Department of Minnesota Committees – The American Legion Department of Minnesota

Click on the committee name below to jump to the committee. You also can download a PDF of committees here.

Americanism

“To preserve and enhance patriotism and education”

To Serve	Name	Contact
One Year	Art Tobkin	email
Two Years	Larry Pocrnich	email
Three Years	Tess Davis	email

Subcommittee Chairmen

Program	Name	Contact
Boy Scouts	Tom Hallett	email
Boys State	Kyle Oldre	email
Community Service	Thomas Clabo	email
Education	Don Skow	email
Liaison	Art Tobkin	email
Jr. Shooting Sport	Jared Sturgill	email
Oratorical Contest Chair	Cliff Newman	email
Oratorical Vice Chair	Amanda England	email
Safety School Patrol	James Blakesley	email
Youth Law Cadet Enforcement	Larry Ryan	email

American Legion Foundation

The Minnesota American Legion Foundation is set up on Amazon Smile with an account for donations from them when people purchase on Amazon and choose the Foundation.

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
President	Lloyd Ricker	email
Vice President	Bruce Kottom	email
Secretary	Wayne Hammon Jr.	email
Treasurer	Dennis Delong	email
Legal Counsel	Greg Colby	email

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Wayne Hammon Jr.	email
Two Years	Dennis Delong	email
Three Years	Ryan Hill	email
Four Years	Bruce Kottom	email
Five Years	Lloyd Ricker	email

Armed Forces Service Center

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Joseph Jansen	email

Blood Program

The American Legion remains the largest identifiable blood donor group in America, contributing more than 98,000 units of blood to the national supply in 1995-96. The Legion sponsors blood drives during the holidays when accident rates are high and hospital blood supplies are low. At each National Convention, the Legion sponsors a drive which brings the gift of life to countless people in the host city.

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Terry Larson	email

Board of Publications

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
President	Department Commander Mark Dvorak	email
Vice President	Dennis Henkemeyer	email
Secretary	Mike Maxa	email
Treasurer	Bill Goede	email

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Darrel Redepenning	email
One Year	Joe Bayer	email
Two Years	Don Amundson	email
Two Years	Carroll Partridge	email
Three Years	Paul Edwards	email
Three Years	Dennis Henkemeyer	email

Auxiliary

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Department First Vice President	Patti Coleman	email
Department Second Vice President	Mary Kuperus	email

Brain Science Foundation

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
President	Bob Locker	email
Vice President	Ray Eiden	email
Secretary	Rosemary Niesen	email
Treasurer	Rosemary Niesen	email

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Tim Sanken	email
One Year	Rosemary Niesen	email
Two Years	Michael Schaffer	email
Two Years	Bob Locker	email
Three Years	Richard Janssen	email
Three Years	Raymond Eiden	email

SAL

Lloyd Schaeffer

Auxiliary

To Serve	Name	Contact
One Year	Jessie Hoppe	emaill
Two Years	Anna Eells	email
Three Years	Kristen Donnelly	email

Department Commander

Mark Dvorak

Department President

Mary Hendrickson

SAL Commander

David Vulcan

Commander’s Advisor – Dan Ludwig

“To help all children realize their full potential”
CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM
In the 1995-96 reporting year, American Legion Posts spent more than $5.1 million on programs to help America’s young, including teenage suicide and drug abuse prevention, missing children, and many others. Also, Posts around the country volunteered to assist local immunization services as part of The American Legion’s Child Immunization program.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
In the 1920s The American Legion began a national program of Temporary Financial Assistance to keep the children of deceased or disabled veterans at home rather than in institutions. This cash aid is still available for cases not covered by subsequent state and federal programs for the needy. In 1995, the TFA program provided more than $327,089 to 652 families, benefiting almost 1,432 children.

CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION
The American Legion established the Child Welfare Foundation in 1954 as a separate corporation to fund efforts that dealt with problems affecting children. The only source of income for the Foundation comes from contributions by individual members of the Legion family, which includes the Legion, the Auxiliary, the Eight and Forty, and the Sons of The American Legion.Last year, grants totaling nearly $300,000 were awarded to 14 not-for-profit programs that benefit children.

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Karen Welander	email
Vice Chairman	Veronica Fernlund	email

Citizens Flag Alliance

Founded by The American Legion in 1994, the Citizens Flag Alliance is a national coalition of organizations and individual citizens working for a constitutional amendment to allow the states and the federal government to enact flag protection legislation. Thus far, 49 states have passed “memorializing resolutions” calling on the U.S. Congress to pass a flag amendment and send the measure back to the states for ratification. More than 110 organizations have joined the Citizens Flag Alliance. The House of Representatives passed a flag protection amendment in June 1995. The U.S. Senate rejected the amendment in December 1995. The Citizens Flag Alliance continues the campaign to provide the American Flag protection from intentional acts of physical desecration.

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Vacant

**This Committee is inactive and will be activated when the need arises.**

Convention Corporation

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Phil Bellefeuille	email
Vice Chairman	Tom Schottenbauer	email
Secretary	Richard Grobe	email
Treasurer	Al Davis	email

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Email*
One Year	Don Hayden	email
Two Years	Ken Meyer	email
Three Years	Phil Bellefeuille	email
Four Years	Richard Grobe	email
Five Years	Tom Schottenbauer	email

COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairwoman	Teresa Ash	email

*Role*	*Name*	*Contact*
Technology	Jennifer Havlick	email
Online Training	Linda Dvorak	email
Online Training	Mike Ash	email
Supply network, employment, grants	Randy Olson	email

Credentials

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Lynne Nottage	email

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Bonnie Hanson	email
Two Years	Lynne Nottage	email
Three Years	Virgil Wagner	email

Employment

At the national level, The American Legion’s National Economic Commission monitors economic legislation and regulations that affect veterans’ preference in federal employment. The Commission was established to ensure that veterans have the opportunity to provide for their economic necessities and those of their dependents.

Departments participate in three national employer awards to recognize corporations that excel at hiring disabled workers, the elderly, and veterans. The Veteran Employer of the Year Awards honor outstanding employers of veterans in large, medium, and small businesses. The Commission also recognizes Local Veterans Employment representatives and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program service officers for outstanding service to unemployed or under-employed veterans. Legion Posts, Districts, and Departments carry similar activities to their communities, counties, and states.

As part of our program to provide access to jobs for qualified veterans, The American Legion offers links to two important resources. America’s Job Bank contains over 4,000 jobs which are updated daily. This list also contains jobs listed by federal contractors, who are required to give preference in hiring to
qualified veterans. The U.S. Department of Labor will also soon offer a method for sorting jobs by federal contractor. A list of all federal positions currently open is available at USA Jobs. Veterans who desire a position with the Federal government should visit this site frequently. Methods for making application for federal employment have been greatly simplified recently. A Standard Form 171 is no longer necessary, and a personal resume is perfectly acceptable.

As part of our program to provide access to jobs for qualified veterans, The American Legion offers links to two important resources. America’s Job Bank contains over 4,000 jobs which are updated daily. This list also contains jobs listed by federal contractors, who are required to give preference in hiring to qualified veterans. The U.S. Department of LaborÂ will also soon offer a method for sorting jobs by federal contractor. A list of all federal positions currently open is available at USA Jobs. Veterans who desire a position with the Federal government should visit this site frequently. Methods for making application for federal employment have been greatly simplified recently. A Standard Form 171 is no longer necessary, and a personal resume is perfectly acceptable.

VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1997
In January, Congressman John L. Mica (FL) introduced H.R. 240. The American Legion supports this important legislation because it will accomplish the following.

- - Create an effective, efficient and user-friendly redress system for those whose veterans’ preference rights have been violated.

- - Remove artificial barriers that bar qualified veterans from competing for federal jobs.

- - Prevent unfair personnel practices that prevent veterans from exercising their job protection rights during reductions in force.

- - Enhance a veteran’s opportunities for finding other jobs during a reduction in force.

- - Extend veterans’ preference to certain non-political jobs in the legislative branch, the judicial branch and the White House.

- Make violation of veterans’ preference laws a prohibited personnel practice.
- Provide veterans’ preference to men and women serving in Bosnia, Croatia and MacedoniaFor a pamphlet that will answer your questions on Veterans’ Preference in Federal hiring, please contact the National Economic Commission, The American Legion, 1608 K St., NW, Washington, DC 20006 or order it through e-mail.

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Carl Moon	email

Finance

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Carl Hendrickson	email

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Carl Hendrickson	email
Two Years	Mary Jo York	email
Three Years	Ray Dezurik	email
Four Years	Richard Oelschlager	email
Five Years	Richard Wog	email
Department Commander	Mark Dvorak	email
Department Treasurer	William Goede	email

Fort Snelling National Cemetery

*Title*	*Name*	Contact
Chairman	Tom Mullon	email

Law and Order

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairwoman	Susan Edwards	email

Member	Gary F. Miller	email
Member	Jeff Brokaw	email

Legion Riders

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Liaison	Chuck Stone	email

Legionnaire Insurance Trust

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Bill Barbknecht	email

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Garylee Davenport	email
Two Years	Eric Wilkens	email
Three Years	Bill Barbknecht	email

Legionville

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
President	Eugene Leifeld	email

Richard Cross

Legislative

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Robert Hart	email

	Lyle Foltz	email
	Randy Olson	email
	Deon Ford	email

Membership

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Director	Sylvan Fix	email

*Districts*	*Name*	*Contact*
1st – 3rd	Pat Logan	email
2nd – 7th	Harold “Hal” Meyer	email
4th – 5th	Teresa Ash	email
6th – 9th	Tim Haugen	email
8th – 10th	Bob Locker	email

National Security/Foreign Relations

“To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America”

The American Legion, as a grassroots organization reaching throughout the land, recognizes the unprecedented changes sweeping the world and urges the U.S. government to adopt a bipartisan national security/foreign relations policy of “Democratic Activism” promoting democratic values, maintaining adequate military strength to deter or defeat aggression, cooperating with allies, encouraging free and fair trade, and assisting developing nations. Since the world operates on a national basis, U.S. sovereignty must not be abridged unless required by important U.S. national security interests.

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	James Kellogg	email

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Curt Norenberg	email
Two Years	James Kellogg	email
Three Years	Eugene Leifeld	email
Four Years	Gary H. Olson	email
Five Years	Lane Stunkel	email

Pheasant Feed

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Glenn Mueller	email

Vice Chairman

Rod Reifsteck

Public Relations

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Tim Burley	email

To Serve	Name	Contact
One Year	Paul Orson	email
Two Years	Brad Pagel	email
Three Years	Tim Burley	email

Rehabilitation

Volunteers from The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of The American Legion have brought cheer and comfort to hospitalized veterans over the years. Legion volunteers give more than one million hours of service to disabled veterans annually. Field Representatives from The American Legion’s Washington office make systematic site visits to evaluate the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, nursing home care units and outpatient clinics. The Field Representatives report resource needs and areas for improvement to the VA Central Office. The American Legion also has a network of Service Officers located in each of the Department of Veterans Affairs regional offices throughout the nation, including Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Twice a year, special training schools for the Department Service Officers are offered in Washington, D.C. and Indianapolis. The schools help the officers perfect the manner in which they present veterans claims before the VA.

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Wilson Spence III	email
Department Service Officer	Jeremy Wolfsteller	email

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Jim Finely	email
Two Years	Carol Ann Gilbertson	email
Three Years	Wilson Spence III	email
Four Years	Dan Tengwall	email
Five Years	Gary Munkholm	email

Resolutions Assignment

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Al Davis	email

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	James Copher	email
Two Years	James Munson	email
Three Years	Al Davis	email

Sons of the American Legion

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Advisor	Gary Weaver	email
Vice Chairman North	Walt Folendorf	email
Vice Chairman South	Joe Niesen	email

Sports

Baseball Committee

See full Minnesota Legion Baseball Committee

*To Serve/Office*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Jeff Miller	email
Two years – Director	Randy Schaub	email
Three Years	Brandon Raymo	email

Bowling Committee

Chairman	Bob Mace	email
	Tom Skuza
	Vacant – Seeking a volunteer
Auxiliary	Pam Hoshal	email
SAL	LeRoy Gonzales	email
Secretary	Cari Lamb	email

Strategic Planning

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Tom Fernlund	email
Secretary	Pam Krill	email
Special Advisor	Past National Commander Dan Ludwig	Email

*To Serve*	*Name & Email*
One Year	Tom Fernlund	email
Two Years	Pam Krill	email
Three Years	Ryan Sabinish	email
Four Years	Paul Hassing	email
Five Years	Carla Tappainer	email

Training

*Title*	*Name*	*Contact*
Chairman	Denise A. Milton	email

myLegion.org Training Subcommittee

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Joe Bayer	email
Two years	Tim Haugen	email
Three years, chair	Linda Dvorak	email

Minnesota Legion College Subcommittee

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One year, chair	Denise Milton	email
Two years	Mike Ash	email
Three years	Paul Edwards	email
Four years	Jennifer Havlick	email
Five years	Kelley Adelsman	email

Veterans 4 Veterans

*To Serve*	*Name*	*Contact*
One Year	Marland Ronning	email
Two Years	Don Pankake	email