Lighthouse Beacons Shining “Beams of Knowledge” Department Leadership Chairman Diane Rousseau

Lighthouse Beacons send out guiding signals called “Beams of Knowledge!”

What does Leadership mean to you? Being in a Leadership position? OR The power or ability to lead other people?

National’s Plan of Action Reads: “The Leadership Program develops leaders at all levels, grows membership, and mentors members of all ages!”

“The Power or Ability to Lead Other People!” Leadership is action, not position. - Donald H. McGannon

GOALS FOR EVERYONE: Continue To Learn. Continue To Teach Others. Do it with enthusiasm!

WE MUST BELIEVE IN OURSELVES! We are all Leaders. We all have knowledge. We can all learn from each other.

“Lighthouse Beacons help light the way!” Educate & Motivate members. Hold “Mini-Workshops” at Unit meetings. Match members’ interests with programs. Update program activities. Utilize knowledgeable members as mentors to new members and new chairmen.

“Lighting The Way” Keep an open mind. Lead by example! Ask members for new ideas. Be open, not critical, of those ideas! Take the online correspondence course on National’s website. Check out new info on National’s website!

“Lighting The Way” Conduct a humorous mock meeting. Use Department’s Unit Guide. Use National’s Unit Guide Book (fka Unit Handbook!) Encourage all members – including Legionnaires and Sons of The American Legion to attend and participate in our Schools.

Auxiliary Basic Concepts Schools {aka ABC Schools} Informs members of what we’re all about! Duties of Officers & Members! Protocol. Answer questions if possible. Let’s have one in every District!

What about: “Being in a Leadership position?” AM I READY?!?! What can I do to become a more Effective Leader?

Suggestions If you haven’t already done so: Take National’s Correspondence Course. Check out their Protocol Presentation and take the quiz!

Suggestions (cont’d) Know the basics: Governing documents. Where to find answers. Chain of Command. Be familiar with programs. Robert’s Rules of Order.

Suggestions (cont’d) Be Willing To Learn. Be Willing To Participate. Be Enthusiastic & Inspire Others. Stay Open To New Ideas. Be A Mentor.

Department Awards! → Beacon Award← Plaque To the UNIT Leadership Chairman in each of the 6 Membership Groups who submits the best overall narrative about their Mini-Workshops AND Mentoring done. Be sure to follow the rules as set forth in the Plan of Action.

Department Awards! → Beacon Award Certificates← To all other UNIT Leadership Chairmen who submit an entry for the “Beacon Award” Plaque. Be sure to follow the rules as set forth in the Plan of Action.

Department Awards! → Beam of Knowledge ← Gift To all DISTRICT Leadership Chairmen who submit both the Mid-Year Report and the Year-End Report. Be sure to follow the rules as set forth in the Plan of Action.

National Awards! Unit Leadership Training Award Plaque to the Unit Leadership Chairman who best exemplifies what the Unit did to build leadership skills of Unit members! Junior Outstanding Leadership Award Citation to the Junior group in each Division that best exemplifies what the group did to build leadership skills. Please follow the rules as set forth in the Plan of Action & send entries to National in time!

“THE DREADED REPORTS!” Mid-Year Reports Unit Chairmen → District Chairmen by Nov. 15, 2014 District Chairmen → Dept. Chairman by Dec. 1, 2014 {No form … just mail or summary!} Year-End Reports Unit Chairmen → District Chairmen by April 15, 2015 District Chairmen → Dept. Chairman by May 1, 2015 {Forms provided in the Plan of Action … complete all information & send them in time!}

Remember: “A leader’s attitude is caught by his or her followers more quickly than his or her actions!” - John C. Maxwell