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