THE AMERICAN LEGION

THE AMERICAN LEGIONTHE AMERICAN LEGION

Children and Youth Children and Youth ConferenceConference

Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis, Indiana

September 22, 2007September 22, 2007

Why are Resolutions Why are Resolutions Important?Important?

All policies, positions and actions of All policies, positions and actions of

The American Legion are driven by The American Legion are driven by

the passage of resolutions, which the passage of resolutions, which

control such policies, positions and control such policies, positions and

actions in a very direct way.actions in a very direct way.

Why Use The ResolutionWhy Use The ResolutionProcess?Process?

““Without the resolution process, our Without the resolution process, our

organization would not have guidance organization would not have guidance

in developing programs, allocating in developing programs, allocating

funds to help veterans or targeting funds to help veterans or targeting

Congress with issues that affect you, Congress with issues that affect you,

me and the rest of this great country of me and the rest of this great country of

ours.” - ours.” - PNC Ray G. PNC Ray G.

SmithSmith

Originators of Originators of ResolutionsResolutions

Legionnaire submits to PostLegionnaire submits to Post

Post submits to District, County or Post submits to District, County or

DepartmentDepartment

Department submits to NationalDepartment submits to National

Departments are Very Departments are Very ImportantImportant

Posts turn to Posts turn to Departments for advice.Departments for advice.Departments are required Departments are required by National to certify by National to certify authenticity of Post authenticity of Post resolution.resolution.Departments generate Departments generate original Resolutions.original Resolutions.

Post as OriginatorPost as Originator

Should the Department deal with it at a Should the Department deal with it at a Department Executive Committee Department Executive Committee Meeting or at the next Department Meeting or at the next Department

Convention? Convention? Is the subject matter of only a local Is the subject matter of only a local concern to the Post?concern to the Post?

Wider implication affecting other Wider implication affecting other Posts?Posts?Is there a National implication?Is there a National implication?

Department as OriginatorDepartment as Originator

The Department may determine that The Department may determine that an issue is very important and needs to an issue is very important and needs to

be addressed at the National level. be addressed at the National level.

All resolutions All resolutions mustmust be certified by the be certified by the Department Adjutant that they were Department Adjutant that they were

considered and approved at either the considered and approved at either the Department Convention or the Department Convention or the

Department Executive Committee.Department Executive Committee.

National Executive National Executive CommitteeCommittee

ororNational ConventionNational Convention

Both the National Executive Committee Both the National Executive Committee and the National Convention have the and the National Convention have the same authority to consider the same same authority to consider the same subject matters and pass resolutions.subject matters and pass resolutions.

Either body can act on most of the Either body can act on most of the resolutions - with limited exceptionsresolutions - with limited exceptions

National Executive National Executive CommitteeCommittee

ororNational ConventionNational Convention

Exceptions Are:Exceptions Are:

Financial:Financial:

National Convention can only set the National Convention can only set the dues. The NEC can only allocate the dues. The NEC can only allocate the spending of the moniesspending of the monies

Eligibility Rules:Eligibility Rules:

Only the National Convention Only the National Convention delegates can make a change in delegates can make a change in eligibility criteria.eligibility criteria.

Before writing a resolution, does Before writing a resolution, does the subject matter meet certain the subject matter meet certain criterion?criterion?

Factors To ConsiderFactors To Consider

Germaneness or Relevancy Germaneness or Relevancy of Subject Matterof Subject Matter

Is the subject matter germane to the Is the subject matter germane to the mandates as outlined in the Preamble?mandates as outlined in the Preamble?

Has The American Legion already a Has The American Legion already a current position on the subject?current position on the subject?

Can the subject matter be addressed Can the subject matter be addressed administratively without the need of a administratively without the need of a resolution?resolution?


Does the Resolution involve a Does the Resolution involve a local issue only?local issue only?

Is it reasonable that the intent of the Is it reasonable that the intent of the Resolution can be realistically Resolution can be realistically attained?attained? Is the Resolution politically sensitive?Is the Resolution politically sensitive?


Is the Resolution written in Is the Resolution written in proper format?proper format?

Should The American Legion be Should The American Legion be involved?involved?

Does the Resolution impute the Does the Resolution impute the character of a person, business, or character of a person, business, or organization ?organization ?

Simple or Complex?Simple or Complex?

Each Resolution should cover one Each Resolution should cover one subject. Do not combine different subject. Do not combine different objectives into one Resolution. objectives into one Resolution.

““Increased Increased FundingFunding

for the Children’s for the Children’s Miracle Network”Miracle Network”

““Adopt Adopt promotional video promotional video

from local CMN from local CMN hospital”hospital”Submit two separate Resolutions.Submit two separate Resolutions.

To Send or Not to To Send or Not to SendSend

Sometimes it is simply a judgement Sometimes it is simply a judgement call by the Department Adjutant call by the Department Adjutant whether or not to send a Resolution to whether or not to send a Resolution to National Headquarters.National Headquarters.How to learn what is current?How to learn what is current?

Check the latest digests of the National Convention or the National Executive Committee, obtained from the Library, or at the Legion’s website.

is an issue for all resolutions is an issue for all resolutions sent to National Headquarters.sent to National Headquarters.

NEC NEC Resolutions:Resolutions:Adequate time is needed for Adequate time is needed for Committees and Commissions to study Committees and Commissions to study and make recommendations to the and make recommendations to the NEC, no actual deadline, but NEC, no actual deadline, but resolutions can be held for study until resolutions can be held for study until the next NEC.the next NEC.

DeadlinesDeadlinesDeadlinesDeadlines

TIMELINESSTIMELINESS

is an issue for all resolutions is an issue for all resolutions sent to National Headquarters.sent to National Headquarters.

National Convention Resolutions:National Convention Resolutions:

Must be received by National Must be received by National Headquarters 14 days before the start Headquarters 14 days before the start of the Convention.of the Convention.


TIMELINESSTIMELINESS

Constitutional Amendment Constitutional Amendment Resolutions:Resolutions:

These affect a change to The American These affect a change to The American Legion constitution and must be Legion constitution and must be

received by National Headquarters received by National Headquarters no no later than 20 dayslater than 20 days before the start of before the start of

the National Convention.the National Convention.


National Headquarters will accept National Headquarters will accept resolutions in electronic form; will resolutions in electronic form; will the post or department?the post or department?

Always check with the authority to Always check with the authority to which you will be sending the which you will be sending the resolution concerning any preprinted resolution concerning any preprinted blank forms.blank forms.

FormatFormatFormatFormat

Electronic:Electronic:

PaperPaper::

One or more clauses, each being a One or more clauses, each being a statement of fact logically related to statement of fact logically related to the intent of the resolution.the intent of the resolution.

Defines the solution, policy or action Defines the solution, policy or action in very clear and concise terms.in very clear and concise terms.

Drafting the Drafting the ResolutionResolutionDrafting the Drafting the ResolutionResolution

Preamble (the ‘Whereas’ Preamble (the ‘Whereas’ clause)clause)

Resolve ClauseResolve Clause

Should be drafted firstShould be drafted first



Provides the resolution with a Provides the resolution with a clear and unmistakable intentclear and unmistakable intent

Identifies resolving AuthorityIdentifies resolving AuthorityCircumstances and place of actionCircumstances and place of actionDate of Date of actionaction

Final clause ends with only period in resolution.

““RESOLVED, By The American RESOLVED, By The American

Legion in National Convention Legion in National Convention

assembled in Reno, Nevada, August assembled in Reno, Nevada, August

28, 29, 30, 2007 That ……..”28, 29, 30, 2007 That ……..”



The word “That” immediately The word “That” immediately following the resolving clause following the resolving clause

introduces the statement of intent.introduces the statement of intent.


““That…”That…”

Additional Resolve Additional Resolve ClausesClausesAdditional Resolve Additional Resolve ClausesClauses

It may be necessary for a number of It may be necessary for a number of actions to take place in order to actions to take place in order to

complete the intent of a resolution. complete the intent of a resolution. Each action should be written into Each action should be written into

the resolution with its own clause. the resolution with its own clause.

Therefore, additional resolve clauses Therefore, additional resolve clauses may be necessary.may be necessary.

Additional Resolve Additional Resolve ClausesClausesAdditional Resolve Additional Resolve ClausesClauses

““RESOLVED, By The American Legion RESOLVED, By The American Legion in National Convention assembled in in National Convention assembled in Reno, Nevada, August 28, 29, 30, Reno, Nevada, August 28, 29, 30, 2007 That 2007 That the Country of Iraq (etc); the Country of Iraq (etc); and, be it furtherand, be it further

Resolved, That (etc); and, be it finallyResolved, That (etc); and, be it finally

Resolved, That (etc).Resolved, That (etc).

Resolution Resolution PreamblePreambleResolution Resolution PreamblePreamble

The Preamble of a resolution is made The Preamble of a resolution is made up of one or more clauses, each up of one or more clauses, each

beginning with “WHEREAS”. beginning with “WHEREAS”.

Two or more of these clauses are Two or more of these clauses are joined together by a semicolon joined together by a semicolon

followed by “and”.followed by “and”.

Final paragraph ends with a Final paragraph ends with a semicolon (;) followed by “now, semicolon (;) followed by “now,

therefore, be it”.therefore, be it”.

Sample ResolutionSample ResolutionSample ResolutionSample Resolution

““WHEREAS, The American Legion has WHEREAS, The American Legion has

kept faith with the American people kept faith with the American people

and the membership of the 140 and the membership of the 140

organizations of The Citizens Flag organizations of The Citizens Flag

Alliance, Inc. in its decade-long Alliance, Inc. in its decade-long

struggle to restore legal protection of struggle to restore legal protection of

the Flag of The United States; andthe Flag of The United States; and


WHEREAS, On June 24, 1999, the WHEREAS, On June 24, 1999, the

United States House of United States House of

Representatives approved House Representatives approved House

Joint Resolution No. 33, a flag Joint Resolution No. 33, a flag

protection constitutional amendment; protection constitutional amendment;

andand

WHEREAS, Fifty state legislatures WHEREAS, Fifty state legislatures

have asked Congress to propose such have asked Congress to propose such

an amendment; andan amendment; and


WHEREAS, All that is necessary for WHEREAS, All that is necessary for

the amendment to go to the states the amendment to go to the states

for ratification is a favorable vote by for ratification is a favorable vote by

the United States Senate during the the United States Senate during the

107th Congress; and107th Congress; and


WHEREAS, The American Legion WHEREAS, The American Legion

intends to hold to its commitment intends to hold to its commitment

and keep that faith with the majority and keep that faith with the majority

of Americans who know that legal of Americans who know that legal

protection for the nation’s banner is protection for the nation’s banner is

the right thing to do; now, therefore, the right thing to do; now, therefore,

be itbe it


RESOLVED, By The American Legion RESOLVED, By The American Legion

in National Convention assembled in in National Convention assembled in

Reno, Nevada, August 28, 29, 30, Reno, Nevada, August 28, 29, 30,

That That The American Legion reaffirm The American Legion reaffirm

the decade-long mandate of its the decade-long mandate of its

membership, its commitment to the membership, its commitment to the

Citizens Flag Alliance, Inc.,Citizens Flag Alliance, Inc.,


And its responsibility to those who And its responsibility to those who

died defending the Flag of the United died defending the Flag of the United

States to secure for the flag, through States to secure for the flag, through

an amendment to the Constitution of an amendment to the Constitution of

the United States, protection from the United States, protection from

acts of physical desecration; and, be acts of physical desecration; and, be

it furtherit further


RESOLVED, That The American RESOLVED, That The American

Legion shall not abandon this Legion shall not abandon this

objective of constitutional protection objective of constitutional protection

for the Flag of the United States for the Flag of the United States

before the matter has, as part of the before the matter has, as part of the

ratification process, been presented ratification process, been presented

for deliberation and disposition by for deliberation and disposition by

the legislatures of the fifty states.the legislatures of the fifty states.

Remember to:Remember to:Remember to:Remember to:

Proofread for grammar and spellingHave people not involved with writing resolution read it for understandingType or use computerIndicate who or what post/committee is sending the resolutionKeep copies for own recordsKeep track of status at Department or National levels

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Documents

THE AMERICAN LEGION