The primary function of the first vice commander is membership and retention.

Upon being elected, the first vice commander should have a solid membership plan for the upcoming membership year. The membership campaign should cover certain fundamentals, such as a time of year, or perhaps focused around a post event or activity. Look at past methods and develop new procedures to improve recruiting and retention methods for membership where needed.

OTHER DUTIES

The primary role of a first vice commander is to oversee membership, but this position entails many other responsibilities throughout the year. The vice commander should be well-versed in ceremonial protocols for regular meetings and may need to conduct one or more meetings in the absence of the post commander. Developing an agenda, running a meeting and adhering to proper protocols are essential skills for this role. The vice commander should be not only prepared but also confident in stepping in for the commander at a moment’s notice.

The second vice commander is typically responsible for building an atmosphere in which Legionnaires have fun while accomplishing the mission of their American Legion post. 

The commander depends on the second vice commander to help run operations to spice up meetings and attract members to the post. The social calendar should be filled months in advance with activities designed to engage members and enhance operations and programs that assist the first vice commander with membership retention. 

Contact other veterans and civic groups in your community to explore opportunities to participate in patriotic or public events that both can mutually celebrate.

The adjutant is the primary administrative officer for the post. A key to a successful post is retaining a good adjutant who provides continuity year after year. While the commander’s duties are largely inspirational and executive, an adjutant’s duties are administrative and functional. The commander navigates the ship, while the adjutant is the engineer who sees that the ship’s machinery is working and maintained.

The adjutant is the administrative officer and personal point of contact for individual post members. This person works very closely with the post officers and committees, and with the commander in planning the monthly meeting and setting the agenda. The adjutant may maintain membership records and minutes of meetings, publish official orders, make announcements and communicate with post members.

All post records should be maintained and accessible by the adjutant in a comprehensive filing system.

The office involves a great deal of work and attention to detail. An effective adjutant is an essential component of a successful post. 

The finance officer should be honest and have experience in handling financial affairs. The post depends on fiduciary integrity and should acquire expert advice in formulating and administering its financial policy.

The finance officer usually serves as the chair of the finance committee and is in charge of all receiving and disbursing of post funds. The post adjutant, in all matters relating to finance, should carry on the work in close correlation with the finance officer. Post accounting forms assist in meeting the requirements of American Legion posts in maintaining a correct and permanent membership and finance record. No special knowledge of bookkeeping or accounting is required. However, knowledge of simple finances, budgeting, and filing of tax form 990 is suggested. 

The work of post historian is cumulative. It is wise to leave the responsibility to one person if handled well.

There should be close cooperation between the post adjutant and the historian. The former works with records on matters of current interest, the latter on matters of historical interest. The post historian should also keep in touch with the department historian and be prompt in answering inquiries. An annual report should be made to the department historian prior to the department convention.

The chaplain, while not always a member of the clergy, serves as a leader of moral and intellectual integrity, bringing dignity and respect to the role. The chaplain’s close contact with the commander and other post officers, as well as attendance at all post executive committee meetings, is crucial. The chaplain involved in leading many post activities, and when the right person is in this position, the post’s value to the community increases significantly.

The Manual of Ceremonies emphasizes the chaplain’s important role in conducting meetings, observing patriotic occasions, conducting funeral services and leading dedication ceremonies. At all these events, the chaplain is the moral leader. The chaplain should work with post members to coordinate Memorial Day honors and the Four Chaplains Day ceremony. This person also officiates or participates in funeral and memorial services for members and veterans who have gone on to Post Everlasting, and provides support and comfort to their families.

The American Legion’s Post Resource Officer (PRO) is a volunteer position within Shaw-May Post 38.  PROs serve as valuable resources to veterans needing services and support in the local community. This support includes contact with a representative holding American Legion and State accreditation as Veteran Service Officers to assist our veterans and their dependents receiving their earned Veteran Administration (VA) benefits.    However, the PRO is not authorized to file any claims on behalf of the claimant.

Our Veteran Service Officer in Halifax, NC is

Shelly Mitchell

Directions

https://www.halifaxnc.com/Directory.aspx?DID=30

Physical Address:View Map

4421 US Hwy 301
Halifax, NC 27839

Email Address: whittons@halifaxnc.com

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 767
Halifax, NC 27839

Phone:

252-538-6789

Fax:

252-536-2432

Link: Veterans Service Office Page

Hours:

Monday – Friday

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Lunch 12:00pm – 1:00pm

• You will need an appointment to be seen. Walk-ins are not guaranteed to be seen same day. Call 252-538-6789 to set your appointment up.
• Please ensure that you have all needed documents at the time of your appointment.
• Handicap parking is available.

The American Legion, a parliamentarian is an appointed advisor who assists the presiding officer with parliamentary procedure and ensures meetings run smoothly, fairly, and in accordance with organization bylaws.

In the American Legion the Parliamentarian is often a trusted individual in the organization who can offer insight into Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure and the past practices of the organization.

The sergeant-at-arms, a key figure in the post, arranges the meeting hall and assists the post commander and adjutant in preliminary meeting arrangements. This person leads the color detail during presentation and retirement ceremonies, showcasing the post’s respect and dignity. The sergeant-at-arms is also the flag etiquette expert, leading in the post color guard, burial detail and other pageantry. 

The sergeant-at-arms is the logical person to chair a welcoming committee, which can tremendously influence the post’s image, membership and relationship with members. 

Their influence is crucial in shaping the post’s identity and fostering a sense of belonging among Legionnaires. Every Legionnaire wants to feel part of the group, particularly new Legionnaires as they attend their first few meetings. The sergeant-at-arms must ensure new members are welcomed, introduced, and made to feel they are important to the post. The sergeant-at-arms encourages members to attend meetings and advises the commander on who should be acknowledged.

The sergeant-at-arms, a key figure in the post, arranges the meeting hall and assists the post commander and adjutant in preliminary meeting arrangements. This person leads the color detail during presentation and retirement ceremonies, showcasing the post’s respect and dignity. The sergeant-at-arms is also the flag etiquette expert, leading in the post color guard, burial detail and other pageantry.

The sergeant-at-arms is the logical person to chair a welcoming committee, which can tremendously influence the post’s image, membership and relationship with members.

Their influence is crucial in shaping the post’s identity and fostering a sense of belonging among Legionnaires. Every Legionnaire wants to feel part of the group, particularly new Legionnaires as they attend their first few meetings. The sergeant-at-arms must ensure new members are welcomed, introduced, and made to feel they are important to the post. The sergeant-at-arms encourages members to attend meetings and advises the commander on who should be acknowledged.

The sergeant-at-arms, a key figure in the post, arranges the meeting hall and assists the post commander and adjutant in preliminary meeting arrangements. This person leads the color detail during presentation and retirement ceremonies, showcasing the post’s respect and dignity. The sergeant-at-arms is also the flag etiquette expert, leading in the post color guard, burial detail and other pageantry.

The sergeant-at-arms is the logical person to chair a welcoming committee, which can tremendously influence the post’s image, membership and relationship with members.

Their influence is crucial in shaping the post’s identity and fostering a sense of belonging among Legionnaires. Every Legionnaire wants to feel part of the group, particularly new Legionnaires as they attend their first few meetings. The sergeant-at-arms must ensure new members are welcomed, introduced, and made to feel they are important to the post. The sergeant-at-arms encourages members to attend meetings and advises the commander on who should be acknowledged.

The sergeant-at-arms, a key figure in the post, arranges the meeting hall and assists the post commander and adjutant in preliminary meeting arrangements. This person leads the color detail during presentation and retirement ceremonies, showcasing the post’s respect and dignity. The sergeant-at-arms is also the flag etiquette expert, leading in the post color guard, burial detail and other pageantry.

The sergeant-at-arms is the logical person to chair a welcoming committee, which can tremendously influence the post’s image, membership and relationship with members.

Their influence is crucial in shaping the post’s identity and fostering a sense of belonging among Legionnaires. Every Legionnaire wants to feel part of the group, particularly new Legionnaires as they attend their first few meetings. The sergeant-at-arms must ensure new members are welcomed, introduced, and made to feel they are important to the post. The sergeant-at-arms encourages members to attend meetings and advises the commander on who should be acknowledged.