POST ADJUTANTS, PLEASE NOTE:

How to Process Paid-Up-For-Life WITH THE CLOSE of the department convention

season, National Headquarters began receiving applications for the new Paid-up-for-Life Memberships. Now almost every mail delivery brings additional ap¬ plications from Legionnaires who want to get their dues paid for the rest of their lives.

Because this is a new operation, National Headquar¬ ters is using the ADVANCE to inform post adjutants of procedures in processing Paid-up-for-Life Memberships:

1. Get Paid-up-for-Life applications and promotional brochures from your department headquarters or National Headquarters.

2. The member desiring to purchase a Paid-up-for- Life Membership fills out the top part of the application form and turns it over to his post adjutant along with payment. Cost may be charged to BankAmericard or Master Charge. The member must be in “good standing,” which means that he must be a paid-up member for 1975 before he can purchase a Paid-up-for-Life Membership now.

3. The post adjutant or finance officer adds his en¬ dorsement, certifying that the member is currently paid- up and enters the number of his membership card. Use the number of the 1975 card, unless the member has already paid in advance for 1976. In that case, use the 1976 number. Enter the total amount of the post’s present dues. In the “Remarks” section of the Membership Register, enter “Paid-up-for-Life” and the date of the payment.

4. If you have a regular 1976 membership card for the member, the Department Record Card may be stapled or clipped to the application.

5. Retain the pink copy of the application for your post files. Give the yellow copy to the member. Send the other two copies with payment to your Department Headquar¬ ters.

6. As soon as the application has been endorsed by the department adjutant, it is to be forwarded to National Headquarters. The membership record of the member will then be checked against national records, and, if in order, a permanent-type Paid-up-for-Life Membership Card (pictured on this page) is mailed directly to the

THE AMERICAN LEGION

PRID-UP-FDR-LIFE

CARD NO,

JOHN DOE

post 119 N Iccncn 7-2 5-7 5 NO. DEPT. ISSUED:

■■■hmmhi 1 SEE REVERSE SICE

member. This normally requires only two or three days after the application reaches National.

7. Each year thereafter on about July 1, National Headquarters will issue checks to all posts and depart¬ ments having Paid-up-for-Life members to reimburse them for their share of the dues for the coming year.

8. Since most Legionnaires buying Paid-up-for-Life Memberships now will not yet have paid their 1976 dues, National Headquarters will issue checks to posts and departments for their share of the total 1976 dues. Checks for applications received before the end of September will be issued early in October. A second series of checks for 1976 dues will be issued early in February to take care of applications received between October 1 and the end of January. After February 1, a member is delinquent if 1976 dues are not paid and will not qualify to purchase a Paid-up-for-Life Membership until 1976 dues are paid.

9. In addition to the permanent Paid-up-for-Life Card, these members will also receive directly from National Headquarters an annual membership card very similar in appearance to the regular official membership card. However, the serial number of this card will have the let¬ ters “PUFL” printed in the space normally used for the number of the post.

10. Next year, when the 1977 membership cards are printed, Paid-up-for-Life Members will be omitted, but the names of these members will still be added to the Post Register, and they will be clearly identified as Paid-up-

(Continued on next page)

Five Cities to Host Area C&Y Meetings BEGINNING THE LATTER part of October

(next month), a news series of Area Conferences on Children & Youth will get under way. The sites and dates for the meetings are as follows: New England Area — Portland, Me., Oct. 30-Nov. 1; Middle Atlantic Area — Washington, D.C., Nov. 13-15; Midwestern Area — St. Charles, Mo., Dec. 4-6; Western Area — Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 8-10, 1976; and Southern Area — Little Rock, Ark., Jan. 22-24.

Since 1928, these conferences have offered the op¬ portunity to members of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Eight & Forty to meet in a location convenient to their homes to discuss their past efforts and future plans in this major program area.

These meetings are open and the general public is en¬ couraged to attend. No registration fee is charged.

Here is a brief preview of some of the program items scheduled for this year’s meetings: Education & Scholar¬ ship Workshop; Youth Speakers; Alcohol and Youth; A Look at Neglected and Abused Child Legislation; Organizational Meetings; Banquet; Department Reports; etc.

When an Area Conference on Children & Youth is in your vicinity, we hope you or a representative of your post will attend. Bring a friend (or many friends) to listen, to learn, and, perhaps, to become active in Children & Youth program for the betterment of our future — the children of our nation.

P-U-F-L Procedures (Continued from Page 1)

for-Life Members on both the post and department membership registers.

11. The National Paid-up-for-Life Plan provided that departments so desiring may exclude themselves from the plan by vote of the department convention or the depart¬ ment executive committee. The following departments have advised National Headquarters that they will not be participating in the national plan, at least for the present, and members of these departments will not be able to purchase a Paid-up-for-Life Membership. Departments with an asterisk (*) have a department paid-up-for-life- plan, and members of these departments may purchase such a membership through their department headquar¬ ters. :

Departments not Colorado* Delaware Florida France Illinois Kansas* Kentucky

2.

participating: Maryland* Nebraska* Nevada New Hampshire North Carolina Ohio*

Oklahoma* Pennsylvania* Philippines Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

*■«£ ADVANCE Published monthly by: National Headquarters, The Ameri¬ can Legion, P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206. A publication for American Legion Post Commanders and Post Adjutants.

AMERICAN LEGION PRESS

ASSOCIATION

Editor: Frank L. Megnin

September, 1975 Vol. XVIII, No. 9 COMMANDER’S ALENDAR

September

6-7

13-14

17 20-21

27-28

October

4-5

5- 11 6- 7

8-9

13 20 30- Nov. 1

District Commander Training Seminars at Kingston, Okla.; Laconia, N.H.; Lincoln, Neb.; and Salt Lake City, Utah. District Commander Training Seminar at Montgomery, Ala. Constitution Day - Citizenship Day. 15th National Baseball Conference, In¬ dianapolis, Ind. 6th National Conference of Department Oratorical Chairmen, Indianapolis, Ind.

40th National Boys State Conference, In¬ dianapolis, Ind. National Employ the Handicapped Week. Annual Conference of Department Com¬ manders and Adjutants, meetings of standing national commissions and committees, In¬ dianapolis, Ind. National Executive Committee, Indianapolis, Ind. Columbus Day. Dues now payable for 1976. New England Area Conference on Children & Youth, Portland, Me.

November

I Deadline for enrollment in 30th term of American Legion Extension Institute.

II 57th Anniversary of World War I Armistice. Veterans Day (in most states).

13-15 Middle Atlantic Area Conference on Child¬ ren & Youth, Washington, D.C.

16-22 American Education Week.

The ADVANCE, September, 1975

Legion Promotes Halloween Safety AT ITS SPRING MEETING in 1971, the

National Commission on Children & Youth ac¬ cepted the responsibility of promoting a safety program in conjunction with Halloween festivities. Six American Legion Departments agreed to try the “Make Halloween A Safe and Fun Night” project on a pilot basis that Oc¬ tober.

The report of those 6 departments to the Commission the following spring was Filled with enthusiasm for the program and confidence in the continuation of such an effort.

On the basis of that report on the pilot program, “Make Halloween A Safe and Fun Night” was offered as a Children & Youth program to all departments in 1972. The response was enthusiastic — 96 per cent of the 50 departments contacted wanted additional materials to distribute to their posts and units.

Improved Program Materials

Since that beginning, many changes have been made to improve the program packets. The most significant change for 1975 is in the quantities of brochures available. For the first time since the program began, the Commission is offering a brochure to every post and unit concerning this Halloween safety program.

Although there is no way to measure the success of such a program, Legion Posts and Auxiliary Units which take part find satisfaction in their efforts to help reduce the number of victims of accidents, poisoned candy, razor blades and needles in apples, and other demented ac¬ tivities which have cast a shadow over the occasion.

National Hobby Month Observance in October National hobby month, which win be

observed during October, is an opportunity for American Legion Posts to help their many members (and perhaps the youth of their sponsored programs) exhibit the creativity and achievement of their hobbies.

Hobby Month is sponsored annually by the non-profit Hobby Industry of America. Cooperating national organizations include the American Library Association; the National Association of Recreation and Parks; the Academy of Model Aeronautics; the American Model Railroad Association; plus many others.

Posts interested in participating may obtain additional information and materials from Hobby Month, Hobby Industry of America, 200 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y. 10010.

The ADVANCE, September, 1975

In implementing this program, many posts have developed Halloween activities to help reduce the poten¬ tial of needless accidents: Parties (in lieu of door-to-door trick-or-treating), paint-ins, costume contests, etc.

All posts are urged to promote the idea of ‘Make Halloween A Safe and Fun Night” in their respective communities and neighborhoods. This program is ideal as a post activity. It provides a goal — a safe and fun Halloween -- and the means, in a step-by-step fashion, to reach that goal.

Packets of program material have been furnished to departments for post distribution. In addition to the materials designed especially for post use, the packets in¬ clude safety rules recommended by the National Safety Council and the National Confectioners Association of the United States.

The packet is complete with suggested news releases and radio-tv spot announcements to help develop public awareness for greater safety precautions.

In addition to the packet a photographic slide for use with television spot announcements is also available to those Legion organizations which can make effective use of it. The design of the slide appears with this article.

All requests for packets and slides should be made to department headquarters.

Seek Coordinated Program Each American Legion Department is asked to coor¬

dinate this program with its affiliates and other

organizations in order to achieve a unified effort. This program provides each American Legion Post

with an excellent opportunity to exercise its community leadership capabilities and play a major role in a nation¬ wide endeavor to reduce the number of mishaps related to Halloween festivities.

Mr. Post Commander: Ask your department headquar¬ ters for information about this program today. Just a few moments of your time may help a child avoid needless tragedy.

3.

Post Blood Bank Meets Vital Need Within Community EVERY DAY, more than 18,000 pints of blood

are transfused in the United States. The national need for this life-giving substance has nearly tripled in the last 10 years.

Each American Legion Post has a stake in insuring that in time of need each member can be assured of this previous national resource.

Mr. Post Commander: While you’re assessing the programs of your post for the year ahead, take a good look at your post’s blood program. If your post doesn’t have a blood program, start one; if the program is floun¬ dering, revitalize it. Complete information is in a booklet available from the National Security-Foreign Relations Division, the American Legion, 1608 K St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006.

The first step is the appointment of a blood donor chairman who will contact the local Red Cross Chapter, community hospital, or blood bank. Whether your post is going into the program for the first time or is continuing its blood donor program, give serious thought to your ap¬ pointment of this chairman. Look for someone who will give this program that necessary spark of vitality to assure its success. Your emphasis, Mr. Commander, will help stimulate interest and participation among your mem¬ bership.

The easiest of all systems to implement in this program is the ‘Walking Blood Bank.” Under this system, the members of your post and its Auxiliary Unit (you may also choose to include immediate families, too) register the names of eligible donors and have their blood typed. When blood is required, the post or unit blood chairman need only call the registered donor who has the proper type of blood.

Debit and credit systems can be worked out with either the American Red Cross, the local hospital, or com¬ munity blood bank under which a portion of the blood donated is credited to the post or unit.

Post participation in The American Legion’s Blood Donor Program provides a worthwhile community ser¬ vice and an opportunity for your post to establish closer ties with both the community and prospective members.

For a program which costs so little in time and resour¬ ces, it yields vast dividends in community service.

Education Week, November 16-22

MERICAN EDUCATION WEEK was in stituted in 1921 by the joint action of The American

Legion and the National Education Association to enlist the help of the public in eliminating the high rate of illiteracy and poor physical fitness prevalent among youth during World War I.

The week of Nov. 16-22 will mark the 55th consecutive year the Legion has sponsored American Education Week. This year’s theme — “Our Future is in Our Schools” — emphasizes the need for greater American Legion involvement in the education of our youth.

The National Americanism Commission strongly urges local posts to participate in this year’s observance through well-planned and meaningful activities. The first step in making American Education Week a success, Mr. Com¬ mander, is to select an AEW Committee, contact representatives of other organizations who are willing to participate, set a meeting time and together determine the program activities for 1975.

The 1975 American Education Week packet, prepared by the sponsoring organizations, for the use of your com¬ mittee, not only includes ideas for the observance but also examination copies of the materials to be used in promoting the objectives of your educational system.

Specific items found in the AEW packet include (a) The Observance Manual, offering suggestions for budget, selection of planning committee, numerous ac¬ tivities and an effective publicity campaign; (b) Source Book for Speakers and Writers; (c) five new leaflets featuring Career Education, Discipline, Spelling, Learn¬ ing, and Public Education; (d) promotion items; (e) publicity aids (news releases, proclamation and a reproduction sheet of American Education Week sym¬ bols; and (f) The Bicentennial and American Education Week, a unique item available only in the packet, offering suggestions for classroom activities.

These packets are available at $3 each, prepaid, from: National Education Association, Order Department, The Academic Building, Saw Mill Road, West Haven, Conn. 06516.

American Education Week is also an appropriate time to present the 25th edition of Need A Lift? along with a sufficient supply of the updated pamhlet, A Guide for Parents and Students to high schools and libraries in your community. Need A Lift? is 50c per copy, 30c in quantities of 100 or more; A Guide for Parents and Students is $10 per 1,000 or $6 for 500, payment to ac¬ company order. Both publications may be obtained from The American Legion, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206.

NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF POST OFFICERS

FOR 1975-1976 SHOULD BE CERTIFIED TO

DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

4. The ADVANCE, September, 1975

Thirty-Ninth Annual National High School Oratorical Contest

★ 1976 ★ RULES

Sponsored by THE AMERICAN LEGION

National Americanism Commission P.O. Box 1055

Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 $44,000 In Scholarship Awards

Approved by The National Association of Secondary-School Principals

Since 1943

I

.... The four finalists in The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest receive scholarships from the National Organization of The American Legion which may be used to attend any college or university in the United States—the winner, $8,000; the runner-up, $5,000; 3rd place, $3,000; and 4th place, $2,000. Each Legion Department (State) winner who is certified into and participates in The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest at the Regional level will receive a $500 scholarship to pursue education beyond high school. The funds for the scholarships at the National level are provided by The American Legion Life Insurance Trust Fund. Supplementing the scholarships listed above from the National Organization of The American Legion it is estimated that there are several hundred scholarships for Oratorical Contest participants awarded at Post, District and State levels.

Several thousand secondary school students participated in The American Legion’s Thirty-eighth Annual National High School Oratorical Contest, with fifty-two Department winners entering National competition.

The National Finals Contest was held at Albany High School, 1 Albany, Georgia, April 24, 1975.

THE 1975 WINNERS WERE:

mnmm % FIRST PLACE

Michael B. Begley Loyola-Blakefield High School

Baltimore, Maryland “The Constitution and the Protection

of Civil Liberties”

SECOND PLACE Shannon Aline Boland

East High School Denver, Colorado

“The United States Constitution An Orchestra in Tune?”

<!> THIRD PLACE

Jorge Ernesto Rodriquez Miami Senior High School

Miami, Florida Our Constitution: A Key to the Future*

FOURTH PLACE Gretchen Anne Winter

Luther High School South Chicago, Illinois

“Our Constitution - A Thing of Quality”

1976 NATIONAL CONTESTS

The Regional Contests will be held Monday, April 5, 1976; the Sectional Contests, Monday, April 12, 1976, and, the National Finals will be held at Old State Capitol, Springfield, Illinois, Thursday, April 15, 1976. The sites of the Regional and Sectional Contests will be announced as soon as scheduling is completed.

DEPARTMENT CONTESTS

All arrangements for Department Contests, including Local, County, District and other sub-divisions, shall be made by Departments of The American Legion. Each Department can certify one contestant into the National Contest program. All Department Finals Contests shall conform with National Contest procedure, rules and regulations.

A Department certifying a winner to the National Americanism and Children & Youth Division which did not conduct its Department Finals Contest in conformity with the rules and regulations set forth in this Thirty-ninth Annual National High School Oratorical Contest brochure for 1976, may, in the judgment of the Director, be disqualified from competition in National Contests. DEPARTMENT WINNERS MUST BE CERTIFIED TO THE NATIONAL AMERICANISM AND CHILDREN & YOUTH DIVISION, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, NOT LATER THAN MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1976.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible participants in The American Legion Youth Programs shall be citizens and/or residents of the United States.

All contestants must be bonafide students herein described as any student under the age of twenty (20) years on the date of the National Finals Contest and who are presently enrolled in a high school (public, parochial, military, or private) in which the curriculum of said high school is considered to be of high school level commencing with grade nine (9) and terminating with grade twelve (12). Students must be enrolled in high school during the time of participation at any level of The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest.

The four finalists of a National Finals Contest will be ineligible for further participation at any level.

RULES

SUBJECT TO BE USED FOR PREPARED ORATION

The subject to be used for the prepared oration in the Oratorical Contest must be on some phase of the Constitution of the United States which will give emphasis to the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen to our government. The same subject and oration used in the Department Contest must be used in the National Contest.

THE PREPARED ORATIONS MUST BE THE ORIGINAL EFFORTS OF EACH CONTESTANT AND MUST NOT TAKE UP LESS THAN EIGHT MINUTES NOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES FOR DELIVERY. THE PENALTY FOR PLAGIARISM WILL BE DISQUALIFICATION.

Substitutions for Disqualified Contestants or Contestants unable to compete in the National program, for any reason, are not permissible. Contests cannot be delayed from the official scheduled time and dates, unless officially approved by the National Americanism and Children & Youth Division.

THE EXTEMPORANEOUS FEATURE

The Extemporaneous Discourse must not consume less than three minutes nor more than five minutes for delivery. The purpose of the Extemporaneous Discourse Feature is to test the speaker’s knowledge of the subject, the extent of his research, and the ability to discuss extemporaneously the topic as related to the basic principles of government under the Constitution. Judges will downgrade contestants if they suspect parts of their Extemporaneous Discourse have been memorized.

The full text for the Extemporaneous Discourse Feature Topic (Drawn, but not announced, immediately before the last speaker begins delivery of his prepared oration) will be made known to each contestant approximately five (5) minutes prior to the time of delivery. The topic will be on some phase of the Constitution of the United States, selected from Articles and Sections as listed under Extemporaneous Topics for 1976 in this pamphlet.

In the prepared orations, as well as in the Extemporaneous Discourse, quotations must be indicated as such. Where quotations are more than ten words in length, the author’s name must be given in the manuscript or cited orally.

All contestants at each contest level are required to speak on the same extemporaneous topic which is drawn.

EXTEMPORANEOUS TOPICS FOR 1976

By action of the National Americanism Commission, the Extemporaneous Discourse Topics to be used in 1976 Contest are as follows:

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

Article I.

SECTION 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Article II.

SECTION 1. PARAGRAPH 2. Each state shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or

Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

Article VI.

PARAGRAPH 3. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

AMENDMENTS

Article IV.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Article IX.

The enumeration of the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Articel XVI.

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

TV AND RADIO

Live television and Radio Broadcasts are permitted in all Contests as well as KINESCOPES, FILMING OR OTHER TYPES OF MEDIA FOR LATER SHOWING, provided:

1. The American Legion is in no way obligated financially.

2. Satisfactory arrangements are made in advance with all persons concerned.

3. The filming or broadcasts shall in no way distract the contestants or interfere with the pre-announced scheduled time of Contest.

4. The normal speaking voice of the contestant is not interfered with or amplified within the auditorium.

DRESS

Uniforms of all kinds will be barred because a uniform worn by one contestant and not by the ethers might create an unfair advantage. Informal dress will be required.

FINANCES

The National Organization of The American Legion will pay the travel cost of Department winners as they progress in National competition. A girl winner must be accompanied by a chaperon whose travel cost will be paid by National. Travel for an escort of a seriously handicapped boy winner may, in the judgment of the Director, be authorized at National expense.

liability for personal injury, property damage or loss sustained by any contestants or the chaperon enroute to or from the Contest; however, The American Legion does carry a nominal group accident insurance policy on contestants certified into the National competition.

CONTEST REGULATIONS

Contestants shall draw for the order in which they appear, the drawing to be conducted by the Contest representative of the National Americanism Commission who will introduce the speakers as Number 1, Number 2, etc.

National Representatives will request the audience to refrain from applause until the Judges have made their decisions.

The Contest representative will be expected to introduce each contestant by name immediately before he announces the decision of the judges.

Public announcement of the first-place winner only shall be made in Regional and Sectional Contests.

The time allotted for each contestant to deliver his prepared oration shall not be less than eight nor more then ten minutes, and for the Extemporaneous Discourse not less than three nor more than five minutes.

If a contestant fails to use all of his allotted time or uses more than his allotted time in the delivery of his prepared oration or Extemporaneous Discourse, a penalty of one point for each minute or fraction thereof shall be assessed against the contestant’s total score.

An official timer shall be named by the Contest representative whose duty it shall be to keep an accurate time record of each contestant, and he shall be located on the main floor in full view of the contestants. The timer should be equipped with a stopwatch and time cards for the prepared oration carrying the figures 8, 9 and 10. When eight minutes have been used, the time warning card with the figure 8 thereon shall be placed in full view of speaker, following with 9 and 10 as the speaker progresses. The same procedure shall be used with cards bearing 3, 4 and 5 during the Extemporaneous Discourse. The Contest representative shall announce the time consumed by each contestant for the prepared oration and the Extemporaneous Discourse, immediately after each contestant speaks, for the benefit of the judges.

It is assumed that all National Contests will be conducted in an auditorium having a platform from which contestants will speak; however, the use of notes, amplification, lectern or speaker’s stand by contestants OR PROMPTING IN ANY MANNER, is not permitted.

PROMPTING MAY BE PERMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS IN CONTESTS, BELOW THE DEPARTMENT (STATE) FINALS, IF DESIRABLE. DEPARTMENT (STATE) FINALS MUST CONFORM TO NATIONAL RULES.

As each speaker concludes his prepared oration and Extemporaneous Discourse, he will return to a private room, under the supervision of an individual appointed by the Contest Representative, where the discourse of the other speakers cannot be heard.

Approximately five minutes prior to the time of the delivery of the Extemporaneous Discourse, contestant number one will be informed of the topic drawn for the Extemporaneous Discourse and shall be permitted to retire to privacy, under the direction of an individual appointed by the Contest representative, whose duty it shall be to see that no contestant is permitted to consult any text matter or notes having any connection with the subject matter upon which he is to speak, other than the actual words of the topic provided on the card drawn.

Each succeeding contestant will be called upon in the order in which he previously appeared. He shall, also, in turn, be informed of the topic of the Extemporaneous Discourse and shall then be escorted to privacy in the manner as provided for contestant number one.

JUDGES The judges are a very integral part of the Oratorical Contest. Their

qualifications are considered carefully as the decision of the judges is final and must be reached without bias. Impartial judging in all contests is the key to fairness and success of the program which results in the selection of a National Champion.

Arrangements for judges shall be made by the Contest Local Representative in the Regional, Sectional and National Contest Sites. The names shall be submitted to the National Americanism and Children & Youth Division for approval prior to the contest. Each contest shall have five judges. No publicity shall be given to the names of the judges in advance of the contest. During the contest, the judges shall be seated in different locations in the auditorium and each judge shall render his final decision without consultation with other judges or any other person. Official score cards will be furnished by the National Americanism Commission for the use of judges in National Contests.

Lack of emphasis in the prepared oration and the Extemporaneous Discourse on the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen must result in the judges downgrading the contestant involved. Judges will also downgrade contestants if they suspect parts of their Extemporaneous Discourse have been memorized. The National Representative of the contest will announce any violation of time limitation for each contestant. A penalty of one point for each minute, or fraction thereof, shall be assessed against the contestant’s total score.

The National Representative will meet with the judges at a time and place arranged by the Local Representative. The purpose of this meeting is for final briefing and to ascertain that the judges have a thorough understanding of their responsibility and have necessary materials for the contest.

Judges should carefully study and possess a thorough understanding of the score card and scoring system. This is to include all areas under, and including, A) Content, and B) Speaking Skills, on the score card. A judge having any questions should consult with the National Representative prior to the contest.

Each judge shall insert the total number of points credited to the contestant and also insert in the Record of Choice column, their choice of placement of each contestant, in accordance with highest total point scores. Judges should properly tabulate and sign their score card. The judges shall not confer prior to the announcement of their decision as to the placement of the contestants.

TABULATORS Each contest shall have three tabulators who will be certain that the

judges have fully tabulated and signed their score cards before submitting them for final tabulation. The judges score cards will then be numbered one through five in the upper right hand corner. Utilizing the tabulation card provided, enter the judges Record of Choice for each contestant (by speaking order). When this is accomplished for all five judge’s score cards, total the contestants scores. The contestant receiving the low score when totaling the tabulator card, will be declared the winner (EXAMPLE: If one contestant receives two firsts, two seconds and a third on the Judges Score Cards and Tabulation Card, his total Record of Choice points will be nine; if the second contestant receives two firsts, two seconds and a fourth, his total Record of Choice points will be ten. Even though the second contestant receives two firsts, his total Record of Choice point score of ten will place him second).

TIEBREAKER: If, after tabulation of the judges Record of Choice, two contestants receive the same placement point score total, the tie shall be broken by comparing the Record of Choice scores of the five judges for the two contestants. One of the contestants will be the winner over the other by a majority of the judges Record of Choice when only the placement of the tied contestants is considered (EXAMPLE: Consider that contestants No. 1 and No. 2 are tied. If Judge’s Card No. 1 reflects Record of Choice for contestant No. 1 as 3, and contestant No. 2 as 4, then it is considered that this judge ranks contestant No. 1 ahead of contestant No. 2). Use this procedure for all five judges’ cards and a majority of the five judges will break the tie and determine the winner.

If, after tabulation of the judges Record of Choice, three or more contestants receive the same placement point score total, the tie shall be broken by reference to Final Total Points on the Judges Score Cards. Only in this instance, will the contestant with the largest Final Total Points be declared the winner. In the case of a tie on the Final Total Point basis, the judges will then meet, compare their scores and discuss all features of the contest in order to arrive at a final choice. The decision of the judges will be final.

National Representatives, Tabulators and Judges are not permitted to divulge Judges’ score cards to anyone at the site of the Contest.

National Representatives are required to send all judges’ cards to National Headquarters following Contests.

Persons interested in the exact scoring, for professional purposes, may be furnished copies of cards, with judges’ names deleted at the discretion of the National Americanism and Children & Youth Division, upon request in writing. This pertains to National Contests only.

PROGRAM FACTS

The American Legion’s Oratorical program was started in 1938, when the Finals of the Contest were held in Norman, Oklahoma. Four thousand high school students participated that year from eleven states.

In 1975 fifty-two Legion Departments (including District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, France and Mexico) participated. There were several thousand participants in the Contest, with the Finals being held at Albany High School, Albany, Georgia.

Twenty-two girls and thirty boys made up the 1975 Contest.

Two girls have won first-place honors in the National High School Oratorical Contest.

Besides providing excellent experience for thousands of students participating in the Contests, the program affords a vast audience of our American public to better understand the meaning of the United States Constitution. Experience has shown the participants usually develop their presentation to portray a contrast of moral and spiritual values which stem from the roots of our Republic nourishing the American way of life as compared to living required under Communism.

In addition to Local, District and State Contests, there are twelve Regional, four Sectional and the National Finals Contest in the program.

Since 1938 and including the 1975 Contest, The American Legion has provided $454,000 in cash scholarships on the National level. Many more thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded each year by Departments of The American Legion, their Districts and Posts.

In 1975, five participants of the previous year’s Contest were granted awards by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, for “Outstanding Accomplishments in Helping to Achieve a Better Understanding of the American Way of Life.”

The 1975 National Champion Orator was the twelfth National Champion to be offered the American Academy of Achievement Award at the Academy’s Annual Salute to Excellence.

The four National Finalists and twenty-one (21) other Department (State) Champion Orators were sponsored to the American Academy of Achievement by Mr. DeWitt Wallace, Co-chairman of Reader’s Digest.

Past National Winners, sites, etc. of the National High School Oratorical Contest of The American Legion follows:

Departments Contest Year Winner Address Competing Site 1938 John Janson, Phoenix, Ariz.11 Norman, OK 1939 H. Fletcher Padgett, Jr., Saluda, S.C. . .20 Springfield, IL 1940 Thomas E. Haggerty, Rosedale, N.Y. . .40 Boston, MA 1941 Frank Church, Jr., Boise, Idaho.46 Charleston, SC 1942 Albert P. Smith, Jr„

Hendersonville, Tenn.46 Milwaukee, WI 1943 Burton Bernard, Granite City, Ill.42 New Orleans, LA 1944 Brent Bozell, Omaha, Neb.46 Boonville, MO 1945 Robert A. Kelly, Jersey City, N.J.42 Buffalo, NY 1946 William O. Wollin, Los Gatos, Calif. . . .43 Grinnell, IA 1947 Roy F. Greenaway, Fresno, Calif.44 Charleston, WV 1948 James H. Grant, Orlando, Fla.45 Savannah, GA 1949 Paul T. Heyne, Concordian, Mo.45 Philadelphia, PA 1950 James A. Robinson, Blackwell, Okla. . .45 Phoenix, AZ 1951 Miss Jeanne-Mann Dickinson,

Roanoke, Va.45 Richmond, VA 1952 Cliff Thompson, Kansas City, Kan. . . .45 Baton Rouge, LA 1953 Joel M. Bernstein, Buffalo, N.Y.47 Jersey City, NJ 1954 Jack McNees, Kansas City, Mo. (Kan.) .47 Los Angeles, CA 1955 Michael Miller, Los Angeles, Calif.47 Blackwell, OK 1956 Daniel A. Duckworth, Cleveland, Tenn.48 St. Louis, MO 1957 Dan McCall, Modesto, Calif.47 Waterville, ME 1958 Reed M. Stewart, Brazil, Ind.48 Portales, NM 1959 Roger R. Majak, Lansing, III.48 Lodi, CA 1960 Lanny Unruh, Newton, Kan.48 Penn Yan, NY 1961 Robert J. O’Connell, New York, N.Y. .49 East Hartford, CT 1962 Miss Patricia Ann Turner,

Muskogee, Okla.49 Salt Lake City, UT 1963 Stephen A. Osman, Short Hills, N.J. . .50 Eau Claire, WI 1964 David Bruce Marth, Wausau, Wise.50 Tampa, FL 1965 James F. Kay, Fullerton, Calif.50 Portland, OR 1966 Ronald Timothy McCoy, Nogales, Ariz.51 Henniker, NH 1967 Alan Lee Keyes, San Antonio, Texas . .51 Lincoln, NE 1968 John J. Cangilos, Albany, N.Y.51 St. Paul, MN 1969 Benjamin G. Davidian, Jr., Tracy, Calif. 51 Boise, ID 1970 Michael Patrick Gallagher,

Somerville, Mass.50 Houston, TX 1971 William H. White, San Antonio, Texas .52 Maryville, MO 1972 Thomas W. Joiner, Rock Hill, S.C.52 Weirton, WV 1973 John W. Frost, Peoria, Ill.52 Charlotte, NC 1974 Steven L. Zeller, Columbus, IN.52 Sioux Falls, SD 1975 Michael B. Begley.52 Albany, GA

THE AMERICAN LEGION ORATORICAL CONTEST

JUDGE’S CARD FOR_CONTEST (Insert Name of Contest)

NAME OF JUDGE_DATE_, 19_

A. CONTENT_Number of Contestants 1. Originality, freshness, directness, applies Prepared Oration_12 pts.

_knowledge on topic_Extemporaneous 4 pts. 2. Skill in selecting examples, description, Prepared Oration_12 pts.

_analogies, specific data_Extemporaneous_4 pts. 3. Logic (Correctness of Inference) Prepared Oration_12 pts.

Extemporaneous 4 pts. 4. Comprehensiveness of Knowledge, knows Prepared Oration 16 pts. _the subject matter_Extemporaneous_6 pts. B. SPEAKING SKILLS_

1. Voice and Diction Prepared Oration 6 pts. _Extemporaneous_4 pts.

2. Style: Language use, word arrangement, Prepared Oration 6 pts. transition, word selection Extemporaneous 4 pts.

3. Body action, poise, eye contact, posture, Prepared Oration 6 pts. _gestures_Extemporaneous_4 pts. _First Total_

Penalty 1 Point Deducted for each minute or Prepared Oration fraction thereof over or under allotted time. Extemporaneous

12 3 4 5 6

Final Total_Final Total Points Record of Choice Number Your Choice

30th Term rJ,HE EFFECTIVENESS of American Legion pro¬

grams, the success of American Legion endeavors, are related directly to the capability of Legionnaires in elected positions of leadership or appointed responsi¬ bilities within their respective communities. In order to perform their specific duties to the best of their ability, Legion leaders must understand fully The American Legion—its history, its accomplishments, its programs, and, especially, how it functions today.

The American Legion Extension Institute will give this basic knowledge of our organization. A home study plan, the course consists of six monthly lessons. Stu¬ dents check their own progress by a series of questions at the end of each lesson.

Students will complete the final examination and re¬ turn it to National Headquarters for grading. Students passing the final examination will receive a certificate of graduation. Legionnaire and SAL graduates will receive a colorful blue and gold mortarboard cap patch. Auxil¬ iary graduates will receive an attractive mortarboard pin and chain which they may attach to their Aux¬ iliary pin.

The six monthly lessons are as follows: 1— History and Organization. 2— Service Divisions and Sections. 3— Americanism and Children & Youth Programs. 4— Veterans Affairs—Rehabilitation and

Economic Programs. 5— Legislative Program and Public Relations. 6— National Security and Foreign Relations

Programs.

rJ'HIS COURSE is tailor-made for all newly elected and appointed American Legion officers. Any Le¬

gionnaire is eligible to enroll. Members of the American Legion Auxiliary are also cordially invited to enroll. The material contained in the Extension Institute can also be of great value to those older members of the Sons of The American Legion who have the maturity and potential for further SAL service as either elected leaders or counselors of the younger age sections.

Tuition 1 to 3 enrollments .$5.00 each

4 or more enrollments (on one application).$4.00 each

Enrollment Instructions

1. Use the handy enrollment application form on the reverse side of this page. Additional copies of these two pages of Extension Institute information are avail¬ able from your Department or National Headquarters. If you have more than ten (10) applications for en¬ rollment, type or print the requested information for the additional enrollees on a plain sheet of paper and attach it to the application form.

2. Be sure to fill out the application form completely. It is important that you include the membership card number and post or unit number of each enrollee!

3. Make all remittances payable to: National Treas¬ urer, The American Legion.

4. Mail the application and remittance through your Department Headquarters, or to:

American Legion Extension Institute P. O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, Indiana 46206

5. Mail your enrollment application as promptly as possible. National Headquarters will accept enrollments in the thirtieth term of the Extension Institute through November 1, 1975.

Application Submitted by:

Name

Street

City

State

Zip Code

Post No. Unit No.

AMERICAN LEGION EXTENSION INSTITUTE

P. O. Box 1055

Indianapolis, Indiana 46206

APPLICATION—30th Term

(Please Type or Print) IMPORTANT! Please Include Membership Card And Post Or Unit No. Of Each Enrollee!

(Reserved For Office Use)

No.

Post .

Unit .

Remittance .

No. of Apps.

I. Name...... (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address....

City____ State...

Zip Code---- Post No__

Card No......... Unit No__

City_____ State_

Zip Code---- Post No.

Card No......... Unit No.

2. Name............ (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address....

City. ... State..

Zip Code. ---- Post No..

Card No..... Unit No..

3. Name... (Last]

Address.

City..

Zip Code..

Card No..

e-'; '

(First) [Middle)

State.

Post No.,

Unit No..

4. Name________ (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address....__________

City...... State....

Zip Code.. . Post No....

Card No.... Unit No_

5. Name (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address...........

City ...... State.

Zip Code. .. Post No....

Card No...... Unit No..

6. Name......... (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address......

City. ..____ State. .

Zip Code--- Post No...

Card No......... Unit No__

City..____ State_

Zip Code- Post No.

Card No......... Unit No..

7. Name.....—.... (Last) (First) I Middle)

Address........

City....... State___

Zip Code___ Post No_

Card No....... Unit No___

8. Name......... (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address.....

City........ State.....

Zip Code....... Post No..

Card No.... Unit No__

City........ State.

Zip Code....... Post No..

Card No.... Unit No..

9. Name____—. (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address..........

City_______ State...

Zip Code_____ Post No_

Card No....—... Unit No-

10. Name............ (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address.....

City..... State....

Zip Code ____ Post No..

Card No..... Unit No....__

Veterans Day Ad Materials YOUR POST can help make the

observance of Veterans Day in your community a “Bicentennial Salute to Service” through the use of cooperative newspaper advertising materials available at no cost.

Pictured here, in reduced size, is The American Legion’s Veterans Day ad for 1975. This ad is available in either mat form (for letterpress process) or reproduction proof (for offset process).

Veterans Day ad layouts, featuring the same art and text, are designed in either 3-column or 5-column widths. Both ads are 14 inches deep.

Your local newspaper advertising department can advise you as to the type of materials you should order.

Mr. Post Commander: Upon receipt of your 1975 Veterans Day advertising materials, you (or your public relations officer) should con¬ tact the paper’s advertising depart¬ ment to determine the space costs in¬ volved. Perhaps your newspaper will help in obtaining the cooperative sponsorship necessary to pay the space costs. Many posts use this material to build even larger ads to call public attention to special details of their local Veterans Day ob¬ servances.

(Use the handy order form below to order your 1975 Veterans Day promotional materials.)

In the finest tradition of the Minuteman who took up arms 200 years ago to win the foundation for individual liberty, today's veterans— some 26 million men and women— have served our country with honor and valor. They answered our country's call— they too pledged their ' lives ... fortunes . and sacred honor”— to help retain for all of us the freedoms which the Minuteman's service established.

On this Veterans Day 1975, we salute all veterans of our community in appreciation of their service in both war and peace.

(SPONSOR) in cooperation with

_ POST NO._

The American Legion

INTERNAL AFFAIRS DIVISION

The American Legion, P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206

Please ship American Legion 1975 Veterans Day co-operative advertising materials in the type specified.

(How Many?) (How Many?)

3-COLUMN MATS. 3-COLUMN REPRO PROOFS (Offset).

5-COLUMN MATS. 5-COLUMN REPRO PROOFS (Offset).

(Please Print or Type)

NAME. .Title. Post No,

ADDRESS.

CITY. STATE ZIP

CODE.

The ADVANCE, September, 1975 11.

American Legion, Auxiliary Launch Cancer Fund Drive

HE AMERICAN LEGION and American Legion Auxiliary have offered to help the American

Cancer Society in a major cooperative effort to “wipe out cancer in our lifetime.” As this issue went to press, a massive direct mail appeal was being prepared for distribution to every Legionnaire and Auxiliary member.

At his press conference prior to the recently concluded National Convention in Minneapolis, National Com¬ mander James M. Wagonseller announced a new and dramatic fund raising drive by The American Legion, which previously was approved by the National Executive Committee.

Cancer is the common foe of all mankind and inflicts far greater casualties on the people of the United States than all the wars, foreign and domestic, in which our country has been involved. In this decade alone -- 10 million Americans under medical care; 6*/2 million new cases; 3'/2 million deaths. Cause? CANCER!

Today, one out of three Americans who contract can¬ cer is being saved. To reduce those odds will require costly research.

The initial thrust of the joint cooperative effort will be an intensive educational and fund-raising campaign among all members of The American Legion and

Auxiliary, Legion Posts, Auxiliary Units, and Legion and Auxiliary Departments.

American Cancer Society Division (State) executives will be contacting Legion Departments throughout the United States to discuss any plans a department might have to conduct The American Legion Cancer Fund Drive. Following this initial contact, local units of the American Cancer Society will be contacting Legion Posts in their respective communities to offer assistance and make available programs for meetings.

This great humanitarian effort by the Legion and Auxiliary parallels both organizations’ continued devotion and dedication to the welfare and best interest of all the people, including their own members.

Checks and money orders should be made payable to: American Legion Cancer Fund. Your contribution is tax deductible.

Mail contributions to: American Legion Cancer Fund P. O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, Ind. 46206 With the help of Legionnaires and Auxiliary members,

we will “wipe out cancer in our lifetime.” Won’t your post and unit lead the way and urge all members to con¬ tribute to this great humanitarian purpose?

THE AMERICAN LEGION

Advance

NOTE TO EDITORS: PERMISSION GRANTED TO USE OR REPRINT ALL ‘ADVANCE” ITEMS.

Litho in U. S. A.

13-870 (9/75)