Minnesota American Legion Riders District 10 Post 172

Resolution No. 35

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NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OF

THE AMERICAN LEGION

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

October 17-18, 2007

Resolution No. 35: American Legion Riders as a National Program

Submitted by: Finance Commission

WHEREAS, American Legion Riders (ALR) was established in 1993 as a Post level activity at Garden City American Legion Post 396, Department of Michigan; and

WHEREAS, Today there are more than 700 The ALR groups at the Post, District and Department levels whose membership consists of members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion who share a common interest in motorcycle ownership and pleasure riding for veterans’ causes; and

WHEREAS, The ALR groups exist in at least 48 states and three foreign countries and evidence a growth pattern over the last five years that reflects a genuine interest in ALR for both current and potential members of The American Legion Family; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of ALR is to use their common interest and association to promote the aims and purposes of The American Legion as well as the promotion of motorcycle safety and awareness; and

WHEREAS, During the 2006 and 2007 calendar years, ALR raised more than $500,000 for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship while at the local level ALR groups contributions were valued at more than $75,000 in contribution or volunteer hours to support the programs of The American Legion; and

WHEREAS, Membership growth in The American Legion has increased in many Posts that have supported ALR and in some cases these members now serve in leadership positions within The American Legion; and

WHEREAS, ALR support those serving in uniform today through participation in such activities as the Patriot Guard, which was founded by the Department of Kansas ALR to provide escorts for our fallen heroes returning from war and taking care of the needs of the families left behind; and

WHEREAS, Many Posts and Departments of The American Legion have already acknowledged their ALR groups as a program and have established guidelines for ALR to follow; and

WHEREAS, In April 2007 an Ad-Hoc Committee appointed by the National Commander met in Indianapolis to discuss the future of ALR as a program based on guidelines developed by the Internal Affairs Commission in 2003; and

WHEREAS, These guidelines, which were validated with minor additions by the Ad-Hoc Committee, will serve as the standard under which all current and future The ALR groups will operate; and

WHEREAS, As The ALR groups continue to increase in number it would be beneficial to both The American Legion and ALR to establish basic guidelines for consistency in all aspects of The ALR groups; and

WHEREAS, The ALR status has been reviewed by the Internal Affairs Commission, which recommends the ALR become a National program; and

WHEREAS, National Finance Commission has reviewed ALR and the need for funding and insurance for the National organization for this program, recommends this program to the National Executive Committee; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, By The National Executive Committee of The American Legion in regular meeting assembled in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 17-18, 2007, That The American Legion adopt American Legion Riders (ALR) as a national program; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That all The American Legion Rider groups must be a program supported by a Post or Department of The American Legion and shall uphold the declared principles of The American Legion as well as conform to and abide by the regulations and decisions of the Department, Post or other duly constituted Department governing body; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the following guidelines are recommended for The ALR program of The American Legion:

1. All members of The American Legion Riders shall be current members of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion

2. Each ALR member shall own a motorcycle

3. Each ALR member shall be properly licensed and insured as required by state law

4. All ALR members shall strive to maintain the image of The American Legion, at all times upholding The American Legion name and emblem, which symbolizes the integrity and principles of this great organization

5. All The ALR groups shall avoid the perception of being a "motorcycle club" or biker club"

6. The only recognized The American Legion Rider logo is that which is copyrighted and sold through The American Legion National Emblem sales

7. All Members will obey the motorcycle laws of their state

8. No use of rockers with the ALR patch because touching the patch violates trademark laws of the ALR patch

9. Sponsoring organization (Post and Department) will review liability insurance coverage to ensure that adequate coverage is available to cover the organization to include coverage for any specific special riding events; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That American Legion Rider groups shall abide by The American Legion Constitution and By-laws as well as the established Post and Department directives; and, be it finally

RESOLVED, That The American Legion National Headquarters and the respective Departments shall maintain general oversight of ALR Program as regards to proper use of the name and emblem of The American Legion, ALR and The American Legion Legacy Run, and compliance with the National Constitution and By-Laws of The American Legion.