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DEPARTMENT NEWS
There is a lot going on here at Department these days! Now that Spring Conferences are done, we're gearing up for Department Convention.
We have just mailed out the 2023 Post Officer Certification forms. Thank you to all of the Posts who have already sent them in. If you haven't done so, please be sure to complete them as soon as your Post elections are over.If you did not receive your forms, please contact Department to verify that we have your correct mailing address. There is a copy of the form and instructions at the end of this Bulletin. They are also available on the Department website here.
DEPARTMENT CONVENTION
We are preparing for our 103rd Department Convention to be held at the Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center in Pasco July 20-24th, 2022. Please see below for forms and more information, or on the Department website here.
DEPARTMENT CONVENTION DELEGATE SELECTION
Our Adjutant must certify Post Delegates to the upcoming Department Convention. Delegate Certification forms can be found at the end of this Bulletin, and on the Department Website here.
EVERGREEN BOYS AND GIRLS STATE
The Evergreen Boys State and Evergreen Girls State programs are looking for young people to attend these events. Below are the flyers for both events, and both have websites where you can find more information: evergreenboysstate.org and evergreengirlsstate.com.
MEMBERSHIP TARGET DATE
The 100% Target Date is May 13th.
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Well, the 2022 year is almost over and it’s time to begin 2023. We have had a lot of changes over the course of the past year, and it’s been bumpy more than a few times, but I see the road leveling off and good things are within reach. In preparation for next year, which starts 1 Jul, I need each and every Post to do a total scrub from 1 Jul 2020 to now. During the integration of membership data from the OLD My Legion to the NEW My Legion did you lose anyone? That’s why I’m asking you to go back to 2020. If you have, send Dept an email with whatever info you have, the more the better, full name, membership number, etc. I would like the Dept to start the 2023 year with correct numbers of members, in other words, we took a census. I do hope that you are still pushing to get those last 2021 renewals in and maybe a few of those expired members to. In Mid-Sep you will get your new goals. Now is the time to review your numbers based on your goal. Because in early Sep, Natl will be giving the Dept their goal, and then comes the division amongst everyone. If I had to put a mark on the wall, I would put this year goal as bare minimum, plus 1-2 members as doable, and 3-5 as exceptional.
Don’t forget National Training Tuesday. The last Tuesday of each month American Legion National Headquarters staff will present 60 to 90-minute sessions on topics aimed at post commanders and adjutants. Each session will be recorded and made available for later viewing. Just go to The American Legion website and search for Training Tuesdays and follow the links.
Here are some questions that I get ask a lot, so here is the National verbiage.
If I join online or submit a membership application to National Headquarters, will I belong to a local Post?
When you first join The American Legion, through National Headquarters, your membership will be assigned to the department (state) Headquarters (HQ) post in your state of residence. (For the state of Washington that is Post 110). The HQ posts are basically administrative posts only and there are no meetings or activities, although you're entitled to the same membership benefits, and can visit the local posts as a guest. You can choose to remain in the HQ Post, but it is recommended that you visit posts in your area and if you find one you like, you're free to transfer. It's a great way to get involved with your local community.
I belong to a local post and renewed my membership online. When will I get my membership card?
National Headquarters usually updates the records within 24 to 48 hours to reflect the dues payment. Your Department Headquarters is also notified, and your post Adjutant receives notification through the post officer's version of the myLegion.org website. Your pre-printed annual membership card is at your post, and it should be forwarded to you after they review the notification of your renewal. If you don't receive it in a timely manner, contact your post Adjutant for assistance.
I received a membership invitation in the mail, and it says I can also join online at a special website shown on the application. If I join online, will I still get my membership card and the free gift mentioned in the letter?
Yes, you'll get your membership card and any free gifts mentioned in the letter, as long as you apply from that special website. You should receive your new member packet, including your membership card and free gift, approximately 4-6 weeks after you submit your application online. However, if you decide to mail your application, it will take about 4-6 weeks after we receive your application at National Headquarters. (Applies only to new members who join through National.) (Joining online causes you to go to Post 110, join at a Post.)
When does my membership expire?
Your membership actually expires on Dec. 31 of the paid year shown on your card. It can be a little confusing because your annual dues are supposed to be paid by Jan. 1 each year so National starts accepting dues for the upcoming year on July 1. The goal is to have everyone renewed for the New Year by Jan. 1 when it begins.
If dues are not paid by Jan. 1 of each calendar year, the member becomes delinquent. Feb. 1, the member is suspended, June 30, the member is dropped from the membership rolls. (This is in Dept Bylaws)
I paid my dues a while ago so why did I get another renewal notice?
Renewal notices are mailed from National Headquarters based on the information in our records at the time the notices are printed. Although you may have paid your dues, the National portion of your dues may not have reached our offices yet. When you pay your dues to the Post, they process your payment and keep a portion for the Post; the balance is sent to your Department Headquarters with your membership card; and finally, the Department deducts its portion of your dues and then forwards the remaining balance and your membership card to National. Once National receives your dues and card they are usually processed within 48 hours.
On the renewal notice, you'll see there is an "AS OF" date which is when the notice was printed. If you paid your dues sometime around that date, your dues and the renewal probably just crossed in the mail, and you shouldn't receive another one for that membership year. However, if you paid well in advance of that "as of" date, then you should contact your post adjutant to verify the status of your renewal payment.
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