Department Convention

                                                     DEPARTMENT  2025 CONVENTION PROGRAM

                 The 106^th 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 19^th 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
                                           Annual Report of Corporations

                                                  Brain Science – President                                                                                                                                              Convention – Chairman                                                                                                                                                Department MN – Treasurer                                                                                                                                          Foundation – President                                                                                                                                                Hospital Assoc. – President                                                                                                                                          Legionnaire – Editor                                                                                                                                                      Legionville – President

10:00 A.M.         AMERICAN LEGION CONVENTION SESSION – Willmar Conference Center, Gallery 5-7

                          CALL TO ORDER:  Carl Moon, Department Commander, Walker

                          ADVANCEMENT OF THE COLORS – Zimmerman Post 560

                          INVOCATION:  Kelley Ackerman, Department Chaplain, Pine Island

                         POW/MIA FLAG:  Gary Olson, NS/FR Committee, Moorhead
                                                      Betty Jass, Department Sergeant at Arms, Lake Crystal

                        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

                       “THE PREAMBLE” — Recital by Commander and Delegates

                       GREETINGS:     Carl Moon, Department Commander, Walker

                                               The Honorable Doug Reese, Mayor, Willmar

                                               John Christenson, Commander, Austin F. Hanscom Post 167

                                              Carl Wilson, Seventh District Commander, Elbow Lake

                                              Pam Krill, Department Vice Commander, Blue Earth

                                             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, Burnsville

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:

1. Members serving on Convention Committees will please be prompt in attendance at assigned committee meetings.
2. 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.
3.  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.
4.  Per rule 18 of the convention rules all convention committees will meet at the 2025 convention; Mandates of the Convention shall be reviewed every five years to determine if said mandates are still applicable and relevant. Mandates shall be reviewed by the applicable standing committees of the convention. The first review shall be conducted in 2025 and every five years thereafter, beginning in 2030.

1. 1. THURSDAY AFTERNOON,                                                                                                                    2:00 P.M.            GAMBLING SEMINAR, Willmar Conference Center, Gallery 5-7                                                                 Moderator:                                                                                                           FRIDAY MORNING,  7:30 A.M. to 12:00 Noon.     REGISTRATION, Willmar Conference Center,                                                                                              Main Entrance

   2. 7:00-8:00 A.M.       CAUCUS OF ALL DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES BY DISTRICTS

      8:30 A.M.          CALL TO ORDER:  Carl Moon, Department Commander, Walker

                               RESPECT TO COLORS

                               INVOCATION:  Kelley Ackerman, Department Chaplain, Pine Island

                               PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

      8:35 A.M.         REPORT:  Credentials Committee, Lynne Nottage, Chairman, Minneapolis

                              REPORT:  Finance Committee, Richard Wog, Chairman, Willmar

                              REPORT:  Legislative Committee, Paul Hassing, Montgomery

                              REPORT:  Training Committee, Jennifer Havlick Chairman, Two Harbors

      9:05 A.M.          SAL REPORT:  John Weiss, 2024-2025 SAL Detachment Commander, Woodbury

      9:10 A.M.          YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES:

                               2025 EAGLE SCOUT OF THE YEAR – Ryan Kuehn:  Chip Manson, Boy Scout ,                                                                                                                          Chairman, Spicer

                               2025 LEGION BOYS STATE REPRESENTATIVE:  Kyle Oldre, Director, Luverne

                               2025 ORATORICAL CONTEST WINNER – Elijah Cox:  Jamie Brooks,                                                                                                                                              Chairman, Minneapolis

                               2025 JUNIOR SHOOTING SPORTS:  Carl Wilson, Chairman, Elbow Lake

      9:30 A.M.          UPDATE:  Commissioner Brad Lindsay, 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

                               Paul Orson, Americanism Chairman, Circle Pines

                               Don Skow, Education Chairman, Lindstrom

                               Rod Reifsteck, Safety-School Patrol Chairman, Elysian

                               Pat Logan, Law and Order Chairman, Bloomington

                                                 Zachery Gruver, Law Officer of the Year

                                                Shaun Heiderscheidt, 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:

                                Janet Lorenzo, 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

                                REPORT: Veterans 4 Veterans: Don Pankake, Hutchinson

                                REPORT: Armed Forces Service Center, Joe Jansen, New Brighton

10:45 A.M.         CONVENTION COMMITTEE REPORTS – in order listed

                                           -Americanism

                                           -Children & Youth

                                           -Constitution & By-Laws

11:30 A.M.          Recess

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

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

                                      -Time & Place (Convention Corp)

2:00 P.M.           GREETINGS:     Debra Alders, Northwestern Division National Vice President,                                                                                    American Legion Auxiliary, Davenport Nebraska

                                                  Judy Ackerman, Department President, American Legion Auxiliary, Fairmont

                                                 Christie Avant, Dept. Secretary, American Legion Auxiliary, St. Paul

2:30 P.M.           FINAL MEMBERSHIP AWARDS:  Carla Tappainer, Department Membership Director, Apple Valley

                                     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, Burnsville

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

7:00-9:30 A.M.    REGISTRATION, Willmar Conference Center, Main Entrance

8:30-9:00 A.M.   9^th 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:  Carl Moon, Department Commander, Walker

                         PAY RESPECT TO COLORS

                         INVOCATION:  Kelley Adelsman, Department Chaplain, Pine Island

                         PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

9:05 A.M.          “CONVENTION MEMORIAL SERVICE”: Kelley Ackerman, Department Chaplain, Pine Island

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

                        Caucus

9:50 A.M.          REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS:  Carl Moon, Department Commander, Walker

                         DONATIONS accepted at this time for Commander Carl’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

                       FOUR DELEGATES-AT-LARGE TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION

NOTE:

The Department is entitled to five (5) Delegates-at-Large as determined by the national organization. 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.

District eleven has two authorized delegates which the Department Membership Director is an automatic attendee to the National Convention. The second delegate from district eleven will be elected by convention. This was authorized by the officers of Post 1982 and District Eleven at their annual meeting at the National Membership workshop 2024.

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

** The Department Executive Committee meeting with the newly elected officers will commence thirty (30) minutes at the close of the 106^th Department of Minnesota convention. Gallery 5-7. **