2008 Children and Youth Conference September 19-21, 2008 Indianapolis, IN

I had the opportunity to attend the 2nd annual C & Y National Conference held in Indianapolis and want to share an overview of the topics covered. I also wish to provide some supporting documentation to help everyone further their efforts towards assisting the youth of our country to overcome hardships, illness and to help them become better Americans.

An overview of the topics follows:

Legislative Training– Steve Robertson, a registered lobbyist gave us an overview on how the lobbying process works and how to establish a relationship with our local congressman/woman to help us gain access to the decision makers in Washington. He stressed developing a relationship on the local level, get them involved. Invite them to speak at your local functions or to participate in a program. If they have sponsored or influenced legislation designed to benefit children and youth programs in your community, hold a press conference to recognize them. Work to develop a relationship with their local staffers, thus paving the way towards much improved cooperation and communication. http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/ppt/legislative_08.ppt

When Parents Deploy – Assistant Director for Americanism and C&Y Division at National Headquarters, Jason Kees presented as pinch hitter for The Sesame Network representative. The Sesame Network has produced a DVD titled Talk, Listen, Connect. In their own child focused style, TSN has produced a video that helps both children and parents address the myriad of issues that arrive when a parent(s) deploys or returns home from a lengthy deployment. The video also helps to address when a parent or family member or close family friend returns from deployment wounded, whether emotionally for physically. These DVDs are available at no cost for use in conjunction with a family centered program.
For more information, http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/ppt/talklisten_08.ppt

Military Child Education Coalition – MCEC (m-sek), for short, is a program that helps educate educators to the possible special needs of children of active duty personnel or reservists who have been deployed. Joan Patterman Barrett, an Auxiliary member, wife of a career military husband, is the Director of Research and Evaluation for the Military Child Education Coalition. It is a program that stresses the exceptional needs and problems that these children face and how the educators can recognize these situations and be proactive in working together with the student to keep them moving forward in their education while their parents are serving our country.
Further information, http://legion.org/documents/legion/ppt/mcec_08.ppt

Video Conferencing - Bill Pease, Deputy Director of Americanism and Children & Youth gave us a live demonstration on the latest tool available through the American Legion website. This is very similar to what our own webmaster, John Walpole has been working on for the benefit of our own Detachment. There is a link on the National Legion site that allows you to access the software needed for the conferencing. You will have to have a webcam and headset (to reduce echo) but, these small investments may allow our committees to meet remotely thus saving far more than the initial investment and enabling us to be even more productive.

Children’s Miracle Network – We all know the value of this program and the prominent position it holds in the hearts of our members. Brad Lake, Director of Sponsor Relations spent some time first thanking all if the Legion Family members for all they have done over the years in support of CMN. Brad also discussed some very important changes to the IRS regulations regarding reporting of donations to CMN from the Legion. These changes involve the tightening of the regulations that will limit what types of donations can now be considered for reporting by both CMN and the American Legion. If you have an opportunity to speak with Brad for whatever reason, please ask him about his thinking cap. For more information, http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/ppt/cmn_08.ppt

Boys and Girls State – The numbers are going down, and we ALL need to do more to help change that trend. Jill Druskis, Deputy Director, Americanism and C&Y Division discussed the need for more communication with the local high schools in an effort to increase recruiting and participation in this vital program. More info, http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/ppt/bgstate_08.ppt

Communications Today – The Legion Auxiliary has brought in Moriah Merkel to help them identify which modes of communication can be used to best reach our younger members and prospective members. Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook were examples of tools being used to help get the word out. More info, http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/ppt/communication_08.ppt

Child Welfare Foundation – Bill Pease reiterated the value of the foundation. He reviewed the history, from inception to current day, discussing the amount of money granted and the importance of sustaining the funding to ensure being able to meet as many worthy grant requests as possible. More info, http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/ppt/cwf_08.ppt

American Legion Auxiliary Children and Youth Programs – National Children & Youth Chair for the American Legion Auxiliary, Kris Nelson gave us an overview of the many C & Y programs sponsored and supported by the Auxiliary.
More info, http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/ppt/auxprograms_08.ppt

Special Olympics – Tracy DeVries, Sr. Manager of Development and Communications shared the depth and scope of the Special Olympics program, 2.5 million athletes in 180 countries participate in the Special Olympics. She covered the need for volunteer hours as well as the financial needs and thanked the Legion family for their assistance. She had one of her national “ambassadors” address the meeting and share his experience (including his national Bronze, Silver and Gold medals)!!
More info, http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/ppt/specialolympics_08.ppt

CAT Program – The Children Action Team program is one of the rapidly growing programs within the Legion family. EVERY member of the Legion family is eligible to become a member of the CAT, with one member designated as the state contact. Please contact me to learn how to become a CAT member. There are CAT posters and canisters available to help fundraise within your post and community.

I urge all of the members, squadrons, counties and districts in NY State to make it a MUST DO to host a fund raising event with the proceeds earmarked for one of the valuable C & Y programs as well as an annual line item in their budgets be added as well.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Bill Lutz
C&Y Chairman, C & Y Commission
Detachment of New York CAT delegate
wgl3333@twcny.rr.com