What: 2025 American Legion Department of Minnesota 106th Convention
Where: Willmar Conference Center, Willmar, Minnesota
When: July 10-12, with a few pre-convention department committee meetings on 9 July.
Who: Hosted by Willmar Post 167. {Scroll down to see the posts schedule of events and shuttle service}
Program and meeting space scroll down.
Lodging: You must make your own lodging reservations directly with your hotel of choice. Please ask for “The American Legion block.”
Best Western Plus: 320-235-6060
Holiday Inn Express: 320-231-2601
Country Inn & Suites: 320-214-0300
AmericInn: 320-365-1995
If these hotels are booked up, please try other hotels in Willmar. This Google Maps search shows several of the local lodging options.
Kickoff: Department Executive Committee to meet at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, July 10. Some standing committees may meet Wednesday, July 9. (Scroll down to find schedules for standing and convention committee meetings.)
Register online:
Click here to register online with Eventbrite. {Will be available at a later date.}
Register offline:
Download this form (PDF) and follow its instructions for mailing a check. {Will be available at a later date.}
See you in Willmar!
Schedule of Conventions
2025: Willmar: 10-12 July
2026: Willmar: 9-11 July
2027: Willmar: 15-17 July
2028: Willmar: 13-15 July
The program that follows is in the pre-planning stages and will be updated as the schedule of events developes.
The 2025 Convention Program is under development and will be published at a later date. The 2024 program is below for reference only
DEPARTMENT 2024 CONVENTION PROGRAM
The 105th Annual Convention of The American Legion – Department of Minnesota
WILLMAR, MINNESOTA* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON,
3-7:00 P.M. REGISTRATION, Austin F. Hanscom Post 167, 220 19th Avenue SW, Willmar, MN
THURSDAY MORNING,
6:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon REGISTRATION, Willmar Conference Center, Main Entrance
7-8:00 A.M. CAUCUS OF ALL DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES BY DISTRICTS
8:30 A.M. DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, Gallery 5-7
10:00 A.M. AMERICAN LEGION CONVENTION SESSIONS – Willmar Conference Center, Gallery 5-7
CALL TO ORDER: Paul Hassing, Department Commander, Montgomery
ADVANCEMENT OF THE COLORS – Bloomington Post 550
INVOCATION: Dean Knutson, Department Chaplain, Marshall
POW/MIA FLAG: Jim Kellogg, NS/FR Committee, Taopi
Brad Pagel, Department Sergeant at Arms, Slayton
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
“THE PREAMBLE” — Recital by Commander and Delegates
GREETINGS: Paul Hassing, Department Commander, Montgomery
The Honorable Doug Reese, Mayor, Willmar
John Christenson, Commander, Austin F. Hanscom Post 167
Jan Ekert, Seventh District Commander, South Haven
Victor Gades, Department Vice Commander, Morris
Jon Olson, General Convention Chairman, Willmar
10:25 A.M. READING OF THE CONVENTION CALL: Michael J. Maxa, Department Adjutant, St. Paul
APPROVAL OF DEPT CONVENTION PUBLISHED PROGRAM BY CONVENTION ATTENDEES
REPORT OF CONVENTION CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
REPORT OF CONVENTION RULES COMMITTEE
ADVANCE READING OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT RESOLUTIONS:
Greg Colby, Department Judge Advocate, Northfield
10:40 A.M. ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEPARTMENT CONVENTION COMMITTEES AND INSTRUCTIONS
Michael J. Maxa, Department Adjutant, St. Paul
11:00 A.M. RECESS
11:20 A.M. JOINT MEMORIAL SERVICE – Willmar Conference Center, Gallery 5-7
THURSDAY AFTERNOON,
1:00 P.M. MEETINGS OF ALL CONVENTION COMMITTEES.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Members serving on Convention Committees will please be prompt in attendance at assigned committee meetings.
- Each committee will elect its own Chairman and Secretary. When work is finished, the Chairman or Secretary, (or both) will report to the Convention Department Headquarters at the Willmar Conference Center, Legion Headquarters Office, for assistance in preparing a typewritten report for presentation to the Convention assembled on Friday, July 12, 2024.
- Convention Committee reports should be presented and accepted in final form before adjournment on Friday, July 12, 2024, thus disposing of all business other than that which has been scheduled for Saturday morning.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, 2:00 P.M. GAMBLING SEMINAR, Willmar Conference Center, Gallery 5-7
Moderator: Kristy Janigo, Legislative Committee Chairman, Maple Grove
FRIDAY MORNING,
6:30 A.M. to 12:00 Noon REGISTRATION, Willmar Conference Center, Main Entrance
7-8:00 A.M. CAUCUS OF ALL DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES BY DISTRICTS
8:30 A.M. CALL TO ORDER: Paul Hassing, Department Commander, Montgomery
RESPECT TO COLORS
INVOCATION: Dean Knutson, Department Chaplain, Marshall
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
8:35 A.M. REPORT: Credentials Committee, Lynne Nottage, Chairman, Minneapolis
REPORT: Finance Committee, Dennis Delong, Chairman, Bloomington
REPORT: Legislative Committee, Kristy Janigo, Chairman, Maple Grove
REPORT: Training Committee, Linda Dvorak, Chairman, New Prague
9:05 A.M. SAL REPORT: John Weiss, 2023-2024 SAL Detachment Commander, Woodbury
9:10 A.M. YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES:
2024 EAGLE SCOUT OF THE YEAR Jackson Kramer: Chip Manson, Boy Scout Chairman, Sunburg
2024 LEGION BOYS STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Kyle Oldre, Director, Luverne
2024 ORATORICAL CONTEST WINNER Elijah Cox: Jamie Brooks, Chairman, Minneapolis
2024 JUNIOR SHOOTING SPORTS: Jared Sturgill, Chairman, Champlin
9:30 A.M. UPDATE: Ben Johnson, Deputy Commissioner, MN Department of Veterans Affairs
9:45 A.M. AWARDS and PRESENTATIONS:
Gary Weaver, President, American Legion Hospital Assn., La Crescent
Karen Welander, Children and Youth Chairman, Sunburg
Tess Davis, Americanism Chairman, Princeton
Don Skow, Education Chairman, Lindstrom
Representative, Safety-School Patrol Chairman
Pat Logan, Law and Order Chairman, Bloomington
Shelby Bonczek, Law Officer of the Year
Brian Gustafson, Firefighter of the Year
Terry Larson, Blood Chairman, Shafer
Tom Clabo, Community Service Chairman, Hutchinson
David Wendt, Bowling Chairman, St. Michael
Luis Campero, Employment Chairman, Sauk Rapids
10:10 A.M. NATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICE AWARDS & UPDATE:
Ray Kane, Department Service Officer, St. Paul
PAT CLIFF AWARD to Outstanding Post Service Officer
10:30 A.M. REPORT: Baseball Committee: Randy Schaub, Director, Danube
REPORT: Softball Committee: Mike Arvidson, Director, Parkers Prairie
10:45 A.M. CONVENTION COMMITTEE REPORTS – in order listed
-Americanism
-Children & Youth
-Constitution & By-Laws
11:30 A.M. Recess
FRIDAY AFTERNOON (continued) 1:30 P.M. REMAINING CONVENTION COMMITTEE REPORTS (as listed above & below)
-Employment
-Energy & Conservation
-Finance
-Legislative
-Membership
-National Security/Foreign Relations
-Public Relations
-Recreation-Sports
-Rehabilitation
-Resolutions
-Safety-School Patrol
-Internal Affairs Ad Hoc Committee
-Time & Place (Convention Corp)
2:00 P.M. GREETINGS: Sharon Cross, Department President, American Legion Auxiliary, Sauk Centre
Christie Avant, Dept. Secretary, American Legion Auxiliary, St. Paul
2:30 P.M. FINAL MEMBERSHIP AWARDS: Pam Krill, Department Membership Director, Blue Earth
Gold Brigade Winners – Other Membership Awards
2:45 P.M. NOMINATIONS FOR DEPARTMENT OFFICE
3:30 P.M. VOTING RULES: Greg Colby, Department Judge Advocate, Northfield
3:40 P.M. RECESS
** Installation Ceremony Practice following recess – to include: Dept Commander, Sgt at Arms, Chaplain, Nominated Dept Commander, Nominated Sgt at Arms, Nominated Chaplain, Installing Officer and Outgoing District Commanders.
VOTING AT WILLMAR CONFERENCE CENTER FOR ONE HALF HOUR (30 MINUTES) FROM TIME OF RECESS IN CHAMBER BOARDROOM.
SATURDAY MORNING
7-10:00 A.M. REGISTRATION, Willmar Conference Center, Main Entrance
8:30-9:00 A.M. 9th District Band, Gallery 5-7
8:00 A.M. – POLLS OPEN for voting at Willmar Conference Center, Chamber Boardroom
8:30 A.M. POLLS CLOSE
9:00 A.M. CALL TO ORDER: Paul Hassing, Department Commander, Montgomery
PAY RESPECT TO COLORS
INVOCATION: Dean Knutson, Department Chaplain, Marshall
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
9:05 A.M. “CONVENTION MEMORIAL SERVICE”: Dean Knutson, Department Chaplain, Marshall
9:30 A.M. REPORT: Legion Riders: Jody Hassing, Director, Montgomery
NATIONAL REPORT: William C. Barbknecht, National Executive Committeeman, Battle Lake
REPORT: Legionnaire Insurance Trust: William C. Barbknecht, Chairman, Battle Lake
9:40 A.M. FINAL REPORT: Credentials Committee
FINAL REPORT: Resolutions Assignment Committee
9:45 A.M. Mike Maxa, Department Adjutant, St. Paul
Voting of Delegates at Large & Alternates at Large
Caucus
9:50 A.M. REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS: Paul Hassing, Department Commander, Montgom
DONATIONS accepted at this time for Commander Paul’s project.
10:05 A.M. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTION RESULTS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS
DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
FIVE DEPARTMENT VICE COMMANDERS – without numerical designation
CHAPLAIN
HISTORIAN
SERGEANT AT ARMS
MEMBER OF PUBLICATION BOARD – for three-year term
FIVE DELEGATES-AT-LARGE TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
FIVE ALTERNATES-AT-LARGE TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
NOTE: The Department is entitled to five (5) Delegates-at-Large and five (5) Alternate Delegates-at-Large. The Department Constitution provides, under Article 8, Section 1, that: “The Delegates-at-Large to which the Department is entitled in the National Convention shall be elected by the Convention and shall include the incoming Commander, the incoming Department representative on the National Executive Committee, and the outgoing Commander.” The National Constitution provides, under Article 7, Section 3, that the National Executive Committeeman shall be a delegate with vote, which shall be exercised with their respective Departments.
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS ELECT
11:25 A.M. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mike Maxa, Department Adjutant, St. Paul
11:30 A.M. BENEDICTION
SECURE POW/MIA DRAPE
RETIREMENT OF THE COLORS
ADJOURNMENT
MEETING TIMES AND PLACES for Department Standing Committees
Wednesday, – Willmar Conference Center
4:00 P.M. Americanism Committee Best Western Breakfast Area
4:00 P.M. Children & Youth Committee Holiday Inn Breakfast Area
4:00 P.M. National Security Committee Green Mill Lower Level
4:00 P.M. VA&R Committee Conv. Visitors Bureau Rm.
4:00 P.M. Finance Committee Executive Boardroom
4:00 P.M. Resolutions Assignment Committee Sales Office
4:30 P.M. MN American Legion Foundation Chamber Boardroom
7:00 P.M. Membership Roundtable Gallery 5-7
Thursday, – Willmar Conference Center
0830 – 1000 Department Executive Committee Gallery 5-7
0800 Credentials Committee Sales Office
1300 Convention Corporation Committee Chamber Boardroom
1400 GAMBLING SEMINAR Gallery 5-7
1600 Camporee Committee Convention Visitors Bureau Rm.
1630 Family Hospital Association Chamber Boardroom
1600 – 1630 National Appointments Briefing Gallery 5-7
1630 – 1700 Dist. Commanders {Outgoing} Nominations & Elections Procedures Gallery 5-7
1700 – 1745 Incoming Department Officers & Dist. Commanders Brief Gallery 5-7
Friday, – Willmar Conference Center
0800 Credentials Committee Sales Office
Officer Installation Practice – Following the drop of the gavel for recess Gallery 5-7
30 – Minutes after recess – Voting Room Chamber Boardroom
1630 Legion Riders Gallery 5-7
1630 NTTTBNTI Holiday Inn Breakfast Area
Saturday, – Willmar Conference Center
0800 Credentials Committee Sales Office
2024-2025 Executive Committee – 30 minutes from drop of the convention gavel
CAUCUS MEETING ROOMS
Willmar Convention Center
Thursday, & Friday,
7:00 – 8:00 A.M.
District One Gallery – 3
District Two Chamber Boardroom
District Three Gallery – 5
District Four Green Mill Upper level
District Five Green Mill Lower Level
District Six Gallery – 6
District Seven Executive Boardroom
District Eight Pool Area
District Nine Ruff’s #1
District Ten Ruff’s #2
AMERICAN LEGION STANDING CONVENTION COMMITTEE ROOMS
Thursday,– 1:00 – 2:00 P.M.
Americanism Ruff’s #1
Children & Youth Ruff’s #2
Constitution & By-laws Ruff’s Patio
Employment Best Western Breakfast Area #1
Energy & Conservation Pool Area
Finance Executive Boardroom
Legislative Green Mill Lower Level
Membership Green Mill Upper Level
Natl Security/Foreign Relations Holiday Inn Breakfast Area #1
Public Relations Convention Visitors Bureau Room
Recreation-Sports Best Western Breakfast Area #2
Rehabilitation Gallery 5
Resolutions Green Mill
Safety-School Patrol Pool Area
Time & Place (Convention Corp) Chamber Boardroom
VOTING ROOM
Friday, 30 minutes from the time of recess of Department Convention & Saturday, 8:00 – 8:30 A.M.. Chamber Boardroom
OTHER ROOM LOCATIONS
Department Headquarters Sales Office
General Sessions Gallery 5-7
American Legion Riders Gallery 5-7
Camporee Convention Visitors Bureau Room
Registration Main Entrance Convention Center Thursday: 6:00 a.m.-noon
Friday: 6:30 a.m-noon
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
American Legion Post 167 220 SW 19th Ave, Willmar, MN 56209 320-235-8136
Open 11am to evening closing hour Mon – Sat
Wednesday: convention registration 3:00 – 7:00 at Post 167
(Starting Thursday all registration at convention site)
Thursday: 11-2 lunch special
{Late afternoon & evening full kitchen menu}
7 – 10 Live Band “Custom Made”
Friday: 11 – 2 lunch special
12 – 1 Past Commanders Luncheon
Saturday: 11 – 2 lunch special
12 – 1 Incoming Officers Reception
SHUTTLE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
1130am – Shuttle bus to and from Legion Post 167 for lunch. Bus will return you to Convention Center.
5-10pm – Shuttle bus to Post 167 for dining and live band at 7pm and bus will make frequent trips between Legion and Convention Center until 10pm.
FRIDAY
1130am – Two shuttle buses from Convention Center to Post 167 for noon lunch for anyone and Luncheon for Past Commanders, and of course buses will return conventioneers to Conv. Ctr.
