Department Training Committee – Year End Report 2024-2025

Overview:
The 2024-25 membership year was a pivotal one for the Department of Minnesota Training Committee. We remain focused on our mission of equipping Legionnaires at all levels with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to lead and serve effectively. As in previous years, our efforts centered on expanding access to training, improving how we deliver content, and cultivating a strong leadership pipeline through structured, relevant training topics.

Accomplishments:
A major highlight of the year was the successful Department Legion College held in April, where 18 students engaged in thoughtful discussions, shared ideas, and expressed hopes for the future of the organization. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, particularly for sessions on leadership development and post revitalization. The curriculum was updated to reflect national “Be the One” and membership initiatives, as well as the servant leadership model. Our next class is already scheduled for April 23–26, 2026. In addition, we hosted a series of breakout sessions at the Department Fall Conference. These sessions focused on leadership succession planning, membership growth strategies, officer responsibilities, and mental health awareness. A new breakout format was piloted to encourage greater engagement and provide more time for Q&A, which was well received.

Challenges:
Despite these successes, challenges persist. Resistance to training from some local leadership continues to be a barrier to broader participation. Geographic distance and unpredictable winter weather limited our ability to conduct in-person sessions across the state. Additionally, we identified an ongoing need for a sustainable digital training platform that includes both live and recorded content to ensure accessibility for all members.

Looking Ahead:
The Training Committee remains committed to fostering a culture of leadership, mentorship, and continuous learning throughout the Department of Minnesota. With strong collaboration and continued support, we are confident that 2025-26 will be a breakthrough year for Legion education. We are currently seeking additional committee members to help carry this mission forward — if you are passionate about training and want to help shape the future of our organization, we’d love to have you on board.

Additionally, we have begun reaching out to Department Legion College alumni and will be inviting them to participate in future training efforts. Alumni, please keep an eye out for communications on how you can support the committee — your experience and insight are invaluable as we continue to build and grow our training program.

Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Havlick
Chairman, Department Training Committee
Department of Minnesota, The American Legion