AMERICAN LEGION JAMES R. BLACKWELL POST 257
P. O. BOX 3514
MERIDIAN, MS. 39303
NEWSLETTER/TRAINING LESSON
JUNE 1, 2021
REMINDER: THERE WILL BE A GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING ON JUNE 10, 2021, THURSDAY AT 5:30 P.M. AT THE PROSPECT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 7876 POPLAR SPRINGS DRIVE.
We are coming back from a 16- month layoff of General Assembly meetings. It is your personal decision about wearing masks. There will be no potluck at this first meeting. We hope to see a room full of members enthusiastic about community service, promoting 100 percent Americanism, preserving the memories, and our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
In order to begin a new year in July, we must complete the election of officers for 2021-2022 in June. All positions are open and up for grabs. We also need two additional members elected for the Executive Committee. Then elect a delegate for the State Convention in July.
TEAMWORK: If any post small or large will accomplish their mission and flourish, there must be teamwork within the whole post. The post commander can not do it all. The post adjutant cannot do it all. The post officer’s guide provides some standing co3mmittees and their descriptions. All posts are different. They can use some of these or add some of their own. Officers and descriptions are listed in the guide. All of them may not be used for every post. Others can be added as the post deems necessary (training officer).
WHO CAN BE A POST OFFICER?
*The person must be a member in good standing which means their dues is paid.
* The person has been duly elected by the general membership law the Constitution and by-laws.
* Some can be appointed by the post commander with the post executive committee approval.
* Formally installed by a department representative.
* Encouraged to complete the Legion’s Basic Training Course
NOMINATIONS: Choosing Legion Officers should be an important and serious function. The nominees must have a WILLINGNESS TO SERVE – IMPORTANT and MOST IMPORTANT -FITNESS TO SERVE.
Nominations for Post 257 shall be made from the floor by voice.
Members can vote for whom they please, regardless of nominations.
No name should be placed in nomination without the consent of the person.
Nominations do not require a second but may be seconded.
Close nominations by 2/3 vote, or Commander may close if no one objects.
ELECTIONS: The election of officers and delegates will be held at the June meeting by secret ballot. A majority of votes cast shall be necessary for election to an office in this post.
ORGANIZATION OF POST:
The organization of a post is mirrored on the department based on the Legion’s Basic Training. Therefore, the commander, vice commanders and sergeant-at-arms are elected. The adjutant, finance officer, judge advocate, historian and chaplain are appointed by the commander and approved by the executive committee.
The government and management of the Post are entrusted to an Executive Committee.
The commander presides at all post meetings, controls meeting agenda, supervises post officers, appoints committees, coordinates with auxiliary, and communicates with community leaders.
The adjutant is your post administrator. He/she handles all post correspondence, maintains all post records, maintains membership records, publishes official orders, announcements and instructions, and assists other officers and committees.
The 1st vice commander should be fully involved and responsible for all aspects of post membership, chairman of the post membership committee, knowledgeable of commander’s duties, and makes a membership report at all meetings.
The 2nd vice commander oversees programs, runs special activities, and sometimes acts as the public relations officer.
The finance officer should be honest and have experience in handling financial affairs. This person oversees all finances. He/she maintains budget and approved by membership, deposits all funds maintains financial records, makes disbursements of funds as approved, countersigns all checks written from post accounts, provides written monthly reports to executive committee and membership, initiates necessary IRS and other reports as required.
Sometimes in small posts the post adjutant and finance officer positions are combined into one person.
The chaplain is the moral leader of the post. This person assists with observances of Patriotic occasions, funeral services and dedication ceremonies. The chaplain should visit the sick in the hospital and at nursing homes.
The Judge Advocate is an advisor in conduct of post business. He/she retains professional counsel when required. The Judge Advocate should be the chairman of post constitution and by-laws committee. He oversees the annual audit of the post and responsible for the orderly conduct of disciplinary procedures.
The Sergeant-at-arms always preserves order during meetings. He/she is responsible for the proper room set-up for post meetings, custody of the post colors, oversees the post color guard, and is responsible for assuring members observe proper etiquette during post meetings.
The historian should work closely with all post officers to compile and preserve records of the post, prepare an annual post narrative history and yearbook, attend post function and document events with written notes and photographs.
References: legion.org/training and post officer’s guide
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