Commanders Special Project
___________________________________________
National Veteran’s Assistance Day
The Sons of the American Legion Subscribes to and strictly follows The Four Pillars of the American Legion
The Four Pillars of Service of The American Legion
Still Serving: It's Who We Are
In 1919, The American Legion was founded on four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Each of these pillars encompasses a variety of programs that benefit our nation’s veterans, its service members, their families, the youth of America and ordinary citizens. These programs make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Our organization’s positions and programs are guided by resolutions passed by American Legion National Convention delegates, and committee and commission members who represent 2.6 million wartime veterans and their families. These programs, and the men and women who take the time to perform them, are what allow The American Legion to make a difference locally, and on the state and national levels. It’s who we are and what we do.
|
I. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
|
II. National Security
|
|
III. Americanism
|
IV. Children & Youth
|
Detachment Commissions and Committees
[ Established by Resolution
DEC07-04S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall promote participation by all
levels of The American Legion Family both within the Department of Illinois and
other Detachments and or Departments as well as various individuals or
businesses, in the annual “Ad Book” that is published for presentation to those
attending the Detachment of Illinois annual Convention. It shall determine, and
present to the Executive Committee, of the Detachment of Illinois, for approval,
the method of publishing and the proposed publisher of the annual “Ad Book”.
It shall establish, and present to the Executive
Committee, of the Detachment of Illinois, for approval, proposed rates for any
advertisements as well as appropriate deadlines.
It shall reserve to the Adjutant, of the Detachment
of Illinois, the presentation and location of appropriate Detachment of Illinois
annual Convention information that is included in the publication.
At the Executive Committee, of The Detachment of
Illinois, meeting just prior to the opening of the Detachment of Illinois annual
Convention, it shall present the proper motion to authorize the Finance Officer,
of the Detachment of Illinois, after all bills being paid, to distribute any
profits in the following manner: 50% to the “Detachment of Illinois Scholarship
Fund” and 50% to the “Detachment of Illinois Gifts to the Yanks Who Gave Fund”.
[ Established by Resolution
DEC07-05S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall be the coordinating and cooperating body with The
American Legion, Department of Illinois, “Americanism Commission”
and “Commander’s Advisory
Committee’s - Flag Alliance Committee” and The American Legion Auxiliary,
Department of Illinois, “Americanism Committee” and with The American Legion and
The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, for any and all mutual
programs. It shall promote the
importance of patriotism and good citizenship by developing programs to
accomplish this goal, to provide appropriate materials and guidance in
developing such programs, promote and teach flag etiquette, and promote other
community services. It shall
provide guidance and materials in promotion of the protection of the Flag of the
United States of America. At
the Winter Executive Committee meeting, of the Detachment of Illinois, it shall
present the proper motion to authorize the Finance Officer, of the Detachment of
Illinois, to issue a check, in the authorized amount, to The American Legion
Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, noted for the Detachment of Illinois donation
to the “Department of Illinois Auxiliary Essay Contest Prize Fund”, said check
to be presented at The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, annual
“Patriotic Conference”. At the
Executive Committee meeting, of the Detachment of Illinois,
just prior to the opening of the Detachment of Illinois annual
Convention, it shall present the proper motions to authorize the Finance
Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois, to issue appropriate, individual,
checks, in the amount of all contributions received through the end of the
Detachment of Illinois annual Convention, to The American Legion, Department of
Illinois, “various Americanism funds”, in which donations have been received,
said checks to be presented at The American Legion, Department of Illinois,
annual Convention.
[ Established by Resolution
DEC07-06S
—
17 March 2007 ]
I
t shall be the coordinating and cooperating body with The American Legion, Department of Illinois, “Children and Youth Commission” and The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, “Children and Youth Committee” and with The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, for any and all mutual programs. It shall promote the importance of higher education among the membership of the Detachment of Illinois; it shall be the administrator of any scholarships offered from outside of the Detachment of Illinois but placed under the jurisdiction of the Detachment of Illinois. It shall develop and administer a program to provide higher education scholarships to the members of the Detachment of Illinois and make available application forms for scholarships. It shall collect and transmit funds to the Finance Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois, so as to establish a fund from which scholarships can be made. It shall establish, and present to the Executive Committee, of the Detachment of Illinois, for approval, rules and procedures by which scholarships are presented. It shall annually determine if funds exist from which scholarships can be made and the number of such scholarships which are available. It shall be responsible for the judging of the applications for all scholarships it administers and for the awarding of said scholarships. At the Executive Committee meeting, of the Detachment of Illinois, just prior to the opening of the Detachment of Illinois annual Convention, it shall present the proper motion to authorize the Finance Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois, to issue appropriate, individual, checks in the total amount, authorized as the amount of each individual scholarship to be awarded, which will be announced at Detachment of Illinois annual Convention. It shall, through the Executive Committee, of the Detachment of Illinois, and with the Judge Advocate, of the Detachment of Illinois, be empowered to recover funds from a scholarship that has been awarded and not used under the terms of the scholarship. It shall plan, organize, promote and administer an annual request for contributions to the “National Child Welfare Foundation” and the “Children’s Miracle Network” and see to it that contributors are appropriately thanked. At the “Fall or Spring” Executive Committee meetings, of the Detachment of Illinois, it may present the proper motions to authorize the Finance Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois, to issue appropriate, individual, checks, in the amount of all contributions received, to date, to the “Child Welfare Foundation” and / or the “Children’s Miracle Network” for presentation at the Sons of The American Legion, National Executive Committee Meeting. At the Executive Committee meeting, of the Detachment of Illinois, just prior to the opening of the Detachment of Illinois annual Convention, it shall present the proper motions to authorize the Finance Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois, to issue appropriate, individual, checks, in the amount of all contributions received through the end of the Detachment of Illinois annual Convention (as long as the amount is in excess of $25.00), to the “Child Welfare Foundation” and / or the “Children’s Miracle Network” for presentation at the Sons of The American Legion, annual National Convention. At the Executive Committee meeting, of the Detachment of Illinois, just prior to the opening of the Detachment of Illinois annual Convention, it shall present the proper motions to authorize the Finance Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois, to issue appropriate, individual, checks, in the amount of all contributions received through the end of the Detachment of Illinois annual Convention, to The American Legion, Department of Illinois, “various Children and Youth funds”, in which donations have been received, said checks to be presented at The American Legion, Department of Illinois, annual Convention.[ Established by Resolution DEC07-07S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall be the coordinating and
cooperating body with The American Legion, Department of Illinois, “Internal
Affairs Commission’s Athletic Activities and State Fair Veteran’s Day &
Uniformed Groups Committees”, also including any “Ad-hoc Contest or Tournament
Committees” and with any American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois,
“Committees”, for any and all mutual programs.
It shall promote participation in any contest or
tournament sponsored and administered by The American Legion and/or The American
Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, in which they allow participation by
members of the Detachment of Illinois; i.e.: Bowling, Golf.
It shall plan, organize, promote and conduct the
Bowling Tournament, Golf Tournament and Color Guard Contest, if any, conducted
during the Detachment of Illinois annual Convention, as well as such other
contests or tournaments; i.e.: History Book, Scrapbook, Softball; conducted
within the Detachment of Illinois.
With the approval of the Executive Committee, of
the Detachment of Illinois, it may enter into necessary contracts for the
supplying of necessary tournament officials and/or sites.
It shall annually review the rules and regulations
for all tournaments and contests, establish and controlled by the Detachment of
Illinois, and make any necessary changes and report the official rules to the
Executive Committee, of the Detachment of Illinois, for approval.
All rules changes shall be made so as to be
approved not less than two (2) months prior to the conduct of the tournament or
contest.
[ Established by Resolution
DEC07-08S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall be the coordinating and
cooperating body with The American Legion, Department of Illinois, “Finance and
Economic Commissions”, and with The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of
Illinois, for any and all mutual programs.
It shall establish and administer the financial
policies of the Detachment of Illinois.
It shall coordinate with the Department of Illinois
“Finance Commission” to assure a smooth working relationship between the
“Finance Commission’s” of the Detachment and Department of Illinois.
It shall continuously review the financial status
of the Detachment of Illinois.
It shall present to the Executive Committee
meeting, of the Detachment of Illinois, prior to the Detachment of Illinois
annual Convention, for its approval, a budget for the following year.
It shall recommend to the Executive Committee, of
the Detachment of Illinois, for its approval, the financial institutions, within
the State of Illinois, in which the funds of the Detachment of Illinois, are to
be held and said institutions cannot be changed more frequently than once per
fiscal year, per account.
It shall be empowered, between Executive Committee
meetings, of the Detachment of Illinois, to establish necessary new financial
accounts, in institutions of its choice, within the State of Illinois.
It shall be empowered to require the Finance
Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois, to furnish it with the financial
records, for review in establishing a budget.
It shall control the funds specifically
administered by other commissions or committees, only to the extent that
disbursements authorized by that commission or committee conform to the
financial policies of the Detachment of Illinois.
It shall coordinate with all activities of
committees assigned to The American Legion, Detachment of Illinois, “Economic
Commission”, concerning all matters affecting the economic well-being of all
veterans.
The Commission shall study and recommend solutions
on problems relating to the employment, unemployment, underemployment,
re-employment, and workers compensation of all veterans who seek, or have,
attachment to the labor force, public or private.
The Commission may also present citations to
employers who do an outstanding job in hiring the veterans, especially the older
and handicapped veterans.
It shall promote the importance of the memberships
participation in the various insurance programs offered to it through The
American Legion, Department of Illinois, the American Legion or the Sons of The
American Legion, National Organizations and / or programs offered to or through
the Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Illinois.
It may develop suggestions and establish guidelines
for insurance programs to be offered to the membership of the Detachment of
Illinois; to provide appropriate materials and guidance in developing these
programs as well as to provide appropriate materials for the various programs
offered through The American Legion, Department of Illinois or the National
Organization of The American Legion or the Sons of The American Legion.
[ Established by Resolution DEC07-10S
—
17 March 2007 ]
[ Established by Resolution
DEC07-11S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall be the coordinating and
cooperating body with The American Legion, Department of Illinois, “National
Security Commission”, and with The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of
Illinois, “National Security Committee” for any and all mutual programs.
It shall study the needs of the United States in
armament, personnel and military affairs generally.
It shall concern itself with both the internal and
external security of the Unites States; and assist the Department of Illinois in
the promotion of programs administered through its mutual Commissions.
It shall encourage, promote, and coordinate a
public awareness campaign to advise The American Legion family and the general
public of the responsibility of us all to not rest until the fate of all
American military personnel still listed as missing in action from all wars and
conflicts is resolved.
This Commission shall see to it that these brave
men and women are not forgotten.
[ Established by Resolution DEC07-12S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall be the coordinating and
cooperating body with The American Legion, Department of Illinois, “Veteran’s
Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission’s Poppy Sales / Production Committee”, and
with The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, “Poppy Committee”,
for any and all mutual programs.
It shall plan, organize, promote and administer the
Detachment of Illinois “Poppy” program.
It shall provide appropriate materials and guidance
in developing maximum participation of individual members, Squadrons, County
Councils, District and Division organizations, of the Detachment of Illinois.
It shall assist The American Legion and The
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, in the development of their
programs for the promotion, sales, production and distribution of poppies and if
necessary or desired develop additional programs for the promotion and
distribution of poppies within the Detachment of Illinois.
[ Established by Resolution DEC07-13S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall be the coordinating and
cooperating body with The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary,
Department of Illinois, for any and all mutual programs.
It shall plan, organize, promote, provide training
outlines, assist others in conducting or may conduct “Leadership Training
Programs”, provided for the members of The American Legion Family within the
Detachment and Department of Illinois.
It shall plan, organize, promote, provide training
outlines, assist others in conducting or may conduct a session or multiple
sessions of a “Sons of The American Legion College” which may be presented in
various locations within the Detachment of Illinois.
Expenses for any session of a “Sons of The American
Legion College”, or related training sessions, shall be allowable to be paid
from the separate Detachment of Illinois “Administrative Account”; to include,
but not limited to:
a).
administrative and hand-out supplies;
b).
cap pin;
c).
lunch for the participants;
d).
appropriate nights housing for those administrating
or instructing the training course and
e).
round trip travel expenses of a special invited
presenters.
|
The Public Relations coordinates the internal and external images and messages of the S.A.L. The commission works in concert with other commissions and committees and assists them in achieving goals associated with public and media relations. |
[ Established by Resolution DEC07-14S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall be the coordinating and
cooperating body with The American Legion, Department of Illinois, “Veterans’
Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission” [except the “Gifts to the Yanks Who Gave
Committee” and the “Poppy Sales / Production Committee”] and The American Legion
Auxiliary, Department of Illinois,
“Veteran’s Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee”,
for any and all mutual programs.
It shall promote the importance of service to the
hospitalized veterans in both Veteran’s Administration, State of Illinois and
public hospitals and other medical care facilities as well as to those veterans,
disabled and otherwise, in need of assistance that are not confined by
developing programs to accomplish this goal; to provide appropriate materials
and guidance in developing programs.
It shall be the coordinating and
cooperating body with The American Legion, Department of Illinois, “Veteran’s
Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission’s Gifts to the Yanks Who Gave Committee”,
and with any American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, “Committees”,
for any and all mutual programs.
It shall plan, organize, promote and administer the
Detachment of Illinois “Gifts to the Yanks Who Gave” program.
It shall provide appropriate materials and guidance
in developing maximum participation of individual members, Squadrons, County
Councils, District and Division organizations, of the Detachment of Illinois, in
contributing to an annual fund drive, to maintain a record of all contributions
and to see that each contributor is appropriately thanked.
It shall see that all contributions are transmitted
to the Finance Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois.
At the Executive Committee meeting, of the
Detachment of Illinois, just prior to the opening of the Detachment of Illinois
annual Convention, it shall present the proper motion to authorize the Finance
Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois, to issue a check, in the amount of all
contributions received through the end of the Detachment of Illinois annual
Convention, to the Department of Illinois “Gifts to the Yanks Who Gave Fund”,
said check to be presented at the Department of Illinois annual Convention.
[ Established by Resolution
DEC07-15S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall see that the Finance Officer,
of the Detachment of Illinois and the “Finance Commission”, of the Detachment of
Illinois, cooperate fully with the Financial Secretary, of the Department of
Illinois, and the Auditors, of the Department of Illinois, in the annual
financial audit of The American Legion, Department of Illinois.
It shall report the findings of the annual
financial audit of the Department of Illinois, as it pertains to the Detachment
of Illinois, at the first Executive Committee meeting, of the Detachment of
Illinois, following the receipt of the audit report.
It shall conduct an internal audit of the financial
records of the Detachment of Illinois, upon the death, resignation or removal
from office of the Finance Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois, and shall
hold control of the financial records of the Detachment of Illinois until a
successor is properly appointed; such audit must be conducted as soon as
possible; however, not later than three (3) weeks from the loss of the prior
Finance Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois.
It shall conduct an internal audit of the financial
records of the Detachment of Illinois, at any time during the year, upon the
written request of:
A).
The American Legion, Department of Illinois:
a).
Executive Committee;
b).
Finance Commission;
c).
Adjutant;
d).
Finance Officer;
e).
Chairman of the Sons of The American Legion Liaison
(Advisory) Committee; or B).
The Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of
Illinois:
a).
Executive Committee;
b).
Finance Commission.
It shall report these audits to the requesting
authority and at the first Executive Committee meeting, of the Detachment of
Illinois, following the completion of the audit.
It shall have the authority to require the Finance
Officer, of the Detachment of Illinois, to supply the Financial Secretary, of
the Department of Illinois, or the Audit Committee, of the Detachment of
Illinois, with the financial records, for audit, when audits are properly
requested or required.
It does not have the authority to perform audits of
the financial records, of the Detachment of Illinois, on its own initiative
except as required above.
[ Established by Resolution
DEC07-16S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall serve as a stabilizing
influence in the operation of the Detachment of Illinois.
It shall serve as an advisory board for the
Commander, of the Detachment of Illinois.
It shall act as the “Internal Affairs Commission /
Committee” of the Detachment of Illinois.
It shall be the coordinating and cooperating body
with The American Legion, Department of Illinois, “Commander’s Advisory
Committee” [except for the “Flag Alliance Committee”], the “Constitution and
By-Laws Commission”, the “Internal Affairs Commission” [except the “Athletic
Activities”, “Membership and Post Activities” and “State Fair Veteran’s Day and
Uniformed Groups” committees], any other American Legion, Department of
Illinois, Committees or Commissions not otherwise provided for within the
structure of Committees and Commissions of the Detachment of Illinois and The
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, for any and all mutual
programs.
It shall develop ideas for the advancement of the
Sons of The American Legion program, develop solutions of situations found to
problem the Detachment of Illinois or referred to it by the Commander, of the
Detachment of Illinois.
It shall be responsible for submitting appropriate
resolutions to the Executive Committee, of the Detachment of Illinois, all
resolutions establishing or amending Standing Committees or Commissions of the
Detachment of Illinois.
It shall review any resolution submitted to it,
from outside of the Commander’s Advisory Committee, to establish a Standing
Committee or Commission; however, it does not have the authority to change the
content, except for proper form, without the consent of the originator.
It shall be the originator of all resolutions
establishing or amending Standing Committees or Commissions required by action
of the annual Convention, of the Detachment of Illinois.
It shall be the investigating board to investigate
any improprieties within the Detachment of Illinois, and shall be authorized to
require members of the Detachment of Illinois to appear before it for testimony
in relation to such improprieties.
If a member fails to appear, it shall have the
authority to request the Executive Committee, of the Detachment of Illinois, to
suspend Executive Committee participation from that member of the Executive
Committee, of the Detachment of Illinois, and / or the subtraction of that
individuals membership from is Squadron’s total membership for the purposes of
establishing that Squadron’s delegate strength for the annual Convention, of the
Detachment of Illinois, or suspension of that member’s vote, as a
“Delegate-at-Large”
in the annual Convention, of the Detachment of
Illinois, until his testimony is received.
[ Established by Resolution DEC07-17S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall plan and organize the annual
Convention of the Detachment of Illinois.
It shall coordinate any activity, program, or
function during the period of the annual Convention of the Detachment of
Illinois.
It shall, in conjunction with the “Host”, make
arrangements for the sites to be used for the Bowling Tournament, Color Guard
Contest, Golf Tournament (if such are held); the pre and post-Convention
meetings of the Executive Committee, of the Detachment of Illinois, meetings of
the annual Convention Committees, Rap Session (if held), Convention sessions and
any other function to be held in conjunction with the annual Convention, of the
Detachment of Illinois, including parades, when held, and housing
accommodations.
It shall enlist aid for administering the annual
Convention, of the Detachment of Illinois, authorize (through the Adjutant, of
the Detachment of Illinois) the purchase of convention badges, pins, necessary
identification ribbons, and awards for all contests, and designate the official
Convention Headquarters accommodations.
With the approval of the Executive Committee, of
the Detachment of Illinois, it may enter into necessary contracts for facilities
and housing.
It shall request that the “Host” appoint a local
member of The American Legion to serve as the “Convention Coordinator” and
furnish the Adjutant, of the Detachment of Illinois, with said individual’s
name, address and telephone number. It shall request that the “Host” make
arrangements for some of their American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and/or
Sons of The American Legion members to assist during registration, and other
programs, where needed.
[ Established by Resolution DEC07-18S
—
17 March 2007 ]
It shall be the coordinating and
cooperating body with The American Legion, Department of Illinois, “Internal
Affairs Commission’s Membership and Post Activities Committee” and The American
Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, “Membership Committee”, for any and
all mutual programs.
It shall promote the membership of the Detachment
of Illinois, the creation of new Squadrons, and the organization or
re-organization of County Councils, District and Division organizations.
It shall assist in the promotion of membership for
both The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary and The American
Legion Riders, of the Department of Illinois.
It shall provide appropriate materials and guidance
in developing maximum membership throughout the Detachment of Illinois and
develop activities in which Squadrons, of the Detachment of Illinois, may
participate.
It shall develop suggested programs and activities
which may be used by the Squadrons or other levels, of the Detachment of
Illinois, for various patriotic or other special occasions to promote both
service, comradeship and membership.
The Senior Vice-Commanders of the five (5)
divisions, of the Detachment of Illinois, shall be delegated the responsibility
to coordinate “Membership Caravans” within their respective divisions.
The Senior Vice-Commander’s (Vice-Chairmen) of the
twenty-five (25) districts, of the Detachment of Illinois, shall be delegated
the responsibility to coordinate “Membership Caravans’ within their respective
districts.