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WWW.MICHIGANLEGION.ORG NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 MICHIGAN LEGIONNAIRE & AUXILIAIRE 3HeadquartersJim Wallace, State CommanderWorking Together for a Job Well DoneHigh School hasbeen in session forabout 2 months. Thenew 2015 AmericanLegion Scholarshipflier is out. Now isthe time to matchthose two items up. Itis never too early fora trip to your localschool to make sureJim WallaceState Commander that they are in possession of the Scholarship informational packet. We needto make our presence and programsknown. The sooner we start contactingthe schools, the bigger the return we willhave in securing that the students willhave the information needed to attend.The list of programs is many which include Boys/Girls State (between the11th and 12th grade), Student TrooperProgram (boys or girls-16 to 18 yearsof age in the 2015-2016 school year),Brewer & Wilson Scholarship (revieweach scholarship for the requirementsto apply), Oratorical Contest (9th, 10th11” & 12th grade and may apply morethan once). This is over 40,000 in available scholarships and we have severalother programs and activities availableto students, so please, make yourself informed and head on out to promote theLegion and obtain those students.The Ninth Annual Detroit Veterans Day Parade is Saturday, November 8, 2014. This will be hosted by theVietnam Veterans of America, DetroitChapter 9. The parade will start at 11AM. The Committee is seeking to honor ten Vietnam Veteran “Silent Heroes”during the parade. The First Lady andRon Runyan, State AdjutantI have just returnedfrom the National Headquarters in Indianapolis.CommanderWallace,Pat, and I traveled downto the annual Fall Meetings there for Commander and Adjutant training.I am always impressedRon Runyanwith the meetings I atState Adjutanttend at the national level,the information and training they give isalways first class. I am still trying to wrapmy hands around everything that wasshared in those 4 days in Indianapolis.One item that was brought up was theLegion Riders. They gave us a sheet withsome frequently asked questions and responses to them. I would like to share acouple of them:the review and approval of yourpost’s leadership.A. The process is easy. No charter paperwork is necessary, but a chapter mustbe supported by a post or department.There is no national or “at large” chapter. The following steps are suggested: Get the approval of the your post.A copy of the minutes of any regular post meeting approving theformation of a chapter is your authority to start organizing a newchapter. Contact your department headquarters for additional guidanceor information from the department. There may be a departmentALR committee to assist you, astate ALR SOP or constitution, oreven state officers in place to helpyou. Check to see if another ALR chapter is nearby using the chapterlocator www.legion.org/riders/chapterlocator. If so, ask them forinformation on how that chapteris set up. The members of thatchapter will very likely be willingto assist. munity. We will not be able to help thechildren and youth with our programsand activities. We are not able to haveVeterans Service Officers help in developing claims for the veterans (and/orfamily members) that have borne thephysical and mental wounds of theirservice to these United States of America. Both are pillars of the AmericanLegion. The Membership Committee,Zone, District, Post Commanders! Officers and every Legionnaire is herebychallenged to obtain new members, renew last year’s members and reconnectwith those that did not pay before lastyear. We need them all. There are manyways to complete our task. Everyone hasan idea I am sure. Please share that withother Legionnaires and Posts.By all of us working together we willreap the benefits of a job well done.Legion Riders ClarificationQ. How do I start a chapter at my post?Q. Is there a national constitution andbylaws for ALR?A. No. However, a suggested constitutionand bylaws template is available onlinehere for anyone interested in developing a local chapter or state program.This template is based on and fullycomplies with Resolutions 35 and 32.Note that many posts and chapters donot require their chapters to develop afull constitution and bylaws. SimplerSOPs or other organizational documents may be sufficient for meetings,elections, and officer duties, as needed.I will be in attendance to join in on thefestivities and excitement of being withactive duty service personnel as well asveterans of all eras. I hope to see youthere.The Holidays are coming soon. Iam certain that you and your family willenjoy this special time of the year. However, we still need to “Stay the Course”and work toward promoting/ securingmembership and proudly presentingourselves as the American Legion. Themore the community sees us and knowswho we are the easier we will attain ourgoals within the Legion Family.As many of you may be aware of orhave heard before, membership is the“Life Blood” of our organizations. Without continuing and increasing membership we do not have the finances to helpveterans, their families and the com-Set up a meeting with your newALR members to discuss howyour program should be governed, and develop a chapter constitution and bylaws (or SOP) for At later meetings, nominatechapter officers per your approved constitution and reportyour chapter’s existence to yourdepartment headquarters. Finally, contact national to add yourpost to the chapter locator.Q. Are there many restrictions on how weset up a chapter constitution or SOP?A. As a subordinate organization of TheAmerican Legion, all riders chaptersmust take certain steps to protect theirright to wear the trademark patch andto use the words “American LegionRiders” as a description of their activity. Federal trademark law requiresdepartments and posts to “maintaincontinuous control” over subordinateactivities entities and to follow certainrules, which include: All ALR officers must be confirmed or named by the hostingAmerican Legion post. In practice the Riders elect their ownofficers, who are then “installed”(confirmed) by the post at anappropriate ceremony. Anotherway to accomplish this is for thechapter to report the electionof officers during a normal postmeeting. The election is valid after the report is duly accepted bythe post.The Riders must render an activity report and a financial report atthe regular post meetings.A post or department officer (typically the finance officer or treasurer) mustbe designated as signatory on all chapterbank accounts.The chapter constitution and bylaws(or other organizational documents) mustbe approved by the host post.Any subsequent changes made tosuch documents must also be approved bythe host post.If your constitution includes theseprovisions you are not in conflict withtrademark law. (Please note that thesefederal trademark rules apply to all subordinate programs such as Baseball, Oratorical, or Sons of The American Legion orother activities of The American Legion.)Those are 3 of the most asked questions received, there are other FAQ’s andI will share those soon. In the mean time,as the riding season in Michigan comes toend for most riders I hope these questionshelp your Post think of starting a riderschapter or clarify questions with your current rider chapter.As we enter the holiday season Christy and I want to wish every Legion Familymember a safe and exciting holiday season.Happy Thanksgiving and MerryChristmas to all

4 MICHIGAN LEGIONNAIRE & AUXILIAIRE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 WWW.MICHIGANLEGION.ORG100% is the Goal!How well do you know yourmembership?Steve Striggow,Membership DirectorAs the Fall Conference justconcluded, there was a great dealof discussion about when dues getpaid. How well do you know themembership of your post? My betis you know who will be the last to pay or willwait until they return from their sunny winter inthe south. Why not start working on them now?A head start is better than a frantic push to getthem to pay at the last minute. I will also bet thatin most cases there is only one person responsiblefor membership at your post.This year we are stressing TEAM in all phasesof membership. It is not an acronym for any fancy program, it is simply what it says, working together to achieve a common goal. Working onmembership involves everyone. At Departmentwe have added an Assistant Membership Director Larry Money, who is responsible for the westside of the state. DMS Coordinator Holt is traveling the state instructing the Adjutants in using MyLegion.org to make their job easier, andmore efficient. In the U. P., Director Koivisto isworking diligently assisting the posts and ZoneCommander. The Zone Commanders are doinga wonderful job visiting Posts, and helping themwith ideas to recruit and retain members.Another asset that we tend overlook is the restof the Legion Family. To bring awareness to thepotential the family working together can have onmembership, we have instituted a new incentive.Working with Auxiliary Membership ChairmanKim Champion and SAL Chairman Mike Boughner, a 100% Family Ribbon program is being instituted. This ribbon will be awarded to the Post,Unit, and Squadron when all 3 achieve 100%.Each will be awarded a 100% Family ribbon fortheir colors. I know this will not apply to all postshowever, we felt we needed to do something toget them working together on membership.Let us all work together to achieve 100% inmembership.Early Bird DrawingThere will be one name drawn from each District of those who have paid their dues by Veterans Day. Those Legionnaires will be reimbursedfor their 2015 dues by Department.Posts that are 100% by December 31st willreceive a blazer for the Commander and a 100%plaque.Posts that are 100% by April 30th will receivea plaque.District and Zone Commanders that are 100%by Convention will receive a Blazer.District Meetings 2014 - 2015Updated 10/10/20141st DistrictDec 1, 2014 @ Post 375, 19486 Sherwood, Detroit, MIFeb 2, 2015 @ Post 375, 19486 Sherwood, Detroit, MIApr 6, 2015 @ Post 375, 19486 Sherwood, Detroit, MIMay 4, 2015 @ Post 375, 19486 Sherwood, Detroit, MI(District Family)May 25, 2015 @ Roseland Park, 29001 Woodward Ave.,Berkley, MIJune 1, 2015 @ Post 375, 19486 Sherwood, Detroit, MI2nd DistrictJan 11th, 2015 @ Dexter, MISAL Meeting at 11AM - VSO School at 1PM – ALMeeting at 2PMMarch 8th, 2015 @ Jackson Post 29VSO School at 1PM – AL Meeting at 2PMMay 10th, 2015 @Hudson Post 180SAL Meeting at 11AM - VSO School at 1PM – ALMeeting at 2PM3rd DistrictExecutive Committee @ 11:30 AMLunch @ 12:00 NoonMeeting @ 1:00 PMNov 2nd 2014 @ Post 42 – 1000 W. Lawrence, Charlotte, MIJan 11th 2015 @ Post 298 – 228 N. 20th St, Battle Creek,MIMar 8th 2015 @ Post 53 - 1611 Steamburg Rd, Hillsdale, MIMay 3rd 2015 @ Post 55 – 1230 Edwards St, Albion, MI4th DistrictNovember 2, 2014@ StevensvilleJanuary 4, 2015@ Allegan Post 89March 1, 2015@ConstantineMay 3, 2015@ Bridgeman Post5th DistrictMeetings @ 7PMNov 13th, 2014 @ Post 2 - 401 North Park NE, GrandRapidsJan 9th, 2014 @ Post 154 – 2327 Byron Center Ave, SW,Wyoming, MIMarch 12, 2014 @ Post 102 - 330 Rockford Park Dr.,Rockford, MIJuly 9th, 2015 TBA6th DistrictLunch @ 12:00PMMeeting @ 1:00PMNov 2, 2014 @ Post 64 – 4314 W. Carpenter Rd, Flint, MIJan 11, 2015 @ Post 419 – 9807 Whitewood Rd, Pinckney, MIMarch 8, 2015 @ Post 269 1485 Haslett Rd., Haslett, MIMay 3, 2015 @ Post 267, 10309 Davison Rd., Davison,MI7th DistrictJan 11th, 2015 @ Lapeer PostMarch 8th, 2015 @ Caro PostMay 17th, 2015 @Lapeer PostJune 2015 – Department Convention8th DistrictNov 2nd, 2014 @ Owosso Post 57Jan 4th, 2015 @ Hubbaidston Post 182March 1st, 2015 @ Stanton Post 175May 3rd , 2015 @ Saranac Post 4529th DistrictDecember 13 , 2014 Cadillac Post 94March 14, 2015-Hesperia Post 411May 9, 2015-Traverse City Post 35The usual schedule: Exec Cmte at Noon; Lunch at 1:00p.m. General Membership Meeting at 2:00 p.m.10th DistrictNovember 1, 2014 @Mikado Post 254.January 3, 2015 @Bay City Post 18.March 7, 2015 @ Prudenville Post 245.May 3, 2015 (Memorial Service) @Sanford Post 443.June 6, 2015 T.B.A.All Luncheons will be at 12:00 NoonMeetings at 1:00P.11th & 12th DistrictWinter Meeting Jan 16-18, 2015 @ Gladstone Post #7116th DistrictMeetings begin at 7:30PM* Service officer School at 6:30PMNov 11th, 2014 @ Flat Rock Post 337Dec 9th, 2014 @ Southgate Post 478*Jan 13th, 2015 @ Stitt Post 232Feb 10th, 2015 @ Fort Dearborn Post 364*March 10th, 2015 @ Wyandotte Post 217April 14th, 2015 @ Trenton Post 426*May 12th, 2015 @ Lincoln Park Post 67 Memorial Service & ElectionsJune 9th, 2015 @ Garden City Post 39617th DistrictMeetings start @ 7PMNov 19, 2014 @ Post 391, PlymouthJan 21, 2015 @ Post 147, NorthvilleMarch 18th, 2015 @ Post 391, PlymouthMay 20th, 2015 @ Post 32, Livonia**Memorial service prior to meeting at 6:30PM18th DistrictMeetings start @ 2:00PMNov 9th, 2014 @ Post 143Jan 11th, 2015 @ Post 20March 8th, 2015 @ Post 374April 12th, 2015 @Post 216 Memorial ServiceMay 17th, 2015 @ Post 346 - ElectionsJune 14th, 2015 @ Royal Oak Post #25319th DistrictDecember 14th, 2014 @ Post 458 Gaylord at the Eaglesbuilding S Otsego Ave. Social hour at 11amMarch 14, 2015 Post 121 Roger City at VFW Post 6071316 W. Third st. Roger CitySocial Hour at 11am, Lunch at Noon, Meeting at 1pmMay 16th, 2015 @ Post 317, Onaway – Social Hour 11amLunch at 12, Meeting at 1PM

SECTION TWO212 N. Verlinden Ave, Ste. B, Lansing, MI 48915 New Phone: (517) 267-8809Page 5NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014From the Desk of the President2014 - 2015 Department President, Nancy KnoxThe Change of the SeasonsWell, the time has come toput away all the summer toysand begin with the much coolerweather. It is also a time to startthinking of the ways to help ourVeterans in our community thatmight just be needed this time ofthe year. There is so much to do,raking the leaves, cleaning gutters and then comes the S word.So you can see lots to do. Pleasetake a moment to find that someone special to lend ahand.The Fall Conference is behind us, and all unitsshould be starting the programs that we offer. Hopeeveryone had a good time and picked up at least onenew idea and will run with it. I do think that my “onelittle change” is making a difference, because on mytravels I am hearing lots of good things already in theworks. So please keep up all that you are doing, because the Auxiliary will make a difference this year.November seems to be a very busy month, withVeterans Day, (A parade in Detroit on Nov 8th). Also,being Breast Cancer Awareness Month and of coursethe VA Hospitals are getting ready for the gift shops.Our veterans really rely on the proceeds from the giftshops to have presents for not only themselves, butalso for their families. So let’s get going. Send in theunit monies to department and earmark the checkfor gift shop or have unit members purchase the giftsand send them to your respective veteran hospital orhome.Winter Meeting is coming up quickly. We areplanning the activities and schedule. There willdefinitely be a Girls State lunch featuring a tea.There will also be a Self-Defense class underthe National Security program along with a DEC meeting. Since the poppy selling feature was so popular atFall Conference we are considering having a poppytable also at Winter Meeting. The biggest problem isfinding someone to bring the GR Poppy Supervisor toFlint to sell the poppies. If you are interested in providing that service, please notify Bonnie at department.Congratulations to the units for getting in theirmembership. At the time of printing, department wasnationally at 35%. Let’s continue to work hard and getin as many Early Bird renewals as we can before Veterans Day.My family and I want to wish each of you the Happiest of Holidays and stay safe throughout this busyseason.Department Secretary/Treasurer , Bonnie OlsonNational Remains Silent Regarding“Step” RelativesThe following memowas released from the national office on September12, 2014. I have underlinedand bolded some items foremphasis and clarification.From: Dubbie Buckler,ALA National SecretaryThe question of “step” relatives continues tocome up. This subject was addressed in lengthat the C&B pre-Convention meeting prior to theopening of the 2013 ALA National Convention.What was stated as well as circulated in writingto all national and department leadership is:The eligibility information stated in the ALANational Constitution & Bylaws has never mentioned step-relatives. This eligibility matter is notcontained or addressed anywhere in The American Legion’s national governing documents.While such membership eligibility descriptionsrepresent a long-standing practice in the ALA,this eligibility practice has never been stated inthe ALA’s Constitution & Bylaws, and cannot bestated in writing in the ALA’s national governingdocuments because a) the ALA eligibility wording cannot conflict with the Legion’s federalcharter; and b) because of how both nationalorganizations are classified by the IRS for taxexemption. Therefore, national ALA governingdocument must remint silent on step relatives.Because the national ALA governing documents must remain silent on step relatives, nationally produced membership materials cannotmake any reference to step-relatives, and thenew versions of such materials do not.A unit determines an applicant’s eligibilityfor membership in the ALA. As provided in theALA National C&B, if an applicant or memberdisputes the unit’s determination of her membership eligibility, the applicant or member mayappeal the unit’s determination to the department. The Department is the final authority onan individual’s membership eligibility. The department’s decision regarding an individual’smember eligibility is not appealable to the National organization. The National organizationonly has authority to consider an appeal froma unit regarding the department’s action to suspend, cancel or revoke the unit’s charter. TheNational organization has no authority to consider eligibility or discipline appeals frommembers. The department is the final authorityon a woman’s eligibility and a member’s discipline.Thirdly, these and additional matters ofmembership eligibility have been studied overthe past three years by both The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. Nothingfurther on the subject of step-relatives will beprovided in writing. The Legion’s federal charter does not support including nieces, as nieces are not direct descendants. The matter ofmembership for the wives of the Sons of theAmerican Legion and male spouses of femaleLegionnaires was also studied in depth by theLegion. For reasons cited above, the Legion willnot be taking any action to expand membershipeligibility beyond what is currently allowed.Poppy Chairman Margo Forrester made a trip to the UPAAto promote the Poppy program. While there, she went to Wilwin and presented the book “The Poppy Lady” to Wilwin boardmember and PDP Pat Laine and the UPAA District PresidentKrystle Oberle for the Wilwin library.Unit 32 of Livonia, presented a Membership Tea and initiated 13 new members. Among the guests were President NancyKnox; NEC Sandra Snyder; Department Membership ChairmanKim Champion; District President Ann Fenner; Eastern AreaMembership Chair Mary Dubay; Unit President Linda Roman;Unit Membership Chair Rosemary Truskowski; and 7th DistrictPresident Kathy Copeland. members. Among the guests werePresident Nancy Knox and NEC Sandra Snyder.

6 MICHIGAN LEGIONNAIRE & AUXILIAIRE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 WWW.MICHALAUX.ORGDeanna Cortright, Department ChaplainSince the Chaplain’s article was mistakenly left out of the October issue, this issue is featuring two articles.Our Timeis Now!!!“Only be careful, and watchyourselves closely so that you donot forget the things your eyes haveseen or let them slip from your heart as long asyou live. Teach them to your children and to theirchildren after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9Have you thought about someone recently thatyou haven’t h

gan, 212 N. Verlinden, Lansing, MI 48915-1297. DEADLINE DATES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 - June 1, 2014 Circulation: 97,687 Printed: 7-3-14 . Mailed: 7-7-14 LEGION STATE HEADQUARTERS DIRECTORY Publisher: Patrick W. Lafferty Editor: Mark Sutton The American Legion Dept. of Michigan 212 N. Verlinden, Lansing, MI 48915 (517) 371-4720 Fax: (517) 371-2401