Referred to Convention Resolutions Committee

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RESOLUTION

Resolution No. / 25
Subject / Per Capita Dues Increase 2014

WHEREAS, In the last eight years, The American Legion Department of New York has suffered a dramatic decline in membership due to deaths and a lack of membership renewals, reinstatements, and insignificant recruiting of new members resulting in a significant drop in membership revenue; and

WHEREAS, This decrease in membership has also caused The American Legion Department fund raisers such as the Calendar program, Label program, Pin program, and Sweepstakes program to garner significantly less revenue than in previous years; and

WHEREAS, This decrease in revenue has caused The American Legion Department of New York to borrow over ½ million dollars in the past two years from its reserve funds, a practice that, if continued, could cause the Department to be placed in a severe financial situation; and

WHEREAS, Our nation’s spiraling inflation has caused significant increases in medical and dental coverage along with retirement benefits for the 19 employees of the Department staff; and

WHEREAS, Despite wise and prudent management and a practice of stringent economic policies, which includes, restrictions on staff hiring and compensation, combining directives and reducing mailings, and delays in vital equipment purchases; Department has been able to absorb rising costs through 2013, but will no longer be able to do so; and

FOR CONVENTION COMMITTEE USE
Approved ______Rejected ______
Approved with Amendments ____X_____ / Adjutant Signature
Consolidated with ______
Referred to Standing Committee on / County
Below section to be completed when resolution is submitted from another authorized source.
Received and Recorded ______
Other Action ______/ Name
Signature ______
(Chairman) / Title

Page 2 of 3

RESOLUTION

Resolution No. / 25
Subject / Per Capita Dues Increase 2014

Referred to Convention Resolutions Committee

WHEREAS, A lack of revenue would cause the scaling back and/or elimination of many programs and services of The American Legion Department of New York, and would prevent The Department’s ability to meet its obligation to its employees as well as the community, state, and nation as articulated in the Preamble of The American Legion Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The Department membership in 2004 was 178,344 and 2013 membership now stands at 124,000 a difference of approximately 54,000 members resulting in a significant loss of revenue since 2004; and

WHEREAS, The Department per capita dues have remained constant at $11.00 since January 1, 2005, with $7.00 placed in the General Fund and $4.00 placed in the Rehabilitation Fund or Service Officer; now, therefore, be it

Page 3 of 3

RESOLUTION

Resolution No. / 25
Subject / Per Capita Dues Increase 2014

Referred to Convention Resolutions Committee

RESOLVED, By The American Legion, Department of New York in Convention assembled in Niagara Falls, New York July 18, 19, 20, 2013, that the annual per capita dues of The Department of New York be increased from $11.00 per year to $16.00 per year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That of this $5.00 increase, $2.00 will be placed in The Department General Fund for administrative purposes and $3.00 be placed in the Department Rehabilitation Fund Service Officers to assist Veterans in time of need and to run the Department Service offices in Buffalo and New York City; and be it

FINALLY RESOLVED, That this per capita dues increase will take effect on January 1, 2014.