Fall Conference is coming up

ST. CLOUD — The Fall Conference is planned for Oct. 25-26 with committee meetings on Oct. 24.

A meeting of the American Legion Department of Minnesota Executive Committee takes place at 7 p.m. Oct. 24.

Like in recent years, the conference will feature breakout sessions on Friday and Saturday. Don’t miss the Outstanding Enlisted Awards, too.

It takes place at the Best Western Plus Kelly Inn in St. Cloud. The program and registration form can be found on the department website here. Sign up with Eventbrite here.

Registration desk is open 1-6:30 p.m. Thursday at Kelly Inn and 6 a.m.-noon Friday. SAL registration will be available through Friday afternoon.

The Auxiliary Department Executive Committee will meet at 11 a.m. Oct. 24. Besides the annual Poppy Contests and the AEF Silent Auction, National President Trish Ward will speak Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the main auditorium of the Convention Center (where the Auxiliary holds their main sessions).

All of the Minnesota American Legion Family are invited to hear Ward’s message.

Auxiliary holding poppy contests

Minnesota ALA has the tradition of holding two poppy contests at Fall Conference. There will be prizes for first, second, third and people’s choice. The funds from the people’s choice will go to Department President Judy Ackerman’s project.

Poppy entries must be brought to the Department Fall Conference at the River’s Edge Convention Center by 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

President Ackerman and Commander Carl Moon have decided not to have a grand march on Friday night. But some fun will still be had by all. We will do a poppy-making contest instead. This fun event is for the whole American Legion Family.

Gather up your best or worst poppy makers and let’s see which districts will come out on top.

Teams will be made up of sister districts. The teams are 1 & 3, 2 & 7, 4 & 5, 6 & 9 and 8 & 10. They will work together to see which team will come out on top.

Contest 1
Using the ALA Poppy, create a crown, not a hat. You must be able to wear it, as there will be a crown parade. Won’t that be fun? Try and use President Ackerman’s theme “Back to the basics: Recognize, Respect, Remember.” White tags must be removed.

Contest 2
To go along with the crown, using any poppies of any color or material, as long as it can be worn. Be creative! White tags must be removed if you are using the ALA Poppy.

Contest 3
Gather your poppy makers and team up with your sister district and let’s see which team can make the most poppies. This is an American Legion Family Event!