American Legion Jersey Boys State
74th Annual Boys State Directors Conference
September 26, 2009
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Program Overview
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Program Established in 1945
2010 will be our 65th annual session
Held at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ since 1968
Week after Father Day; Sunday to Friday
$185 fee; Program is Profitable
850 delegates in 2009 vs. 833 in 2008
100+ staff members
Staff mix of Legionnaires and non-Legionnaires
Extensive Use of Past Delegates
Separate Corporation
Not-for-Profit Foundation
Year Round Program
Notorious Alumni include: Justice Alito, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Coach Bill Parcells, and James Gandolfini
Best Practices
Program Positioning
Staffing
Technology
Seminars
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Fiscal Management
Foundation Support
Patriotism
General
Program Positioning
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Need to make Program compelling
Competition from other youth programs
Advanced delegates
Delegates „talk”
College Level Seminar
Program “attitude”
Technology
Caliber of delegates
High quality speakers
College credit
Seminars
College fair
Younger, professional, involved staff
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Staffing
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Low Student-to-teacher ratio
10:1 or better
Mix of Legionnaires, SAL and non-Legionnaires
Utilize past delegates extensively
Ability for non-Legionnaires to assume leadership positions
Ability to assume more responsibility
Defined roles and responsibilities
Formal staff development and evaluation
Recruiting
Program input and involvement
Year round commitment
Events
Succession planning
Background checks
TechnologyUse technology in all areas of Program
Recruitment
Orientation
Registration
Politics
Sports
Seminars
Staffing
Communication including public relations
Video yearbook
City/County manuals and websites
Website: aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Realtime Election Results
Utilize Linkedin, Facebook, Yahoo Groups and others
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Seminars
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Integral part of making ALJBS college level experience
At least 24 different seminars every year
5-7 per day
90 minutes each
Delegates are required to attend one seminar each day
Topics include: CPR certification, Careers in Sports, Careers in Business, Careers in Law, Careers in Entertainment, Careers in Education, Careers in Technology, Careers in the State Police
Speakers are experts in their field and include former delegates and staff members
Fiscal Management
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Fee has been constant at $185 for over 20 years
Manage relationship with host college
Watch expenses
High quality financial managers
Alternative funding sources:
NJ Boys State Foundation
“Sub-sponsors”
Advertising
“Project 1000”
Foundation Support
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
NJ Boys State Foundation established in 2002
Over $500,000 in cash and non-cash contributions to-date
Goal is to endow ALJBS in perpetuity
$3-4 million endowment needed
Current endowment in excess of $100k
Focus on technology added value
Pay for Program “extras”
PatriotismAppreciation for the American Legion and
veterans.
Retreat
Flag Retirement Ceremony
Flag Ceremony
D-Day Presentation
MIA/POW Ceremony
Career seminars
Legionnaires on-staff
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
GeneralDelegate recruiting
Program and staff evaluation
Legion/Non-Legion relationship
Boys Nation S-“Election”
Year round effort
High quality sports and recreation program
Public Safety
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com
Contact information:
David Bagatelle, Director