New Program Empowers Future Leaders

We’re here to make the organization back home better

(2-3 MAY 2024) – INDIANAPOLIS, IN – A group of twelve members of the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) from across the country – including one from Belleville, NJ - participated in the pilot program “SAL-U”, or SAL University, during the first week of May at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Indianapolis. The goal of the week was to train the leaders of tomorrow, and students at the leadership conference were from New Jersey to California, and from Wisconsin to Arizona.

 

I was fortunate enough to be selected for SALU, following a fairly lengthy application process. As adjutant for my home squadron, plus as an officer at the state level, I was unbelievably proud and honored to represent Belleville and New Jersey at this national-level school. Throughout the application process – which was like filling out a college application – we were all given an opportunity to write about our ‘why’, and how attending this course would benefit our detachment and squadron back home. I am eligible for membership in the Sons through my father’s Vietnam service, so my ‘why’ is very important to me. SALU presented an opportunity to do even more within this organization which is such a force for good.

I had never been to Indianapolis, which is where the American Legion’s National Headquarters is. After the first day of session, I took a few hours to walk around the city and check out the sites – which included its fair number of memorials. From what I understand, Indianapolis is second to only Washington, DC in its number of memorials. It was a really neat setting for the two-day University.

“It’s happened – SALU is here. You guys are part of the change”, noted National Commander “JR” Hall, who dropped by the first session to visit and speak. “Take everything you can get out of this … We’re here to make the organization back home better.”

The commander referred to the mission of the SALU leadership conference – to teach folks from around the country information direct from the national organization, and bring that information taught by some of its most experienced member’s home. “SALU hit it out of the park with its instructor selection”, wrote student David Miller from Indiana afterward. “The training received will assist in making me a better leader within the Sons of The American Legion.”

The twelve accepted students – picked out of the organization’s almost 375,000 members worldwide - were informed of their acceptance via a letter from Membership Training and Development (MT and D) Committee Chairman Mike Cotton of Delaware. “We appreciate the work you have done to participate in the next step of learning for the Sons of The American Legion, SAL U.”

The groups was humorously referred to at the NEC meeting the following weekend as “The Dirty Dozen.”

The curriculum for the two-days of sessions on-site at the Sheraton in Indianapolis was an immersive set of classes going over every aspect of administration within the organization, plus classes which focused on leadership techniques and etiquette. Classes included detailed instruction in SAL History, Communication and Public Speaking, Resolutions, Constitution and By-laws, SAL Etiquette, Politics, and Policy; Parliamentary Procedure, Mentorship, and Membership Retention – 20 separate classes in total. The instructors for the class were also a who’s who of management and history throughout the organization – including two past national commanders, a past national parliamentarian, past national vice commanders, plus members of the MT and D committee and national committee chairs. “I've long held the belief that educating our membership is the foundation we should build our entire organization on”, noted participant Chris Casey of Nebraska.

The University included group work and group free-form discussion as well, which many of the students found extremely helpful. From where I sat, this was the best part – chatting and working with members from around the country, and learning what succeeded for them back home. That was echoed abound the two tables of students as well … “The biggest thing I got out of the experience was the new friends I made through the class - Interacting with everyone both in and out of class gave me new insight into how the SAL operates throughout the entire organization”, added Pennsylvania’s Jason Pepe.

In the end that was one of the goals – to bring together a group of members of equal experience and have them work with one another and bond. In so doing, the two days also included homework and presentations – with half of the class making presentations, and the other half writing resolutions.

Added Indiana’s David Miller, “Even if you have a working knowledge of the topics, the formal training was able to fill in some of the blanks, thus making one a more rounded individual …”

Following the Friday graduation, when each student was presented with a diploma by Past National Commanders David Faust and Greg “Doc” Gibbs, the participants were invited to stay the weekend and observe the National Executive Committee meeting to see the national organization in action. The NEC consists of representatives from all 55 detachments – all 50 states plus Latin America, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Washington DC, and France – and is very much the legislature of the SAL.

I can honestly say that this was an experience I will never forget, with information I’m taking back to New Jersey to make myself more valuable in working towards our “Four Pillars” – Americanism, Veterans Affairs, Children and Youth, and National Security. Those sentiments were echoed by everyone, including by Nebraska’s Chris Casey – “The SAL University is not only crucial for improving the knowledge of future national leaders, but it empowers those leaders to build more effective members in their home detachments.”