alcoholic beverage while on duty

19. Happy Hours and Advertising • -It is unlawful to conduct a happy hour between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. • -A person cannot possess more than two drinks at one time. • -It is illegal to sell pitchers of mixed beverages, sell two or more drinks for one price, giveaway drinks, sell unlimited drinks for one price, or advertise happy hour in the media or on exterior advertising.

20. Licensees can be charged criminally and administratively for certain offenses. • -An ABC hearings officer assesses administrative charges. • -Administrative penalties can be probation, fines, a suspended license, and possibly, revocation of the licensee’s ABC license.