Attract new members

Attract new members

New recruiting materials and online services make joining and renewing easier than ever are now available to help The American Legion grow to an all-time high in numbers by the organization's 100th anniversary in 2019.

"Why You Should Belong"

Most prospective members do not realize all that The American Legion does for veterans, servicemembers, their families and communities at the local, state and national levels. With the "Why You Should Belong" brochure, it’s much easier to share that information with prospective members.

The brochure is a one-stop recruiting tool that provides information on dozens of Legion programs, as well as the impact of those programs. It’s a valuable asset for any Legionnaire on the recruiting trail. For example, let prospective new members know that each year the Legion:

  • Helps thousands of veterans receive VA benefits they earned through service to their country.
  • Conducts, promotes and supports hundreds of career fairs for veterans and transitioning servicemembers, bringing employers face to face with job hunters.
  • Lobbies Congress for better quality of life for U.S. military personnel.
  • Provides more than $138,000 in scholarships through its High School Oratorical Contest.
  • Raises hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for its Legacy Scholarship, helping ensure the children of U.S. servicemembers killed on or after Sept. 11, 2001, have a chance at a college education.
  • Helps nearly 100,000 young men experience teamwork and competition through its nearly 5,000 Legion Baseball teams.

Download the "Why You Should Belong Brochure" here.

Sign Up New Members

For veterans who qualify, the traditional way to join the Legion is to fill out a simple form., but prospective members may also join online. Here’s a look at both methods, and how to use them:

Paper form. After a new member completes the application form, a Legion representative needs to sign it and provide a membership card on the spot or send one shortly thereafter.

Regardless of where a recruit is signed up, the post adjutant or membership chairman must log the new member's information and then transmit the form to department headquarters.

Online form. Prospective members also can sign up online at: www.legion.org/join. This information will be processed by National Headquarters. Once processed, a membership card will be sent.

Once members are registered, encourage them to take advantage of the Automatic Renewal Program. Members can go to www.legion.org/renew and click "Renew Now" to safely and conveniently pay their dues. Once a member enters the information requested, he or she can set the account for automatic annual renewal, as well as select the option to receive email renewal notices instead of notices through the mail. Automatic renewal can also be set up by calling the Legion’s customer service line: (800)-433-3318