Programs
Click on the following links for more information on our Programs:
Safety Essay and Safety Poster Contest
Public Relations and Publicity Awards
American Legion Americanism Award
American Legion Jersey Boys State
| American Legion Baseball |
To promote American Legion baseball to the end that every post in the state will sponsor a baseball team and coordinate the program throughout the department - see link below.
| Chairman | Frank Calandrillo |
| Vice Chairmen | Ronald Krowiak David Kobrick Richard Freeman |
| Rules Interpreter | Frank Calandrillo |
| Dist #1 Chairman - Daniel Dorf |
Bergen | Morris | Passaic | Sussex | Hudson |
| Dist #2 Chairman - Richard Freeman |
Essex | Hunterdon | Somerset | Union | Warren; |
| Dist #3 Chairman - Richard Freeman |
Mercer | Middlesex | Monmouth |
| Dist #4 Chairman - TBD |
Atlantic | Burlington | Camden | Cape May | Cumberland | Gloucester | Ocean | Salem |
Click here for
New Jersey American Legion Baseball
|
Eighty Fourth edition of
THE AMERICAN LEGION High School Oratorical Scholarship Program “A Constitutional Speech Contest” |
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.
Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $203,500 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall national contest winner gets a $25,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000. Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $2,000 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.
The New Jersey Contest will award a $4,000 scholarship for the first place winner, $2,500 for second place, $2,000 for third place and $1,000 each for fourth and fifth place.
The New Jersey winner will advance to the National Finals Contest, a weekend’s competition of Quarter-final, Semi-final and National final contests that are held in the headquarters city of The American Legion, Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2023 National Finals will be April 21-23 in Indianapolis at the Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel, 2544 Executive Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46241, (317) 248-2481. Quarterfinal and semifinal contests are scheduled for Saturday, April 22 with the finals scheduled for Sunday, April 23.
The contact information listed is provided for your convenience. Find the county that you live in or attend school in and contact the associated District Chairman for guidance.
| Chairman | Dan Channel Dan_Channel@yahoo.com 908-347-7362 |
| Vice Chairman | William Fetherman Wilandmc@gmail.com 732-865-4947 |
DEPARTMENT CONTEST TIME SCHEDULE
POST LEVEL to be completed by January 21, 2023 (Results to the County Chairman by January 28, 2023)
COUNTY LEVEL to be completed by February 4, 2023 (Results to the District Chairman by February 11, 2023)
DISTRICT LEVEL to be completed by February 18, 2023 (Results to the Department and Department Chairman immediately after contest completion)
Department Finals will be held on March 4, 2023, at the Trenton War Memorial at 9:00 a.m.
National Quarter Finals Round will be held Saturday morning, April 22, 2023.
National Semi-Finals Round will be held on Saturday morning, April 22, 2023.
National Final Round will be held Sunday morning, April 23, 2023
PDF District Chairmans Report Form
| District Chairmen | |
| District #1- Richard Palka
Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic Rhppn2@hotmail.com 917-612-3195 |
|
| District #2 - John Hanson Morris, Sussex, Union and Warren Jrhan48@gmail.com 908-812-7858 |
|
| District #3 – Daniel Dunn Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset and Monmouth danieldunn1@comcast.net 732-602-7815 |
|
| District #4 –
Shawn Bailo Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Ocean shawn.bailo@comcast.net 856-834-6585 |
|
| District #5 – Patricia
Tatum Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem ptatumnj@gmail.com 609-703-2467 |
|
| Oratorical Contest |
Eligibility
Eligible participants must be citizens of or lawful permanent residents of the United States. All contestants must be bona fide students herein described as any student under the age of 20 years on the date of the national contest who is presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or home school). The curriculum of the school must be considered to be of high school level, commencing with grade 9 and terminating with grade 12. Students must be enrolled in high school or junior high school during the time of participation at any level of The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest. Contestants must either be legally domiciled within or attend an educational institution within the department that they enter competition. Contestants can enter competition through only one department.
High school students that graduate early during the school year are eligible to compete if they are not enrolled in a college, university, trade school or other institution of higher learning at the time of the department finals contest.
The three finalists of the national contest are ineligible for further participation at any level.
The Prepared Oration
The oration must be on some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. The same subject and oration used in the department contest must be used in the national contest.
Contestants may have a copy of their prepared oration while waiting in the first holding room. They may consult the copy until they exit to begin the contest. The copy will then be surrendered to the contest official monitoring the first holding room.
Quotations must always be indicated as such. Where quotations are more than 10 words in length, the author’s name must be given in the manuscript and cited orally.
It is acceptable to utilize or incorporate short phrases in a foreign language to develop the argument, establish a point, etc. It should be understood that the vast majority of the prepared oration and/or assigned topic must still be delivered in English. Singing is not permitted and will result in immediate disqualification. The contestant may, however, quote a verse(s) of a song(s) provided proper attribution is made.
Assigned Topic Discourse
The assigned topic discourse must not consume less than three (3) minutes or more than five (5) minutes for delivery. The purpose of the assigned topic discourse is to test the speaker's knowledge of the subject, the extent of his or her research, and the ability to discuss the topic as related to the basic principles of government under the Constitution.
The assigned topic shall be drawn by the contest official in full view of the audience immediately before the last speaker begins delivery of his or her prepared oration and will be made known to the audience and each contestant approximately five (5) minutes prior to the time of delivery. The topic will be on some phase of the U.S. Constitution, selected from Articles and Sections as listed under assigned topics for the current year's contest in this brochure.
All contestants at each contest level are required to speak in the English language on the same assigned topic. .
Assigned Topics for 2023 contest
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Amendment XIV, Section 1
All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Amendment XVI
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
TIME
SCHEDULE
POST LEVEL to be completed by January 21, 2023 (Results to the County Chairman by January 28, 2023)
COUNTY LEVEL to be completed by February 4, 2023 (Results to the District Chairman by February 11, 2023)
DISTRICT LEVEL to be completed by February 18, 2023 (Results to the Department and Department Chairman immediately after contest completion)
Department Finals will be held on March 4, 2023, at the Trenton War Memorial at 9:00 a.m.
The 2023 National Finals will be April 21-23 in Indianapolis at the Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel, 2544 Executive Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46241, (317) 248-2481. Quarterfinal and semifinal contests are scheduled for Saturday, April 22 with the finals scheduled for Sunday, April 23.
Dress
Uniforms of any kind are not permitted. Appropriate business attire is required of all contestants. Contestants are not permitted to wear awards and medals from previous competition.
| Awards For 2022-2023 New Jersey Department Finals |
|
| 1st Place | $4,000 |
| 2nd Place | $2,500 |
| 3rd Place | $2,000 |
| 4th Place | $1,000 |
| 5th Place | $1,000 |
(The Department winner will receive an additional $1,500 awarded by the National Organization for participating in the National Quarter Finals.)
| American Legion College |
We're pleased to announce the 65th Annual American Legion Leadership College at the National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt, New Jersey will be taking place on April 28th.
Dates: April 29th - 30th, 2023
Application will be mailed to Post.
Applications must be
received at Department Headquarters by
April 14, 2023. The deadline line for Substitutes is April 21st,
2023.
For Forms click
HERE
| Courses Offered | |
| 1. | Basic: The Basic Course of the NJ American Legion College will expose the students to the programs of the NJ Department including but not limited to Americanism, Baseball, Boy Scouts, Children and Youth, Constitution and By-Laws, Economics, Scholarships, Legislative, Oratorical, Public Relations, Sons of The American Legion, etc. Overviews of these subjects will be presented so the students are aware of their purposes and applicability. They will be provided with sufficient information including brochures, and other hand-outs., so they may refer back to that information to assist with the implementation and/or enhancement of those programs at their respective Posts and Counties. Advanced: The Advanced Course will build on the Trainees’ experience from the Basic Course where they were exposed to, the organization and structure of the American Legion, as well as its history, policies and Post operations. It will expand the trainees” knowledge in all Legion areas of ceremony, and history while exposing them beyond Post Operations, and introducing them into the Leadership of the County/District/Department. Club Management: In this course you will learn the fundamentals of the operation of your Post Canteen, Proper Procedures for Games of Chance, ABC Rules and Regulations, Bar Operations and IRS Form 990. This course is suggested for any member interested in becoming a bar or canteen chairman at their Post home and for those interested in learning the proper protocol for having Games of Chance at your Post Homes |
| 2. | Post Service Officers Course The Post Service Officer Course (PSO) creates the most vital initial link in a nationwide network of the American Legion service to America’s veterans and as such is an important course to attend. The course provides an extensive overview of regulations that governs a plethora of entitlements a veteran and their dependents may be entitled to. The course covers step by step instructions on how to complete the pertinent form(s) required and supporting evidence needed for each of the majority of claims the PSO will come across. In addition, the course covers the criteria and procedure for entrance into the VA Health Care System and services they provide. Furthermore, receiving the certificate of training at the completion of the course adds value to the PSO as he/she is equipped with enough knowledge to readily assist veterans seeking help vs a PSO who has not attended the course. This also increases membership and raises retention at posts.. |
| 3. | Chaplain's Course |
| 4. | Membership Course: The goal of the Membership Course is to provide the student with a basic understanding of the membership function at the Post level and how it interfaces with the County, State and National Organizations. To help facilitate this understanding, topics covered will include, Membership Chairman Responsibilities and how it relates to the Adjutant’s Position when it comes to the Post Membership function. Also, the use of Computer Programs to help manage the Post Membership Function, in particular mylegion.org. Other topics to be covered are retention and revitalization, and renewal. |
| Scholarships |
The American Legion, Department of New Jersey, Scholarship
Two(2) $4,000 Education Scholarships ($1,000 year for four years)
Four(4) $2,000 Education Scholarships ($1,000 year for two years)
Two(2) $1,000 Education Scholarships ($1,000 for one year)
One(1) $1,500 John Casey Scholarship ($1,500 for one year)
Application forms must be postmarked no later than February 17, 2023.
(For applications see Forms and Documents, or contact Post/Department)
| Rules | |
| 1. | Applicant must be a natural or adopted descendant of a member of The American Legion, Department of New Jersey (son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, etc.) |
| 2. | Applicant’s forbearer must be a current member of The American Legion, Department of New Jersey, or if deceased, a MEMBER AT TIME of death. (For the John Casey Scholarship, the Forbearer must be combat wounded.) |
| 3. | Applicant must be a member of the graduating class of high school including Vo-tech for the year 2019. |
| 4. | Applicant must use the award the year it is received. Four year scholarship to be completed in four consecutive years. |
| 5. | The scholarship will be awarded on the following categories: a) CHARACTER - 20% - high standards of conduct; keen sense of right;strength of character; adherence to truth and conscience and a belief in God (i.e. letter from pastor, rabi, etc., volunteer work) b) AMERICANISM/COMMUNITY SERVICE - 20% - fine ideals; love of Country;ability to accept a citizens responsibility (e.g. Boys and Girls State, Scouting, Flag, Education, Community Service, etc.) c) LEADERSHIP - 20% - ability to lead and to accomplish through group action (e.g. Club/School President. Drum Major, etc.) d) SCHOLORSHIP - 20% - certified transcripts since freshman year, including all grades, GPA, class rank, SAT scores, etc. e) BASIS OF NEED - 20% - actual need of financial assistance to continue their higher education. Family's IRS 1040 is mandatory |
| 6. | Applicant must file a questionnaire properly completed as per enclosed form |
| 7. | If the applicants selected for the awards fail to qualify for admission to such school or college of his or her selection by August 1, 2020. The award will be forfeited. |
| 8. | Applications to be signed by both the applicant and Comander of the sponsoring post. Application received by post 1000 should not be signed by a post Commander but directed to state headquarters in Trenton for the department commanders signature. |
| Safety Essay and Safety Poster Contests |
2022 - 2023 Safety Poster Contest
SAFETY POSTER CONTEST FOR THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED AND HANDICAPPED.
This is a project of the Department Safety Committee to bring our challenged youth into the Department Safety activities. This project was approved by the Department at a Department meeting held on Saturday, August 18, 1990 at the War memorial Building in Trenton.
The contest is to be started in each participating school.
Safety Poster Contest Submissions
for 2022-2023:
All posters must be in the hands of the Post Chairman no later than January
20, 2023.
The First Place Winner at the Post Level to the County by February 17, 2023.
To the Department Headquarters No later than March 3, 2023.
The First Place winner at the County Level to the State Chairman no later than March 17, 2023 at 12:30 p.m.
For Forms and Additional Documentation please click HERE
Department Judging will take place at Clark Post 328, 78 Westfield Avenue, Clark, NJ 07666 on March 18, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
| Awards For 2021-2022 Safety Poster Finals |
|
| 1st Place | $250 |
| 2nd Place | $175 |
| 3rd Place | $115 |
| 4th Place | $75 *Honorable Mention* |
2022 - 2023 Safety Essay Contest
Safety Essay Contest is open to 6th, 7th and 8th Grade students in Public, Private and Parochial Schools throughout New Jersey.
Safety Essay Contest Submission
for 2021-2022:
All essays must be in the hands of the Post Chairman no later than January
20, 2023.
The First Place Winner at the Post Level to the County by February 17, 2023.
The First Place winner at the County Level to the State Chairman no later than March 17, 2023
For Forms and Additional Documentation please click HERE
Department Judging will take place at Clark Post 328, 78 Westfield Avenue, Clark, NJ 07666 on March 18th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
| Awards For
2022-2023 Safety Essay Finals 1 |
|
| 1st Place | $250 |
| 2nd Place | $175 |
| 3rd Place | $115 |
| 4th Place | $75 *Honorable Mention* |
| Public Relations and Publicity Awards |
The Public Relations and Publicity Committee will judge the following awards:
FITHIAN AWARD
Awarded to the Post that best demonstrates the history of that Post for the year
(June 2022 - June 2023).
NEW JERSEY PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDERS' AWARD
Awarded to the County that best
demonstrates the history of that County for the year (June 2022
- June 2023).
MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF MEDIA AWARD
We will be using NALPA criteria to judge the extent of Post’s Social Media outreach. Sites will be judged on Appearance & Presentation (components; design/format); Content, Readability
and Engagement (structure, content, social engagement); Purposes
and Goals. And if current. To be considered, Facebook sites should be linked from the Dept. website. Other Social Media sites (Instagram and Twitter) should link to
alpost401@hotmail.com with contact phone number by February
3, 2023.
WEBSITES
Awarded to the Best Post and County, as determined by the committee.
NEWSLETTERS
Awarded to the Post newsletter that best meet the goal of keeping
their members informed, as determined by the committee.
All winners will receive a Plaque.
For Forms and Additional Documentation please click HERE
| American Legion Americanism Award |
Coloring Contest
Per Department Americanism Committee Chairman Howarth, judging for Americanism Awards will be held at a place and time yet to be determined, once group gatherings have been approved.
If you previously sent in an entry, please email Tammie to confirm receipt. If you had an entry that you planned on sending to HQ, please do so. Once a date and location has been determined, you can still hand carry your entry to be judged..
Thank you.
John Baker
- Department Adjutant
2023 coloring contest shall be distributed to students in the 4th and 5th Grades by various Posts throughout the state. The coloring of the picture will be attested to by the student's teacher. Neatness and accuracy in coloring the picture are most important in this undertaking.
Posts will judge their own contests. First place winners will be turned over to the County Americanism Chairman who will select the first place county winner to be turned over to Department Chairman.
Click here for Coloring Contest Information and Drawing.
| Awards For 2022-2023 New Jersey Department Finals |
|
| 1st Place | Gold Medal and $300 check |
| 2nd Place | Silver Medal and $200 check |
| 3rd Place | Bronze Medal and $100 check |
| Other Americanism Awards |
| Time frame for all awards is March 1-2022 to February 28-2023, inclusive. |
| The Good Samaritan of the Year Award |
| Legionnaire Individual Awards |
| Posts Awards |
| Unarmed Public Safety Personnel Dedicated |
| The Spirit of Americanism Award |
| Fire Fighter of the Year "Valor Award" |
| First Responders Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Team of the Year Award |
| Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Valor Award |
| Individual Educator/ School Team of the Year Award |
Deadline for posts to submit entries to the County by March 10, 2023
Deadline for counties to submit entries to the Department Chairman: March 17, 2023.
For Forms and additional Documentation please CLICK HERE.
| American Legion Jersey Boys State |
The 2023 American Legion Jersey Boys State will be held at Rider University. ALJBS has a strong tradition of education, patriotism and excellence in the development of Tomorrow’s Leaders. Click to read the Annual Letter to Boys State Post Chairmen and County Chairmen.
This year the dates for this 75th Session will be June 18-23rd, 2023. For further information please link with their website www.aljbs.org