Up To Now

Up To Now!

Ron Boyd Acting Department Adjutant Public Relations Officer

Issued Bi-Weekly from State Headquarters at Watertown, S.D. 57201-0067

Phone (605) 886-3604

No. 2834 December 4, 2002

ENCLOSED FOR POST COMMANDERS

The following items have been enclosed for all Post Commanders:

A letter from State Legion VAVS Committee Chairman Clarence Blunck of Platte that is to be read at your next Post meeting. The letter details the need for volunteers, donations and contributions plus the normal monetary collection to be taken at the Midwinter Conference for popcorn for the VA facilities. The demand continues for popcorn and other items. The Christmas holiday period is a wonderful time for Posts to give consideration to making an extra donation to the Veterans facility of your choice.
An information brochure on the 2003 National Information Conference which will be held in Sioux City, Iowa, April 25-27, 2003.

HAT IN THE RING

The following individual has announced his candidacy for office in the South Dakota American Legion and has been endorsed by his home Post:

Hunt-Newell Post #213 of Cresbard has endorsed Wayne "Red" Vetter for the office of State Commander of The South Dakota American Legion in 2003-2004.

ATHLETIC COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

Commander Walt Lindemann of Eureka has announced the following appointments to the South Dakota American Legion Athletic Commission:

Jim Merrigan of Vermillion to a five-year term as Athletic Commissioner for the Area consisting of Districts 1 and 7.
Dale Kurth to an additional one-year term as Chairman of the Athletic Commission.

BOYS STATE FEES UNCHANGED

The South Dakota American Legion Boys State Corporation and Board of Directors established criteria and developed plans for the 2003 session of South Dakota American Legion Boys State during a meeting held November 13^th in Sioux Falls. The decision was made to leave the registration fee to sponsor a delegate to Boys State during the 2003 session at the same price as the fee for the 2002 session. The fee, which will be unchanged for the 2003 session, was raised to $115 in 2002.

KEEP YOUR TAX EXEMPTION

Post officials are reminded again that they may have to complete an application for property tax exemption as required by law. One of the items requested is the Post's federal 501 (c) (19) exemption number, which in most cases is unknown to Post officers. This is the nine-digit number that normally starts with the digits "46". This exemption identification number should be on all of your Post's financial records and data. Post officials are also reminded to file IRS Form No. 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, if applicable, for the fiscal year. In most cases, a Post's fiscal year is from election to election, or April to April. If they are not sent to Posts, these forms are available from the nearest IRS office. IRS Form 990 requires a general number, or GEN. The blanket GEN for all Legion organizations, including Posts, is 0925.

HEADQUARTERS CLOSING FOR HOLIDAYS

State Headquarters will close at 5:00 p.m. Monday, December 23 and reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 26 for the Christmas holiday.
State Headquarters will close again at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30 and reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2003 for the New Year holiday.

EDUCATIONAL LOAN DEADLINE

January 1, 2003 is the next deadline for submitting applications for educational loans from The South Dakota American Legion Educational Loan Fund. The program has two deadlines each year for the submission of applications; January 1 and July 1. Loans of up to $1,500 per person per academic year are available and will be granted on the basis of need and prospective best use of training sought, as determined by the educational Loan Committee. It is provided further that no one person may borrow in excess of $3,000 from the Educational Loan Fund. The loans draw 3% interest on the unpaid balance. Repayment commences 90 days after graduation or withdrawal from school. The loan applicant must be a veteran who is eligible to belong to The American Legion or the child of a veteran who is eligible to belong to The American Legion. The applicant or the parent do not have to belong to The American Legion. Loan applications can be obtained from State Headquarters in Watertown. Completed applications must be signed by the local Post Commander or other Post official and must be submitted to the Secretary of The South Dakota American Legion Educational Loan Committee at State Headquarters, PO Box 67, Watertown, SD 57201.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO MEET

The South Dakota American Legion Legislative Committee will hold its annual meeting on Monday, December 9, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at Pierre American Legion Post #8 to develop plans for the 2003 legislative session. Legislation of Legion interest will be discussed with input from committee members and the Legion's lobbyists.

DEADLINE FOR SPORTS BIDS NEARS

Posts are reminded that those interested in hosting the 2004 sporting events for The South Dakota American Legion have until Friday, January 17^th, 2003 to submit invitations to State Headquarters.

The State Bowling Tournament will be held during three or four weekends in March and/or April, 2004. The bowling establishment must have at least eight (8) lanes to host the event.
The State Golf Tournament will be either the third or fourth weekend in June, 2004.
Tentative dates for the Class "B" Baseball Tournament are July 28-August 1, 2004.
Tentative dates for The American Legion State Championship Baseball Tournament are August 4-8, 2004.

To ensure that participating baseball teams take home some money to pay expenses, the State Athletic Commission requires that bidders guarantee a split of $2,500 in the "B" Baseball Tournament and $7,000 in the State Championship Tournament.

The 2003 tournaments will be in Hot Springs (bowling), Eureka (golf), Pierre (Championship Baseball) and Parkston ("B" Baseball Tournament).

2003 NATIONAL LEADERSHIP INFORMATION CONFERENCE

It is not too early to start thinking about having members of your Post attend the 2003 National Information Conference. This conference explores the rapid and dramatic economic, technological, social and political trends that affect the way we conduct business today, and in the years to come. Whether someone has been a member for many years, or for one, there are enough topics to satisfy everyone's interest. The conference is designed to bring you up to speed on today's American Legion programs. This is a program for the Legion Family. There are breakout sessions for The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and the SAL. Bring members from each of these organizations in your community. The 2003 Conference for Region 6 will be held April 25-27, 2003, at the Hilton Sioux City, in Sioux City, Iowa. The group rate at the hotel for attendees is $86.00 (single or double occupancy) + tax. April 3, 2003 is the reservations cutoff date. Call 1-800-Hiltons or (712) 277-4101 for reservations. Ask for the group rate for The American Legion.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Department 2003 membership stands at 22,043, or 79.25 percent of goal. Although we have surpassed the 75% target date for Pearl Harbor Day, Posts must continue to process and submit membership to State Headquarters as soon as possible after it is collected. National and Department Headquarters recommend that it be forwarded weekly, if possible.

Next target date after Pearl Harbor Day is December 31, 2002.