THE AMERICAN LEGION | OFFICER’S GUIDE | 2023
https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/legion/publications/2023_Post_Officers_Guide.pdf
Excerpts.
Commander
The ability to lead is recognized by election to the office of post commander. Now, draw on that ability and experience while developing new skills to help the post prosper. The charge accepted, commander, is broad and difficult. How you respond will determine to a large degree the standing of The American Legion among associates and within the community. The support of district and department officers, the information in this guide, and help from post officers will together make performing the job possible. Look to the overall operation of the post and realize you have stepped to another level. At first it may seem the step is too high, but as time goes by, following the suggestions and recommendations in this guide, the year as commander will be most rewarding.
Post executive committee
Running even a small post is more than a one-person job. Therefore, a post constitution should provide for a full group of post officers, as well as an executive committee. Others are elected to fulfill specific roles. It’s up to the commander to get them to work together for the post’s success. Start the year by having an organizational meeting of the post’s officers and executive committee. This can happen even before installation, and the outgoing post commander and adjutant can be invited to attend.
Executive committee
Government and management of the post is entrusted to the executive committee. It should meet regularly or as often as the commander deems necessary. In some cases, the post executive committee is further charged with assisting in hiring employees, authorizing and approving all expenditures, hearing reports of post committee chairpersons, and providing business oversight over post affairs.
Delegation of these functions to the executive committee is in no way intended to usurp the powers of the membership through regular post meetings. Rather, this allows the routine business affairs of the post to be handled outside of post meetings. Committee reports and other issues of general interest to members should be handled during post meetings.
The key to interesting post meetings is using the executive committee effectively. The post meeting that becomes bogged down in arguments on petty details is interesting only to those engaged in the conflict.
Vice Commander...
Other Duties
Membership may be the primary assignment of a first vice commander, but during a normal year, this person will have many other duties. The vice commander should be familiar with the ceremonial protocol for regular meetings, and will likely be called upon to conduct one or more meetings during the year due to an absence of the post commander. Knowing how to develop an agenda, run a meeting and follow protocol are useful skills to develop. The vice commander should be ready to fill in for the commander at a moment’s notice. p15.
Step XI
Follow standard procedures and schedule all year round. Plan post meetings three months ahead, and social activities six months ahead. p23
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular Post meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members of said Post attending such regular meeting; Provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing and read at the next preceding regular meeting of said Post; and, provided, further, that written notice shall have been given to all members at least _____________ days in advance of the date when such amendment is to be voted upon, notifying said members that at such meeting a proposal to amend the By-Laws is to be voted upon. p91
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P87
SUGGESTED FORM FOR POST BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Section 1. The Post existing under these By-Laws is to be known as (post name and number), The American
Legion, Department of ___________________________.
Section 2. The objectives of this Post are as set forth in the Constitution.
ARTICLE II
MANAGEMENT
Section 1. The government and management of the Post is entrusted to an Executive Committee of
______________ members, to be known as the “Executive Committee.”
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall consist of ____ members in addition to the officers of the Post and
together with the other officers of this Post shall be elected annually on ___________ and take office at the
meeting next following that of the election. All elections of officers and executive committeemen shall be by
ballot and the candidate or candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to the respective
office or offices for which they are candidates.
Section 3. All vacancies existing in the Executive Committee, or in any office of the Post from any cause other
than the expiration of the term, shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the committee,
and a person so appointed shall hold office for the unexpired term of the member of the committee or officer
who succeeded. A vacancy shall exist when a member or officer is absent from the Post for a continuous period considered detrimental to the interest of the Post by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE III
POST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The Post Executive Committee shall meet for organization and such other business as may come before it at the call of the Post commander within 10 days after the installation of the new officers. Thereafter the Post Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the commander at least every ________________ and as often as said commander may deem necessary. The commander shall call a meeting of the Post Executive Committee upon the joint written request of three or more members of said Post Executive Committee, _________ members of the committee shall constitute a quorum thereof.
Section 2. The Post Executive Committee shall hire such employees as may be necessary; shall authorize and approve all expenditures; shall require adequate bonds from all persons having the custody of Post funds; shall hear the reports of Post committee chairs; and generally shall have charge of and be responsible for the management of the affairs of this Post.
ARTICLE IV
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. Duties of Post Commander. It shall be the duty of the Post commander to preside at all meetings of the Post and to have general supervision over the business and affairs of the Post, and such officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Post. The commander shall approve all orders directing the disbursement of funds and shall make an annual report covering the business of the Post for the year, and recommendations for the ensuing year, which shall be read at the annual meeting and a copy thereof immediately forwarded to the Department adjutant. The commander shall perform such other duties as directed by the Post.
Section 2. Duties of Vice-Commander. The vice-commander shall assume and discharge the duties of the office of commander in the absence or disability of, or when called upon by the Post commander.
Section 3. Duties of Post Adjutant. The adjutant shall have charge of and keep a full and correct record of all proceedings of all meetings, keep such records as the Department and National Organizations may require, render reports of membership annually or when called upon at a meeting, and under direction of the commander handle all correspondence of the Post.
Section 4. Duties of the Finance Officer/Treasurer. The finance officer/treasurer of the Post shall have charge of all finances and see that they are safely deposited in some local bank or banks and shall report once a month to the Executive Committee the condition of the finances of the Post, with such recommendations as may deem expedient or necessary for raising funds with which to carry on the activities of the Post. The finance officer/ treasurer shall sign all checks disbursing the monies of the Post, and shall furnish such surety bonds in such sum as shall be fixed by the Post Executive Committee.
Section 5. Duties of Post Historian. The Post historian shall be charged with the individual records and incidents of the Post and Post members, and shall perform such other duties as may properly pertain to the office as may be determined by the Post or the Executive Committee.
Section 6. Duties of Post Chaplain. The Post chaplain shall be charged with the spiritual welfare of the Post members and will offer divine but nonsectarian service in the event of dedications, funerals, public functions, etc., adhere to such ceremonial rituals as are recommended by the National or Department headquarters from time to time.
Section 7. Duties of Sergeant-at-Arms. The sergeant-at-arms shall preserve order at meetings and shall perform such other duties as may be from time to time assigned by the Post Executive Committee.
ARTICLE V
DELEGATES
Section 1. Delegates and alternates to a Department convention shall be elected by ballot by the Post at a regular meeting of the Post to be held at least 20 days prior to the date of such convention.
ARTICLE VI
APPOINTMENTS
Section 1. The Post commander, immediately upon taking office each year, shall appoint the following standing committees: Americanism, Ceremonials, Children and Youth, Economic, Finance, Foreign Relations, Graves Registration and Memorial, House and Entertainment, Legislative, Membership, Public Relations, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Sons of The American Legion and Visiting or VAVS. Such standing committees shall consist of such members, and the chair thereof, as shall be designated by the Post Commander.
Section 2. Americanism Committee. The Americanism Committee shall be charged with the inspiration of patriotism and good citizenship by arrangements for proper observance of patriotic occasions; encouragement of patriotic and civic phases of instruction in schools; Americanization of aliens; combating anti-American propaganda by education of the general public in American ideals through public forums, etc., and activities for community and civic betterment.
Section 3. Ceremonials Committee. The principal duty of the Ceremonials Committee is to insure all new members are properly initiated. The committee also concerns itself with proper presentation of other rituals outlined in the Manual of Ceremonies—burial detail and the wearing of Legion regalia.
Section 4. Children and Youth Committee. Shall be charged with aid and service to children of veterans, cooperating with other established agencies in the community; laboring for the betterment of child conditions and in coordinating services and agencies in the community for the above purposes. To act as intermediary for the needy child of a veteran in obtaining the fulfillment of the Legion’s pledge that “no child of a war veteran shall be in need of the necessities of life” and “a square deal for every child.”
Section 5. Economic Committee. The Post Economic Committee is primarily concerned with local employment programs, Veterans’ preference, government employment and re-employment rights.
Section 6. Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall be charged with the administration of the financial policy, preparation of budget recommendations and supervision of receiving, disbursing and accounting of all Post funds.
Section 7. Foreign Relations. This committee has become active as America has recognized its responsibility as a world leader. Maintaining and securing world peace and friendship abroad through community endeavors have become as essential as any aspect of treaty law.
Section 8. Graves Registration and Memorial Committee. The duties of this committee involve recording of grave sites and complete information on veterans’ burial in cemeteries assigned to the Post. Special assistance can be given the service officer in providing flags, headstones or proper interment in national cemeteries.
Section 9. House and Entertainment Committee. The House and Entertainment quarters promotion of club advantages and arrangement for social activities.
Section 10. Legislative Committee. The Legislative Committee needs to have a knowledge of what is going on in Congress—what we favor or oppose, and should be ready to initiate action in support of our position when requested by the national or Department organization.
Section 11. Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall have charge of all matters pertaining to the membership of the Post, including the procuring of new members, reinstatements and eligibility of members.
Section 12. Public Relations Committee. The Public Relations Committee shall be charged with the promotion of public support of the Legion’s programs by the establishment of proper contact with The American Legion Magazine, Department and national Legion news service and by local publicity of Post programs and activities.
Section 13. Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee. The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation committee shall supervise all matters pertaining to service to veterans in the prosecution of all just claims against the United States or state government, employment, relief, etc.
Section 14. Security Committee. The Security Committee shall work with and coordinate Legion efforts with the local Civil Defense Council on matters pertaining to national, civilian and home defenses. It shall assist the armed forces of the United States in recruiting efforts and in every way be active in community activities for the defense of the nation and the security of the American home.
Section 15. Sons of The American Legion Committee. This committee shall have supervision over the operations of the Post’s squadron of the Sons of The American Legion.
Section 16. Visiting or VAVS Committee. This committee is charged with visiting and comforting members and
their families when sick or bereaved, and with visiting ex-service personnel in hospitals.
ARTICLE VII
RESOLUTIONS
Section 1. All resolutions of state or national scope presented to this Post by a member or reported to this
Post by a committee shall merely embody the opinion of this Post on the subject and copy of same shall be
forwarded to the Department headquarters for approval before any publicity is given or action other than mere
passage by the Post is taken.
ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS
Section 1. The regular meeting of the Post shall be held at the club rooms on __________________, at which
may be transacted such business as may properly be brought up for action; such meetings may be converted
into entertainment meetings, as may be deemed advisable by the officers of the Post.
Section 2. The Post commander or a majority of the Executive Committee shall have power to call a special meeting of the Post at any time.
Section 3. Upon the written request of _________ members, the committee shall call a special meeting of the Post.
Section 4. ________ members shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IX
NOTICES
Section 1. Every member shall furnish the Post adjutant with an address for mailing.
Section 2. The Post adjutant shall cause notice of the annual election to be given at least two weeks prior thereto.
ARTICLE X
RULES OF ORDER
Section 1. All proceedings of this Post shall be conducted under and pursuant to Roberts’ Rules of Order, except
as herein otherwise provided.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular Post meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members of said Post attending such regular meeting; Provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing and read at the next preceding regular meeting of said Post; and, provided, further, that written notice shall have been given to all members at least _____________ days in advance of the date when such amendment is to be voted upon, notifying said members that at such meeting a proposal to amend the By-Laws is to be voted upon.
