MORRIS COUNTY AMERICAN LEGION - DEC UPDATE - Sept 2018
August 2018 Department Meeting
- NJ Legionnaire has a new editor, Gary Cooper. At this time it has not been determined if there will be a paper version printed and mailed or a digital only format. Decision to be made soon.
- Legion Riders – ANEC Hanna and DECs are working on formal recognition by Department of NJ as there is nothing in place at this time.
- GI Bill Exhibit, some of the original artifacts from the establishment of the GI Bill are going to be in NJ for us to see. They will be here for the 2019 Department Convention in Wildwood.
- Department Finance Committee looking for a “blue” hat member with financial background – notify me if you have a nominee
- New law regarding Veteran Non-profits qualifying for residential energy rates – there is no implementation guidance yet, but it appears Posts will need to follow an application process in order to be granted the benefit of the new law. This should save our posts some money.
- AB-3166 is focused on renaming Highpoint – in review by NJ legislature as some members are objecting to the name change
- Changes at National HQ
- Magazine revenue is down due to decline in membership (advertisers pay based on circulation which is based on membership numbers)
- Reduction in staff by around 10%, 33 positions eliminated.
- HQ will be reorganized into three segments:
- Communication, Veterans and Operations
- Verna Jones, the number 3 at headquarters has resigned due to being found to have falsified her background/qualifications.
- Oratorical Contest – Schedule for 2019 Oratorical contest has been announced and sent to posts. Please try to get word to your high schools so that Morris County can make a great showing this year.
- Americanism – information sheets and schedules for Americanism contests have been sent out to posts.
Post Office Rates for American Legion Mailouts
National Commander Brett Reistad has asked for our help.
The United States Postal Service has proposed a rule that would prevent The American Legion (and other nonprofits) from sending merchandise or goods like calendars, stickers, etc. in nonprofit marketing mail. Instead, the USPS would classify these mailings as first-class mail. This change would eliminate the use of premiums in nonprofit fundraising mail — and would increase The American Legion’s mailing cost by 200 percent.
You can help by registering a complaint at ProductClassification@usps.gov ASAP