A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families |
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Have you taken the ALA member survey yet? |
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There is still time to participate in the American Legion Auxiliary member survey! Your feedback will help us improve the organization not only at the national level, but at the unit/local level as well — impacting how all of us serve the ALA’s mission.
The survey questions are uncomplicated and should take about 15 minutes to complete. The survey is open through the end of February.
We ask that you encourage your fellow members to take the survey, and help those who may need assistance. It’s important for all members’ voices to be heard. Thank you to the thousands who have already taken the survey.
Learn more here. You will need your ALA member ID for verification purposes only. Take the survey here.
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February Auxiliary magazine available online
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With the current global paper supply shortage, delivery of the February Auxiliary magazine has been delayed hitting mailboxes until Feb. 14-18. But you can read it online now! As always, a digital version of the full magazine is available to read. The February issue is packed with goodies, of course, but please be sure to share pages 28-29 with fellow Auxiliary members who aren’t online so they’ll know how to take the ALA member survey. We want to hear from all of you!
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Show your love with more than flowers |
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Skip the flowers and chocolate this Valentine’s Day and choose a lasting gift instead. Give a gift in your loved one's name honoring veterans, military, and their families, and we’ll generate an e-card showing them the impact they made on someone’s life. Pick your gift here.
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ALA Mission Training events underway! |
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The first ALA Mission Development Training 201 event is in the books, but there are four more trainings to go!
The Orlando Mission Training is this Saturday, Feb. 12, and you can register on site!
Next up will be Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Omaha.
These training events will help members overcome common hurdles in mission delivery. The underlying belief in this training is that improving the member engagement experience will also drive membership.
A snapshot of what you’ll learn:
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Identify and engage volunteers — members and non-members
- Determine the needs in your community
- Solve roadblocks
- Construct specific volunteer menu opportunities in your community
WHO SHOULD ATTEND MISSION DEVELOPMENT TRAINING 201?
Active members looking to welcome and engage other ALA members and supporters in our mission. Attendees should have a basic concept of mission delivery.
REMAINING EVENTS:
Orlando, FL - Feb. 12
Indianapolis, IN - Feb. 19
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 26
Omaha, NE - Apr. 2
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A great opportunity for ALA Juniors! |
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ALA Juniors can increase their leadership skills and learn more about the ALA’s mission, all while having fun with other Juniors!
National Junior meetings are held at the same times and in the same cities as Mission Trainings. Junior members ages 8 and over may attend the national Junior meetings. They will enjoy fun and interactive activities during the one-day event while learning about the ALA’s mission.
Is this meeting right for my ALA Junior?
- Yes — if they are interested in meeting other Junior members and national leaders outside of their local area who share their passion for helping veterans!
- Yes — if they want to share great ideas with other Junior members across the country and learn more about what it means to be a member of the American Legion Auxiliary!
Plus, Juniors get a free ALA branded hooded T-shirt!
REMAINING NATIONAL JUNIOR MEETINGS:
- Orlando, FL - Feb. 12 (on-site registration available)
- Indianapolis, IN - Feb. 19
- Baltimore, MD - Mar. 26
- Omaha, NE - Apr. 2
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Important update on ALA scholarships |
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Due to the continuing COVID-19 global pandemic, the SAT/ACT requirement will be waived for the 2022 scholarship applications.
As a reminder, the scholarship deadline is March 1 for the following:
- Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship
- Spirit of Youth Scholarship
- Non-Traditional Student Scholarship
- Junior Member Loyalty Scholarship
Learn more and apply here.
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ALA learning from the comfort of home and on your schedule |
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Were you unable to attend an ALA Academy Live webinar, or do you want to watch one again? Do you have other members in your unit who would benefit from taking a course?
Our live webinars are always recorded and can be viewed in the MyAuxiliary member portal. ALA Academy Live webinars currently available:
- Using Social Media to Your Unit's Advantage
- Using Poppy Funds
- Unit Fundraising Panel
- ALA Junior Leadership Training (includes four webinars)
- Mission Delivery Series (includes four webinars)
The ALA Academy also includes self-paced courses:
- ALA 101
- ALA Branding and Why it Matters to Me
- ALA Communication Methods
- Establishing an ALA Culture of Goodwill
- ALA Fundraising
- How to Deal with Conflict
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ALA Leadership: Living Our Motto of Service Not Self
- ALA Juniors eLearning Course
Get started today! Log in with your member ID here.
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Order ALA poppy coloring books |
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National Poppy Day® is May 27 this year. As you’re making plans, consider ordering ALA poppy coloring books — a great way to educate kids about the meaning behind the poppy. The books are available for purchase from Emblem Sales and can be downloaded.
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The ALA Unit Member of the Year award is now under the Leadership Committee. It was previously part of the Past Presidents Parley, but that committee has been dissolved at the national level. The award qualifications remain the same. The only change is where departments submit their Unit Member of the Year winners.
Have you renewed your American Legion Auxiliary membership? You can renew for 2022 by phone, online, or mail. Go to www.ALAforVeterans.org, call (317) 569-4570, or mail in your renewal notice.
Do you shop Amazon Prime? If you do, be sure to use AmazonSmile! Through Amazon’s charitable program, AmazonSmile, you can support the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation. Simply sign in through this special link and select the American Legion Auxiliary. Amazon will donate 0.5% of every purchase you make to the ALA Foundation. It may seem small, but a little can add up to a lot.
The ALA National Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules book has been updated. A spiral-bound ALA National Constitution, Bylaws and Standing Rules book (item No. 355.202) can now be ordered from American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales or toll-free at 888-453-4466. It continues to be available as a free download from www.ALAforVeterans.org.
The ALA in numbers. Facebook followers: 26,170; Instagram followers: 2,381; Twitter followers: 2,641. Be part of the fun!
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Find ALA program committee groups on Facebook |
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Discover what your fellow ALA members are saying in the committee Facebook groups! These easy-to-access forums provide an arena for organic discussion about your local programs or services and present the opportunity to cultivate brand awareness. Find the list of groups here.
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We’ve covered this topic many times, but it’s so important that we’re reviewing it again. A Paid Up For Life (PUFL) membership to the American Legion Auxiliary benefits you and our organization in many ways.
PUFL — or “puffle” as it’s commonly pronounced in The American Legion Family — is a membership opportunity that demonstrates your lifelong commitment to the American Legion Auxiliary, allowing us to serve veterans, military, and their families well into the future. Many of our members consider their support of the ALA mission lasting a lifetime, so it makes sense that they also make a long-term financial commitment when paying their dues. They understand that this model allows the Auxiliary to count on a certain amount of revenue, making it possible to continue the mission and related programs. Instead of projecting one-year dues revenue, the ALA can project long-range revenue that makes critical financial planning a bit easier.
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The American Legion Auxiliary believes that the more knowledge our young people gain, the better citizens they will become. These days, paying for a college education is becoming a larger financial burden for students and their families. That is why the American Legion Auxiliary is so committed to helping students pursue their education through scholarships.
Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship
Three $5,000 scholarships are awarded annually per geographic division, for a total of 15 scholarships. These scholarships are for undergraduate study only at a four-year accredited college or university, and may be used for tuition, books, fees, room, and board.
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“I told my husband one time, ‘I have gone down this path so deep, I want you to take the gun out of the safe. I’m telling you: Hide it from me. I can’t do this.’ He took the gun out and hid it.”
Clough and her sister were raised by their aunt and uncle since about the third grade. Her aunt is originally from Germany.
“We bounced around with my mom, and our aunt and uncle said it wasn’t a stable home,” Clough recalled. “We said we wanted to live with our aunt and uncle. [My aunt] is like my mom to me.”
About eight years ago, their uncle passed away and Clough began to keep an extra eye on her aunt, Elisabeth. For the first five years, she did very well on her own. But then Clough began noticing bruises on Elisabeth’s arms and head and wondered how she was getting them. Elisabeth said she was running into things, but Clough knew her aunt’s house was always kept immaculate, so that didn’t make sense.
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Many American Legion Auxiliary members are caregivers, whether they realize it or not. It’s often a thankless job, one that is done out of the goodness of one’s heart for loved ones. It can lead to feeling a wide range of emotions, such as exhaustion, isolation, anger, sadness, and more. That’s why it’s important to recognize caregivers in your unit so they know they are not alone, and their fellow Auxiliary members are thinking of them.
The ALA has always had caregivers in our ranks. However, during the 2021-2022 administrative year through National President Kathy Daudistel’s special emphasis, there is an extra spotlight on caregivers.
Recognizing caregivers for all they do doesn’t have to be difficult or even expensive. Here are just a few simple ways to let caregivers know they are seen.
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Don't miss out on ALA member benefits! |
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Whether you’re looking for an upscale hotel or something more cost-effective, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has the right hotel for you! As an American Legion Auxiliary member, you’ll save up to 20% off the Best Available Rate. This includes 22 brands, 95 countries, and 9000 + hotels. Learn more.
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February – Black History Month
Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day
Feb. 21 – Presidents’ Day; ALA National Headquarters closed
March – Women’s History Month
March 4 – Hug a GI Day
March 8 – International Women’s Day
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What do you love most about your ALA membership? |
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“The opportunity to be a part of an organization that fosters a mission I believe in.”
-Noemi Burgos, Puerto Rico
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TALMA launches annual contest, improved training for 2022
The American Legion Media Alliance (TALMA) annual contest is now open, and you can submit your entries here.
Members of the American Legion Auxiliary are eligible to join TALMA. The alliance provides resources, tips, and training for those who handle public relations, social media, and other communications as volunteers at their posts/units.
Some things to remember: The contest is free, open only to members of TALMA, and the deadline is April 15. If you have not joined or renewed for this year, please do so here.
TALMA has also restructured its virtual training sessions for members only. Based on the feedback of members, the sessions will now take place during even-numbered months. So, starting Feb. 9, the virtual training session will cover multiple topics and run from 7-8:30 ET on the second Wednesday of the even-numbered months. The exception is August when TALMA will host a day-long media training workshop at National Convention (and virtual, as in 2021).
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Legion Family Merchandise
Show your support by buying from
American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales.
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The American Legion Legislative Alerts
The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.
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In the spirit of Service Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace, and security.
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