Standing Rules
Columbia Post 300
District 4 of the Northern Central Region (NCR)
Date: August 26, 2025
George Delaney, Commander
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND:
The Standing Rules of Columbia Post 300 are implemented to supplement the Constitution and Bylaws adopted by the Department of Maryland which are the same for all Posts in the Department per Department Adjutant. These Post Standing Rules are subject to approval by a vote of the members
PART ONE: MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
Columbia Post 300 shall follow the recommended Post structure as described in the Post Commander Manual. The Post shall determine when additional Officers or Committees are needed to address programs which support the Four Pillars of the American Legion.
Regular Officers consist of the Commander, three Vice Commanders, Adjutant, Finance Officer, Chaplain, Resource Officer (formerly called “Service Officer”), Sergeant at Arms, Historian, Judge Advocate.
Duly elected officers are known as the Executive Committee. An Executive Committee special meeting may be called by the Post Commander to address issues requiring a more extensive discussion than is beyond the time limits of the regular monthly business meeting, or for especially sensitive matters. Normally, three days email notice shall be sent to the Executive Committee members to serve notice of the day, time and location of the Executive Committee meeting.
PART TWO: COMMITTEES
In accordance with the guidelines of the American Legion, programs of Columbia Post 300 which support the Four Pillars of the American Legion and its programs as defined by the Department Executive Committee. Self-directed Teams perform
the work in their area of responsibility. Forming or disbanding of Teams shall be determined by existing and emerging requirements and approved by a vote of the members. The Post Commander shall bring a recommendation to the membership when a new Committee is needed. Upon the vote of the membership, a new team will be named and staffed by volunteers. Teams may be dissolved when no longer needed.
The following teams currently exist:
Honor Flights
Americanism
Outings
High School Outreach
Assisted living and nursing home visits
Awards and Training
Public Relations, History and Photography
Post 300 Member Stories
Meeting Speakers
Buddy Checks and member home visits
Community Outreach
Scouting
Teams under consideration:
Support to Active Military, Active National Guard, Active Reserve and their Families
Support to Baltimore Station, McVets; the Department of Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, and various VA hospitals and Clinics. Support may be financial contributions or member visits
Parades (Veterans Day and Independence Day
PART THREE: REGULAR ORDER
Columbia Post 300 shall follow regular order. A monthly finance report shall be published and reported to members at the business meeting.
An annual budget shall be prepared which addresses major financial anticipated expenses and obligations. The budget may be changed with approval of the Members
A balance of available finances shall determine the extent of support to programs. Currently these are Boys and Girls State, the Scouts, Baltimore Station, McVets, the Commission on Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, JROTC awards, and support to emerging events requested by the Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families, financial support requested by other VSO’s such as the VFW or the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument Foundation.
The Finance Officer will determine if the requested funds fit within the limited parameters of the approved budget. `We must be wary of these growing obligations because we lack major sources of funding such as a bar, rental hall or slot machines like some other Posts. Our revenue is derived from a small portion of collected annual dues, Cash collected at Poppy Day Outreach events, and rare private donations.
An annual audit of our Finances shall be conducted by an uninterested party as required by Legion Rules.
PART FOUR: UNIFORMS AND DRESS GUIDELINES
Officers should plan to purchase a dress uniform cap and wear it to monthly meetings and formal events as appropriate.
Legion shirts and casual ball style caps are recommended for leaders and members for events such as parades, installation ceremonies, visits to assisted living facilities, flag retirement ceremonies and the like. Member casual caps are also acceptable at most events. For formal memorials, funerals, visitations and cemetery visits, a dress cap, buttoned shirt and tie if available, dark pants and suit jacket are suggested.
PART FIVE: LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
As leaders, we should all find an interested member willing to learn our job so that we are “two-deep” on every position. We need to have coverage for sickness, vacations and training. Leaders should share their knowledge with other members.
Training will become more available beginning this year. On line classes are extensive and can be found on almost any aspect of the Legion. Quarterly meetings at the District, Region of Department Levels will now contain some type of training at each meeting. The Legion Basic self-paced class at Legion.Org should be taken by every member. There is no pressure and you can retake any part of it as you progress. It is not about getting a top grade as much as it is to learn how the Legion works. The more we all know, the better able we are to serve and save Veterans.
As we age, we need to develop new leaders ready to take our place. We should not be permanent fixtures but take our place after a reasonable time to make room for new members. Experienced members can volunteer to mentor new members and officers.
PART SIX: CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
THE Post Standing Rules should be revisited each year after the August convention with changes drafted as needed and presented to the membership for approval.
This is the end of the Columbia Post 300 Standing Rules as of August 26, 2025