Training Tuesdays

The last Tuesday of each month American Legion National Headquarters staff will present 60 to 90-minute sessions on topics aimed at post commanders and adjutants. Each session will be recorded and made available for later viewing.

Video: Learn how to join a session

Next Session

October 29 at 7 p.m. Eastern time

The October virtual Training Tuesday session will on financial readiness presented by USAA. Register at Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams.


Previously Recorded Sessions

Sept. 24, 2024

Resolutions

Learn how to craft a clear and correctly formatted resolution.

WATCH VIDEO  


June 25, 2024

Welcoming New Members

Legion member Ventura "Ace" Tounsel shares tips to help create an inviting post environment for new and prospective members. Learn techniques that will make members feel valued, address common problems, and ensure inclusivity. Strategize ways to engage new members through events, websites and social media. Explore training resources like the free Online Basic Training course. Learn how traditions and ceremonies foster camaraderie and receive practical guidance for ways to involve new members in programs and activities.

WATCH VIDEO / DOWNLOAD POWERPOINT 


May 28, 2024

Conflict Resolutions

Wayne Zeman shares strategies for resolving conflict, active listening, managing emotions and effective communication.

WATCH VIDEO / DOWNLOAD POWERPOINT 


March 26, 2024

Wellcare Medicare Plans

Learn more about your healthcare options during this training session hosted by the American Legion in partnership with WellCare. Discover innovative solutions tailored for Medicare-eligible veterans and their spouses, ensuring comprehensive coverage at affordable rates.

WATCH VIDEO / DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT 


Feb. 27, 2024

Post Meetings

Learn how to conduct a post meeting. From set-up, the opening ceremony and adjournment, learn the fundamentals of running an effective post meeting with efficiency.

WATCH VIDEO / DOWNLOAD PPT  / Download Post Meeting Script


Jan. 30, 2024 

Service Animals

We explore the impact of service dogs on the lives of veterans, and share best practices for interacting with service dogs.

  • Share general qualifications for service dogs

  • Address veteran eligibility requirements 

  • The do's and don'ts of interacting with service animals

  • Respectful behavior around a service dog team

  • Best practices when around a service dog 

WATCH VIDEO / DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION 


Dec. 19, 2023

Resolutions

Learn how resolutions shape The American Legion, helping to develop impactful programs, allocating resources for veteran assistance, and advocating effectively on crucial national issues.

WATCH VIDEO / DOWNLOAD PPT 


Nov. 28, 2023

Implementing the 21st Century Report

Focusing on strategies for implementing the 21st Century report, Matthew Herndon, Director of Internal Affairs and Membership at The American Legion, highlighted proactive communication, integrated training, and consistent updates to align Legion efforts with its recommendations.

WATCH VIDEO / 1997 21st Century Report / 2019 21st Century Ad Hoc Committee Final Report / 21st Century Implementation Survey Executive Summary


Oct. 24, 2023 

Be The One: Helping Our Homeless Veterans

Dr. Patrick McClellan is a retired U.S. Marine Corps sergeant major who has knowledge and expertise on how to help homeless veterans.

WATCH VIDEO


Sept. 26, 2023 

Building Stronger Communities: Starting an American Legion Post

We explore how to identify your core mission and role within your community, discuss the organizational and administrative tasks involved with starting a new post and provide tips and resources for recruiting members and establishing core leader ship teams. 

WATCH VIDEO


June 27, 2023

Be The One: Resilience Through Fitness

Legionnaire and U.S. Army veteran Scott French, who found a unique path to healing through Diamond Dallas Page Yoga (DDPY), shares his journey and insights on how physical fitness can be used to support mental health resilience. After suffering from a blown lumbar, fused spine and impending knee replacement, French was left physically and mentally broken. However, with the help of DDPY, he was able to regain control of his life and establish the DDPY Tiger Battalion, which encourages regular workouts to improve mental health.

WATCH VIDEO


May 30, 2023 

Community Engagement

Brian Mohlman, membership committee chairman from Sgt. Michael A. Dickinson II Post 257 in Battle Creek, Mich. discussed how posts can make an impact in their community by engaging creative solutions and adapting to changing circumstances. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insight on how to increase membership in your post. 

WATCH VIDEO


April 25, 2023 

Be The One: Talking about suicide without stigma

U.S. Marine veteran Jason Murrey, an expert in suicide prevention and mental health counseling shares advice on assisting veterans acting on suicidal thoughts. Murrey is a former Marine Corps. suicide prevention trainer and currently a prevention specialist for the Indiana Department of Education. Murrey will also discuss ways to improve outcomes for those struggling with addiction, behavioral health, homelessness, PTSD, depression or anxiety. 

 WATCH VIDEODOWNLOAD PPT


March 28, 2023 

Be The One: Buddy Checks

American Legion Americanism Division Director Ron Neff discusses the importance of Buddy Checks and discusses best practices for doing Buddy Checks in your community. 

WATCH VIDEO


Feb. 28, 2023

Veterans Yoga Project

Jeff Masters, founder and director of the Masters Institute, and member of the board of directors for Veteran’s Yoga Project discusses how yoga can benefit physical and mental health.

WATCH VIDEO


Jan. 31, 2023

Getting to know MyLegion.org

Creating a MyLegion.org account 

WATCH VIDEO

Updated MyLegion.org PowerPoint Presentations

MyLegion.org - Getting Started

MyLegion.org - Group Administrative Tasks

MyLegion.org - Manage Groups

MyLegion.org - Member Overview

MyLegion.org - Process Membership

 

Nov. 29, 2022

Grassroots Advocacy

American Legion Washington D.C. Legislative Associate John Kamin discussed how Legionnaires can make their voices heard on Capitol Hill through digital advocacy and shared how members can get involved through the Legion’s Grassroots Action Center to develop their own local action networks. 

WATCH VIDEODOWNLOAD PPT

 

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022

Service Officers and Appeals

Veterans appeals representatives from The American Legion National Headquarters will cover the status of increasing claims since the passing of the PACT Act, the appeals process, virtual hearings and more. 

View presentation 

Service Officer Training Information

Department Service Officer Lesson Agenda

New Service Officer Lesson Agenda


Sept. 27, 2022 

Welcoming New Members

How to provide a welcoming environment for new and existing members, and how the National Emergency Fund assist posts, Legionnaires and Sons of The American Legion members following a natural disaster.

View presentationQ&A / PowerPoint


June 30, 2022

Constitution & Bylaws

National Judge Advocate Mark Seavey discusses legal issues regarding the Legion's Constitution and By-Laws, trials and filing 990's. 

View presentation


April 26, 2022

Membership Renewal & Retention

National Membership & Post Activities Committee Chairman Jay Bowen of Colorado and National Headquarters staff, present latest membership metrics and the importance of Consolidated Post Reports and Consolidated Squadron Reports.

Legislative staff also provides an update on toxic exposure legislation.

View presentation / Q&A

PowerPoint Presentations

MyLegion.org - Getting Started

MyLegion.org - Group Administrative Tasks

MyLegion.org - Manage Groups

MyLegion.org - Member Overview

MyLegion.org - Process Membership


March 29, 2022

Public Relations Toolkit

American Legion Deputy Director of Media Relations John Raughter shares best practices for using the Legion's Public Relations Toolkit at the post, district and department level. The toolkit features examples of news releases, media advisories and public service announcements, and information on networking, social media, podcasts, internal/external media, interviews and more.

View presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A


Jan. 25, 2022

Legislative Priorities

Learn about The American Legion's legislative priorities and how posts can assist at the grassroots level.

View presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A


Nov. 30. 2021

Veterans Strengthening America

The vision and mission statements, along with the value principles and motto, help define the purpose of The American Legion, align the organization’s resources toward a successful future, provide clear and effective decision guidance.

View presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A


Oct. 27

Resolution Writing

This Training Tuesday session focused on the key components of a resolution, how to format resolutions, and navigate the resolution archive on The American Legion's Digital Archive. 

Video presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A

MyLegion.org Workshop at National Convention in Phoenix

MyLegion.org - How to register an account, manage groups, process membership, view reports and more. Presented at National Convention in Phoenix, 2021.

PowerPoint / Q&A


May 25, 2021

MyLegion.org

Updates on MyLegion.org known issues and how they are being resolved; the registration process and common errors; what's new on the platform; online membership processing, including possible errors and how to prevent them; and reports update.

Video Presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A


April 27, 2021 

Military Transition Centers Engagement Program

Video Presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A


Mar. 30, 2021 

MyLegion Video Training Series

Video presentation


Feb. 23, 2021 

National American Legion College Application Process

Video Presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A

MyLegion.org Update: Membership Processing

Video Presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A


Jan. 26, 2020 

Membership Retention

Video Presentation / PowerPoint / 2021 Retention Plan / Commander Call to Action


Dec. 29, 2020 

Helping Veterans - American Legion National Assistance Programs

Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA)
Video Presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A

Operation Comfort Warrior (OCW)
Video Presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A


December 18, 2020

Department myLegion Status Update

National Headquarters IT Division staff, Deputy Director Joe Gallagher and Product Support Specialist Libby Vickers, provide a myLegion status update to Departments.

Video Presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A


November 24, 2020

Post Administration

Maryland Department Adjutant Russell Myers shares tips on how to be a successful Post Adjutant.

Video Presentation / PowerPoint / Q&A


October 27, 2020 

myLegion 2021

myLegion will receive a new look in 2021. This session provides instruction to post adjutants on how to set up log-in credentials and display a preview of the new officer’s dashboard and membership tools.

Video Presentation / Q&A


Buddy Check

As American Legion members, our most sacred responsibility is to look out for each other and our fellow veterans. To reach out to members and former members who may need help, American Legion posts are encouraged to perform this vital function whenever it makes the most sense in their communities.

This session focuses on the who, what, where, when, and why of the program and discusses the relevance, importance, and strategic objectives of taking care of our fellow veterans.

Video Presentation / Q&A