We as Legionaries must take a look at what type of plan we have had for MEMBERSHIP in the past. Keep the things that have worked and try new things to build for the future! The 2008 Membership Awards program can provide the rewards for the Post, County, District, and Divisions that make those personal contacts and gives that extra effort to keep our organization strong.

Membership Teams...are a key part to any successful membership plan! Membership Teams are needed at every level. A group of Legionaries that will:

RECRUIT: We must make every effort to reach all veterans that qualify for this great organization. Displays, recruiting drives and simply asking our friends, our family and all veterans to stand with us, as members of The American Legion.

RETAIN: Veterans join The American Legion with the intention of remaining a member, because they believe in what the organization stands for. Personal contact is the key to renewing all of your Post members.

RESIGN: We must keep our new members interested what we do and who we are. Give them some Responsibility to help out in their post. How many members would resign if we “just ask them?” They joined because they believed in our mission. So why haven’t they resigned? Care enough to ask them and help them work through whatever that problem may be. There is STRENGTH IN NUMBERS….and we need them.

Membership renewals must be received by Department by cutoff date to ensure that member does not receive next dues notice

Posts with 2008 membership of 100% or more, will be awarded the cash awards indicated below by Post size and date.

MEMBERSHIP STARS - will be awarded for recruiting 5, 10, 20, 30, 75, and 100 new members by June 20, 2008. “Star Order Forms” are available from Department Headquarters.

DEPARTMENT TOP NEW MEMBER RECRUITER AWARD - A plaque will be presented to the recruiter who has signed up the highest number of new members by May 2, 2008. Certification forms must reach Department Headquarters by May 19, 2008. A list of new members recruited (including name, I.D. #, and Post number) must accompany each form. ONLY CARDS PROCCESSED AS “NEW” WILL COUNT. 2910 TRANSFERS DO NOT COUNT AS NEW UNLESS EXPIRED FOR 2 OR MORE YEARS.

GOLD BRIGADE AWARDS - of designer windbreakers, caps, and pins will be presented to Legionaries who recruit 50 or more new members by May 02, 2008. Certification forms must be received at Department Headquarters by May 9, 2008. A list of new members (including name, I.D. #, and Post) must accompany the form. ONLY “NEW” MEMBERS COUNT. 2910 TRANSFERS DO NOT COUNT UNLESS EXPIRED FOR 2 OR MORE YEARS. All “Gold Brigadiers” are entered in a National drawing for a $1000 Award Certificate

SILVER BRIGADE AWARDS – A legionnaire who recruits 25-49 “New” members into The American Legion by May 2, 2008 will qualify for this award. A silver pin and certificate will be awarded. Certification forms must be received at Department by May 9, 2008. A list of new members (including name, ID #, and Post) must accompany the form. 2910 TRANSFERS DO NOT COUNT UNLESS EXPIRED FOR 2 OR MORE YEARS

THE AMERICAN LEGION PIONEER AWARD - will be presented to the founder or other individual who has been instrumental in the formation of a new Post. The District Commander of the District the new Post is in will certify recipient.

CASH AWARD – District Commanders that eliminate all ZERO Posts in their District by October 1, 2007, will receive a $25.00 cash award.

$10.00 CASH BONUS AWARD – will be awarded to the District Commanders and Senior Vice Commanders for each Post in their District, which achieves 100% by 28 December 2007.

$50.00 CASH BONUS AWARD – will be awarded to Division Commanders and Senior Vice Commanders for each District, in their Division, that achieves 90% membership by 31 January 2008.

100%, ACHIEVED GOAL AND ALL-TIME-HIGH CERTIFICATE/PIN – will be awarded to Division/District/County Commanders and Senior Vice Commanders who qualify by June 20, 2008.

TOP DIVISION/DISTRICT/COUNTY PLAQUES – will be presented to the Division/District/County Commanders and Senior Vice Commanders with the highest percentage 2007 membership (with a minimum of 100%) by June 20, 2008.

DISTRICT COMMANDER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD & DISTRICT HONOR RIBBON – will be awarded to the District Commanders whose 2008 membership, as of May 04, 2008, exceeds their 2007 membership by at least the number of Posts in their District.

*All Districts and Divisions that EXCEED this Illinois Target will be awarded a Special Certificate
** All District and Divisions that EXCEED this Illinois Target will be Awarded $100.00.

Beginning with the Fall D.E.C./Commander’s Homecoming on September 16, 2007, 10k gold #1 pins will be awarded to the Division & District Commanders and Senior Vice Commanders with the highest 2008 membership (by Gold Pin percentage) with a minimum of 40 %. (Pins will be awarded to the top 2 Districts in the First Division)

These pins will travel, with the winners, until each award date. The Department Senior Vice Commander will award pins according to the schedule below. The minimum percentages indicated will apply.

AWARD DATE	CUTOFF	MINIMUM % TO QUALIFY
09/15/2007 Fall D.E.C.	09/15/2007	40%
11/21/2007 "Golden Gobbler" Award	11/16/2007	70%
2/12/2008 Lincoln Pilgrimage	1/25/2008	90%
4/5/2008 Spring D.E.C.	3/28/2008	95%
7/9/2008 Convention Seating	6/20/2008	100%

IMPORTANT: The winning District at any target date that do not achieve the minimum percentage for that target date will receive only a miniature #1 Gold Pin.
1. For the final Gold Pin award, the District Award, The Districts must achieve a minimum of 100% to qualify, 2910 's may then be added to (2008) membership by Close of Books in order to keep the gold pins.

2. 2910 Transfers will be subtracted from Gold Pin % at each award date.

MINIATURE #1 GOLD PIN AWARD

Any Division or District Commander and Senior Vice whom at one time during the year received the Gold Pin, but that were not the final recipient of the Gold Pin at convention will receive a miniature #1 Gold Pin.  All District Commanders and Senior Vice Commanders that are in the Division that wins the #1 Gold Pins at close of books will receive a Miniature #1 Gold Pin.

All Districts that stay in the Top 10 Districts for at least 3 out of 5 Gold Pin Target dates will be awarded a specially designed “Commander’s Jacket”. The jackets will be awarded at the Department Convention. This jacket will signify a District Commander as a “Membership Leader” for the membership year 2008.

All Division Commanders that are the Top Division for at least 3 of the 5 Gold Pin Target dates will be awarded a special designed “Commander’s Jacket”. The jackets will be awarded at the Department Convention.

The State Commander has designed special pins for those individuals who have gone the extra mile and worked hard to recruit new members into the American Legion.
 

Recruit 10 New Members............................................................
Recruit 15 New Members …………...………………………………….

Note: Post Adjutant will forward a list of the New Members recruited by
the qualifying individual to Department headquarters marked: Attention Membership
Director

This award is an effort to recognize the Membership Leaders that have gone the extra mile for Illinois. The Top Division Commander and Senior Vice Commander, and the Top District Commanders in each Division at the close of business January 25, 2008 will be the honored guest of Department of Illinois at the Lincoln Pilgrimage membership Challenge Reception with the National Commander the day before the Pilgrimage and receive one free night motel room. Membership Award activities and prizes will be presented at that time. In addition, any District Commander and Sr. Vice Commander which achieved 100% or greater by 1/25/08 will receive an automatic invitation to the pilgrimage.

In Addition all District Commanders and Sr. Vice Commanders that show an 8% increase in membership during the month of January will also be the honored guest of Department of Illinois at the Awards Reception with the National Commander the day before Pilgrimage and receive one free night motel room.

All District Commanders that show at least a 10% increase in membership during the month of January will receive a $100 credit toward motel expenses at the State Convention.

2008
Department
Convention Seating
June 20, 2008