Sons of The American Legion Detachment of New York

1. Sons of The American LegionDetachment of New York Advisors Seminar Mid-Winter Conference 2011 Albany, New York _______________________________ John B. Rogers Commander Detachment of New York

2. Member Training & Development Committee Roy J. Mezzapelle Chairman Gary Denmon David Downey Greg “Doc” Gibbs Gerald M. Ketchum Thomas G. Smallcomb

3. Training Objectives Upon completion of this seminar, you should: • Understand your role as an Advisor • Identify the differences between the organizational structures of The American Legion and the Sons of The American Legion • Have an awareness of the Commissions and Committees within the Detachment of New York • Have an awareness of programs supported by the Sons of The American Legion • Understand the paperwork associated with the Sons of The American Legion

4. Responsibilities of the Advisor • Observe • Advise • Assure all meetings are conducted according to protocol • Provide help & guidance when needed • Assure that younger members are included in appropriate programs and events • Encourage advancement in our Organization • Assure that all members of the Legion Family are treated with respect • Attend your Squadron’s meetings

5. Important Dates in Our History • 1932Established as a Program of The American Legion • 1939Grew to 72,633 • 1953Membership Drops to 5,631 • 1963Membership climbed to nearly 17,000 • 1972Legion NEC Created a National SAL organization

6. SONS MEMBERSHIP ( ) = Increase from previous year • NationalNew York • 2001 247,179 (+12,441) 2001 20,150 (+1,189) • 2002 266,126 (+18,947) 2002 21,405 (+1,255) • 2003 280,206 (+14,080) 2003 23,419 (+2,014) • 2004 289,271 (+9,065) 2004 24,541 (+1,122) • 2005 301,083 (+11,812) 2005 25,383 (+842) • 2006 312,756 (+11,673) 2006 25,703 (+320) • 2007 321,461 (+8,705) 2007 26,145 (+442) • 327,598 (+6,137) 2008 26,500 (+355) • 331,636 (+4,038) 2009 27,277 (+777) • 343,060 (+11,424) 2010 27,891 (+614)

7. New York Squadrons • 2003 353 (+8) • 2004 359 (+6) • 2005 361 (+2) • 2006 361 • 2007 378 (+17) • 378 • 2009 384 (+6) • 2010 385 (+1) • NUMBER OF AMERICAN LEGION POSTS IN NEW YORK = 1,026

8. Membership Eligibility • To be eligible to join the Sons of The American Legion, the candidate must be a male descendent* of: • a member of The American Legion. • a deceased veteran who was a member of The American Legion • a deceased veteran who was eligible to be a member of The American Legion • *includes stepsons and adopted sons • NOTE: If the veteran through which eligibility is established is alive and is not a member of The American Legion, the veteran MUST join The American Legion prior to the “Son” joining.

9. Eligibility Dates World War I - April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918World War II - December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946Korean War - June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955Vietnam Era - February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975Lebanon/Grenada - August 24, 1982 - July 31, 1984Panama - December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990 - present Potential Sons members should use these dates to determine if their parent or grandparent is/was eligible for membership in The American Legion

10. Organizational Structure LEGION National Department District County Post SONS National Detachment District County Squadron AUXILIARY National Department District County Unit

11. Officers LEGION & SONS Commander Vice-Commanders Adjutant Finance Officer Chaplain Historian Sergeant-at-Arms

12. Commissions & Committees The Commissions & Committees formed within the Detachment of New York, serve the Organization in many ways. It should be a goal of each Advisor to encourage the formation of such committees at the Squadron level.

13. Commissions & Committees • Detachment Commissions • Americanism Commission • Children and Youth Commission • Finance Commission • Internal Affairs Commission • Conventions and Meetings Committee • Member Training and Development • Membership Committee • Legislative Commission • Public Relations Commission • Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission • Commander’s Advisory Committee • Credentials Committee

14. Programs - Community Service * Cemetery Restoration * Community Clean-up * Adopt-a-Highway * Community Welcome * Special Fund Raisers * Visit V.A. Hospital & Nursing Homes

15. Programs - Social Early Bird Dinners Holiday Parties Boy Scouts Excursions Dinners-Dances Pancake Breakfasts

16. Programs – Legion Support • Grave Decoration • Dinners • Veterans Recognition Days • Building and Grounds • Bingo • Boys’ State • Oratorical

17. Programs – Fund-Raising • Child Welfare Foundation • Children’s Miracle Network • National Emergency Fund • Fisher House • Camp Good Days

18. Programs – Age Consideration • Since eligibility for membership begins at birth, activities and programs should be determined by: • age groups of those eligible to participate • apparent needs of those eligible to participate • needs of the community for the programs and activities which could be provided by the Sons • capabilities and capacity of those serving as leaders and advisors.

19. Programs Great for All Members – Most Beneficial to Youth • The 10 Ideals • Patriotism • Health • Training • Knowledge • Honor • Faith • Helpfulness • Courtesy • Reverence • Comradeship • Five Point Program of Service • Patriotism • Citizenship • Discipline • Leadership • Legionism

20. Paperwork!!!!

23. Membership Card

24. Membership Application

27. Recruiting Members!! The first step in a successful recruiting campaign is to use the Post’s membership roster to develop a list of eligible individuals. A letter of invitation should be sent to every Post member asking their sons and grandsons to become members of the new S.A.L. Squadron. Included with each letter should be an S.A.L. Brochure and Membership Application. Follow up phone calls can be made to those who did not respond to the letter. Signed membership applications and dues should be collected from those who wish to join. 

28. ADULT LEADERSHIP • Extreme care exercised in selection of adult supervisory leadership for the squadron. • Legionnaires selected for the post’s SAL Supervisory Committee must have a knowledge and understanding of this program and the initiative and determination to see that the program is perpetuated. • Establishment of squadron or development of squadron programs should not be accomplished with intent of competing with or luring members from worthwhile youth organizations already in existence in the community. • Membership and Active participation in SAL should serve the purpose of complementing other existing worthy youth programs and should serve as an enhancement of the individual SAL member in both his scholastic and extracurricular endeavors. • Care must be taken to permit members to develop and use their own initiative and ideas in working out details of all activities. • Committee should serve primarily as counselors for the leadership of the squadron. • (Excerpted from p. 18, Squadron Handbook insert)

29. The Sons of The American Legion Detachment of New York Would like to thank you for your Service to our great Nation, And for participating in today's program. Are there any Questions or Comments?