National Adjutant's Notes
Brian O'Hearne
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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.
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 - TMotorized scooters and wheelchairs along with non-motorized wheelchairs will be available to rent during the National Convention in Phoenix from the following vendors:
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
Saint Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center
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:
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 InformationSUBSCRIPTION – 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. Yours for the S.A.L.
Future Dates
2008 105% Membership Target & Delegate Strength Consolidated Report Deadline (Cut-off Date) 2008 National Convention
2009 10% Membership Target Date
SAL Postcard Renewal Mailing, lst for 2009
National Children & Youth Conference
2009 25% Membership Target Date
2008 Fall NEC Meeting 2009 35% Membership Target Date
2009 45% Membership Target Date
2009 60% Membership Target
SAL Postcard Renewal Mailing, 2nd for 2009
2009 75% Membership Target
2009 80% Membership Target
2009 90% Membership Target
2009 100% Membership Target
2009 105% Membership Target & Delegate Strength |
