Guest column: The importance of committees

My theme for this year is “Back to the Basics: The Four Pillars.” The committees are the back bone of the Four Pillars.

Committees are vital to The American Legion because they keep our mission moving forward. They allow members to focus on specific programs — from veterans’ assistance to community service — ensuring every part of our Four Pillars is carried out effectively.

Committees bring together members’ skills, strengthen teamwork and provide leadership opportunities while maintaining accountability and good decision-making. Simply put, committees are where the real work of the Legion happens — turning our shared values into meaningful action for veterans, families, and communities.

Each year the incoming Department Commander is asked to appoint people to various committees. This is no easy task.  Responsibilities come along with each of our committees.  If you were at the Fall Conference, you have heard Judge Advocate Greg Colby talk about the duties of directors of charitable organizations: Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty and Duty of Obedience.

These duties apply to, not only the Department Executive Committee, but all committees. When the chairman of a committee calls for a meeting, it is the duty of all members of the committee to attend, unless excused by the chairman.

If you are on a committee and you wish to be taken off or moved to a different committee, please contact me, we want our committees to be as successful as possible. At the present time I am looking for energized individuals to fill the following committees: vice chair for Oratorical, members for Convention Corporation, Media & Communications, Internal Affairs, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation and the Training Committee.

Descriptions for all committees can be found at mnlegion.org under Program Resources, Outline of Authorization. If any of these committees spark your interest, please contact me at [email protected].

Linda Dvorak of New Prague Post 45 is the commander of the Department of Minnesota.