Subject: [post283] ALR Meeting at the Mid-Winter Department of Texas Convention

 

The following is the content of an email that I got from Larry Lawson, the Director of ALR Post 321 and Department ALR Advisor.  I don't believe there is anything in this that we haven't already discussed in our meetings.

 

Ric

 

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Sorry you were unable to attend the meeting. Here is a brief recap of what was discussed.

 

A. Rumor control-- I do not have a secretary, car, computer or office at the legion. I am appointed by the department commander as a voice for the department to the riders and the riders to department. It is my responsibility to coordinate, organize and establish communications among the riders across the state. Since I cannot make it to every Post I have asked for all division commanders to appoint a division advisor. The division advisor in turn would communicate to the district advisors and the district advisors to the directors of each chapter. This allows me to get the information to you guys in an efficient and timely manner.

B. Although the NEC, National Executive Committee, has voted to have the rider program a valid program of the legion it will not be official until it is voted on at the National convention later in the year. As for changes there will be very little. There is a new suggested by laws template out that you can use but you do not have to, if what you have works continue on. I would at some point like to have these by laws set forth as a standard in Texas as they are pretty open and not as restrictive. The NEC voted us in as a result of the Legacy Run rasing over $960,000.00 last year, we got somebody's attention.

What does it mean if National votes us in, and they will, not much the riders will still be a Post level program.  We will be able to post our ALR logo along side the ALA and SAL on documents. As far as having state officers that is a long way off, as I have said anything affecting the riders need to be voted on by the riders across the state hence the need to get the riders across the state to start communicating.

C. Insurance -- Although the riders have insurance there is a need for liability insurance to protect the post. I have been working with a company in Frisco, Tx that will write a $300,000.00 policy for about $300.00 for up to seventy-five riders. The other option is have the post add you on to the post policy. This may require you to pay the difference.

D. Membership-As you renew your membership and waiver forms each year check your members insurance cards to insure they are up to date. You also need to have the forms notarized and kept on file.

E. The riders -- The riders need to be involved in the entities of which they are members, you cannot join to just ride. I have often heard of us refereed to as "The Riders" although this is true I prefer to answer that we are "Legionaries that ride." Most of the membership forgets that we are legionaries first, riders second.

Over all the riders, in Texas, have done a superb job. We have raised money, benefited most of the other enmities and served the community well.

F. I need all rider chapters to go to the national rider web site and register your chapter out of seventy post at the meeting I found twenty-four that were not on the site. This is used as a rider post locator for anyone trying to find a post that has riders. 

G. Other topics -- The Legacy Run, Run for the wall and a division challenge to raise the money for VA&R before the convention in Austin. The winning division will receive a commanders cup or trophy and all monies will go VA&R. The first division is already planning a rally in March.

 

In conclusion the AL is off and running and we are being recognized as shown at the mid winter conference, seventy post were represented with about one-hundred and ten riders. A lot of material was covered at this meeting, I hope this brings you up to speed and if you have any questions please drop me an email or call me at 214-908-8924 if I can help. I will email you the new forms.

 

Ride Safe, Ride Hard

Larry Lawson (Taz)

Department ALR Advisor, Texas

ALR Director Post 321 Plano-Tx

 

 

Still Serving America,


Ray Kahler Adjutant Post 182
Fallen Soldiers Memorial Plaque committee
4th Dist Sgt-At-Arms
4th Dist ALR Advisor