1. District Revitalization
Responsibilities
Stacked, 3-D text at dramatic angle
(Intermediate)
To reproduce the text on this slide, do the following:
On the Home tab, in the Slides group, click Layout, and then click Blank.
On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Text Box, and then on the slide, drag to draw the text box.
Enter text in the text box and select the text. On the Home tab, in the Font group, select Impact from the Font list, and then change the font size of each line so that the text is approximately the same width. For example, if you entered “FIRST” on one line, “SECOND” on the next line, and so on (as shown on the slide), do the following:
Select the second line of text, and then on the Home tab, in the Font group, enter 70 in the Font Size box.
Select the first line of text, and then on the Home tab, in the Font group, enter 100 in the Font Size box.
Select the third line of text, and then on the Home tab, in the Font group, enter 94 in the Font Size box.
Select the fourth line of text, and then on the Home tab, in the Font group, enter 75.5 in the Font Size box.
Select all of the text. On the Home tab, in the Font group, click Character Spacing, and then click More Spacing.
On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click Center to center the text in the text box.
In the Font dialog box, on the Character Spacing tab, in the Spacing list, select Expanded. In the By box, enter 2.
Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the bottom right corner of the WordArt Styles group, click the Format Text Effects dialog box launcher. In the Format Text Effects dialog box, click Text Fill in the left pane, select Gradient fill in the right pane, and then do the following:
In the Type list, select Radial.
Under Gradient stops, click Add gradient stop or Remove gradient stop until two stops appear in the slider.
Click the button next to Direction, and then click From Corner (second option from the left).
Also under Gradient stops, customize the gradient stops that you added as follows:
Select the first stop in the slider, and then do the following:
In the Position box, enter 0%.
Click the button next to Color, and then under Theme Colors click White, Background 1, Darker 15% (third row, first option from the left).
Select the last stop in the slider, and then do the following:
In the Position box, enter 100%.
Also in the Format Text Effects dialog box, click 3-D Rotation in the left pane. In the right pane, click the button next to Presets, and then under Perspective click Perspective Heroic Extreme Left (third row, second option from the left).
Click the button next to Color, and then under Theme Colors click White, Background 1, Darker 50% (sixth row, first option from the left).
Also in the Format Text Effects dialog box, click 3-D Format in the left pane, and then do the following in the right pane:
Under Bevel, click the button next to Top, and then under Bevel click Cool Slant (first row, fourth option from the left).
Also in the Format Text Effects dialog box, click Shadow in the left pane. In the right pane, click the button next to Presets, and then under Perspective click Perspective Diagonal Upper Right (first row, second option from the left).
Under Depth, in the Depth box, enter 70 pt.
To reproduce the background on this slide, do the following:
Right-click the slide background area, and then click Format Background. In the Format Background dialog box, click Fill in the left pane, select Gradient fill in the right pane, and then do the following:
In the Type list, select Linear.
Click the button next to Direction, and then click Linear Down (first row, second option from the left).
In the Position box, enter 64%.
Click the button next to Color, and then under Theme Colors click Black, Text 1 (first row, second option from the left).
Click the button next to Color, and then under Theme Colors click Black, Text 1, Lighter 35% (third row, second option from the left).

2. FIRST THINGS FIRST
District identifies needs & request for revitalization assistance is sent to department
Department makes request to national for membership staff
Staff liaison coordinates all details with district p.o.c.
*Minimum of 6 week lead time is necessary
At least 6 weeks is needed for national to request & prepare listings, create and mail postcards, send s, etc. District POC needs this time to secure location, lock in volunteers, and spread the word

3. AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
NATIONAL STAFF
DEPARTMENT
DISTRICT P.O.C.
-Coordinate dates of revitalization with district p.o.c.
-Make formal request to national for revitalization assistance
-Identify areas in need
-Coordinate dates of revitalization with national staff
-Ask department to make formal request for revitalization
-Request listings from counties provided by p.o.c
-Media information (press release, postcard, blast)
-Keeps department informed
-Help national and district disseminate media information (website/newsletter/social media)
-Assist district in acquiring Service Officer
-Revitalization details to national staff
-Arrange location & Service Officer
-Get as many volunteers as possible to assist
-Disseminate media information locally
-Create MapPoint
-Send transfer blast
-Provide templates to p.o.c.
-At least one department officer is on site if feasible
-Department membership team members are on site
-Use templates provided by staff liaison to inform posts of event & request volunteers
-Provide onsite training
-Process transfers/changes in mylegion.org
-Ensure as many post members as possible are present for the training and volunteer to assist with revitalization
No revitalization happens without request from department
Several of these activites happen at the same time

4. Key Revitalization Points
Recruit
Retain
Get volunteer commitments and contact information at least 1 month in advance of revitalization. Follow up with reminders.
Understand the community and discuss with local veterans the preference and activities your Post should participate in. Host an open house.
Does your post have activities that addresses the varying needs/interests of the different war eras?
Meet and conduct revitalization as a team
Be aware of your surroundings and look for indicators that tell you you are in the presence of a veteran (hat-shirt).
Courtesy contact to non-active members once a quarter (call, post card, or visit)
Have a laptop or desktop computer on hand to look up phone numbers. Look up as many as possible before the revitalization event
Conduct membership training using scenarios and demo’s to instill confidence in your members.
Make sure post is doing in the community; and making a positive impression.
District Officers step in to assist when volunteers have a question or need assistance on the phone. Have district directory on hand.
Look for opportunities to engage parents/grandparents, etc. at youth events. Recognize recent HS grads that have committed to the military
Mentor new members, ease them into responsibilities/committees/time commitment
Keep the records clear and readable, if you called the list, it is yours for the entire revitalization for call backs
Attend events wearing your Legion cap and/or apparel.
Keep good records, and keep all post members informed
Revitalization and recruiting are the beginning parts. It is very important to work to retain the members gained from your revitalization efforts

5. Revitalization Outlook
District Commanders’
Revitalization Outlook
Always maintain open lines of communication with posts
Attend revitalizations and encourage the members
Be an active participant
Find and celebrate successes
Before, during, and after the revitalization; posts need to know they can contact their district commander and receive guidance to make their post successful
District Commanders need to be engaged with their posts. Be willing to do what you are asking your posts to do (lead by example)
Recognize your posts members’ for job well done

6. Conclusion & Questions
District Commanders – you are absolutely vital to providing the best chance for successful revitalizations. You are the ‘go-to’ for both department and posts in your district. The enthusiasm (or lack of) for revitalizations will filter to all those involved.
Posts – revitalizations do not succeed without volunteers. Be willing to commit at least two members to participate during revitalizations, and be an active participant. Every post in the district have the opportunity to benefit.
QUESTIONS?