MEETINGS
The Unit meetings are now being managed through the Internet-based ChatStep. An email request to have instructions for using ChatStep will be emailed to Unit members.
ANNUAL CALENDAR
January
Regular Meeting
February
Regular Meeting
March
Regular Meeting
Nominations
April
Regular Meeting
Elections
May
Regular Meeting
Budget
June
No Meeting
Audit
July
Installation
August
No Meeting
Board Meeting
September
Regular Meeting
October
Regular Meeting
November
Regular Meeting
Board Meeting
December
No Meeting
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
This is for all of us to have the same understanding of procedures at our unit meeting.
Quorum - Our unit regular meeting quorum is 5. The unit voted on that number and it is in our Unit Bylaws (one of our governing documents), Article V, Section 7, and is on page 7. This means there needs to be 5 unit members in attendance to vote on a motion.
Voting - Some motions need a ‘Majority’ vote to pass, some need a ‘two-thirds’ vote to pass. When anyone leaves the room while we are voting, which is not supposed to be done, it changes the count of votes needed to pass a motion. If there are fewer members present than the quorum of 5, we cannot vote. Your vote can be ‘aye’ or ‘nay’ or ‘abstain’.
Discussion - Whatever subject that the ‘Chair’ or ‘Presiding Officer’ (the person conducting the meeting) calls for, is the only subject to be discussed. Do not start talking about another subject during this time as that is a separate issue. Especially when it involves a Motion on the floor.
Motion/Amend - An amendment to a motion is to pertain only to whatever is already in the motion... such as: add a color, increase/decrease quantity, change dollar amount, include a date by, etc.
More Extensive Parliamentary Procedure.
GENERAL MEETING AGENDA
Call to order. General meetings will be called to order at 7:00 PM (PT) on second Thursday of each month as listed in the Annual Calendar.
Advancement of the Colors. When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker. This will make the flag on the right of the audience.
Opening Prayer. Heavenly Father, We thank You for our veterans, our service men and women, and The American Legion Family. Thank You for those present at this meeting this evening. Be with us and guide us as we make many important decisions that will affect all the members of our organization. Lord, the workers are few, but the harvest is plenty. We pray that you would send more workers to our Unit, and help us to identify and encourage our next round of leaders as we prepare to nominate officers for the coming year. Bless and guide our President, as she conducts the meeting. Be with our service men and women and keep them in Your care. May all our decisions glorify you. In your name we pray, Amen.
Moment of Silence for Our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
Pledge of Allegiance. “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Patriotic Song.
Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion Auxiliary. For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred per cent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations during the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; to participate in and contribute to the accomplishment of the aims and purposes of The American Legion; to consecrate and sanctify our association by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. More information about the Preamble can be found here.
Previous Minutes. All previous minutes can be found on the Secretary's Page.
Treasurer's Financial Report. All financial reports can be found on the Treasurer's page.
Officer/Chairmen Reports.
Communications from National, Department and District Officers.
Unfinished Business.
New Business. New Business for the next meeting agenda must be submitted to the Unit President by no later than 9 PM (PT) three days before the meeting.
Announcements.
Benediction. Heavenly Father, We pray that you will be with each of us as we depart from this place. Go with us and keep us safe until we meet again. We pray that You will bless all those whose families have been separated by military service, that they will be reunited soon with their loved ones. We pray that You will bless those who have lost loved ones that they may be comforted in the knowledge that their sacrifices will be honored and their loved ones memorialized by a grateful nation. Let us, as American Legion Auxiliary members, serve as beacons of light to the rest of the nation that our men and women in uniform will not be forgotten until they have all come home. We thank you once again for your many blessings, and pray our hearts will be full of gratitude for all that you have given us to be thankful for. In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.
President's Closing. “Till we meet again let us remember that our obligation to our Country can be fulfilled only by the faithful performance of all duties of citizenship. Let service to the community, state and nation be ever a main objective of the American Legion Auxiliary and its members. Let us ever be watchful of our organization and ourselves, that nothing shall swerve us from the path of Justice, Freedom, Loyalty and Democracy.”
Adjournment of Business Meeting. If there is no further business to come before this meeting, we shall adjourn.
Retirement of Colors.
MEETING AIDS
Officer/Chair Duties - See Forms