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

Pageantry

Community Projects

Awards

So, putting all of these various ideas together they add up to: First, planning; then, assignment of responsibilities; checking back to make sure the job is being done; and, finally, a THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

If you have an idea which will improve The American Legion at any level, put that idea into words, in the form of a resolution. First have it passed by your local Post; then, have it passed by your District at its annual convention. All resolutions passed at a District convention are delivered to the resolutions committee at the following Department convention. At the Department convention, you should appear before the resolutions committee and plead for their passage of your resolution, and you should also be prepared to speak for its passage when it comes on the floor of the Department convention. All resolutions pertaining to National, passed at the Department are forwarded to National. (See “How to Write a Resolution,” in Index.)

Sources of Assistance

Many Posts have an active Past Commanders’ Club. Sometimes its primary purpose is social and the retention of good fellowship among those who have served as Commanders. But here is a wealth of knowledge, know-how and ability just ready to be tapped. Don’t let it go to waste. Whether such a club is formally organized in your Post or not, it is helpful to build a Commander’s Advisory Committee from your Past Commanders

The Post is a separate and distinct unit, which functions independently. But the work of the Post can be more effective if it is joined by a tight link to the Department and national organization. The District and your District officers provide that link.

The District Commander is normally the elected representative of the Posts in the District, but an obligation to provide guidance and supervision is also implied. Posts are charged with carrying out the objectives and programs of the Legion and to comply fully with the obligations assumed under the Post, Department and national constitutions. But, if your Post becomes inactive or begins to falter, you can expect your District Commander to start giving advice.

The District Commander has a position of respect in our organization. A visit to your Post calls for something special. Make it a social event significant enough to draw a crowd. The dignity shown the office can only be reflected back to increase the importance of the office of Post Commander.

Department officers are our “show” people. A visit from one of them usually provides an opportunity

for excellent media coverage, and the type of Legion function that will attract your members and community leaders. These officers are your elected leaders and deserving of every respect. Not every Post will receive annual visits from a Department Commander, but if your invitation is accepted, or there is occasion to visit you, make the most of it.
Department Headquarters

The American Legion is organized in Departments for every state, District of Columbia, territorial possessions and several foreign countries. Each Department headquarters exercise a general supervision over the local Posts within its jurisdiction. It is urged that close communication and cooperation be maintained between the Post and its Department headquarters.

The Department headquarters constitutes the link between the community Post of The American Legion and the national organization. The Post will deal directly with the Department adjutant. Routine business should be transacted through Department headquarters. Department headquarters is familiar with the issues and conditions of state affairs. Questions of policy and organization should be referred by the Post to Department headquarters. Through Department headquarters any information may be secured that is desired by the Post, or the ways of securing it may be found.

The Commander should keep in close touch with Department affairs, know what statewide activities are carried on, and see that his/her Post has its full share in them. He/she should study all instructions from Department

headquarters and see that they are passed on to the proper officer or committee for action. Also, the membership of the Post needs to be informed of any new activities that may be initiated by the Department.
National Headquarters

Practically all of your contacts with National Headquarters are rightfully carried through your Department headquarters. There is, however, one publication, which should be faithfully read and kept, issue-by-issue. This is The American Legion DISPATCH published by National Headquarters. The DISPATCH gives you up-to-date information on which to base your programs, the proper timing for programs, and suggested news releases.

The Auxiliary Unit is an important adjunct to the Post’s scheme of organization. The official contact with the unit is through the Unit President. The unit can help only in proportion to its opportunity. A good Commander will find work for the Auxiliary Unit to do. The Commander, or designated representative, will keep in close touch with the unit and give its members plenty of inspiration and encouragement. Follow the same procedure if there is an Eight and Forty Salon in your area.

While your Post could continue to operate if there were no Department, District, or national organization, you can be more effective as a part of a team. You may want to take part in a county or statewide promotion. You may have an idea that should be developed and expanded beyond your Post. Certainly you want your Post to have a voice in deciding the future programs of The American Legion.

District, Department, and National Conventions are the places where Legion policy is determined. You will want to make certain that properly elected delegates—particularly on the District and Department level, represent your Post.

Each year the District and the Department will hold seminars on either general Legion operations or specific Legion programs. You can go a long way toward solving the future leadership problem in your

Post by making certain that the Post is represented at whatever training session is provided. You will also find that attendance at District and Department functions will do much toward building the esprit de corps that makes for a good Legion Post.
Program Reminders
Commander, it’s up to you! Programs require intelligent planning to be successful. Here are some reminders, which should be of assistance.
JANUARY – Initiation ceremonies are good membership stabilizers. Keep working membership campaign, especially by contacting those who became delinquent January 1. A community service survey can reveal areas where additional effort is needed. A good time to present flags and flag codes to schools. Check dates for Oratorical Contests—local, District or county, and state. Plan February program. March is the official Community Service Month; the beginning of the year is the time to plan and implement initiatives and projects so your Post is ready in the Spring.
FEBURARY – Plan school awards with school officials. Sponsor Religious Emphasis activities. Start plans for American Legion Baseball program. The Veterans Employment Representative will make a good speaker for a Post meeting. Remember observances of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington birthdays. Americanism Month. Plan a big birthday program for March.
MARCH – Boys State selection should be given priority attention in March, or earlier. March 15-17 is the recognized anniversary period of the founding of The American Legion. Close out Membership Campaign and mail dues and cards to Department before Birthday Party. Have a March “Open House."

All levels of leadership should constantly focus on projecting the proper image of The American Legion in the community, in the programs sponsored and services provided, and also on the appearance of the Post Home and surrounding grounds.

Post Home appearance can be perceived as a reflection of the attitude, the initiative and the civic awareness of the Post membership. The Post reflects the outward image of the whole organization of The American Legion to the citizens in their community. The Post should be a pillar of the community. A pillar that would invite prospective members and guests based on appearance alone. This is not intended to be a capital improvement project but one of attention to detail and routine “fix-ups.”

Between January and March, the Post leadership is encouraged to form a committee to host an "Open House" in March, which is officially Community Service Month. One major area of interest to prepare for March is a Self-Help Program to fix up needed areas in the Post home from signage to outside appearance to inside appearance that may have gone unattended due to other priorities. In addition, this item should be included on your annual Post Responsibility Audit (PRA), outlined elsewhere in this Officer's Guide.

Adjutant

“My comrade, you have been chosen to assist your Commander in the wise and effective administration of the office and to serve not only your fellow Legionnaires, but a also those whose relationship to our organization has led them to look to us for guidance and relief. You will find the duties many, varied, and at times taxing of your crowded hours and resources. The successful accomplishment of our program depends, to a great extent, upon you and your performance of the duties of your office.”

—Charge from Installation Ceremony

The Adjutant holds the same relative position in the Post as the secretary of any other organized body—and a little more—the office serves as the “first sergeant” of the company. Post activities revolve around the adjutant. Most Posts find it wise to retain a good Adjutant in office over a period of years. The Adjutant may well be regarded as the “continuity person” in the Post. While the Commander’s duties are largely inspirational and executive, an Adjutant’s duties are administrative. The Commander navigates the ship, but the Adjutant is the engineer who runs the ship’s machinery.

The Adjutant is the personnel officer, the intimate contact with the individual Post member, maintains the membership records, minutes of meetings, checks up and assists the work of the other officers and committees, and publishes official orders, announcements and instructions.

All Post records should be in the Adjutant’s custody; for ready access to all sources of information, and it is to his/her interest to develop a comprehensive filing system.

The Adjutant is primarily concerned with ways and means and, by virtue of a key position, can add effectiveness to all Post activities. The office involves a great deal of work, and it is urgently recommended that some degree of compensation be paid the Adjutant, particularly in large Posts.