Register online with Eventbrite by clicking here. (Scroll down if paying by check.)
Download the printable registration found in the Legionnaire here.
The Fall Conference is one of our most important gatherings of the year. It is our annual school of instruction. There is discussion, patriotism and camaraderie. We hope it’s the kind of event you can talk about when you return to your post home and your fellow Legionnaires.
Your attendance at the annual Fall Conference shows your dedication to our great organizations and the four pillars of The American Legion.
“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” — Herbert Spencer
What: 2024 Fall Conference
Where: River’s Edge Convention Center, 10 4th Ave S. St Cloud, MN 56301
When: Oct. 25-26, 2024, with committee meetings and DEC Oct. 24.
There will be some committee meetings on Thursday afternoon with the DEC meeting Thursday evening. General training sessions begin Friday, Oct. 25, and finish Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
Who: Hosted by the Department Convention Corp.
Pay by check: Use the form from the Legionnaire by clicking here. Registration received by Oct. 14 is $15. Before Oct. 15, checks can be made out to “Minnesota American Legion Convention Corp.” and mailed to Minnesota American Legion Convention Corp., P.O. Box 166, Princeton, MN 55371
Pay online: Registration with Eventbrite is $15 plus a $2.85 service fee. Online registration ends at noon Wednesday, Oct. 25.
Pay at the door: Registration at the door is $25.
Meals: Pre-purchased meals are available for TBD each. The meals are breakfasts on Friday and Saturday and a lunch on Friday. Please indicate with your check which meals you desire. Or you can purchase your meals with Eventbrite by clicking here.
Memories: Last a lifetime
We look forward to seeing all of you wonderful Legion Family Members at the Fall Conference. You will need to book your lodging yourself.
Headquarters hotel:
Best Western Plus Kelly Inn St. Cloud: 320-253-0606
Nearby hotels:
Courtyard by Marriott St. Cloud: 320-654-1661
GrandStay Residential Suites Hotel St. Cloud: 320-251-5400
PROGRAM is UNDER DEVELOPMENT CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES AS THEY DEVELOP
Program for the 2024 Fall Conference, 24-26 October 2024
THURSDAY – 24 Oct
2:00 P.M. Gambling Seminar Ballroom
3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Committee Meetings
3:00 P.M. Convention Corp./Committee Room: Poolside
3:30 P.M. LIT Room: State
4:00 P.M. Americanism Room: Senate
4:00 P.M. Children & Youth Room: Poolside
4:00 P.M. National Security & Foreign Relations Room: Congress
4:00 P.M. Strategic Planning Room: Sunwood
4:00 P.M. American Legion Foundation Room: Boardroom
5:00 P.M. Training Committee Room: University “A”
6:30 P.M. National President Membership Seminar Convention Center Auxiliary Meeting Ballroom
7:00 P.M. Department Executive Committee Room: Ballroom
FRIDAY – 25 Oct
8:00 A.M. – 8:20 A.M. Opening Ceremonies and Greetings Room: Ballroom
Commander
Sixth District Commander
Area Department Vice Commander
Mayor of St Cloud
St Cloud Convention & Visitors Bureau
8:30 A.M – 10:25 A.M. Breakout Training Sessions
MyLegion Help
830 A.M. – 9:25 A.M. Instructor: Carla Tappainer Room: Senate
Be the One
Instructor: Janet Lorenzo Room: State
Kelley Adelsman
Protect your Post
Instructor: Judge Advocate Greg Colby Room: Congress
Post Service Officer Responsibilities
Instructor: Ray Kane Room: University “A”
Breakout Training Sessions
Voter Outreach
9:30 A.M. – 10:25 A.M. Instructors: Secretary of State Room: Senate
Resolutions
Instructor: Paul Edwards Room: University “B”
Cannabis-Know the Law
Instructor: JA Greg Colby Room: Congress
The American Legion {revitalization-promote-resources-engage}
Instructor: Training Committee Room: State
9:30 A.M. – 10:25 A.M. General Session
10:35 A.M. – 11:20 A.M. NSFR Outstanding Enlisted Service Members Room: Ballroom
11:20 A.M. – 11:35 A.M. NEC Reporting Nationally and Introduction
11:35 A.M. – 11:55 A.M. Leading candidate for National Commander
11:55 A.M – 12:00 Noon Announcements
NOON LUNCH BREAK
1:00 P.M. – 2:55 P.M. Breakout Training Sessions
1:00 P.M. – 1:55 P.M.
MyLegion Help
Instructor: Carla Tappainer Room: Senate
Be the One
Instructor: Janet Lorenzo Room: State
Kelley Adelsman
Protect your Post
Instructor: Judge Advocate Greg Colby Room: Congress
Post Service Officer Responsibilities
Instructor: Ray Kane Room: University “A”
2:00 P.M. – 2:55 P.M. Breakout Training Sessions
Instructors: Room: Senate
Resolutions
Instructor: Paul Edwards Room: University “B”
Cannabis-Know the Law
Instructor: JA Greg Colby Room: Congress
The American Legion
Instructor: Training Committee Room: State
3:00 P.M. General Session Room: Ballroom
3:05 P.M. – 3:25 P.M. Keynote Speaker: Brock Hunter-Veterans Defense Project
3:25 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Adjutant updates & Commanders comments
3:30 P.M. Recess
4:00 P.M. Hospital Association Meeting Room: University “B”
4:00 P.M. Legislative Committee Meeting Room: State
5:30 P.M. SAL Detachment Finance & Executive Committee meetings Room University “A”
SATURDAY – 26 Oct
9:00 A.M. Opening Ceremonies and Greetings Room: Ballroom
9:05 A.M. Legion Family Greetings
Department Auxiliary President
Honorary Department Jr. President
Sons of the American Legion Commander
Department American Legion Riders
9:25 A.M. Committee Chair Responsibilities Training Committee
9:45 A.M. Legislative Agenda 2025 Chair Kristy Janigo
10:00 A.M. Fund 85 Application Post Involvement Janet Lorenzo
10:20 A.M. Why Legion College – MN & National Training Committee
10:35 A.M. Department Membership updates Carla Tappainer
10:55 A.M. Why Should You Belong Training Committee
11:15 A.M. Media Awards Tim Engstrom
11:30 A.M Programs & Awards Resources
11:45 A.M Donations & Commander’s final comments Carl Moon
12:00 Noon ADJOURNMENT
8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. SAL Detachment General Session Room: University “A”
1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. American Legion Riders Mtg Room: University “B”
Subject Synopsis:
MyLegion: For our members who need assistance on how to use MyLegion. How to find members that have not renewed and retain them or bring them back. Reports that are available to manage membership.
Be the One: An explanation of the national organizations suicide prevention program. How the districts and posts can bring awareness to their members. Resources available for awareness from the national website.
Voter Outreach: Secretary of State office will explain the number of resources and programs available to help get out the vote in your communities.
Post Service Officer Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the post service officer to bring awareness to all veterans and their families on the rights and benefits granted to them. Resources available to help veterans in need.
Resolutions: How to write a resolution. The process, where to start, next level of approvals. The do’s and don’ts when writing a resolution.
Protect your Post: Why should your post incorporate. The constitution & bylaws are the governing documents on how the post operates. Record keeping and the accuracy of meeting minutes.
The American Legion: Why revitalizations are important to your post. Promote The American Legion and your post. Resources available to make your post and membership successful. Engage veterans to join The American Legion and an active post in your community.
Cannabis: Know the laws and permits needed if your post is going to sell cannabis.
Committee Chair Responsibilities: The responsibilities of a department, district, and post committees and chairs. How to run a successful committee.
Legislative Agenda: The 2025 American Legion Department of Minnesota’s legislative agenda to take back to your posts. How to get involved and support the agenda.
Fund 85: Why it’s so important for the posts to be involved in assisting veterans in need. The process starts at the post level. An overview of the process.
Why Legion College: Why our Legionnaires should attend Minnesota American Legion college and the National college. Subject matter taught at the college. The application process for both Minnesota and National.
Why Belong: Why you should belong to The American Legion and the programs of The American Legion. Our four pillars and the importance of them.
Veterans Defense Project {VDP}: Their mission is to restore veterans involved in the criminal justice system to the communities they served. Along with The American Legion Department of Minnesota, VDP was key in the passage of the Veterans Restorative Justice Act by our state legislators in 2021. Commander Carl’s project for his year and goal of raising $60,000.
Breakfast & Lunch: Served buffet style poolside. Breakfast starts @ 7:00 A.M… Lunch Starts @ 1145 A.M… You must purchase meal tickets at time of registration or at registration check-in.
Schedule of Upcoming Fall Conferences
2024: St. Cloud, Oct. 24-26
2025: St. Cloud, Oct. 30-Nov. 1
2026: St. Cloud, Oct. 29-31