Congratulations to all the District Commanders on hitting the 85% target.  One thing we must remember is that if your target date is met by having 150 to 200 new members, then you have an equal number of non-renewals.  This is not how to play the game!  Your Posts need to make a concerted effort by personal contacts to renew delinquent members.  The numbers tell me that we are lacking in this area.  Sure, we can sit back and bask in the glory of making all our targets so far, but I can guarantee that if we don’t hunker down now and get the job done, we won’t be basking in the glory of being a 100% Department come Round-up in June.

I have great confidence in the leaders of this Department, but quite frankly I am getting a little nervous.   We have all been to Membership Workshops, Motivation seminars and Membership meetings so I cannot believe that any Post Commander, Post Adjutant, District or Vice Commander isn’t aware that we are striving to be a 100% Department.

Up to this point, I have left the job of Membership mostly to the individual Membership teams, but as your Department Commander I feel now is the time for me to address the issue.  If we fail to meet our goal, then it is I who must step up and carry the blame and I will do so.  I will tell you straightforward that I am not too proud to beg for your help.  I did so as a District Commander and Vice Commander and the Posts, Districts and Section came through with 100%.  Can we do it?  Sure we can, but it will take all the commitment you can muster to get the job done.  So, I am begging, imploring or whatever you might call it.  Will you help? Having “been there, done that,