Section 1 a “Blueprint” for the 21st Century Purpose

Post Responsibility Audit form

1 - Poor

3 - Average

4 - Above Average

5 - Excellent

1. Follow principles of Preamble.      

2. Have good youth programs.      

3. Members are interested and active.      

4. Is a real asset to the community.      

5. Post is a community center.      

6. Veterans needing help are helped.      

7. Has businesslike operation.      

8. Is a friendly place to be.      

9. Is well thought of by the community.      

10. Is well thought of by veterans.      
TOTAL POST SCORE
DATE OF AUDIT
Overall Rating (Assessment) From Post Total
0 - 4 Dead

5 - 14 Poor

15 – 24 Below Average

25 – 34 Average

35 - 44 Above Average

45-50 Excellent

Post Analysis form

THE AMERICAN LEGION

DEPARTMENT OF


POST NO. LOCATION

Date of Visit by Title

Name

of Commander Adjutant

Committee Appointed Committee Functioning

Yes No Yes No

Americanism………………………………….    

Membership….……………………………….    

Children & Youth……………………………    

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation…………...    

Jobs for Veterans..…………………………. .    

Boys State….…………………………………    

Legion Baseball……………………………….    

Oratorical…..………………………………….    

Energy……………...………………………….    

Other Committees……………………………..    
MEMBERSHIP:

Members Members Post Vietnam

Goal to date Last Year Veterans Joined?

General Conduct of meeting; how conducted in your opinion?

Total How often does

Attendance Post Meet? Dates

How often are executive meetings held?

General Comment: In your opinion, what can be done to assist this Post?

The Value of Organized Posts

When a Post has a completely successful operation, it needs a minimum of supervision. But the District Commander will still want to be familiar with the procedures followed by the Post, so ideas and programs used there can be presented to the less successful Posts in the District’s jurisdiction. On many occasions, new Post officers are eager to do a job but lack the background.

The District Commander has several options as to how best to help the Post. You may want to call a Post Officers’ seminar early in the Legion year, at which time the District chairs and officers can be utilized to present the program for the coming year. Use regular District conventions for the same purpose, but here time limitations prohibit an effective presentation. Maintain a list of phone numbers of all District and county (if any) and Post officers to reach them quickly in an emergency. District officers should make Post visits. Using electronic e-mail is another fast way to reach key officers.

On other occasions, it is going to be necessary the District Commander go directly to a Post and sit down with whatever officers available and offer some type of procedure the District Commander knows will work. Here is an outline of a proven plan for organizing the individual Posts. This outline can be used in the District seminars, or it can be used in meeting with individual Posts.

Step Up To A Better Post

A suggested agenda should include:

a. Budget

1. Old, and possibly new sources of income

2. Estimated expenditures

3. Possible methods of financing selected programs with other than Post funds

b. Assignments and outline of duties of elected officers

3. 
   Discussion of individual programs and committees in Post organization chart, Section 1 to determine
   

1. Qualifications and suggestions for committee chairs and members (See Section 1)

2. Established programs

3. Possible new programs (use available handbooks and Department material as guides)

4. Schedule programs (see Program Reminders—Section 1)

5. A program of recognition and service for all veterans.

d. Discussion programs unique to your particular Post

5. 
   Initiate study of Post and community for possible additional programs. Make Post
   

a. Select chairperson and members

b. Make personal contact with each chair to determine willingness to serve

c. Arrange meeting of committees to formulate program

d. Instruct chairmen as to programs, material available, Post reports, etc.

e. Build timetable for each committee to fit into the overall Post calendar

f. Add a young member

Step IV—Coordinate with the Auxiliary. Many programs depend on Auxiliary support to be successful.

Step V—The Post Meeting

1. The first Post meeting tends to set a pattern for the entire year

2. Work closely with adjutant, officers and committee heads

3. Run a formal meeting—follow the ritual in Manual of Ceremonies

4. Post business should be attended to as briefly as possible—Use executive committee members to resolve Post business

5. Department and National material should be digested in advance and items of interest reported to the membership

6. Committee reports should be brief and to the point

7. Consider qualified speakers at some or all meetings for briefing on some phase of Legion program

8. Don’t neglect the social side

9. Announce main business of next meeting

10. Have the “Welcome Committee” working

Step VI—Public Relations Committee Meeting

a. Ways and means

b. Formulate instruction to Post officers and committee chairs on standard procedure

for keeping PR chair and editor of your paper or bulletin informed

a. Talks at Post meetings

b. Give all a job

c. Encourage enrollment/completion of The American Legion Extension Institute

d. Pass on information

e. Have a monthly Post newspaper or bulletin

f. Acquaint active members with veteran benefits

Step VIII—Appoint coordinating committee for patriotic observances. America wants and needs old- fashioned patriotism

a. Work with standing committees. Include younger members

b. Work with community, particularly in recognition of our active military personnel, as well as all veterans.

c. Uniformed groups

a. Awards & Citations

b. Thank you notes

c. Credit at meetings

a. Plan election of delegates as part of the Post timetable

b. Attend District, Department and National Conventions and conferences

c. Present sound resolutions of concern to The American Legion

d. Report back to the Post

Step XI—Follow standard procedures and schedule for the year around. Keep Post meetings planned three months ahead, social activities six months.

Step XII—It is never too early to evaluate possible Post officers for next year.

Reactivating Dead Posts

A community with no Post of The American Legion and a community with a dormant or dead Post show an almost identical void—a void characterized by the complete lack of any activities in the various fields of concern of The American Legion. Actually, the community or neighborhood with a dormant Post frequently is a greater problem to those responsible for American Legion programs. Many times there is an adjutant, Commander, or both on record, and the District or Department officers continue to attempt the revitalization of the Post through these listed officers. Obviously, these are people who lack more than a token interest or do not have leadership ability. If this were not true, the Post would be functioning. District officers are usually wasting their time if these are the only contacts that can be made. The solution lies in reaching out beyond these so-called officers to find a new nucleus for a Post. In doing so, the situation is exactly the same as if a new Post were to be organized.

Remember! One or two key people can change a Post completely.
New Posts

The formation of a new Post or the rebirth of a dormant one is not difficult if certain basic steps are followed. Determine first that The American Legion is NOT serving a particular community or neighborhood where there are sufficient veterans to support an active and growing Post. Someone of stature from the District or the Department must visit the area and find out where these community and veterans’ needs exist. This may take the form of an actual survey with the necessary contacts being made to find out where The American Legion might serve in connection with the schools and school programs, drug abuse/teenage suicide prevention, scouting, service for disabled or aging veterans, or the need of the community for an additional ladies’ volunteer group such as the American Legion Auxiliary. Such a survey should certainly consider the recreational and social facilities of the community.

Often while this survey is in progress, giant strides can be made toward solving the second step, which is the recruitment of eligible veterans who have the ability and willingness to provide a good nucleus around which an American Legion Post can be built. The superintendent or principal of the local school might suggest the names of those who would be interested. Federal employees, particularly of the Post Office, offer a fertile source of potential members in a new Post. The local Scout Executive may also have in mind some veterans who would see the formation of a Legion Post as a means of expanding the Scouting program. Methods now exist whereby it is easy to determine names and addresses of Legionnaires belonging to Posts in other communities or other states who live within the boundaries where a new Post is desired. Those active in Little Leagues or other pre-Legion Baseball-age programs are frequently most interested in assuring that there is a continuing baseball program and can be very instrumental in developing the necessary number to start a Post. Other organizations, such as Lions or Kiwanis, may need the cooperation of a Legion Service Officer to round out a program. Banks and other businesses are very often interested in being represented in such a venture, particularly if the bank or business is headed by a Legionnaire from another Post, but has many employees living in the desired area.

Sometimes the District officers will still not have a key person to form a new Post. This is the time to make a list. Start with the banks, then the insurance offices and real estate offices. These are fertile fields for finding that key person. Or, visit the school principals and/or city and local government offices.

Visits can be paid to each agency listed, explaining what is being attempted and why it is felt an American Legion Post will be an asset to the neighborhood or community. At the same time, a request should be made at each stop for the names of veterans who might possibly be interested in getting on the organizational ground floor of a new American Legion Post. Almost without exception this method will come up with the one, two, or three key people who can take the lead, locally, in forming the Post. Additional members can come from the friends and acquaintances in a chain reaction type of operation.

In making the first contacts with business firms or a prospective new member, it is not necessary to spend considerable time with a detailed explanation of the Legion. This can usually come later; but a copy of The American Legion Magazine is a simple, dignified item that makes the selling job easier. If the proper people can be found, a very minimum number is required to insure the success of a new Post. These people will do most of the recruiting from among their own friends, business associates, and acquaintances. In fact, the job of finding the initial veterans can frequently be simplified by using friends of Legionnaires in adjacent Posts or from the District officers.

Frequently several arbitrary decisions have to be made in starting a new Post. A temporary name can be selected; initial dues can be set; and, most important, three or four reasons why a new Post is needed can be spelled out.

One of the most important reasons is the Post is being organized to make the community or neighborhood a better place in which to live and to assist veterans and the families of the area, but this reason should be spelled out in terms of programs which have meaning to the local residents.

Once the bare minimum necessary to start a Post is recruited, a first organizational meeting should be held to elect a temporary chairman and secretary. There then exists an organization that can set the date for a second meeting where the procedures outlined in Section 4 can be followed to organize a Post. This group can make sure proper publicity is given to the second meeting, that there is perhaps a Service Officer present, and there are in attendance those Legionnaires who have accepted the responsibility of assisting the new Post during its formative period and the first crucial months of its existence.

The work of dedicated Legionnaires who unselfishly devote time and effort to assuring the success of a new Post should not go unrecognized. The National Membership and Post Activities Committee issues “Pioneer Award” citations which a new Post can award at the time it receives a permanent charter to that individual or Post which has been most instrumental in its success. Details are available through Department headquarters. The Department and the Districts should certainly establish an award system for those most active in a new Post program.

Although the great majority of Posts are of the typical “community-type,” drawing their membership from a cross-section of the population and carrying on such standard American Legion activities as they are capable of, there is room in the Legion for a great variety of specialized Posts. There are a number of highly successful luncheon-type Posts, made up primarily of business and professional members. There are Posts which limit their membership to employees of a particular business or industry. There are doctors’ Posts, nurses’ Posts, Posts made up entirely of church members, federal employees, veterans of a particular military outfit, ex-patients of a specific VA Hospital, and persons who have been stationed in or lived in China. Any area of interest or activity with which a group of veterans can identify themselves can provide the reason for an American Legion Post as well as the means of organizing it.

However, regardless of the type of Post, what has previously been written here still holds true. First, there must be some legitimate, recognizable need, which can be served by an American Legion Post. Then, there must be found or brought together a nucleus of those eligible, who can be interested in taking the initiative to form a Post. And, finally, there must be help and stimulation from knowledgeable Legionnaires who are in a position to advise and inform the nucleus.

1. Determine the city, town, neighborhood or other identifiable area where there are veterans without a readily available Post.

2. Make a firm decision that a new Post will be formed to serve the selected area.

3. At this point, clear with the Department (State) Headquarters of The American Legion, and if necessary the District Commander. (Maybe someone else is already working in the area.)

4. Find out from the Department the minimum number required for a Post Charter.

5. At the same time, get the following from the Department: an Application for Temporary Charter, Post Adjutant’s Manual, membership applications, etc.

6. Select two or three projects that the new Post will be able to carry out and which will meet local needs or local aspirations.

7. 
   Contact key people in the community and get their approval for a new Post and their suggestions for
   

8. Pick the key individual who can serve as the presiding person during organization. Look for leadership talent, enthusiasm and community stature.

9. Pick a name for a Post. (A Post may not be named for any living person.)

10. Have the Department (State) Headquarters assign a number to the Post.

11. Establish Post dues even before the first organizational meeting. (Average is about $25 today, but keeps dues in line with neighboring Posts.)

12. Designate an active secretary-treasurer to serve during the organizational period.

13. Open bank account for Post. (Two signatures should be required on all checks.)

14. Start signing members. (Be familiar with eligibility requirements.)

15. Set time and place of organizational meeting. (See Section 4 under “New Posts”)

16. Get signatures of required number on the application for Temporary Charter.

17. Notify all members in writing of time and place of organizational meeting.

18. Publicize formation of Post and organizational meeting through local press, electronic media, notices on shopping center bulletin boards, etc.

19. Check to make sure you have signatures of all members on charter application and the form is fully made out with necessary copies.

20. Do not overwhelm members and prospective officers with literature or too much information. One step at a time does it.

21. Select one or two needed community projects. Emphasize the help The American Legion can give in meeting problems of veterans.
Initiation and Installation

Be sure this is a first-class social event. It should be carefully planned with top Department and District representatives present to properly initiate and install members and officers.

2. Temporary officers still preside.

3. Key Legionnaires responsible for the Post should be present.

4. Initiate new members.

5. Install officers.

Direct Renewal Notices

Beginning in July, direct dues renewal notices are mailed from National Headquarters to present members for the next year’s dues. The member pays dues directly to the Post. Each year a Post Data Report will be mailed to the Post from Department Headquarters asking for the amount of the Post dues and the address to which the member is to mail dues. As closely as possible Posts should use a permanent mailing address, either a Post office box or the address of the Post home. Do not use the name of the Adjutant or other individual unless no other address is available. Difficulties arise if the individual suddenly vacates the office, moves, or dies.

Only one amount for Post dues can be printed for each Post. For example, National Headquarters cannot print “$20.00 until January 1, $25.00 after January 1.”

Posts not participating in the Department program may be included in the next billing by filling out a Post data card and sending it to Department Headquarters. Through Department participation, additional notices are

available. Scheduled renewal mailings are usually at no cost to Departments or Posts…the Headquarters Post is an exception (in order to avoid a charge, they must meet an established renewal %).

Paid-Up-For-Life Membership Plan

Each summer, when American Legion Posts receive their membership cards for the coming year, there will be an increasing number of Legionnaires whose dues are already paid for the following year and for every year thereafter as long as they live. They are Legionnaires who have voluntarily chosen to become Paid-Up-For-Life members under the National plan.

A Legionnaire must be in good standing to become a Paid-Up-For-Life member . . . to be in good standing, the member must have a valid membership card for the current Legion year.

The average Legionnaire is most apt to decide to become a Paid-Up-For-Life member at the time when dues are usually paid for the coming year.

The National Constitution & By-Laws of The American Legion is very clear that “there shall be no form or class of membership except an active membership, and dues shall be paid annually or for life.”

That part of the total dues now being retained by the Post will be returned every year for all Paid-Up-For-Life members.

Membership Card

Cost

Time Payment Plan

2) The total Paid-Up-For-Life membership fee has to be paid within twelve (12) months from the date of application.

3) No payment for six (6) consecutive months will cause your account to be closed.

4) On the application, please check you wish to use the Time Payment Plan.

5) When you submit the application to your Post for certification, and initial remittance must accompany the application. The payment should be at least ten percent (10%) of the total fee.

6) National Headquarters will provide coupons and envelopes so you may make the monthly payments. The payment due each month should be at least ten percent (10%) of the total fee.

7) Your permanent Paid-Up-For-Life membership card will only be issued after the total fee is paid in full.

If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact your Post Adjutant or Finance Officer, or write:

Membership Rate Chart - effective January 1, 2004

* If the Post dues are not shown on the chart, compute the cost by multiplying the actual dues by the amount in the “Other” line, using the one at the bottom of your age column. For example, age 62 and annual dues of $27.50 (multiply $27.50 x $16.70 = $459 [rounded to the nearest dollar]). If you use this method to compute the cost, double-check your multiplication to verify the fee...this will avoid unnecessary correspondence and delay.

Post Adjutants are the key to how well The American Legion as a whole will be able to report to the American people its actual accomplishments for the past year.

Each Post is sent a CPR report form as the reporting year comes to a close. This is a three-part, snap-out form. The third copy is to be retained by the Post for its files and the first two copies go to Department headquarters.

Please be sure all reports from Posts in your District are sent to Department headquarters on or before the June 15 deadline, or sooner if your Department has set an earlier date. The CPR form covers participation in the basic programs—Americanism, Children & Youth, Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation, Economics, and National Security. But the report goes further than the major program areas, asking for information such as Post involvement in community service, legislative endeavors, public relations efforts, etc. The report also inquires whether the Post sponsors a uniformed group, or distributes a regular publication to the membership, and the number of funeral honors for deceased members.

Information from Consolidated Post Reports is frequently shared with Members of Congress. This information provides Members of Congress with a snapshot of the valuable community service provided by The American

Legion family. This report demonstrates community involvement that has been the hallmark of The American Legion’s commitment and service to country.

Don’t be discouraged if the Post doesn’t have something to report in every blank on the report form. Very few Posts carry on every Legion program. Many outstanding American Legion Posts devote their energies and resources to just two or three programs or activities, which more than justify their existence.
Include Details in Narrative

Please urge Posts to confine answers to the allotted spaces. If they wish to go into a subject in further detail, include such information in a descriptive narrative, which may be attached to the report form. The narrative can cover in greater detail a Post’s accomplishments in program areas…you can also include photos. This will enable your Department Americanism and Children & Youth Committees to consider the work of a Post in determining its possible qualification for national recognition.

Once the Post has completed the annual report, you may be surprised at how much the Post has accomplished. In addition to becoming the basis for good local news releases, the Consolidated Report also helps in the preparation of membership promotional material. And there’s always the possibility your reports will result in National recognition for one or more of your outstanding programs.

The American Legion asks your cooperation in getting reports from Posts in your District.
“Project Stay Active”
Americans are on the move and Legionnaires are no exception. The Membership Input Services Section processes approximately 30 to 32 thousand address changes per month.

National Headquarters has set up “Project Stay Active” to help local Posts maintain contact with these members who move into your area.

Utilizing the computer, National prints out a summary of the veteran’s membership on a 3 x 5 card. Each card will have listed on it: both the new and old address, the Department the member belongs to, the Post number, the number of continuous years, and the date the card was printed. If the member is a Life Member, it will be noted as well.

The cards are printed in zip code order and mailed to Department Adjutants for distribution to the Post most accessible to the member. This Post is then asked to contact and welcome the member into the area. This would be an opportune time to offer assistance in establishing service and to invite the member to visit your Post.

In many cases, the Legionnaire may wish to transfer membership to a Post in the community. As may be expected, some of these Legionnaires are involved in temporary moves, some may have a Life Membership “back home,” and others may have sentimental feelings toward their hometown Post. However, many of them will be receptive to an offer to transfer to your Post when asked.

“Project Stay Active” has been in operation for several years and has proved beneficial to the Post, the Legionnaires, and their families.