Download the 2009 Membership Processing and Awards Manual HERE

DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA

DEPARTMENT "RECRUITER OF THE YEAR"

Each American Legion Post will have the opportunity to submit the name of the Recruiter from that Post who has signed up the highest number of New Members of the membership year by May Target Date. Certification forms can be found on pg 40 of the MP&A Manual.  These forms are to be completed by the Post Commander or Adjutant and submitted to Department Headquarters ON OR BEFORE May 5th, 2010. Department Adjutants will determine the Top New Member Recruiter for their respective Departments and certify the winner to National Headquarters.

The Top New Member Recruiter, properly nominated and certified from each Post, will be awarded a framed certificate with his/her accomplishment inscribed thereon.

The recruiter who has signed up the highest number of new members will be submitted to National to be entered in the "National Recruiter of the Year" Contest.

Mail in time to reach Department HQ on or before May 5, 2010

NATIONAL "RECRUITER OF THE YEAR"

The individual certified with the highest number of New Members recruited from among all the Departments will be declared "National Membership Recruiter of the Year". The award will consist of an all-expense paid trip to the National Convention. The trip includes for the Legionnaire and guest round-trip air transportation, hotel accommodations for 6 days/5 nights, and reserved seating tickets to the National Commander’s Banquet for Distinguished Guests.

Awards for the "National Recruiter of the Year Competition" will be presented to the next highest 26 individuals:

• 1 - Second Prize - $1,000 Award Certificate Emblem Sales
• 10 - Third Prizes - $150 Award Certificate
• 15 - Fourth Prizes - $100 Award Certificate

Department Adjutants must nominate all top recruiters on or before May 28, 2010.

DISTRICT COMMANDERS NEW POST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

District Commanders who achieve the goal of creating new American Legion Posts in their respective Districts and have the new Post Temporary Charter Application on file at National Headquarters by the May Target Date will receive a distinctive framed certificate.

DISTRICT COMMANDER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD and DISTRICT HONOR RIBBON

All District Commanders whose May Target Date membership exceeds the previous year’s membership by at least the number of Posts in that District will be awarded the District Commander Achievement Framed Certificate Award. In addition, the District will receive an Honor Ribbon for its District colors.

SPECIAL INDIVIDUAL RECOGNITION/ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

THE GOLD BRIGADE

A Legionnaire who recruits 50 or more NEW members into The American Legion by the May Target Date will qualify for enrollment in the elite GOLD BRIGADE of The American Legion. These very special Legionnaires will be awarded unique gifts that designate affiliation with the Gold Brigade of The American Legion. Also, special recognition will be given to those Legionnaires enrolled in the Gold Brigade through special announcements in The Dispatch and in special articles in other publications. The National Commander will recognize members of the Gold Brigade during the National Convention. The gifts awarded to a Gold Brigader will depend on the number of times he/she has qualified for this award. The first time qualifier for the Gold Brigade will receive a choice of designer jacket or sweater with the Gold Brigade logo on the left breast or polo shirt; a cap pin, a Gold Brigade patch for the blue blazer, and Gold Brigade certificate. A second, third or fourth time winner will receive a Gold Brigade certificate, a "hash mark" for the jacket sleeve, and the choice of either another designer jacket or a sweater with the Gold Brigade logo on the left breast or a polo shirt. (Form is in Post Administrative Manual)

First time Gold Brigade members  and Second time (or more) Gold Brigader will receive:

• Gold Brigade Patch
• Special Gold Brigade cap pin - Gold Brigade certificate
• Gold Brigade certificate - "Hash mark" for jacket sleeve
• Designer jacket or - Designer jacket or
• Polo Shirt or - Polo Shirt or
• Sweater with a Gold Brigade logo - Sweater with Gold Brigade Logo

THE GOLD BRIGADE - 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR AWARD

A Gold Brigader who has won the Gold Brigade award for 5 consecutive years is eligible for a distinctive Gold Brigade Blazer. A Legionnaire may only qualify once every 5 years.

Department Adjutants will submit the certification form by the third Wednesday of May.

THE GOLD BRIGADE - 6TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OR MORE AWARD

A Gold Brigader who has earned the Gold Brigade Award for at least 6 consecutive years or more to include the current membership year is eligible for a $150 gift certificate.

Department Adjutants must submit the certification form on page 27 by the third Wednesday of May.

All certified members of the Gold Brigade will automatically be entered in a drawing with the five winners to be announced at the July Membership Workshop. The Gold Brigader will be entered one time for each 50 new members that he or she has signed up (i.e., a Gold Brigader with 50 members is entered one time, and a Gold Brigader with 100 members is entered 2 times.] The 5 winners of the drawing will each receive a $1000 Award Certificate.

The Post Commander or Adjutant must complete the certification forms and submit them to the Department Headquarters for forwarding to National by the 3rd Wednesday of May.

(see Post Administrative Manual for Form).

Department Adjutant must certify all Gold Brigade qualifiers.

THE SILVER BRIGADE

A Legionnaire who recruits 25 to 49 NEW members into The American Legion by the May Target Date will qualify for this award. A silver pin and certificate will be awarded. (Form is in Post Administrative Manual)

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