Q:  I signed up for the Legion and ended up in Post 2910 but I live in _____, how did this happen?
A:  You answered a Direct Mail Solicitation (DMS) for membership.  When this occurs the person is automatically assigned to Post 2910.  The member can then request a transfer to a local Post.  A local Post may even contact you asking if you would like to transfer.

Q:  What is Post 2910?
A:  Post 2910 is a holding post for members who answered a Direct Mail Solicitation for membership.  It is the largest Post in Illinois with over 7,000 members.  The Post number is actually the post office box number for Department Headquarters in Bloomington.  The Commander of the Post is the state commander.  The Post’s only meeting is the Department Convention.

Q:  We have a prospective member that has a “General” discharge.  Is this person eligible to join The American Legion?
A: No.  Only persons with Honorable discharges are eligible.

Q:  Can a person convicted of felony be a Legionnaire?
A:  Yes.  There are Legion Posts in some prisons around the country. 

Q:  Can the money raised from distribution of Poppies be used for Post operations?
A:  NO!  The funds raised must be used for veterans programs.  Post operations are not a veterans program.

Q:  We know a person who is not eligible to belong.  Can he/she be an honorary/social member?
A:  NO!  There is only one class of membership in the Legion and that’s active membership.  Accepting honorary or social members puts your Post at risk of having its charter revoked.  Encourage that person to join either the Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion.

Ceremonial Rifles/Ammo

Q:  Our post needs new ceremonial rifles/blank ammo.  Where do I get them?
A:  Everything you need to know is listed in the Post Officer’s Guide, a new copy of which is sent to each Post every year.  The instructions begin on Page 160.  There are no forms to fill out, just follow those instructions precisely.

Q:  Our Post has M1’s, can we trade them for M16’s?
A:  The M1 is the only rifle issued by TACOM.  M16’s are fully automatic making them illegal for most people to own.  You can, however, purchase AR15’s on the open market if your Post can afford them.

Q:  Our rifles are worn out, how do we get newer/more serviceable units?
A:  The process is outlined in the Post Officers Guide in the same section as that for acquiring additional blanks.

Post Operations

Q:  I have a complaint about Post ____.  What can I do?
A:  Put your complaint in writing, sign it, and mail it to American Legion Headquarters, PO Box 2910, Bloomington, IL 61704.  Unsigned complaints will not be acted upon.

Q:  Our Post Commander/Finance Officer/bartender is stealing us blind. What can we do?
A: File a complaint with your local law enforcement agency.

Q:  Our favorite bartender got fired and we don’t think it’s fair.  What can Department headquarters do about it?
A: Nothing.  We don’t get involved in Post disputes of this nature.  Each Post has control over its own bar operations.

Q:  Where is the state by-laws does it say that SAL or Auxiliary members can tend bar at our Post?
A:  There is nothing in the Department by-laws that covers how a Post operates a bar.

Q:  We have a member in our Post who is a trouble maker, is there anything we can do?
A:  Each Post has control of who it accepts as members.  One option is to refuse to accept that person’s dues for renewal.

Q:  Does our Post have to file IRS form 990?
A:  Every Post must file form 990.  If a Post has revenue of less than $25,000 annually form 990-N must be filed electronically.  For more information go http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=169250,00.html.

Q:  Are Legion Posts exempt from the statewide smoking ban?
A:  No.  There are no exemptions for private clubs.

Flag Etiquette

Q:  My neighbor/local business is flying a tattered flag.  Isn’t that against the law?
A:  While the US Flag code specifies how a flag should be displayed, there are no penalties for flying a flag improperly.

Q:  Is it OK to fly a flag at half-staff for a departed Legion officer or member?
A:  Only the President or State Governor can order flags flown at half-staff.  The worst that can happen is people will be curious as to why the flag is at half-staff when no one else is doing the same.

Q: What is the difference between half-staff and half-mast?
A:  Flags flown from ships are flown from masts.  Flags on dry land are flown from staffs.  Therefore, the correct term in most cases is half-staff.

Miscellaneous

Q:  Our Post doesn’t have a lot of money in the bank.  We need to (fill in the blanks).  Can Department headquarters help us out with this project?
A:  There is no line item in the budget to help individual Posts with local projects. The exception is a membership recruiting event.  Inquiries like this are perfect opportunities for a fundraising project.  Involve the whole community.  It will show that your Post is active and doing something within your area.