Candidate for Area 5 Vice Commander: John Minnella

INTEGRITY – EXPERIENCE – COMPETENCE – RESULTS

LEGION CREDENTIALS

Post 132:
Past Commander/Adjutant/1VC
Judge Advocate (currently)
SAL Liaison (past)

D29:
Past Commander & 1VC (2 yrs)
Past Judge Advocate (3 yrs)
Revised D29 & Post Bylaws

Area 5:
Past Parliamentarian
Rep. for District 29 (3 terms)
Under my leadership, D29 #1 Area 5 membership leader consistently

Department:
Dept Judge Advocate (now)
Ex-Official: Const./Bylaws Commission
Ex-Official: Personnel Committee
CA Amer. Legion College Alumni, Inaugural Class (2018)
Dept Commander Special Advisor
Assistant Judge Advocate (past)
Naturalization Comm’n Tech. Assistant
Author: Index to CA Dept Bylaws

Member:
Past Commanders Club: Outpost 29
UMAVA, AVU, EANGUS, AUSA

National:
Delegate: 5 National Conventions

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

“Buddy Checks” of Members
Shows interest
Provides news
Member renewal opportunities/ Retention MUST be a priority

“No Member Left Behind” Program
Reminder: Work for the Blue Caps, NOT they for us
Too often leader attitude becomes contemptuous, scornful or disdainful of inactive members. Respect ALL.

“Plus One” Program
Every Member assigned Recruitment of One new Veteran Member
Push for member recruitment sources: National Guard, Reserve, Active Duty, Nursing Homes, Vet Resource Offices, College Vet Clubs, First Responders, Warehouse Supermarkets
Recruit at Churches & Government (Post Offices, Social Security, Recruiting Offices, etc.)

POST AND DISTRICT REVITALIZATION

Push for Community Support: use best District & Post examples
Service Organization Ties/Support: Chambers of Commerce, Elks, Optimists, Rotary, Kiwanis & Key Clubs, Moose, Odd Fellows, KofC, other service groups, Union Halls

LEGION OFFICER TRAINING

Push services available to new officers immediately after election

Educate Bluecaps on Limited Recourse above Post, importance of Post Bylaws review & clarity

Importance of Post Judge Advocate training in trial & appellate procedures

Use Remote Communication

IMPROVE COMMUNICATION, UPWARD & DOWNWARD

Provision of Guidance, Support, Advice, Positive Reinforcement to Posts & Districts

Improve Passage of Information Up & Down

Use Social Media (Facebook, X, Rumble)

Encourage CONVERSATION, not just announcements & orders

VETERAN SUPPORT/BENEFITS

Encourage Program Expansions to National Guard & Reserve components
Encourage Rehabilitation Help: monthly post public contribution to at least 1 Vet Program as an example to others:

• H4H
• Paralyzed Vets
• VA Hospital
• Tunnels 2 Towers
• Fisher House
• Others

Encourage Education Benefit Expansion: Pressure VA & Governments
Encourage Medical/Dental Care Benefits Expansion: Pressure VA & Governments
Encourage Patriotism & Citizenship & Legion PR:

• Boys/Girls State
• Oratorical
• School Awards
• Flag Raising
• Four Chaplains Programs
• Holiday Parade Participation
• Return of Foreign Jailed/Deported Vets
• Voter Registration
• Election Volunteering
• Naturalization
• Citizenship Classes
• Gold Star Family Inclusion
• First Responder Recognition Dinners
• Press Releases to local media (Radio, TV, Newspapers)
• Push “Be The One” Campaign

CONTACT

24/7/365
drjminnella@yahoo.com
(714) 543-9005 | (714) 5745911

Want to download a copy of John’s brochure? Click below.

For additional candidate information, visit Officer Candidates.