The steps can be applied when starting a department Legion College or implementing any type of training initiative.
After Autrey James graduated from National American Legion College in 2014, he returned home with a vision of establishing a Department of California Legion College.
His vision became a reality thanks to a team effort.
“As a leader in this organization you have to take calculated risks,” said James, past judge advocate for the Department of California, to the 2019 National Legion College class. “And never give up. If you see something that you think needs to be changed, don’t give up.”
James shared the following steps that can be applied when starting a department Legion College or implementing any type of training initiative.
Identify your needs or goals. James expressed that no one person can say what’s best for the department. “It has to be a group effort,” he said. California wanted to develop leaders for The American Legion’s future through mentorship. If you don’t know your department needs, James advised to conduct a survey through SurveyMonkey.com. “Don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t be afraid of what you learn when you ask. Remember it’s all about them, not about you.”
Develop learning objectives. James said to ask yourself the questions of what is it that you want them to learn, what do you want this program to do and what do you want them to know. “My case, I wanted to identify and prepare leaders for the future. And inform because the only way we are going to maintain and grow this organization if we are constantly, constantly engaging our members. We cannot say it enough. We cannot do it enough.
“With new members, make sure they have a reason to stay. Everyone joins for some reason or another. But why do they stay? We may come for the camaraderie that we are missing, but we stay because we find something in The American Legion that speaks to us. But you have to let members know about all of those programs. So that was one of the goals that I had with a department Legion College.”
Design and develop the program. This includes format (or setting), location, curriculum, instructors (use Legion College alumni and Legion Family members), students (California has a student from each of its 30 districts), budget, resolution and number of times held each year.
Implement and evaluate. “You need to get input from others to make sure that you are really meeting the needs of your people, who are your students,” James said.
- Dispatch