Greetings, my fellow Legionnaires,
Click on this link for the Commander’s Video (written content below): https://youtu.be/RlELRDgdIgE
Welcome to this membership update.
I want to thank all who have been working so hard to get our membership renewals taken care of this year. YOU are doing great, but now is the time to make things happen.
We obviously want to exceed our membership goal of 100%…and in doing so, we want to meet, and exceed a retention rate goal of 95%.
We can, without doubt, but requiring all commitment, do both of these.
Now that many of our winter residents are returning to town, we can focus more closely on achieving those goals right away. Let’s not drag this membership drive into 2026 – we have too many other important programs and projects to focus on and do not need to be distracted during the first six months OF A NEW YEAR…BUT, having achieved our goals early… we can always continue to grow, even beyond our stated goals….
…So all veterans we encounter, now and after we hit 100%, need to be asked that GOLDEN QUESTION: Are you a member of The American Legion? Let me help you get signed up today!
I want you to remember, our current membership cards, except for our PUFLs, expire at midnight on December 31st which will affect ways we can participate at our posts and canteens, locally and across the nation — and for those who have asked me, YES, if you have a current membership card, you can enter any American Legion Post around the world, but it will be difficult if your card does not show a 2026 date.
Now….To help with our goals, I have discussed with our Membership Chair, Bobbie Kimelton, and advised our membership committee that we have a new Commander’s Membership Incentive:
The first post, by category, that attains or exceeds 100% membership by MIDNIGHT, DECEMBER 31st, will receive $1000 for their general operating funds. Don’t worry…the funds are not coming from your dues, or any other department accounts, but from a special Commander’s Incentive Program where an anonymous donor, who simply wants to see our posts grow in numbers and strength, has provided some funds.
Since originally announced to our Membership Committee earlier this week, there will actually be 4 awards: Since most of our posts are less than 300 members each, two awards of $1000 will be given to the Small Post category, meaning, the first two small posts to achieve a verified 100% membership by midnight December 31st, with the start date of our October phase-line on the 15th, will receive $1000.
Additional awards of $1000 will be given to the Medium and Large post categories — meaning the first post in each category to achieve 100% membership between October 15th and midnight December 31st will receive a $1000 incentive prize.
The post category breakdown?: Small posts are those with 300 or less members. Medium posts are those over 300-1000 members, and Large posts are those with over 1000 members.
Awards will be announced and funding presented as soon as possible after the goal has been verified.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL:
I would also like to remind you of another incentive sent to us from National: FREE TICKETS to the Army -Navy Game ON DECEMBER 13th at the MT Bank Stadium (home of the Baltimore Ravens). Tickets for the game are selling fast, but any Legionnaire who recruits 3 or more new members qualifies to be considered. Those who recruit the MOST new members by Veterans Day, November 11th, will receive two free tickets to the game. National has 16 tickets to give away and the winners will be announced on Monday, November 17th.
So… Let’s see if AZ can win ALL the tickets and have a great showing of support for YOUR TEAM at the annual Army–Navy Game.
Alright…let’s get going….let’s see who can attain 100% membership, OR MORE, before midnight, December 31st….and who might win free tickets to the football game….all great opportunities, and …..somebody will win. Posts have achieved 100% or better before the listed deadline in the past, so it can be done again…let’s prove our commitment and capabilities.
I look forward to bringing a check of $1000 to your post and announcing the ticket winners to the Army-Navy game.
And finally….As said before our engagements in the fighter pilot world: FIGHT’S ON. Good luck to each of you…and never forget: BE THE ONE, BE THE ONE plus personal commitment equals I’m the ONE….YES, I’m the one who’ll get it done.
Thank you.
Gary
