A PRO and a thought-provoking CON about printing membership cards online:
PRO: Shared in the article – SO convenient! and will also free up time of our already-overburdened staff and post officers from a tedious and time consuming task and enable them to help members with OTHER matters with their newfound time.
CON: The card must be signed by “another member” to be considered valid: If the card is considered valid by merely being signed by any other member, and not an informed and accountable officer of the cardholder’s post, how does that other signing member know that the cardholder is a member in good standing and thereby eligible to even receive a new annual card?
Shouldn’t the card be “validated” by being signed by one of the card holder’s informed and accountable post officers who can attest to the cardholder’s current status of “good standing” before the card is signed and the cardholder then has access to any and all posts (or program participants from the community) to potentially cause further discord or even harm?
As a recent past District-level program chair involving minor-age youth, I required of the Post Chairs to send me a photo of their current, and SIGNED, membership card – easily taken with a cell phone. An ask that was, to some, an unpopular one.
I asked for this because…
Although no background check is required for any program chair to enter school properties and have conversations relevant to their program with minor-age youth, or their parents and family members, ensuring that post chairs were considered by the leadership of their own posts to be in good standing (because the chair had a current membership card that was signed by one of their accountable post officers) afforded some CYA by requiring this simple act of due diligence.
Can you just imagine the comments, (and consequences!) dealt to a District program chair if one of the district’s post chairs of a program for minor-age youth was found to be unsuitable to be in that position, AFTER they had already been in contact, or even had electronic communications with a minor-age program participant or candidate? (The limitations and parameters of electronic communications with minor-age program participants are covered in the Protect Youth Sports online Safety and Awareness Training)
Knowing that SOMEONE’s head would likely have to roll to offer at least a perception of accountability for such an error, aside from the post chair I could only guess who’s head it would be…
“What do you MEAN you didn’t know about this post chair’s unsuitability? Aren’t you the District Chair?!”
“Yes, but the post chair printed their card online and although it was current and signed, it was only required to be signed by “another member”. In this case, it was one of the post chair’s buddies from the clubroom who didn’t know them well outside of that setting and had no idea of the post chair’s unsuitability….and another post chair had a member from a different post in a different district sign theirs. I sure hope all goes well with THAT program chair”
So…
Considering not only, and most importantly, the potential for harm to others, but also the requisite consequences for lack of due diligence by failing to do such a minimal screening to help protect others from harm, I feel that printed cards are a GREAT idea, but that they should be validated by the signature of a knowledgeable and ACCOUNTABLE officer of the cardholder’s current post.
Additionally, if the cardholder has recently changed posts, the concurrence of a knowledgeable and accountable officer of the cardholder’s PREVIOUS post should be required, as well.
This is the LEAST we can do as an act of due diligence (and a pretty low-bar one!) for the safety of the participants of our programs, especially those that involve minor-age youth. (We’ve certainly experienced undesirable, criminal, or even harmful acts that a drifting and unknown member who “post hops” can do)
and last…
What does it say about US to our communities’ parents who have entrusted us with their most precious and cherished, as well as our communities’ educators, law enforcement officers, social workers and program leaders in other organizations if we can’t even be bothered to do THIS?
As the oldest and largest veterans service organization, one would hope, if not assume, that our leaders would take pride in leading from the front in this matter as they do with pride in so many other matters in our service to our communities.
This is such a wonderful example of how helpful a revitalization with added information and resources can be to so many!
and that last paragraph…! 🇺🇸
Thank you, Howard!
“The American Legion is built on a promise from men and women who swore with their lives to defend and protect the United States through military service. The promise begins at enlistment, grows through training and discipline in the U.S. Armed Forces and continues after discharge, as veterans in service to community, state and nation”
I am a paid up lifetime member and my wallet was stolen. I tried to go through California leadership to get a replacement card and they were no help!! Wasnot happy with that!!
Membership No.203273131
Thank you for your service in 2 wars. Iwas drafted in 1968, served as artillery crewman for a year in Vietnam, an d almost rejoined as an officer in 1979. The air force offered me Captain, but I backed out due to family issue.
I really enjoyed your “historical” article. This “organization” sounds great to me. I served as an Infantryman in France and Germany during WWII . After WWII, I went back to college, where I graduated-and got my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant—and was recalled to active duty during the Korean war. for a couple of years, This time as an officer. Keep in touch. I am 96 years old, and of course, all of my old friends are dead. Take care. Frank Shifrin
A PRO and a thought-provoking CON about printing membership cards online:
PRO: Shared in the article – SO convenient! and will also free up time of our already-overburdened staff and post officers from a tedious and time consuming task and enable them to help members with OTHER matters with their newfound time.
CON: The card must be signed by “another member” to be considered valid: If the card is considered valid by merely being signed by any other member, and not an informed and accountable officer of the cardholder’s post, how does that other signing member know that the cardholder is a member in good standing and thereby eligible to even receive a new annual card?
Shouldn’t the card be “validated” by being signed by one of the card holder’s informed and accountable post officers who can attest to the cardholder’s current status of “good standing” before the card is signed and the cardholder then has access to any and all posts (or program participants from the community) to potentially cause further discord or even harm?
As a recent past District-level program chair involving minor-age youth, I required of the Post Chairs to send me a photo of their current, and SIGNED, membership card – easily taken with a cell phone. An ask that was, to some, an unpopular one.
I asked for this because…
Although no background check is required for any program chair to enter school properties and have conversations relevant to their program with minor-age youth, or their parents and family members, ensuring that post chairs were considered by the leadership of their own posts to be in good standing (because the chair had a current membership card that was signed by one of their accountable post officers) afforded some CYA by requiring this simple act of due diligence.
Can you just imagine the comments, (and consequences!) dealt to a District program chair if one of the district’s post chairs of a program for minor-age youth was found to be unsuitable to be in that position, AFTER they had already been in contact, or even had electronic communications with a minor-age program participant or candidate? (The limitations and parameters of electronic communications with minor-age program participants are covered in the Protect Youth Sports online Safety and Awareness Training)
Knowing that SOMEONE’s head would likely have to roll to offer at least a perception of accountability for such an error, aside from the post chair I could only guess who’s head it would be…
“What do you MEAN you didn’t know about this post chair’s unsuitability? Aren’t you the District Chair?!”
“Yes, but the post chair printed their card online and although it was current and signed, it was only required to be signed by “another member”. In this case, it was one of the post chair’s buddies from the clubroom who didn’t know them well outside of that setting and had no idea of the post chair’s unsuitability….and another post chair had a member from a different post in a different district sign theirs. I sure hope all goes well with THAT program chair”
So…
Considering not only, and most importantly, the potential for harm to others, but also the requisite consequences for lack of due diligence by failing to do such a minimal screening to help protect others from harm, I feel that printed cards are a GREAT idea, but that they should be validated by the signature of a knowledgeable and ACCOUNTABLE officer of the cardholder’s current post.
Additionally, if the cardholder has recently changed posts, the concurrence of a knowledgeable and accountable officer of the cardholder’s PREVIOUS post should be required, as well.
This is the LEAST we can do as an act of due diligence (and a pretty low-bar one!) for the safety of the participants of our programs, especially those that involve minor-age youth. (We’ve certainly experienced undesirable, criminal, or even harmful acts that a drifting and unknown member who “post hops” can do)
and last…
What does it say about US to our communities’ parents who have entrusted us with their most precious and cherished, as well as our communities’ educators, law enforcement officers, social workers and program leaders in other organizations if we can’t even be bothered to do THIS?
As the oldest and largest veterans service organization, one would hope, if not assume, that our leaders would take pride in leading from the front in this matter as they do with pride in so many other matters in our service to our communities.
This is such a wonderful example of how helpful a revitalization with added information and resources can be to so many!
and that last paragraph…! 🇺🇸
Thank you, Howard!
“The American Legion is built on a promise from men and women who swore with their lives to defend and protect the United States through military service. The promise begins at enlistment, grows through training and discipline in the U.S. Armed Forces and continues after discharge, as veterans in service to community, state and nation”
…
Hi Walter,
Gve me a call. I’ll help you get a replacement card.
Rick Pushies
Web Team
805-925-9144
I am a paid up lifetime member and my wallet was stolen. I tried to go through California leadership to get a replacement card and they were no help!! Wasnot happy with that!!
Membership No.203273131
Please advise how to get a replacement card??
Walter G Fox 319-413-8884
AMEN
Awesome
Thank you for your service in 2 wars. Iwas drafted in 1968, served as artillery crewman for a year in Vietnam, an d almost rejoined as an officer in 1979. The air force offered me Captain, but I backed out due to family issue.
I really enjoyed your “historical” article. This “organization” sounds great to me. I served as an Infantryman in France and Germany during WWII . After WWII, I went back to college, where I graduated-and got my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant—and was recalled to active duty during the Korean war. for a couple of years, This time as an officer. Keep in touch. I am 96 years old, and of course, all of my old friends are dead. Take care. Frank Shifrin