Post Leadership Basic GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Post Leadership

Basic

Slide2

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Develop an understanding of history of The American Legion

Develop awareness of the training program for all members

Define leadership

Outline the responsibilities of Post LeadersOutline available resources

2

Slide3

WHO IS THE AMERICAN LEGION?

3

Slide4

WHO IS THE AMERICAN LEGION?

Chartered & Incorporated by Congress in 1919

Patriotic Veterans Service Organization (VSO)

Nation’s Largest War-time VSO

Founded on the Four PillarsVDAY – Veterans Affairs; National Defense; Americanism; Children and YouthToday we are 2 million strong in 14,000 posts in 55 Departments (50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines)

4

Slide5

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Basic Training

The American Legion basic training was created specifically so that members, volunteers, and staff could be better educated about our organization, its goals and services.

Online training course using video, text, and video.

Available online for Free at legion.org/ALEIPossibility to conduct in groups at District, County, or Post training events

5

Slide6

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

The action of leading a group of people or an organization.

A process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.

A person who has the ability to get other people to do what they don't want to do, and like it.

Harry TrumanThe art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he/she wants to do it. Dwight Eisenhower

6

Slide7

LEADERSHIP OVERVIEW

Knowledge of Organization

Knowledge of foundational documents at all levels (Constitution and

ByLaws

)Knowledge of Organizational Policies and Procedures

Knowledge is Organizational ProgramsKnow benefits of belonging to Organization

Have experience with Organization, having worked as committee chair, program director, etc..

Have attended organizational workshops & training

Know where to get answers to questions

Able to effectively direct, plan, organize, coordinate, & communicate w/officers and members

7

Slide8

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

Be knowledgeable and seek self-improvement.

Impart your knowledge to others with training and mentoring.

Set the vision, direction, and objectives for the organization.

Set realistic goals and priorities to achieve those objectives.Seek responsibility and be accountable for your actions.

Set the example.

Plan well to conduct effective, productive meetings.

Make sound and timely decisions.

Keep your organization informed, as appropriate.

Fully engage your organization, and listen to your members

.

8

Slide9

POST COMMANDER (LEADER OF THE POST)

Essential for Success

Power is Limited by Constitution and Bylaws (C&BL)

Not the King –

No Disciplinary Power9

Slide10

1

ST TYPE OF POST COMMANDER

Does everything or keeps everything to themselves

The only one willing to serve

Member that has run the Post from their barstool (barstool leader)Also runs the bar, or is only concerned about what happens in lounge

They or their Spouse is an employee; or other conflict of interest

Can’t get anyone interested in helping

Anyone know someone like this?

10

Slide11

2ND

TYPE OF POST COMMANDER

Experienced Leader

Knows how to conduct meetings

Uses an agendaSupervises his officers and committee chairsTrains his replacementParticipates in community and civic functions

Ensures legion programs are implemented

Anyone know someone like this?

11

Slide12

APPLY DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES

Post Members Rule

Post Members Present Ideas

Members Elect Leaders

Checks and BalancesMembers are equalsImpartiality and FairnessEqual Justice

Majority Rules

Spirit of Openness

12

Slide13

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POST COMMANDER

Supervise Officers

Ensure Post compliance with laws, rules, and policies

Appoint Committees

Control Agenda and Conduct Meetings13

Slide14

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POST COMMANDER

Supervise Officers

Know the duties of each Officer

Serve as a mentor and hold accountable

See packet for a brief description of DutiesDuties are suggested, but must be clearly defined

14

Slide15

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POST COMMANDER

Ensure Post compliance with laws, rules, and policies

Steps to investigating and improving health of Post (Officer Guide

pgs

22-27)Post AnalysisResponsibility Audit

Steps to Better Post

Business Plan

15

Slide16

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POST COMMANDER

Appoint and Supervise Committees

Importance of Committees and their role in Post Operations

Importance of Programs

All Posts no matter the size must have programs

Programs=Membership; Membership x ProgramsCommittees and Programs report at every Post meeting

16

Slide17

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POST COMMANDER

Control Agenda and Conduct Meetings

Conduct of a meeting (Officers Guide & Roberts Rules)

Agenda and preparation essential to a good meeting

Introduction of Guests (introduce in order installed Post, County, Dept, National and from lower to higher position as listed in C&BL)

Handling of Motions (table of motions Roberts Rules)

Amendments

Debate and Voting on Motions

Nominations and Elections

17

Slide18

RESOURCES

Publications from National (legion.org)

Constitution and

ByLaws

Officers GuidePublications from Department

Constitution and

ByLaws

Rules of the DEC

Roberts Rules of Order

Post Constitution and

ByLaws

Department Meeting and Suspense Calendar

Veteran Services Resources (

OneStop

employment centers; Dept Service Office)

18

Slide19

SPECIAL TOPICS

Relationship between Post and SAL program (subordinate program)

Relationship between Post and Riders program (subordinate program)

Relationship between Post and Auxiliary Unit (Separate/Affiliated Organization) Post has no control over Auxiliary Unit’s governance

Discipline of Post members

seek assistance and guidance from a qualified/experienced Judge Advocate

Must follow Department C&BL and Rules of DEC

19

Slide20

Questions??

20

Slide21

WHO CAN BE A POST OFFICER?

A member in good standing

Been duly elected by the general membership in accordance with (IAW) Constitution & By-laws (C&BL’s)

Some can be appointed by the post commander with post membership’s approval IAW C&BL’S

Formally installed by a department representative Should be a graduate of the legion basic training (ALEI) course

21

Slide22

RECOMMENDED POST OFFICERS

Post Commander

Post Adjutant

First Vice Commander

Second Vice CommanderFinance Officer/TreasurerWeb/Hub Master22

Service Officer

Chaplain

Sergeant-at-Arms

Historian

Judge Advocate

Standing Committees

Slide23

EXAMPLES OF STANDING COMMITTEES

23

Americanism

Children and Youth

VA&RNational Security

Membership and Post ActivitiesPublic Relations

Legislative

Finance

Economic/Fundraising

Welcoming

Memorial Team

Training

Slide24

POST COMMANDER

Power limited by Constitution and Bylaws

Presides at all Post meetings

Controls meeting agendas

General supervision of Post OfficersAppoint CommitteesPerforms other duties as directed by the PostCoordinates with Auxiliary, Sons and RidersCommunicates with community leaders

24

Slide25

ADJUTANT

Post Administrator

Handles all Post correspondence

Responsible for maintaining all Post Records

Maintains membership recordsPublishes official orders, announcements and instructionsAssists other officers and committees 25

Slide26

1ST

VICE COMMANDER

Be fully involved in and responsible for all aspects of post membership

Chairman of the post membership committee

Knowledgeable of commander’s dutiesMakes a membership report at all meetingsPerforms other duties as needed

26

Slide27

2ND

VICE COMMANDER

Responsible for patriotic observances

Development of post activities

EntertainmentPerforms other duties as needed27

Slide28

FINANCE OFFICER/TREASURER

In charge of all finances

Chair of Post finance committee

Maintains budget and approved by membership

Deposits all funds and maintains financial recordsMakes disbursement of funds as approvedCountersigns all checks written from Post accounts (

SAL and Rider also)Provides written monthly reports to Exec committee and membership

Initiates necessary IRS and other reports as required

Performs other duties as needed

28

Slide29

SERVICE OFFICER

Brings attention to Post membership their rights and benefits granted to them by law

Must know how to utilize the expert services available through Legion channels

Must know hot to utilize the expert services of agencies in the surrounding community

29

Slide30

CHAPLAIN

Moral leader of the Post

Assists with observances of patriotic occasions, funeral services and dedication ceremonies

Should visit sick in the hospital and at nursing homes

Leader of 4 chaplains services, memorial day services, and other somber events

30

Slide31

JUDGE ADVOCATE

Advisor in conduct of Post business

Retains professional counsel when

required

Chairman of Post Constitution and Bylaws committeeIn charge of annual audit of the PostResponsible for the orderly conduct of disciplinary procedures

31

Slide32

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Preserves order al all times during meetings

Responsible for the proper room set up for Post meetings

Custodian of the Post colors

In charge of Post color guardResponsible for assuring members observe proper etiquette during Post meetings32

Slide33

HISTORIAN

Should work closely with all Post officers to compile and preserve records of the Post

An annual Post narrative history and yearbook should be prepared, and filed with the Post records

Attends Post functions and document events with written notes and photographs

33

Slide34

WEBMASTER

Maintains Post website

Works with Post officers to keep website current

Works with Department and District to obtain current news, planned events, etc.

Works closely with the Post public relations chairKeeps membership informed via the website34

Slide35

POST OFFICER RESOURCES

Officers guide and manual of ceremonies

Post Adjutants guide

National Constitution and Bylaws

Department Constitution and BylawsPost Constitution and Bylaws

35