The District Commander 10 Points of Success Guide was shared by the department with all district commanders.  It contains a lot of sound advice to help commanders excel as they work with their district posts.  In fact, these same guidelines are equally valuable at the post level.  

Chapel Hill veterans join together to dedicate a new flagpole.

Part One: Don’t Expect What You Don’t Inspect
• Missing Minutes
• Tax Forms
• Finance Reports
• Membership Activities
• Programs
Part Two: Build Relationships
• Know your Post Officers
• Add value when you visit
• Communicate Regularly
• Respond Immediately
• Catch the Post Officers doing something positive
Part Three: Cast a District Vision
• Set realistic goals
• Know your timeline
• Understand the individual Post priorities
• Outline your priorities
• Align the vision
Part Four: Plan, Evaluate and Plan Again
• Document your 5 year plan
• Communicate the Plan
• Execute the Plan
• Re-adjust the plan when needed
• Measure, report and reward success
Part Five: Share Information
• Jr Vice Commanders should report on Post Activities
• Steal ideas shamelessly and share with other Posts
• Establish email chains and only pass on information only after you comment
• Update and use CallingPost.org
• Bad News does not get better with age.
Part Six: Participate in Community Events
• Schedule time to attend important community events
• Allow the Post Commander to identify your role at the event
• Praise the Post in from on the Community
• Be available for Media
• Make a photo op with the Post

Part Seven: Train
• Constantly update and train the District Officers
• Identify Post weaknesses and proved training in that area by District SME’s
• Recognize potential and create opportunities for up and coming Legionnaires
• Engage State Officers to assist
• Teach the History of the American Legion
Part Eight: Remove Barriers
• Listen and understand the problems
• Allow the Post to come up with Solutions
• Provide the Post with your solution
• Act on the solution
• Follow up to see if the issue was resolved
Part Nine: Program Implementation
• Know your deadlines
• Select Committee Chairs based on skillsets and motivation
• Assist the Posts to select programs based on their capabilities
• Engage State Officers to assist
• Recognized Posts and members for their participation
Part Ten: Membership Engagement
• Gave professional meetings
• Become fluent on why veterans should be members
• Create opportunities for family events
• Recruit the whole family
Retain
• Look for a cadence of contact with members ate each Post
• Provide Service Officer Support
• Revitalize every year
• Ensure each Post can use mylegion.org
Recruit
• Help each Post secure recruiting material and application
• Recognize new members during your visit
• Provide data on veterans in the area
• Go early to the town or county and try to recruit a member for the Post
• HAVE FUN