We have returned from the Department Convention in Ontario with gratitude for all of your support. I must first thank my wonderful wife, Yoko, who supported me and was my sounding board in the last year plus of campaigning, those supporters that encouraged me from the beginning, and also to you, the members of the State of California, who believed in me enough to give me the opportunity to serve as your Department Commander. I give my word to the California Legion Family that I will do my best to represent them in a manner that they will be proud, and aspire to at least equal those Commanders that have preceded me.

All last year I have stated that the most important thing within our organization is the concept of the California Legion Family. This family includes the Legion, the Auxiliary, the Sons of the American Legion, and the American Legion Riders. As families interact there will be times that some members of the family will not get along, or agree on certain issues, but we must remember that each of us represents the largest Veteran’s organization in the United States and must take the extra effort to compromise as we are here for our veterans. I also stated that we should take pride in the diversity of our organization and embrace it as one of our strengths.

I was asked many times during the last year, “If we elect you Commander, what are you going to do about Membership?” I usually replied, “Nothing, you have to do it, because if we want to increase membership it must start with each member at the Post level”. I must now admit that was not a complete answer, because as your Commander, I have a responsibility to provide you, with the best Membership Team that I could. As a result of my deliberations, as we now have a new Membership Director, Janet Wilson in place along with an enthusiastic and  experienced   Membership Team, which exemplifies the diversity within the Department. I have met with her and she has shared her plans for membership and she has my complete confidence. Many individuals that previously were on the team were replaced because they were elected to positions within the Department, or moved to other equally important jobs. The new Team understands that membership is the life blood of our organization and have agreed that they will lead the way to a GREAT YEAR in membership, with the chant “JUST ONE!!!”  This year, we must turn around the declining membership numbers. We must educate members and Posts on the workings of The American Legion by returning to the basics of recruiting.

 The new Membership Director and I will be attending the annual National Membership workshop in Indianapolis where we will be negotiating new goals for the Department, and attempting to get the National Organization to put on specific training for the Membership Team in California, this will save the cost of the entire team going to Indianapolis and have the same results. Please remember that retention of our current members is equally important as the recruitment of the new members, revitalizing Posts, or educating active duty military on the benefits of joining the American Legion.

As you are aware we have been given a very tight budget this year, and in order to abide by the limitations given we will be trying to use technology this year to change the way we conduct business especially our Commissions. Those individuals that will be appointed to chair commissions will be given a choice of how they might want to have their meetings: through conference calls, using computers through Skype-type programs, or having a physical call-in. In order to have the latter a letter may be required which includes a plan on what will be discussed. In addition, each chairperson will be encouraged to submit an article to the California Legionnaire letting other Legionnaires know about their Commission.

I have requested that each of the District Commanders handle those problems that occur within their purview. Your Department Officers and Staff should be handling problems that affect the entire state not those that should have been handled within a Post. The Department Staff will do its best to continue to answer all questions, but please remember that there will be less of them due to the budget cuts that were approved.

I hope that each of you are as excited about the next year as I am. I again pledge that I shall perform at the highest level expected of your Department Commander.

(View Commander Crook's Bio)