Revitalization

Revitalization Discussion, Part II

 

CLICK HERE to review the Revitalization Report by Adjutant Christopher Hanson.  This report was briefed a the February Post Meeting.



Post 2 Revitalization Meeting

 

I'd like to send a special thank you out to everyone who attended our first Revitalization Meeting last night in Legacy Ballroom of the American Legion.  For an hour and a half, nearly 40 American Legion members engaged in conversation and dialouge expressing their wishes for the American Legion to continue on into the future.  Frank and honest opinions were shared and great ideas were given.

 

This is just the beginning of the revitalization, of course.  The next step is to take everything we heard and begin to put together the VISION to revitalize the post.  And after that, we must PLAN to support the mission.  Finding the MANPOWER AND SUPPORT will be important.  And only after successfully executing the plan in support of the vision will we see the benefit of this revitalization plan.

 

Just to remind everyone, the four bullet points we're working with on this revitalization are the following:

               

1)      How do we contribute to the community?

2)      How do we reconnect with our membership?

3)      How do we recruit and replenish our ranks?

4)      How do we effectively communicate and engage membership?

 

Stay tuned for the next steps in our revitalization.  Last night, we heard from you and what we heard is that this is truly important and we must step up.  We must encourage the rest of the membership to consider stepping up as well in aiding us in bringing Post 2 back into the community. 

 

Christopher Hanson, Post 2 Adjutant

Post 2 Revitalization on the News

 

CLICK HERE to watch a clip from WDAY News featuring the American Legion Post 2.  WDAY ran a short story highlighting the Revitalization Meeting which took place on Thursday, October 24th.  Special thanks to the folks at WDAY TV for taking time to highlight our organization.



Revitalization of Post 2 - Bullet Points

 

1) Contribute to the Community

We need to be seen by the community as a whole. The good news needs to be spread that we are alive and seeking new opportunities to help not only our veterans, but our community as well. With the spread of this news, the rumors of Post 2 being "dead", "closed", and "non-existent" will fade. What I'm looking for are your ideas of what we can do. How can we be most visible? How can we get the word out?

 

2) Reconnect to Membership

How do we connect our current membership back to the post again? How do we get them involved again? How do we them to participate or at a minimum, get them to attend a meeting or an event to reacquaint? How do we restore faith in the post and assure membership that our future is bright?

 

3) Recruit and Replenish

How do we go about recruiting new members into the American Legion? Where do we look? How can the district or state headquarters help us in this mission? What new and fresh ideas come to mind to recruit new membership? There is no doubt that recruiting a youthful base is vitally important to the American Legion continuing into the future. How do we get these young veterans and service members to join our organization?

 

4) Communicate and Engage

Once we reconnect to current membership and recruit new membership, how do we continue good communication with those members who are willing to listen and able to participate? How do we those members to participate and contribute to Post 2 happenings, activities, events, and projects? How do we engage membership so they will want to become a part of the leadership of the post?



From Stars and Stripes

 

Check out an article written in Stars and Stripes regarding the American Legion's push to recruit from the pool of younger veterans in our communities.  CLICK HERE to read this interesting article and let us know what you think.

News

From the National Commander

 

CLICK HERE to read the latest communication from our National Commander, Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola.

Post Meetings

 

All Post Meetings taking place on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the basement meeting room of the VFW (202 Broadway North) in downtown Fargo.
 
We hope to see you there!

Quilt of Valor

 

Congratulations to Post 2 member Dennis Schwind as he received a quilt from the Quilts of Valor Foundation.  The quilt was presented to him on Monday, August 15th at the West Fargo VFW.
 
Dennis was honored for his service in the Army which took him to Ft. Lewis, WA, Ft. Bragg, NC, and Vietnam.
 
Also in attendance was his son, Eddie Schwind, daughter-in-law, Jennifer Schwind, and friend, Christopher Hanson, all longtime Post 2 members.
 
Congratulations to Dennis!

Report: GI Bill Pilot Program Protects Against Risky Schools

 

A six-state pilot program to evaluate risk among schools that accept GI Bill education beneficiaries has “demonstrated that the bipartisan action taken to protect students and taxpayers can and does work,” according to a new report from EducationCounsel, LLC, the National Association of State Approving Agencies and The American Legion.

 

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thank You!

 

Thanks to Chris Deery of the Cass County Veterans Services Office for stopping in at our February Post Meeting to bring us up to date on the latest and greatest in veterans benefits!

Thanks!

 

Thanks to District 1 Commander Dennis Kubischta for visiting with us at our December Post Meeting on December 7th!

Guest Speakers and Special Guests at the November Post Meeting

 

Thanks to Department Commander Steve Anderson for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit us at our November Post Meeting!

 

Thanks also to our guest speakers who shared their time with us at our November Post Meeting!  Diana Hall (above), the Homeless Program Manager for the VA's Community Resource and Referral Center and Jennifer Lieder (below), the Cemetery Manager for the Fargo National Cemetery shared a lot of great information with us tonight!

 

A Salute to Our Afghanistan Veterans
 
CLICK HERE to read a special salute to our Afghanistan veterans by National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford.
Memorial Service at Lindenwood Park
 
During Navy Week, which took place July 19-25, the Commanding Officer of the USS North Dakota, Cmdr. Robert Edmonson III, along with his wife, Melissa, and the Chief and two enlisted Sailors from the submarine crew participated in a memorial service at Lindenwood Park in Fargo. The Post 2 Color Guard also participated as they conducted honors along with taps.
 
The Chaplain from Navy Operational Support Center Fargo provided the prayer.
It was an honor for the Navy & Post 2 to provide these honors.
Memorial Service at Fargo National Cemetery
 
It was an honor to have Cmdr. Robert Edmonson III, Commander of the USS North Dakota, along with Navy personnel from the USS North Dakota and Navy Operational Support Center Fargo as a part of a Memorial Service at the Fargo National Cemetery last month.
 
Military Honors were conducted by the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard on a beautiful summer day.
Several members from Post 2 are also members of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard.

How to Help Afghan Allies

 

The American Legion is in search of veterans looking to help resettled Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) and refugees.  Many of these Afghans assisted American forces in Afghanistan as interpreters during the Global War on Terrorism.

 

For more information, please CLICK HERE.

100 Miles for Hope

 

CLICK HERE to read a message from National Commander James W. "Bill" Oxford regarding the 100 Miles for Hope.

More Ways to Help Disabled Veterans, Families in Need

 

The American Legion has expanded the ways in which participants in the second annual 100 Miles for Hope can support disabled veterans and military families in need.  CLICK HERE to learn more!

American Legion Posts 'Saving Lives' Through Vaccine Efforts

 

American Legion Herman Kent Post 777 in Jamestown, NY already had a strong relationship with the VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) prior to the coronavirus pandemic.  But both entities recently expanded that relationship in an effort to get as many COVID-19 vaccines out to area veterans.

 

CLICK HERE to read more!

Thank You!

 

Thank you to District 1 Commander Ben Bush of Harwood for stopping by our Post Meeting in March!  We appreciate your time and are glad to have you as our leader of our area district!

100 Miles for Hope

 

Be a part of the 2021 100 Miles for Hope to raise funds and awareness for the American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF).  CLICK HERE to learn more about how you can participate!

What to know about the virtual Washington Conference

 

This year’s American Legion Washington Conference will be virtual, due to safety concerns regarding the ongoing pandemic.  However, the conference, which is from March 1 to 4, has a packed agenda and technology allows Legionnaires to participate from wherever they may be.

 

CLICK HERE to learn more about the conference.

From the National Commander

 

CLICK HERE to read the latest from our National Commander James W. "Bill" Oxford.

What Veterans Need to Know About Getting the Vaccine from the VA

 

As an influx of veterans are seeking the COVID-19 vaccine as it becomes available at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, many want clarity on when and where they will be able to get their vaccines.  CLICK HERE to read more.

‘We Must End This Uncivil War,’ President Biden Says

 

Just before noon on January 20th, Joe Biden took the oath of office of as the 46th President and Commander-in-Chief of the United States.  CLICK HERE to read more.

American Legion Condemns Violence in U.S. Capitol

 

American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford unequivocally condemned the attacks on the U.S. Capitol.  CLICK HERE to read more.

COVID-19 Vaccines

 

The VA is working hard to get COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans as quickly and safely as possible.  CLICK HERE to sign up and help them understand your interest in getting a vaccine when one is available to you.  They’ll send you updates on how they’re providing vaccines across the country - and when you can get your vaccine if you want one.

Suicide Prevention for Veterans and Military Service Members Information

 

Suicide is a very serious subject with our veterans and our currently serving service members. Please take some time to learn how to recognize when veterans are in distress and how to react and help if they are in trouble.
 
Here are some helpful web links to help you learn more:
 
 
 
The Veterans Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day to those who are in need of help. Dial 800-273-8255, then select 1.
 
For more information, please contact Fargo VA Suicide Prevention Education and Outreach Specialist Nicole Veselka, BSN, RN at (701) 239-3700, ext. 3370.

HeartSprings Community Healing Center

 

Thank you to Jan Nelson for stopping in at our Post Meeting to talk about the programs and classes offered at HeartSprings Community Healing Center!  CLICK HERE to learn more about them and the services that they offer.

Veteran e-Notifications!

 

Want to be notified of the latest veterans news and events in Cass County?  Then sign up for eNotifications!  CLICK HERE and enter your contact information to receive these handy notifications!

Thank You to Our Color Guard

 

Thank you to our outstanding Post 2 Color Guard for all that they do in and around the Fargo-Moorhead area. From posting colors are local patriotic and sports events to providing military rites and final honors at funerals, this group of dedicated individuals perform their duties diligently regardless of the day or weather conditions.

VALOR at NDSU

 

VALOR (Veteran Alliance Organization) was created to improve the campus climate for military and veteran students at North Dakota State University.  The concept is to create a network of ADVOCATES made up of staff, faculty, and administrators at NDSU who are identified to our veteran students as people that they can go to for guidance and direction.

 

VALOR materials and training opportunities provide:

  • An understanding of military culture.
  • An understanding of potential issues student veterans face.
  • An awareness of the resources available to student veterans on and off our campus.

 

VALOR is sponsored by American Legion Post 400 and an Advisory Board that provides guidance and oversight.

 

Questions on the program can be directed to Adjutant Christopher Hanson or Past Commander Brad Aune, both who are Advisory Board members of VALOR.

 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NDSU VALOR PROGRAM!

Why Join the Legion?

 

Looking for good reasons to join or convince someone to join the American Legion?  Wondering if it would be worth it to start up again after letting your membership lapse?  CLICK HERE to read more about why you should join us in our mission and cause!



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