Leadership Workshop Mid-Winter Conference 2011 Albany, New York _______________________________

1. Sons of The American LegionDetachment of New York Leadership Workshop 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 The purpose of this workshop is to: • Raise your awareness of the importance of effective communication • Improve your written and verbal communication skills • Enhance your ability to set goals and achieve those goals • Enable you to think strategically • Prepare you for future leadership roles

4. Building an Effective Leader YOU ARETHE DETACHMENT’SFUTURE

5. Building an Effective Leader How do you.. - gain people’s confidence? - become a credible source of information? - communicate with members of our Organization? - communicate with the general public?

6. It all starts with …

7. Your Appearance • We are often judged by first impressions, so your appearance is very important. • You represent the Sons every time you wear the Cap. • Always wear a suit or blazer and slacks, dress shirt and tie when representing the Sons at official functions. • Be well groomed and present a positive and professional image of yourself, our Organization, and The American Legion at all times.

8. Your Credibility When acting in an official capacity … • Remember, you are “selling” the Sons • You must be able to convince the “customer” that you “know your stuff” • You must be able to explain our programs and what the Organization is all about in an enthusiastic way • You must research our “products” (programs) and be able to answer questions about those products IMPORTANT: if someone asks you a question, and you are not sure of the answer, do NOT tell him what you think, or make something up, or lie. Tell the person you will find out and get back to them with an answer. Make sure you get contact information.

9. Your Blueprint for Success Form Committees • Your Detachment, District, County or Squadron must set up working teams (committees) for membership and other Sons programs. • You must find members that want to serve. • Find your counterpart in your Post and learn from them. • Set goals, target dates, and checkpoints.

10. Your Goals Set Goals • Make goals tough but within reach. • Give ample rewards and plenty of recognition for meeting them. • Stress that once a goal is met, do not stop there, continue on to higher levels.

11. Remember… “Successful organizations do not just happen — and they do not just stay successful. Great organizations are made up of individually successful people who do the right things at the right time, in the right circumstances. The managers of these organizations are leaders who work with their people to create clear direction and vision, build effective teams, focus on customer needs and practice sound business management.” - Lee Iacocca

12. Building Quality Relationships The American Legion Family consists of organizations at the following levels: • National • Department/Detachment (State) • District • County • Post/Squadron/Unit

13. Building Quality Relationships It is imperative that you build quality relationships with the Officers in: • The American Legion • The Sons of The American Legion • The American Legion Auxiliary ON ALL LEVELS

14. Building Quality Relationships Establishing Yourself • Introduce yourself – don’t assume they know who you are and what your title is • Make contact in writing when you assume a new or renewed role in the Sons • Get to know names and titles • Know your counterparts in both the Legion and Auxiliary • Wear a name badge with your name and title on it • Use business cards

15. Building Quality Relationships Ask for help… and offer help! • Reach out to the Legion and Auxiliary for assistance when needed • Offer assistance – don’t wait to be asked • Make yourself available and accessible • Get involved at community functions

16. Building Quality Relationships Attend as many County, District, and Department functions as possible • If asked to speak at a function, do not decline the invitation • Remember to recognize Officers and Dignitaries by Name and Title when appropriate • Explain what the Sons are doing to support their programs • monies raised and donated • volunteer hours, etc.

17. Building Quality Relationships REMEMBER If we are ever to attain the magic “Million Members” we must continue to sell our program to The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary on all levels.

18. STOP! Take a few minute break. When you come back, break up into 4 groups of 5, and choose a spokesman for the group.

19. Effective Communication Major Components • Writing Skills • Oral Communication Skills • Personal Administrative Skills • Strategic Thinking

20. Writing Skills

21. Basic Writing Skills Building Basic Writing Skills • Identify the main topic • List the points you want to make before you begin • Focus on the message — keep it clear • Outline the key points • Consider the reader’s needs • Write a "first draft" • Use "spell check" and "grammar checking" software on your computer, or obtain a grammar/style book and a dictionary • Ask someone else for feedback • If writing in the heat of the moment – wait 24 hours and reevaluate what you wrote

22. Basic Writing Skills Improving Your Writing Skills • State the subject and purpose • State conclusions, decisions, and observations • Elaborate on the subject but don't overkill it • Conclude with an offer of additional detail, or an offer of action • Add "active verbs" • Write shorter sentences and paragraphs for added "punch" • Use bold/italic /underline, adjust font size, etc.

23. Exercise #1 Written Communication

24. Exercise #1 Assume the role of Squadron Commander, and write a letter to your members detailing the following: • Squadron Meeting on February 1 • Plans to review current membership statistics • Status of Children and Youth project ____________________________________________ Utilize the points discussed in the previous learning block. Each group shall compose a letter as a team and have one member read it aloud.

25. Oral Communication

26. Speaking Effectively BEFORE you speak!!!!!!! • Think through the main idea you are trying to express. • Organize supporting thoughts and facts. • Know your audience so that you can determine the best approach. • Avoid verbosity. Keep to the key points. • Present your opinions forcefully and directly. • Use real life examples. • Speak with enthusiasm and expressiveness. • Provide a quick summary of the key points. • Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse. • Be aware of your audience when using abbreviations.

27. Effective Speakers Who was the “Great Communicator?” • Alexander Graham Bell?? • Bill Gates?? • David Downey?? It was RONALD REAGAN!!! But WHY? - He spoke with passion and enthusiasm. - He was very persuasive. - He got his point across clearly and concisely - AND He had a great speechwriter!

28. Exercise #2 Speaking Effectively

29. Exercise #2 Develop a 2 -3 minute oral presentation on the following subjects: Group 1: Walk-a-Thon – Planning the event Group 2: Walk-a-Thon – Why donate/participate? Group 3: New members — How to get them Group 4: Detachment newsletter — How and why to submit articles ____________________________________________ All group members should participate in the development of the presentation and choose one member to deliver it verbally.

30. Personal Administrative SkillsThe ability to balance the task and the available time and resources to achieve optimum results.The difference between "almost great" and "INCREDIBLE".The difference between "almost successful" and "WOW, WE DID IT"!

31. Administrative Skills Creating a Plan • Develop a short term and a long term plan • Ensure that they are comprehensive, realistic and effective • Develop a master "to do" list • Prioritize the tasks • Assign specific objectives and responsibilities • Establish a calendar of activities to keep all participants on track • Select the right people for the job/task

32. Administrative Skills Creating a Plan • Establish expectations up-front • Get a commitment for continuity from your team • Use all the strengths of the team to achieve your goals • Identify effective processes and procedures • Allocate the needed resources to accomplish the task • Implement policies that support your objectives • Establish a follow - up process to monitor your progress

33. Exercise #3 Personal Administrative Skills

34. Exercise #3 Based on the points just presented, discuss how Personal Administrative Skills can improve the following elements of our organization. • Group 1: Membership - new and renewals • Group 2: Children and Youth Programs • Group 3: Participation in VA&R activities • Group 4: Americanism activities _______________________________________________ All group members should participate in the development of the presentation and choose one member to deliver it verbally.

35. Strategic ThinkingEffective leaders think strategically. They analyze opportunities and problems from broad perspectives. They focus team energies on key activities. Strategic thinking is required for long and short term planning. To think strategically, you must first have a "Strategic Mindset".

36. Strategic Mindset (Handout) Group Exercise – Circle all that apply to you • Do you anticipate other's concerns? • Do you strategize ways to get your ideas accepted? • Do you periodically assess your group's contribution to achieving goals? • Do you and your team brainstorm new ideas? • Are you up to date on new developments or activities occurring in other parts of your organization? • Are you aware of the latest trends? • Do you spend time visualizing how the organization could increase its effectiveness? • Do you habitually consider how changing political and socioeconomic forces affect your organization and its goals?

37. Strategic Mindset Remember… • To develop and enhance your strategic thinking you must be able to recognize the implications of issues. • You must be able to analyze factors outside of the organization. • You must be able to identify and capitalize upon strategic opportunities. • You must be able to develop strategic alliances to increase your competitive advantage.

38. “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.” - Marcel Proust. 18th Century philosopher

39. Congratulations!!! You have successfully completed the Leadership Workshop presented by the Detachment of New York. We hope that it has been an informative and rewarding learning experience. It is also our hope that you will use the information that you have gained to become better, more productive leaders of our organization, both now and in the future. Yours in Service to the Sons of The American Legion, Member Training and Development Committee