Fall Conference

 

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: 2023 Fall Conference

Where: River’s Edge Convention Center, 10 4th Ave S. St Cloud, MN 56301

When: Oct. 27-28, 2023, with committee meetings and DEC Oct. 26.

There will be some committee meetings on Thursday afternoon with the DEC meeting Thursday evening. General training sessions begin Friday, Oct. 27, and finish Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

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 $15 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
Grand Stay Residential Suites Hotel St. Cloud: 320-251-5400

Tentative Program for the 2023 Fall Conference, 26-28 October 2023

THURSDAY – 26 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

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: Ballroom

4:00 P.M.                                                     American Legion Foundation                            Room: Boardroom

5:00 P.M                                                      Training Committee                                           Room: Senate

7:00 P.M.                                                     Department Executive Committee                    Room: University “B”

FRIDAY – 27 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

8:30 A.M. – 9:25 A.M.                                  MyLegion

Instructor: Pam Krill                                    Room: Senate

                                                                    Be the One

Instructor: Kelley Adelsman                         Room: University “A”

                                                                    I’m a New Officer, Now What Do I Do? 

Instructor: Joe Tappainer                             Room: University “B”

                                                                    Post Service Officer Responsibilities       

Instructors: Ray Kane & Janet Lorenzo        Room: Congress

9:30 A.M. – 10:25 A.M.                                Breakout Training Sessions

                                                                    Consolidated Post Reports                        

Instructor: Linda Dvorak                              Room: Senate

                                                                    Post/District Engagement                         

Instructors: Gary Richardson & Mike Ash    Room: Ballroom

                                                                    Minnesota Suicide Prevention Awareness                         

Instructors: Andrea Perry & Laura Stumvoll  Room: University “A”

                                                                    Mentorship       

Instructor: Paul Edwards                              Room: University “B”

10:35 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.                                 Legislative Initiatives & Involvement                    

Instructor: Kristy Janigo                             Room:   University “A”

                                                                  Consolidated Post Reports                        

Instructor: Linda Dvorak                            Room: Senate

                                                                  County Veteran Service Officer Duties                                                

Instructor: Josh Beninga                            Room: University “B”

                                                                  I’m a New Officer Now what do I do      

Instructor: Joe Tappainer                           Room: Congress

2:00 P.M. – 2:55 P.M.                                 Breakout Training Sessions

                                                                  Be the One                                      

Instructor: Kelley Adelsman                       Room: University “A”

                                                                  Post Legal Issues

Instructor: Greg Colby                               Room: University “B”

                                                                  Post/District Engagement                         

Instructors: Gary Richardson & Mike Ash  Room: Ballroom

                                                                  MyLegion                         

Instructor: Pam Krill                                  Room: Senate

3:00 P.M.                                                   General Session                                         Room: Ballroom

3:05 P.M. – 3:25 P.M.                                Minnesota Attorney General’s Office

                                                                 “Duty of Corporate Officer’s

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                                                   Room: University “A”

5:30 P.M.                                                  SAL Detachment Finance & Executive Committee meetings                                                                                       Room University “A”

SATURDAY – 28 Oct

9:00 A.M.                                                  Opening Ceremonies and Greetings         Room: Ballroom

9:05 A.M.                                                  Legion Family Greetings                              

                                                                                          Department Auxiliary President

                                                                                          NW Division National Vice President

                                                                                          Honorary Department Jr. President

                                                                                          Sons of the American Legion Commander

                                                                                          Department American Legion Riders                                                                   

9:25 A.M.                                                 Department Budget Process                     Rachael Hill

9:45 A.M.                                                 Convention Committee updates               Convention Comm. Chairman

10:00 A.M.                                               Fund 85 Application Process                     Janet Lorenzo

10:20 A.M.                                               National Convention Delegate                  Mike Maxa

10:35 A.M.                                               Department Membership updates            Pam Krill                                     

10:55 A.M.                                               Legionnaire Changes                                 Tim Engstrom

11:30 A.M.                                               Feedback: How were the programs? Recommendations?

11:45 A.M                                                Donations & Commander’s final comments                                                

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:  An overview of how to navigate the mylegion program. How to process membership and what reports are available for a membership directors’ success.

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.

I’m a New Officer Now What do I do: {Post-District-Department} Responsibilities, duties and expectations of officers. How to conduct a meeting and the number of resources available for success.

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.

Consolidated Post Reports: The importance of why it’s crucial to complete the CPR every year. How to use mylegion to complete the annual report. And, how the National Commander uses the report testifying before congress.                             

Post/District Engagement: Revitalizations, finding todays veteran and asking them to join. Building relationships with guard/reserve units, armory visits, and college veterans resource centers.                             

Minnesota Suicide Prevention Awareness Coalition: What is a coalition and its purpose. Resources available for awareness and the different training courses available. Why it’s important to have the resources at the post levels.                                            

Mentorship: How to teach new members the way of The American Legion. Traditions and ceremonies. Listen and try new ideas from our new members. Be there to answer the questions they may have.

Legislative Initiatives & Involvement: The 2024 American Legion Department of Minnesota legislative priorities. How you can be involved and why we need the voice of our members and posts.

County Veteran Service Officer Duties: Why it’s important to contact your County Veteran Service Officer and register with them. The number of services they offer and how to receive the benefits our veterans deserve.          

Post Legal Issues: The importance of a post to be incorporated and the difference between INC or LLC. Member discipline and how to ban a customer or member from the post.

Notice:

Minnesota Veterans Assistance Fund (Fund 85) & Unite US: The DSO & ADSO will have an office set up in Congress throughout Friday after their training session to answer any questions or concerns posts or members might have dealing with the needs of our veterans. They will also provide one on one training for post service officers, Fund 85, and Unite Us and any other questions regarding veteran care or benefits.

Media & Communications Studio: Podcasts and interviews will be in the employee lounge on the second floor.

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