Officer’s Guide

1 The American LegionOfficer s Guide2021 AND MANUAL OF CEREMONIESThe following chart explains the relationship a local post has with other posts, the district or county, the department and National Headquarters. For the sake of brevity, post subcommittees are not included. A list of standard post committees and other non- traditional committees (depending on a post s programs and activities) begins on page American LegionLevels of CommunicationNATIONAL HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERSDISTRICT AND/OR COUNTYPOST COMMANDER55 departmentsApproximately 800 districtsApproximately 12,000 postsPOST ADJUTANTOTHER ELECTED OFFICERSLEGEND coordination & informationdirectiveCOMMISSIONS/COMMITTE ES1. Americanism2. Children and Youth3. Economic4. Finance5. House6. Internal Affairs7. Legislative8. Membership & Post Activities9. Media & Communications10. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation11.

2 National Security12. Graves Registration13. Sons of The American Legion14. Legion RidersPOST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THE AMERICAN LEGION | OFFICER S Guide | 2021 iPublished by The American Legion National Headquarters internal Affairs & Membership Division Box 1055 indianapolis, iN 46206 58th EditionRevised March 2021 The American LegionOfficer s GuideAND MANUAL OF CEREMONIESD isclaimer of liabilityThe American Legion Officer s Guide and Manual of ceremonies ( Guide ) provides the reader with very general information about planning and conducting various programs. This Guide is only intended to help assist volunteers and staff. With respect to information contained in this Guide , neither The American Legion nor any of its officers, directors or employees make any warranty, express or implied, nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process implemented at the post or department level.

3 This Guide only constitutes general advice and recommendations for operations based on best practices. information within the Guide stating shall or must is based on federal law or federal/iRS regulations and mandates. All other items of information in this Guide are general suggestions except for the National Constitution and By-Laws. This Guide does not constitute any type of legal advice. if readers have any concerns about anything in this Guide , they are strongly advised to contact their respective department and an attorney licensed in their see 36 Section 21704: The Corporation (The American Legion) may provide guidance and leadership to organizations (departments) and local chapters (posts) .. but may not control or otherwise influence the specific activities and conduct of such organizations (departments) and local chapters (posts). (emphasis added)ii THE AMERICAN LEGION | OFFICER S Guide | 2021 THE AMERICAN LEGION | OFFICER S Guide | 2021 iiiFOREWORDThe Officer s Guide is the principal handbook issued by National Headquarters to help American Legion officers fulfill their roles.

4 It combines a Guide to post offices, operations and procedures; the Manual of ceremonies , which describes ceremonies prescribed by the National Trophies, Awards and Ceremonials Subcommittee; and an appendix including The American Legion Constitution, eligibility requirements, parliamentary procedures, a suggested post constitution and by-laws, and on all major American Legion programs are available from the department headquarters and National Headquarters. See the complete list at Many can be downloaded for free; others are available at low cost at if questions arise on American Legion policies or procedures, contact the district officers or department hope this handbook will help in the post s mission, and we encourage post officers to become familiar with its responsibility given to the individual post is the source of our strength and ability to grow.

5 The post is to a large degree autonomous, restricted only by the broad general guidelines contained in the national or department constitution and question has been asked, Who determines who is a member of a particular post? i n 1923, an American Legion Weekly article stated, At the same time that Article iV, Section 1 of the National Constitution By-Laws were adopted, we established another principle having an important bearing on it. Another section specifies that each post shall be the judge of its own membership, subject to the restrictions of the Legion s Constitution and By-Laws. This means that a post shall also determine whom it will accept for membership .. The right of each post to determine its own membership is without restriction. Regarding Article iV, Section 1, a 1937 ruling by National Judge Advocate Ralph B. Gregg stated, in other words, a member may be eligible for to join The American Legion, but this does not mean that he (or she) must be accepted for membership in a particular post.

6 Eligibility is not synonymous with acceptability. if a member is eligible to join The American Legion, it is still the prerogative of the post to determine whether they will accept such a member in their post. in summary, the post sits as judge of its members in disciplinary proceedings, and has the prerogative to accept, or not, whomever is eligible, provided that the post does not refuse membership to an eligible member based upon a demographic characteristic protected by law (race, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, etc.).The post s challenge is to focus on service to veterans, their families and the community. To meet this challenge, the post must develop goals and objectives. The Preamble to the Constitution of The American Legion is an ideal, a set of missions and battles that can never be decisively won or lost only fought for. it serves as a vision for the post leadership to craft a mission statement from which to establish short- and long-term goals.

7 In the appendix is a list of five resolutions pertaining to The American Legion s blueprint for meeting challenges it faces in the 21st century. They can provide guidance and direction as you establish the post s programs and overall accepting elected office, you made the decision to serve. Serve well, for our veterans are counting on you, not just our THE AMERICAN LEGION | OFFICER S Guide | 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTSThe Four Pillars of The American Legion .. 2 The American Legion Emblem .. 3 Usage of The American Legion Cap, Emblem, Facilities and Political Donations .. 4 The Veteran s Creed .. 5 Section 1 Post Operations The Post ..6 Post Officers ..8 Standing Committees .. 18 Other Committees .. 19 Uniformed Groups .. 20 Analysis of Post Operations .. 21 Steps to a Better Post .. 22 Post Charters .. 24 New Posts .. 25 Project Stay Active .. 28 Direct Renewal Notices.

8 28 Paid-Up-For-Life (PUFL) Membership .. 28 Consolidated Post Reports (CPR) .. 29 The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) .. 30 Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) .. 31 National Emergency Fund (NEF) .. 31 Sons of The American Legion (SAL) .. 32 American Legion Auxiliary .. 32 Section 2 Manual of CeremoniesPlan of Post Meeting Room .. 35 Plan of Post Meeting Room for Special ceremonies .. 36 Wearing the American Legion Cap, Uniform and Regalia .. 37 Official Badges .. 38 Color Guard Procedure .. 39 Regular Meeting .. 40 POW/MiA Empty Chair Ceremony .. 41 POW/MiA Remembrance Service .. 42initiation of New Members .. 44installation of Post Officers .. 49 Dedication of Colors .. 55 Military Funeral Honors for Veterans .. 56 THE AMERICAN LEGION | OFFICER S Guide | 2021 VPost Everlasting .. 58 Traditional Method of Folding the Flag.

9 66 Draping the American Legion Charter Ceremony .. 67 Blue Star Service Banner .. 67 Gold Star Banner Ceremony .. 68 Patriotic Holidays .. 69 Flag ceremonies .. 75 Prayers for Special Occasions .. 79 Appendix Meaning of the Preamble to The American Legion Constitution .. 80 The American Legion s Blueprint for the 21st Century .. 82 Suggested Form for Post Constitution .. 84 Suggested Form for Post By-Laws .. 86 Delinquency, Resignation and Transfer .. 90 Eligibility .. 90 LEGiON Act .. 98 Parliamentary Procedure .. 98 Uniform Code of Procedure for the Revocation, Cancellation or Suspension of Post Charters .. 105 Practice and Procedure in Expulsion or Suspension of a Member of The American Legion .. 109 Emblem Sales .. 112 Use of The American Legion Emblem .. 113 Military Equipment .. 115 Blank Ammunition .. 117 The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Program.

10 120 How to Write a Resolution .. 120 Veteran of the Month .. 123 Post Histories .. 124 Outline for a One-Year Post Yearbook .. 129 The American Legion s Centennial Website .. Flag Code .. 134 National Anthem .. 137 Publications and Other Materials .. 137 Service animals and posts .. 1382 THE AMERICAN LEGION | OFFICER S Guide | 2021 The Four Pillars of The American LegionThe American Legion s four pillars Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children and Youth are as relevant today as when our organization was founded in 1919. All American Legion officers should be familiar with the programs offered under each pillar, along with how to conduct and publicize them, recruit participants and inspire community addition, all officers should know the Legion s legislative positions and be fully engaged in discussing with local, state and national elected officials how to support and achieve our legislative an officer, strive to become a source of Legion history and knowledge.