1. Why Do I Belong To The American Legion?

2. What Is Our Purpose For Existence?
The Four Pillars
Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
National Security
Americanism
Children & Youth
Do we still have a purpose to exist today?

3. In The Beginning - 1919 Why did they join?
Comradeship & new experiences
A sense of belonging
Concern for fellow soldiers
Looking to the future
A sense of patriotism
How is this different today?
Why did you join?

4. 1919 Mission Statement
The American Legions Success Depends Entirely on:
Active Leadership
Membership
Member participation & volunteerism
The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives

5. Have We Forgotten Our Mission?
Since 1991 the Department of Arkansas has:
Seen a loss of membership
Seen a loss of Posts
Seen a lack of membership participation
Seen a lack of leadership

6. Are We Infected With Apathy?
What is apathy?
Absence or suppression of passion, emotion or excitement
Lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting

7. Discussion
What can we do to reverse our loss of membership and begin to grow? Let’s review some possible cures!

8. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
Is Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation important?
How is your Post serving Active Duty, Veterans and their families?
Do your Post members volunteer in the VA Health Care System?
Does your Post have a knowledgeable & qualified Service Officer?
Does your Post have a Honor Guard?

9. National Security Is National Security important? Why?
Is your Post involved in supporting our troops?
Does your Post donate to Operation Comfort Warriors? Why?
Does your Post donate to the National Emergency Fund? Why?
Does your Post conduct a blood drive? Why?
How can we improve?

10. Americanism Is your Post involved in Americanism programs?
Oratorical? Why?
Boys State? Why?
Boy Scouts? Why?
American Legion Baseball? Why?
Junior Shooting Sports? Why?
ROTC? Why?
Legacy Scholarship Fund? Why?

11. Children & Youth Is your Post actively involved in…
Strengthing the family unit?
Family Support Network?
Helping children in need?
Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA)
Child Welfare Foundation (CWF)
Programs that provide opportunities for young people facing difficult challenges?
How can we improve?

12. Public Relations Is Public Relations important?
Is effective internal communications important?
Newsletters
Is effective external communications important?
Multi-Media, Social Media
What tools are available to help us?
How can we improve?

13. Membership Growth Why is membership growth important?
Does your Post have a Membership Committee?
Does your Post have a written Membership Plan?
How can we improve Membership Growth?
Retaining current members
Recruiting new members

14. Training Why is training important?
Does your Post have a brief training session at each Post meeting?
How many of your members are graduates of the ALEI course? Why is this important?
Do your members attend District & Departmenttraining seminars?
How can we improve?

15. Meetings
Does your Post hold regular monthly meetings? Is this important?
Do you have a quorum for all meetings? Why?
Do you have a written and published agenda for all meetings? Why is this important?
Do your Post meetings include opening and closing ceremony? Why is this important?
Does your Post follow Roberts Rules of Order during its meetings? Why is this important?

16. Administrative
Does your Post have a current Constitution & By-Laws? Why is this important?
Does your Post file a Post Consolidated Report annually? Why is this important?
Does your Post file a timely Certification of Officers annually? Why is this important?
Does your Post conduct an annual audit?
Does your Post submit transmittals timely?
At what point does a Post cease to exist?

17. Where Do We Go From Here?
Do we agree on the need to return to a focus on the 4 Pillars of the organization?
How can each of us influence that in our individual Posts?
Do we really want to change our direction?
Are you personally ready to commit to helping institute that change of direction?