Page 11 - AL POST 390 OFFICER'S GUIDE AND MANUAL OF CEREMONIES - 2020

Post commander: "I now declare this meeting of Post No._ The American
Legion, Department of adjourned."

The commander gives one rap of the gavel`

INITIATION OF NEW MEMBERS

Regular form

Initiation of new members is an important post function. They need to be shown, officially and formally,
that they're indeed a part of The American Legion. They deserve the courtesy of being introduced to the
post that has accepted their membership applications and dues payments.

Whether conducted by the post officers or an established ritual team, an initiation ceremony should
happen at least once a year. Each officer should learn his or her part of the ceremony to be able to deliver
it without reference to the printed text. Each initiation officer should wear the regulation American Legion
cap and badge of office (see pages 40-41 ).
The sergeant~at-arms is responsible for preparing the hall or meeting room for the initiation, and should see
to it that the following items, which are presented to new members during the ceremony, are on hand in
sufficient quantity: small U.S. flags, Amerlcan Legion lapel pins and flag etiquette booklets. All are available
through Emblem Sales online at emblem.legion.org. In addition, the sergeant-at-arms, depending on
the format your post chooses for this ceremony, may set up the following items: poppies (real or imitation)
in a neat arrangement in a vase at either the station of the second vice commander or near the podium
identifying the station of the commander; a gavel bell at the station of the past commander or near the
podium of the commander; and a miniature stand with the u.S. flag and the Legion colors at the station of
the first vice commander or near the podium.

This ceremony is designed to conform to the floor plan of a post meeting room as illustrated on page
39. New members are escorted by the sergeant-at-arms to the various officers' stations for instruction.
However, the ceremony may be altered to conform to the meeting room layout as illustrated, with new
members standing in the area between the stations of the first and second vice commanders. The ritual
may be modified so that initiation officers deliver their respective instructions to the new members from
the podium.

The new members for initiation will assemble at the back of the meeting room or, preferably, in a nearby
room immediately prior to the ceremony.
The commander shall call the meeting to order with one rap of the gavel.

Post commander: ``We shall now proceed to the initiation of new members. In order that we may impress
upon these new members the serious import and sacred obligations of American Legion membership, all
present will conduct themselves in a manner befitting such ceremony. The sergeant-at-arms will present
those ready for initiation."
The sergeant-clt-arms stands at a deslgnated statlon and salutes the U.S. flag.

Sergeant-at-arms: "Commander, there are (number) veterans who have been accepted for membership in
The American Legion and are awaiting the obligation."
Post commander: "As these new members have been accepted for membership, we shall proceed with the
initiation. Sergeant-at-arms, escort the new members Into the hall and place them properly before the flag."

The sergeant-at-arms escorts the new members to the appropriate location.
Sergeant-at-arms: "Commander,I present these new members for initiation into The American Legion."

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