Local Legionnaire graduates from National American Legion College

Glen Sharbono, Commander of District 4 Department of Montana and Vice-Commander/Adjutant for Ronan Post 138 graduated from the NALC as part of the Class of 2017 on November 3.

Also attending from the Department of Montana was Sergej Michaud Commander of Post 101 in Missoula.

As part of the application to attend, a 500 word essay was required for the selection process by the Department of Montana. They were then asked by the National Assistant Director to write a two paragraph essay on leadership in a non profit organization and a resolution to be presented upon arrival prior to the start of classes.

Fifty-five American Legion members representing 38 departments attended classes at the American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind. from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3 for the 18th consecutive session of National Legion College.

Past National Commander David Rehbein led the students as the program’s chancellor. During this time, they were addressed by American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan, a 2006 Legion College graduate.

Students learned how to write a resolution, assess their leadership style and development, conduct a post-level meeting, and implement a department-level Legion College. They were also given leadership scenarios that involved a post-level conflict that they discussed and decided how to best resolve. They conducted a mock department convention and discussed the leadership principle PEOPLE (professionalism, empathy, optimism, partnership, loyalty, empowerment).

Prior to the mock department convention on Nov. 2, the students were asked to write two resolutions, one on creating a department-level Legion College and another covering any topic of the organization. The students then had to present and defend their resolutions during the mock convention.