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NATIONAL
COMMANDER’S
AND ADJUTANT’S
BULLETIN
JULY 2008
COMMANDER’S MESSAGE
It has finally come down to the last
Commander’s & Adjutant’s bulletin for my year. It has been a great year and I only have you to thank. While the success or failure of the year’s
programs falls largely on the Commander, it is the members who make everything
happen. I want to thank all the
Detachment Commanders & Adjutants that I served with this year. Each of you has made a difference in your
Detachments and has kept the Sons of The American Legion a great organization. I know our successors will continue to make
the Sons of The American Legion an organization we can all be proud of for
years to come.
I also want to thank all of my
Commission & Committee Chairman for their hard work. Each of us must give up something to take
the time to work the programs of the Sons of The American Legion. I am really grateful for the time you have
given this year. The programs of the
Sons of The American Legion are on solid footing because of your never ending
effort.
I hope that each of
you continues to be an active member of the Sons of The American Legion, as we
need leaders like you to keep this organization strong. Thank you again for all your time and
effort.
By now you know the Sons of The American Legion were again
the largest contributor to the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. Over $332,000! Congratulations to the Detachment of Arizona for being the top
contributor. What a fantastic job by
everyone.
As we wind down let’s not forget that we still have the
National Convention in Phoenix. This
is our chance to showcase what has been done this year. Make sure that your Squadrons have filled
out the Squadron Consolidated Report forms.
The information on these forms is important to us.
I asked you this year to show special attention to our
veterans. On May 17th we had
our first National Veterans Assistance Day.
I have heard from Squadrons all over the nation that participated in
helping our veterans on that day. I
know that the veteran’s thank you for the time and attention they
received. I hope that National Veterans
Assistance Day will continue as long as we exist. It is something we should do
for our veterans, because they deserve no less. Thank you!
I hope to see all of you at the National Convention in
Phoenix. We have a fantastic convention
planned for you, so try not to miss it.
When it is all said and done let’s have some fun!
Raymond Giehll
National Commander
NATIONAL
ADJUTANT’S NOTES
Convention Notes
The American Legion adopted in 1999, Resolution No. 25
(Registration Procedures at the National Convention of The American Legion). It
states in part “that all delegates and alternates to the respective National
Conventions of The American Legion must register prior to, or during, the
National Convention. Proper registration will ensure each attendee has the
necessary credentials to enter the venues of the National Convention. Without
the proper credentials, access to the various venues of the National
Convention, including shuttle bus transportation, will be denied.” All guests
of The American Legion Family who exceed eighteen (18) years of age will be
required to register prior to attempting to enter any venue of the National
Convention, including shuttle bus transportation. Guests who are younger than
eighteen (18) years of age, and who are not delegates or alternates to the SAL
or Jr. Auxiliary National Conventions will be provided a guest pass at no
charge.
To facilitate this resolution we will open registration
at 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on Thursday, August 21, 2008.
If you are planning on having any children with you, that
will not be registered as delegates or alternates, and will be using the
transportation system, please notify us before the Convention so we can note
the number of under eighteen guest badges that are needed. These should be listed on your
delegate/guest registration forms.
Thanks and see you in Phoenix.
NATIONAL CONVENTION – PHOENIX – The
National Convention will be in Ballroom 301A&B, West Building,
Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona.
During the National Convention we ask that all delegations kindly be
seated during the National Convention.
We always seem to have a contingent of folks standing in the rear of the
room conducting various conversations, etc.
We ask that these be confined to the foyer area outside of the
convention hall thus maintaining a smoother running Convention. The Sergeant-at-Arms and their Assistants
will assist in this effort and your cooperation and patience is requested.
SAL NATIONAL
CONVENTION REGISTRATION – The hours registration will be open are:
Thursday, August 21st, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm; Friday, August 22nd, 9:00 am – 4:00
pm; and Saturday August 23rd, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. The SAL registration desk
will be located in the Legion staff office area, Room 104A, West
Building, Phoenix Convention Center.
DELEGATE
STRENGTH MEMBERSHIP TARGET DATE – The delegate membership strength
target date is July 24, 2008. This
target date determines official seating for the National Convention as well as
computations for delegate votes. A
separate memorandum will be mailed on July 25th to all Detachments
and Departments along with a listing of number of official delegates and
payment of fees for registration for the National Convention.
NATIONAL CONVENTION ATTIRE – All
delegates should be in proper dress attire while attending the Convention
sessions. Coat and tie is preferred especially when receiving awards on the
stage, however, casual dress (trousers, shoes and shirt) is very acceptable.
Also, many speakers and visitors will be addressing the sessions and our
National Convention delegates. We should be at our best. The wearing of tank
tops, short shorts, and shower clogs should be discouraged by your delegation
except for small children. The dress of your delegates is a reflection of your
Detachment. Your attendance during the
Convention is important and we are very proud to represent all members
Nationwide at our 37th National Convention.
NATONAL
CONVENTION AGENDA – This years National Convention agenda is as
follows: The National Convention Pre-NEC will start promptly at 1:00 pm,
Friday, August 22, 2008. The National
Convention will start immediately at 2:00 pm, Friday, August 22, 2008. More information on detailed agenda items
can be found by clicking on our web page at {www.sal.legion.org}.
CREDENTIALS – The
following official Convention badges and credentials are considered acceptable
official credentials for admittance to the National Convention Hall of the Sons
of The American Legion in Phoenix.
1.
National Headquarters Staff Badge
2.
Distinguished Guest Badge
3.
News Media Credential
4.
Special ID Card for Past National Commanders (Legion)
5.
American Legion Convention Badge
6.
American Legion Auxiliary Convention Badge
7.
Sons of The American Legion Convention Badge
8.
Exhibitors Badge
CONVENTION COMMITTEES – Convention Committees will be meeting on Friday
beginning at 9:00 am in the Convention Center, West Building in Rooms 208A,
208B, and 213B prior to the Pre-Convention National Executive Committee meeting
which starts at 1:00 pm.
SCOOTERS, WHEELCHAIRS – NATIONAL CONVENTION – Motorized scooters and wheelchairs along with
non-motorized wheelchairs will be available to rent during the National
Convention in Phoenix from the following vendors:
·
The Ability Center,
23606 N 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85085
(877) 879-0805
Website:
www.abilitycenter.com/index.php
·
Scootaround Mobility
Solutions, (888) 441-7575
Website: www.scootaround.com
·
One Stop Mobility,
Inc., 2802 E. Greenway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85032 (602) 493-0509
Website: www.powerchairlift.com/index.php
MEDICAL SERVICES – NATIONAL CONVENTION - Arrangements have been made through various agencies
to provide medical services for our attendees at the National Convention at the
Phoenix Convention Center. During
convention show hours, our attendees, if inside the Convention Center, would go
to the nearest “white” courtesy telephone, dial “85”, ask for security and then
advise security of the nature of your call.
Security personnel will respond accordingly and will then be in charge
of the situation. Security may also be
reached by dialing (602) 262-7271. We
recommend that each attendee verify emergency medical procedures within their
respective hotels subsequent to checking in to their room.
VAMC personnel will also be available in Halls 1 & 2
(lower level), West Building of the Convention Center, during exhibit hall show
hours. However, their primary focus
will be to conduct our annual Veterans “health screening” and not to attend to
emergency medical situations unless absolutely necessary. However, should our attendees desire medical
services we would encourage our attendees to contact one of the hospitals listed
below or follow the procedures listed above and seek the appropriate
assistance.
Phoenix VA Healthcare System (VAMC) Saint Luke’s Medical Center
650 East Indian School Road 1800
East Van Buren Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85012 Phoenix,
Arizona 85006
(602) 222-6419 (602)
251-8100
Saint Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center
304 West Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
(602) 406-3000
SALE OF RAFFLE TICKETS AT CONVENTION – The sale of raffle tickets and other Detachment
fundraisers item(s) is prohibited at the National Convention. The only pins
that are authorized for sale are the host Detachment of Arizona Convention
pins, if available.
TRANSPORTATION - The Shuttle Bus schedule for the National
Convention in Phoenix is as follows:
Friday, August 22, 2008 6:30
AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday, August 23, 2008 7:30
AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday, August 24, 2008 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Monday, August 25, 2008 7:30
AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
6:30
AM - 9:30 PM
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 6:30
AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday, August 28, 2008 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
There will be four (4) main routes; Route 1,
Tapatio Cliffs; Route 2, Arizona Biltmore; Route 3, Airport Hotels; Route 4,
The Buttes.
NATIONAL CONVENTION PARADE/EVENT - The
National Executive Committee of The American Legion has approved an alternative
event or this year’s convention in Phoenix, Arizona. The name of the event is “The American Legion Family Presents a
“Tribute to Service”. The location of
the event will be held indoors at the US Airways Center, downtown Phoenix on
Sunday, August 24, 2008 from 4 pm – 6:30 pm.
Featured events will include a mini parade (no more than 18 persons per
Department), a Mariachi band, the Joliet American Legion Band, United States
Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, the “Temptations Review”, the featured
entertainer/singer “Michael Peterson”, and more. Contact your Departments concerning parade information and click
on the Legion web site (www.legion.org) and
(www.sal.legion.org) for further
information.
General Information
SUBSCRIPTION – THE AMERICAN LEGION
MAGAZINE – All members of the
SAL can subscribe to The American Legion Magazine for 12 issues for only $6.00
per year. Readers can enjoy articles about foreign affairs, ordinary citizens
accomplishing extraordinary things, military valor, veteran’s health care,
history, etc. Keep up to date with
programs of The American Legion and items of general interest. Send a check or money order for $6.00 along
with your complete name, address, date of birth, phone, email and SAL ID number
to: The American Legion, Data Services
– N0808, Magazine Non-Member Subscriptions, PO Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
DETACHMENT OFFICERS REPORT FORMS
– Detachment officers report forms are being received at National Headquarters
and the new officers are being coded into the systems on a daily basis. Just a
note, the National Constitution and By-Laws state that outgoing NECmen and
Alternates serve until the close of the National Convention. Therefore, all
outgoing NECmen are encouraged to pass information and work with the incoming
NECmen. Detachments are encouraged to send in their new officer report forms as
soon as possible. All Detachment
Officers report forms are due immediately after your Conventions, but no later
than August 8th to National Headquarters. The call-in announcement for the Fall NEC
meeting will be mailed during the National Convention. Timely reports will insure your
Detachment leaders receive this call-in notice and receive any entitlements for
the Fall meetings as well as getting on any housing list.
MEMBERSHIP
CARDS & REGISTERS (2009) – The 2009 membership cards & registers
have been printed and shipped to every Department in June for the 2009
membership year. Detachments are
encouraged to contact your respective Department Headquarters for your
membership cards & registers. Let’s
get a jump on the 2009 membership year and get your cards out early. Our first membership target date for 2009 is
September 10, 2008, which is our 10% membership target.
RENEWAL POSTCARD SCHEDULE AND MAILING
(2009) – The schedule for the mailing of the annual Sons of The
American Legion renewal postcards has been changed by resolution and the SAL
Membership Committee. The first
postcard mailing will be made in September, followed by the second mailing in
January, then the final renewal mailing in April. These mailings are made in conjunction and subsequent to
membership target dates. Therefore, please follow these membership target dates
closely. Above all, “transmit”, as too
many Squadrons are holding membership. This saves the organization considerable
postage costs. All three mailings will be made usually within a couple of days
following the target in that respective month of mailing. The membership target dates are posted to
the SAL web page at {www.sal.legion.org} as well as listed on these
Commanders/Adjutant Bulletins.
NATIONAL
CHILDREN & YOUTH CONFERENCE – The annual National Children &
Youth Conference will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 19-21, 2008
at the Sheraton Hotel, downtown Indianapolis.
For more information on this conference, agenda, and registration click
onto {www.legion.org} under programs.
NATIONAL AMERICANISM CONFERENCE
– The National Americanism Conference will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana on
September 26-28, 2008 at the Sheraton Hotel, downtown Indianapolis. Included in this conference will be sessions
for Boy State, Oratorical, Baseball, and Chaplains. For more information on this conference, agenda, registration,
click onto {www.legion.org} under
programs.
SAL ‘HONORARY LIFE” CODE – Honorary life is something that
can be awarded by a Squadron/Post to an individual for a specific deed or
act. Do not confuse this with any
Detachment life programs. This
information is listed in the 2008 edition of the Administrative Manual (page
33). This is only a Squadron/Post
award, where authorized. To report this
information, you can submit a member data form and mark the appropriate block
“Honorary Life”. The record will be
coded at National Headquarters. When
the annual membership cards & registers are printed, a code “H” will appear
on the membership register that denotes “Honorary Life”. Older versions of the member data form do
not contain this block. In that case, just
write on the form wherever space is permitting. Squadron/Post Adjutants should sign this form to confirm this
status.
NATIONAL UPDATE NEWSLETTER - The
summer edition of the National Update newsletter is scheduled to be printed and
mailed in August. All members should
receive the Newsletter prior to National Convention.
DATES OF BIRTH INFORMATION - The capturing and collecting of
date of birth information for the National records of our members has been a
slow process. This program is outlined
in the 2008 Administrative Manual, page 31.
This information is contained on the membership register for every
member of the Sons. Many Squadrons
throughout the Country have not submitted this information accordingly. The information is needed for demographic
needs as well as future actuarial studies used for insurance plans, etc. The information can be submitted accordingly
by postcards, date of birth form (page 47 of the Admin Manual), member data
forms, and online at www.sal.legion.org
in the change of address area.
Detachments are encouraged to pass this information on to all Squadrons
and members during scheduled Conferences and Sons meetings.
Brian
O’Hearne
National Adjutant
Sons of The American Legion
____________________________________________________________________________
Future Dates
2008 105%
Membership Target (Delegate Strength) July
24, 2008
SAL
Consolidated Report Deadline (Cut-off Date) July
24, 2008
2008
National Convention (Phoenix, AZ) August
22-24, 2008
2009 10%
Membership Target Date 2009 September
10, 2008
SAL
Postcard Renewal Mailing, lst notice for 2009 September 17, 2008
National
Children & Youth Conference September 19-21, 2008
National
Americanism Conference September
26-28, 2008
2009 25%
Membership Target Date 2009 October
8, 2008
Fall NEC
Meeting October 11-12, 2008
2009 35%
Membership Target Date 2009 November
14, 2008
2009 45%
Membership Target Date 2009 December
10, 2008
2009 60%
Membership Target Date 2009 January
14, 2009
SAL
Postcard Renewal Mailing, 2nd notice for 2009 January 20, 2009
2009 75%
Membership Target Date 2009 February
11, 2009
Washington
Conference 2009 March
1-4, 2009
2009 80%
Membership Target Date 2009 March
11, 2009
2009 90%
Membership Target Date 2009 April
8, 2009