Anita Mennel, Legislative Program Chair
While we are at the end of our “reporting year”, our work is not done. I trust you have been contacting your representatives in both Michigan and Washington, D.C., with specific information about The American Legion Legislative Priorities: https://www.michiganlegion.org/TAL-MI/. Every year, the National Organization works hard to compile a list of priorities that will affect our Servicepeople and our Veterans. The new list is available for the 119th Congress, 2nd Session. This is easily found at: https://www.legion.org/advocacy/legislative.
If you were at the Winter meeting and training in February, you may remember the discussion about ALA members’ social media use and its content. I include it here as it needs to get out to all our members.
Reminder that our Organization must maintain a non-partisan image.
While we are currently living in a highly polarized political climate, that has nothing to do with the imperativeness of maintaining our non-partisanship. As a 510(c)19 non-profit organization, we are required to remain non-partisan to maintain our tax-exempt non-profit status.
Additionally, supporting or opposing specific policies, legislation, or political issues is always okay. We cannot support/show preference for political parties or elected officials/candidates over others. To keep it simple, I always say “Policies are Good. People/parties are bad.” I understand that certain policies/issues can be very polarizing; however, it is not considered partisan to support one way or the other if political parties are not included in the conversation.
Please be mindful of what you post on social media, especially if your profile is linked to the Organization at any level. As individuals research an organization, they will also look at the individuals involved and the organization’s leaders to get a ‘feel’ for the culture and beliefs. Posting, sharing, commenting, or referencing political parties or political leanings, while tied to the organization, could create the impression that our organization supports a particular political party. When in doubt, ask first or share through an instant message to friends/family individually.
When exercising your Constitutional First Amendment Right to speak out and protest, members must abstain from wearing branded apparel, such as hats, caps, vests, or shirts. Wearing branded apparel gives the appearance of the Organization choosing a political party, belief, etc., putting the organization’s Tax-exempt status at risk. Thank you for working on our mission and keeping our focus.