Vision

Strong Posts are the key to a strong Department.  Every Post should take the initiative to be proactive, growth oriented with informed, trained and knowledgeable members who understand and communicate the programs and principles of The American Legion to all eligible veterans, military personnel, family members, community and Post members.  As members of The American Legion family, we proudly and visibly support God and Country.

Goals

I. Image

- Every Post should develop a vision statement.

- Legionnaires are considered to be in uniform when wearing the official American Legion cap, therefore all Legionnaires are encouraged to wear his/her Legion cap during all Legion activities.

- Every Post should exemplify the ideals of the American Legion as set forth in the preamble and vision statement.

- Every Post will and should be a value-based organization, by annual or periodic self-evaluation using the checklist contained in the Post Officers Guide.

- Department Vice Commanders and District Commanders will take an active role in assisting Posts to maintain a current certification of Post Officers.

- Department Vice Commanders and District Commanders are encouraged to see that every Post in Arkansas completes and submits an annual Consolidated Post Report (CPR).

II. Partnership

- Every Post should strive to establish a viable, functioning American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion Squadron and American Legion Riders.

-.Every Post should support and promote the Arkansas American Legion Foundation.

III. Public Relations

- Every Post should utilize available media to educate and inform the community of local Post and National patriotic events and other local Post activities.

- Every Post should strive to have at least one article each month published in local newspapers to keep veterans and local residents informed of Legion activities, events, or important issues.

- Every Post should establish an annual Public Relations plan outlining the Public Relations activities of the Post as overseen by a Public Relations committee.

IV. Programs

Every Post will endeavor to promote and accomplish one or more American Legion programs annually.

- Each District should endeavor to increase, by a minimum of 5, the number of participants in the National High School Oratorical Contest.

- Each District should endeavor to increase, by a minimum of 5, the number of participants in American Legion Boy's State Program and reach out to schools that have not been participating.

- Each District should endeavor to produce one nominee to be considered as the department nominee as the National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

- Each District should endeavor to produce one nomination of an employer that has significantly enhanced opportunities of hiring veterans.

- Each Post should endeavor to adopt a local National Guard or Reserve Unit; and that the Family Support Network is fully operational to support these units.

- Each Post should endeavor to fully support all established ROTC programs in their local area.

- Each Post should endeavor to fully publicize the Eagle Scout of the Year program.

- Each Post should endeavor to fully establish a liaison team with all local veteran's healthcare our extended care facilities.

- Each Post should endeavor to establish and fully train a team to provide Military Funeral Honors.

- Each Post should sponsor at least one Veterans’ Appreciation event each year.

- Each Post should hold a religious memorial service at least once a year that includes a Four Chaplains Memorial.

- Each Post should endeavor to fully establish a voter registration and awareness forum to fully educate voters on important issues. To maximize voter turnout for all elections.

V. Training

- Every Post should have a representation of officers or members at the annual Mid-Winter Conference and Department Convention.

- Every Post should be represented, by the officers of the Post, at all District Meetings.

- All Department Officers (elected and appointed) are encouraged to successfully complete The American Legion Extension course prior to installation at the Department Convention.

- All Department Vice Commanders and District Commanders shall be prepared and available to assist Posts in training, as needed.

- Department Vice Commanders and District Commanders shall encourage all Post Officers to successfully complete The American Legion Extension Institute course.

VI. Mentoring

- Every Post member who signs up a new member should introduce them to the Post. The new member will be provided a mentor until they are familiar with rules and activities of the Post.

- Every Post will establish a mentoring program for inactive Legionnaires, including those Legionnaires confined to nursing home, hospitals, or homebound.

VII. Membership

- The Department shall meet or exceed established annual membership goals.

- Membership strength shall result from minimum target goals: 80% from renewals, 10% new member recruiting; and 10% reconnect efforts.

- The Department will fully challenge elected and appointed officers.

- Each District Commander should strive to revitalize at least one dormant post within his/her respective district annually.

- Every Post should establish, train, and maintain a team of not less than 3 individuals to serve as new member recruiters.

- Every Post should establish, train, and maintain a team of not less than 3 individuals to serve as an existing membership renewal team.

- Every Post in the immediate vicinity of a military installation, National Guard, or Reserve unit, should establish, train, and maintain a team of not less than 3 individuals to serve as the Reconnect team.

VIII. Legislative

- Every Post will reframe from endorsing a political party, candidate, or issue while serving in the official capacity of The American Legion; strict standards of non-partisanship will be maintained.

- Every Post should endeavor to establish a relationship with all elected officials at the local, state, and national level.

- Every Post should routinely invite elected officials to meetings to keep abreast of issues and to deliver the veteran viewpoint to lawmakers.

- Every Post should endeavor to establish a Legislative Committee to keep membership updated on issues that may affect benefits, services, or programs.

- Each Post Commander shall endeavor to make routine calls or office visits to elected officials.

- Each Post should endeavor to provide for training on the preparation of resolutions and the legislative process.

- Each Post should endeavor to establish a "rapid reaction" team to notify the membership of important issues requiring their individual communication to elected officials.

IX. Communication

- Every Post should endeavor to keep all Post members informed by the proper dissemination of information received by the Post.

- Every Post should endeavor to develop a means of reaching Post members that do not attend regularly scheduled meetings or functions to keep them informed of items of interest impacting the military community.

- Every Post should thoroughly discuss and disseminate the procedures established to readdress individuals concerns, issues, or recommendations.

- Establish and maintain a cost efficient method to keep members of the Department Headquarters Post 2000 informed of important issues.

- Each Post should strive to establish electronic communication venues (Email) and establish a website. Use of networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter as recommended by the National Commander is encouraged.   Each Post website should be linked to both the Department and National website.