Section 1 a “Blueprint” for the 21st Century Purpose
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OUTLINE FOR A ONE-YEAR POST SCRAPBOOK/YEARBOOKThe scrapbook/yearbook is easier than the narrative to prepare by any historian. This is a pictorial history of the Post. One must remember, however, that this is a permanent record that will be seen by others for a long time, so the suggested outline should be followed as closely as possible. PART I – FORMAT (1) COVER: The size of the scrapbook/yearbook cover must not be smaller than a standard three-ring binder or larger than 12 x 15 inches with The American Legion emblem centered (left to right) on the cover with the name and number of the Post. Each book is not to exceed three inches between the front and back cover. If you use two or more scrapbooks/yearbooks, you must indicate on the COVER and TITLE PAGE the wording, such as, “VOLUME I, VOLUME II, etcetera.” Acceptable scrapbook/yearbook binders and standard three-ring binders are available from National Emblem Sales with The American Legion emblem embossed on the cover.
(Name of Post) POST NO. (Number of Post) THE AMERICAN LEGION (City Location and State) FOR 20____ - 20____ BY: (Person Compiling Scrapbook/Yearbook) (4) INTRODUCTION: Every scrapbook/yearbook should carry a forward or introduction, setting forth the reasons for the organization and may include:
(5) TABLE OF CONTENTS: Consists of separate units covering programs with page reference. (6) PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION: This basic document which sets forth the principle aims of The American Legion is a fitting introduction and should follow the INTRODUCTION. It should be centered on the page and spaced in a neat and logical arrangement. Multicolored prints 8½ x 11 inch, of the PREAMBLE may be obtained through National Emblem Sales. (7) INDEX: The alphabetical index is the last must for every scrapbook/yearbook. This comprehensive index of names, places, and events mentioned in your scrapbook/yearbook with page references, shall be carried at the end of the scrapbook/yearbook. (8) PAGE NUMBERING: This appears to be a common oversight when compiling scrapbooks/yearbooks. Do not forget to number the pages. However, be consistent in where the page numbers are placed, either at top or bottom of pages. Page numbering will start with the title page. (9) ORDER OF PAGE NUMBERING: The above pages should appear in order as listed above with pages listed in Arabic Numerals or roman numerals as follows: Title Page 1 or i Introduction 2 or ii Table of Contents 3 or iii Preamble 4 or iv Acknowledgments 5 (if any) or v Author’s Notes 6 (if any) or vi
The scrapbook/yearbook is to cover one year, from the installation of officers up to and including the annual Department Convention. This timeframe may vary in some Departments. A record as vitally important as the history itself is a complete and accurate scrapbook/yearbook containing all newspaper clippings, photographs, copies of programs, tickets, badges, and other items pertaining to the Post and its activities. All material recorded in the scrapbook/yearbook must be in chronological order. A systematic and logical arrangement should be sought and planned. The reader must be able to follow the meaning of the illustrations (news clippings, photographs, etc.) with very little difficulty and confusion. All newspaper clippings must include the name and date of the publication from which it was taken. Photographs must be identified by full proper names (nicknames in brackets), from “left-to-right,” occasion, source, dates, function, etc. You may know who is in the photograph and why, but the reader may not. Be sure all photographs are clear and sharp, as blurry or fuzzy prints will detract rather than enhance your scrapbook/yearbook. Proper arrangement with the caption is a must to achieve an eye-catching scrapbook/yearbook. Neatness and originality are even more important for scrapbook/yearbook than for the narrative histories since all the material in the scrapbook/yearbook must be identified properly to make it worthwhile. If the compiler cannot type, nor print well, he or she should have a competent person do the printing or make typewritten or computer generated inserts for him. The judges will consider the foregoing factors as well as comprehensiveness of the scrapbook/yearbook and the features, which made the scrapbook/yearbook especially attractive or especially useful, and of historic value.
Under this category, Judges will consider a number of qualities or items of content in the scrapbook/yearbook, which are not readily cataloged under the preceding headings. Some scrapbooks/yearbooks contain items and features that make them attractive and especially useful. By the same token, if inaccuracies should come to the attention of the Judges, they would have a disqualifying effect on your entry.
You will note that PART I, PART II, PART III as identified in OUTLINE FOR A ONE-YEAR POST SCRAPBOOK/YEARBOOK coincides with those listed in the NATIONAL JUDGING STANDARDS. The “etc.” listed after several of the scoring elements on the JUDGING STANDARDS shows that there are additional requirements necessary for the score points. It is suggested that you re-examine the OUTLINE, using the STANDARDS as a checklist before submitting your entry for contest. The comparison will assist by avoiding loss of points.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR DISTRICT (ALSO COUNTY) HISTORIANS It is to be noted that some Departments of The American Legion utilize the County structure as well as the District structure and that historians at both levels must assert complete team effort to accomplish their respective responsibilities to the Posts in their jurisdiction. If you have been elected or appointed District Historian this year, but as long as you are willing to continue in office, do not let them down. Primarily your duty is to coordinate the records of activities of the Posts within your District to ensure the preservation and accessibility of such records at all times.
Some Departments hold comprehensive Spring and Fall District meetings. If this is the case in your Department, make every effort to be allotted time on the program. Travel to Posts within your District with the District Commander and his Staff whenever possible, and speak at Post meetings. Use the Spring meetings as your vantage point for administering the final “morale booster” to the work-shy in your District. Impress upon the minds of all Legionnaires the importance for adequate records and of giving all possible help and encouragement to their Post Historians. You may find that you have a tremendous job before you this year since many District Historians have had no experience in this type of work and then too, many of the Posts have never tried to keep a history of any kind. You will just have to begin by researching and compiling as much information as possible from past records, then begin this year to keep your own records current, using this report form as a guide. Be sure that every Post in your District has a Post Historian and that they are kept informed of the latest developments and material available. It is your duty to give all possible aid to Post Historians within your District. If your Department conducts an annual Post Narrative History or Scrapbook/Yearbook Contest, encourage the historians to enter. OUTLINE FOR A ONE-YEAR DISTRICT/COUNTY HISTORY OR SCRAPBOOK/YEARBOOK Your Department may be one of the few that conduct an annual District and County narrative history or scrapbook/yearbook contest in addition to the ones that are sponsored on the Post level. National does not hold District and County contests, so specific outlines for these books are not available at the National level. The key for the compiling of your District or County books is in the enclosed “Outline For A One-Year Post Narrative History” and “Outline For A One-Year Scrapbook/Yearbook. When using the Post outlines as a guide, change the cover title, the title page, and text references to read “District” or “County.” Naturally, some of the material suggested on the Post level would not be appropriate for your District or County books. Remember where it says POST in the outlines, insert DISTRICT or COUNTY and determine if the suggested item fits the context for your narrative history or scrapbook/yearbook. Department Historians are encouraged to use the same format as described above for their One-year Department Narrative History and/or Scrapbook/Yearbook. ********************************** GRANTS & GRANT APPLICATIONS The cost of operating community-based nonprofit organizations is growing, competition for funding is considerable, and government funding is likely going to continue to shrink. There is not a successful professional who can do all that is desired or required by relying solely on the budget of today’s nonprofit organization. Ideas and ideals exceed resources. One way to add to an organization’s resources is to request grants from foundations, corporations, or government agencies or even from individuals. Although foundation funding is a small portion of the total financial resources in the nonprofit sector, it is one source of new funding for program innovations. Therefore, the competition for foundation funding is very high. The sad truth is that organizations do not automatically obtain grants from foundations simply because they represent a good organization doing good things. In order to secure funding, a lot of homework needs to be done. The key information includes what funders are interested in, how to approach them, and how to present ideas to them. If your proposal is to be among the 10% funded, you will want to learn how to compete positively. If you would like to learn the basics of researching grants, appropriate to your post and project, and the “how-to” for preparing grant proposals that place you among the 10% funded, you are encouraged to visit the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation’s website at www.cwf-inc.org and click on “Latest News.” In addition, you may find the section on “Links” useful. “Fund raising is not a simple exercise, nor should it ever be. Fund raising is the complex process of seeking to involve people in a cause that is responsive to human needs and that is worthy of gift support. Through people involvement, the organization creates an advocacy force that constitutes the core of its strength and assures its advancement into the future.” – Henry A. Rosso, Founder & Director Emeritus of The Fund Raising School, a program of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. THE AMERICAN LEGION CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION PURPOSE Our Foundation was created in 1954 to (1) contribute to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual welfare of children and youth through the dissemination of knowledge about new and innovative organizations and/or their programs designed to benefit youth; and (2) contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children and youth through the dissemination of knowledge already possessed by well-established organizations, to the end that such information can be more adequately used by society. FUNDING The primary source of revenue for The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is from individual members of the Legion, Auxiliary, Eight & Forty, and Sons of The American Legion. We also receive support from all levels of our organizations from national to community. To provide an incentive for giving on an annual basis, the Foundation has developed a program called the “Cornerstone” Gift Club. Awards go to individuals for their cumulative donations made during the current contribution year (June 1 – May 31):
When donations accumulate to any of the above plateaus during the fiscal year, the appropriate item will be awarded to that individual or organizational level. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS Each contribution received is handled in the following manner: (1) Every check or money order ($5.00 or more) received is acknowledged by official receipt which should be held for tax purposes. (2) Accurate records are kept in our offices by state, organization, and individual sending in support. This correspondence is only kept on file for one year, but the computer records are kept continuously. (3) All cash contributions are acknowledged regardless of the amount. We caution, however, that sending cash through the mail is not recommended. DID YOU KNOW? (1) All contributions are tax deductible. (2) Your state organization gets credit for your support on our national report to the United States Congress. (3) Contributions can be made directly to us, they do not have to go through your Department Headquarters. (4) All of the money you contribute goes directly into the C.W.F. to help youngsters through grants. All overhead expenses are handled from separate funding. (5) We always need your support! SOME SUGGESTIONS (1) The next time someone in your Post or Unit passes on, suggest that contributions be sent to The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation in their memory. The next of kin will be notified by us of your thoughtfulness, and the memory of the departed will live on in meaningful grants that will help children. (2) Make the Foundation a regular part of your annual Post activities by holding a fund raiser for it. (3) Mention the Foundation at your Post and Unit meetings to keep other people aware of what it is and how it helps children. (4) Start a collection of plaques to display in your Post home. Send inquiries for information materials and contributions to: The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1055 TEMPORARY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (TFA) Temporary Financial Assistance is the landmark program of The American Legion’s National Commission on Children & Youth. Begun in 1925 as a form of direct aid to children, the TFA program is still unique in the social work field today. Through TFA, a Post can call upon the National Organization to lend a hand in providing cash assistance to help meet the basic needs of veterans’ children when it is established there are no other resources available to provide the required assistance. These payments, as the name of the program implies, are “temporary” and this cash assistance is in the form of a grant. It is the responsibility of an American Legion Post and Department to make every effort to secure assistance for needy veterans’ children from its own resources, or those of other organizations or agencies within the community whose purpose it is to meet the need. Payments from the program may be made to, or on behalf of, the family for a variety of expenses necessary to maintain the health and welfare of the children involved. A Maintenance Grant may be used for: 1. Food 2. Shelter - Rent or Mortgage payment 3. Utilities 4. Educational Expense A Maintenance Grant may never be used for debts incurred prior to the date of application for TFA. Credit card payments, bank notes (other than home mortgage loans), auto loans and other installment-type payments are considered to be “prior debts.” The only exceptions to this policy are utilities and shelter payments. A Medical Grant requires a written statement from the doctor outlining the program, the treatment and the estimated costs. It may be used for: 1. Medical Care 2. Surgery 3. Dental Care 4. Pharmaceuticals 5. Dietary Needs 6. Hospitalization 7. Nursing and Convalescent Care 8. Other Needs as specified A Medical Grant cannot cover previous medical expenses or care. For a family to be eligible for consideration, there are two basic requirements: 1. The veteran must have served a portion of their active duty during one of these dates: December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946 June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955 February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975 August 24, 1982 - July 31, 1984 December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990 August 2, 1990 - Cessation of hostilities as determined by the U.S. Government 2. There must be children in the home under the age 18 (under 21 if still in high school or physically handicapped). These children may be legitimate, step, legally adopted, or illegitimate with necessary proof of relationship provided. *NOTE: The veteran need not be a member of The American Legion to receive assistance. In order for a family to be considered for TFA, a request for assistance must be submitted on the prescribed application form. Applications may be obtained from your Department Headquarters or your Children & Youth Chairman. Each application comes complete with instructions to guide the local investigator through the procedure of filing. Further details on the program and its regulations are contained in a TFA brochure that may be obtained from your Department Adjutant or the National Americanism and Children & Youth Division, The American Legion, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1055.
The American Legion Post, in its infancy, was very much a "community" post. Made-up of friends and neighbors, members knew everyone else in the post, their families and friends. The post was the focal point when a veteran or family member was in trouble and help was always ready and available to everyone associated with the organization. It was a network of friends and comrades who cared for each other and responded when a need was known. The Family Support Network is very much the same concept developed in those early days. The difference lies in the expanding population and the loss of the close neighborhood relationships of today's posts.
The Departments relay the collected information to a local Post, who in turn contacts the individual to see if assistance can be provided locally. Since the inception of the Family Support Network, thousands of Posts have responded to meet the needs of these families. On September 11, 2001, America watched in horror as terrorists attacked America. In response to this heinous act, active-duty military have been placed on a high state of alert. National Guard and Reserve Units are being activated in record numbers, and for extended periods of time to support Operation Enduring Freedom and mobilization to Southwest Asia. Once again, The American Legion stands ready to support our men and women in uniform and their families with the Family Support Network. Posts are reminded that families in financial need, with minor children, may call on the Temporary Financial Assistance program at the National Headquarters to assist. Otherwise, it will be up to the Post to provide or develop the resources necessary to meet the need. The Family Support Network only works if Legionnaires at the Post level respond to the increasing needs of comrades and their families. As the nation’s largest veteran’s organization, our commitment to our men and women in uniform and their families never wavers. Together, we must act to ensure that no family endures hardships caused by military service alone. By doing so, we ensure that The American Legion is “Still Serving America.” Current Family Support Network Procedures:
THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY FUND (NEF) The National Emergency Fund program is perhaps one of the most visible illustrations of “veterans helping veterans” that The American Legion has to offer. Ever since this program was reestablished in 1989, this no-strings attached disaster relief program has helped thousands of Legion members and their families to recover. During the past decade, a number of outside meteorological phenomena has altered weather conditions. El Nino, La Nina and several other offbeat weather patterns as a result of these meteorological phenomena have collectively made the likelihood of a natural disaster more prominent in every American community. Tornadoes that can level parts of Salt Lake City’s downtown section can be seen in nontraditional settings today such as Vermont. The flooding of the Red River area in Minnesota and the Upper Mississippi valley, in 1997, was only surpassed by the fury of hurricanes Wilma, Katrina and Rita that pounded the Gulf Coast in 2005. It is important for every Post Officer to understand how to prepare for these disasters so that the Legion Post can provide immediate and responsive care to our affected members. EligibilityThere are no premiums to pay into the program. It is a grant to that Legion member in need. The only requirements on behalf of the Legion member are:
Only one grant per household can be considered. The National Emergency Fund does not cover damages to automobiles, outbuildings (such as sheds and barns), and apartments or to businesses. Nor is the NEF program to take the place of, or supplement, insurance compensation. It is only meant to assist our members if they lose, or are displaced from, their homes due to a declared natural disaster. Subsequently, incidents stemming from accidental fires in the home or faulty structural damages do not fall within the confines of the NEF. The key here is "declared natural disasters," which displace our members from their homes. Legion Posts are eligible to receive grants from this fund, provided they meet the established criteria. Your Department Headquarters can provide you with more information regarding Legion Posts. How To Apply NEF grant applications may be obtained by contacting your Department Headquarters or by calling The American Legion National Headquarters at (317) 630-1205. Each application contains instructions explaining what information is required. The turnaround time for a National Emergency Fund grant depends on how soon the completed application is received at The American Legion National Headquarters, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the very minimum, the NEF application should include:
Failure to include all the required information could delay the processing of the grant. All supporting documentation and photographs provided in support of the grant application cannot be returned. Once the grant application is completed it must be forwarded to the Department Headquarters where the grant applications are reviewed and damages are assessed. The Department Commander and Adjutant determine the grant amount. The amount of the grant is not to exceed $1,500 for individuals and $5,000 for Posts. The Department Commander and Adjutant sign the grant application and then forward it to National Headquarters. National Headquarters makes the final approval and a check is then issued to that Legion member or Post and forwarded to their respective Department Headquarters for distribution by their leadership. Contributions Since October 1989, the NEF program has provided over $6,500,000 in direct financial assistance to Legion family members and Posts. All contributions made to this fund are distributed directly to that Legion member in need. There are no middlemen to deal with, no administrative or fulfillment costs. Every dollar raised goes into a special account and the funds are used solely to assist our members and American Legion Posts in need. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||