Commissions
According to the National American Legion website,
“The commissions and committees of The American Legion are composed of volunteer Legionnaires, backed by national staff. Together they do the work of the Legion, carrying out its resolutions and programs. Over the course of a year, each commission and committee records successes and growth.”
DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEES
Department Commissions and committees oversee specific areas of operations and/or specific programs of The American Legion. Commissions and committees are clearly defined in ARTICLE XI – COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES of the Department of California bylaws with a short description of the commission’s purpose and function. The amount of time a Legionnaire may serve on a Department Commission or Committee is stated in the department bylaws, it is the best resource on this topic.
The Department Commander appoints the Commissioners and committee members, the Chairman, and Vice-Chairman for each commission, they are then ratified by the DEC. Commissioners and committee members serve at the pleasure of the Department Commander.
Report Form: Commission Chair and Committee Chair
COMMISSIONS versus COMMITTEES
- COMMISSIONS: Most commissions have six commissioners, who represent the Legion Area where they reside (i.e., Area 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). There are 27 commissions in the Department of California with one commissioner appointed from each of our 6 areas. Our American Legion Baseball Commission is the exception, with 2 commissioners from each area.
- COMMITTEES: The Department Commander appoints members of Department Committees. The number of Committee members is either specified in the Department Bylaws or by the Department Commander. Committee members traditionally serve a one-year term and may be reappointed.
Commission Web Pages
- Aerospace Commission
- Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Commission
- Amateur Radio Commission
- American Legion Baseball Commission
- American Legion Riders Commission
- Americanism Commission
- Boys State Commission
- Constitution & Bylaws
- Children and Youth Commission
- Community Service Commission
- Disaster and Emergency Services Commission
- Finance Commission
- Foreign Relations and National Security Commission
- Housing (Veteran) Commission
- Internal Affairs Commission
- Law and Order Commission
- Leadership Commission
- Legislative Commission
- Media and Communications Commission
- Naturalization Commission
- Oratorical Contests Commission
- Ritual Commission
- Scouting Commission
- Sons of The American Legion Commission
- Valley Forge Workshop Commission
- Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) Commission
- Veterans Employment and Education Commission
- Ways and Means Commission
Servant Leadership
COMMISSION WEB PAGES
Every California commission has a web page on the Department of California website, links to them are below. The Web page content is a commission’s responsibility, and page content specific to California is preferred.. The Department Web Team will assist the commission in getting the best possible page content posted, but it is the commission’s responsibility to provide the content.
Consider the commission web page as an opportunity to market the good work being done by our commissioners. When our Legion Family understands what our commissions do, the easier it is for them to support our commissions.
Listed below are a few commission web pages will give you an idea of the kind of content you may want to share on your commission web page:
Commissions
Commissions & Committees PowerPoint
“Commissions & Committees” offers an overview, operational guidance, and a framework to improve continuity for our “Blue Capper” Legionnaires who serve in these important positions. It is our hope that new and seasoned commissioners and committee members will apply this information to help reach new levels of success for our commissions and committees.
Department leadership encourages every commission and committee to succeed and wishes to provide improved continuity of leadership to our commissions and committees. The success of our commissions and committees contributes greatly to the success of the Department of California, and The American Legion as we serve our veterans, their families, and our communities.
DEPARTMENT BYLAWS, ARTICLE XI – COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: Subject to ratification by the Department Executive Committee, the Department Commander shall appoint the members of the Commissions of the Department. The Department Commander shall designate the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of each Commission or Committee, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Department Commander.
SECTION 2: Commissions shall be numerically composed that an equal number shall be selected from each Area. Commissioners shall serve a term of three (3) years, or until a successor is appointed.
SECTION 3: The Department Commander and the Department Adjutant shall be ex-officio members of all Commissions and Committees with voice and vote, but not counted to determine a quorum.
