March 2021 eNews & eBulletin |
|
A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families |
|
National Creative Arts Therapy Week: How you can participate |
March 14-20 is a week designated to shine a light on how creative arts therapy changes lives. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities nationwide use creative arts therapy to help veterans heal. Each year, the VA and American Legion Auxiliary co-present the Veterans Creative Arts Festival. This program is not just for the national level; there are several ways for units to become involved at the local level.
Learn more about creative arts therapy and how to get involved:
|
While the American Legion Auxiliary’s membership today includes men, our roots are female. Take a look at how our community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families has evolved since our founding in 1919.
|
New ALA Unit Guide Book now available for purchase |
The revised version of the ALA Unit Guide Book is now in stock and ready to order from American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales, where a portion of your purchase goes back to American Legion Family programs.
Some changes in the 2021 Unit Guide:
- Updated membership eligibility (LEGION Act and inclusion of male spouses)
- Gender-neutral language to be inclusive of male ALA members
- Icons highlighting important info for the unit
The new Unit Guide is also available for free download in the MyAuxiliary member portal (log-in required).
|
|
National Poppy Day® is May 28 this year |
|
New resources are available to help you promote your American Legion Family National Poppy Day events and activities — whether they’re virtual or in person this year. Visit www.ALAforVeterans.org for:
On Memorial Day, who will you be remembering? Send us photos of those in your life who made the ultimate sacrifice. The photos may be used in a virtual poppy presentation.
Also, we want YOU to be part of National Poppy Day! We are seeking members of all ages to answer this important question: “What does the poppy mean to me?”
|
|
ALA Foundation’s Veteran Projects Fund grants help veterans overcome unique challenges |
|
This past year has presented new obstacles for veterans in need. Through its Veteran Projects Fund grants, the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation has provided the support and solutions needed to overcome these challenges. The grants have helped veterans see their loved ones with Echo Show video calling devices, made safe, distanced visits a reality with outdoor furniture sets, and supported the creation of a veterans food pantry when the local shelter was overwhelmed. As challenges continue to reveal themselves, we need your help to continue this level of support. Give a gift to the ALA Foundation Veteran Projects Fund today.
|
|
Members: Take advantage of FREE ALA Academy courses and webinars |
|
Auxiliary members of all ages and levels in the organization can learn new skills and ways to serve through ALA Academy and its live webinars. In addition to the self-paced courses on ALA Academy, you can now access recordings from previous ALA Academy Live webinars. You will need to log in to access the recordings.
Recordings currently available:
- ALA Foundation Grants Panel
- Junior Mentor Training Series Course 1: Getting Started with Juniors
- Junior Mentor Training Series Course 2: Junior Patch Program
-
Junior Mentor Training Series Course 3: Juniors and The American Legion Family (Coming Soon)
- Mission Delivery: Veteran Service
- Mission Delivery through Caregiver Support
- Mission Delivery: Veterans Creative Arts
ALA Academy self-paced courses currently available:
- 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
-
ALA Leadership: Living Our Motto of Service Not Self
- ALA Juniors eLearning Course
|
|
Deadline approaching for ALA Foundation Board of Directors applications |
|
The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation is looking for talented and passionate individuals to serve on its Board of Directors for a three-year term. This board works to support and grow the mission of serving veterans, military, and their families for generations to come by managing finances, ethically governing, and serving as ambassadors for the good works of the ALA Foundation. Apply by April 1.
|
|
Members selected to serve on two ALA special committees |
|
After an unbiased and objective process, 16 American Legion Auxiliary members were chosen nationwide from 300 applicants to serve on the Code of Ethical Conduct Review Committee and the Inclusion & Diversity Committee. Congratulations!
Seven members were selected to serve on the Code of Ethical Conduct Review Committee:
- Lauralee Gooch, JD
- Jacqui Hood, JD
- Dr. Susan Neville, PhD, RN, CDP, CADDCT
- Bethany Goers, SHRM-SCP
- Ann Rehbein
- Erin Bruni, JD
- Sarah Fry, JD
Nine members were selected to serve on the Inclusion & Diversity Committee:
- Mariann Cheney
- Dr. Teresa Nunez
- Kaylene Khosla
- Karla Washington
- Deidre Wilson
- Yvonne Oliver
- Lorraine Boucher
- Dr. Leslie Rist, EdD
- Claire Gallagher Moore
|
|
Boys State documentary recognized by Cinema Eye Honors and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
|
|
The Boys State documentary, based on The American Legion’s Texas Boys State program, won the Audience Choice for Best Documentary Film at the Cinema Eye Honors Awards. The documentary was also nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking and Outstanding Achievement in Editing.
Boys State is also on the shortlist for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The final nominees will be announced March 15. The Academy Awards are April 25.
|
|
Does your ALA unit host a regular carry-out dinner night? Consider inserting these flyers in the takeout boxes! They’re convenient, fillable PDFs with an efficient 3-up design for easy printing on a home computer. You can also take them to your local print shop so you’ll always have extras on hand. Log in to download the FREE file from the MyAuxiliary member portal.
The U.S. Veterans Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Virtual Career and Education Fair. The event, to be held March 24-25, is designed for transitioning military from all service branches and includes veterans, their spouses, and caregivers.
Need to renew your Auxiliary membership? Take care of your membership for 2021 in three easy ways: by phone, online, or mail. Go to www.ALAforVeterans.org, call (317) 569-4570, or mail in your renewal notice.
|
|
Are you on Instagram? Did you know we have an Instagram account? We invite you to follow us @ALAforVeterans and help us grow!
If you shop on Amazon, make sure you’re using AmazonSmile. Through Amazon’s charitable program, AmazonSmile, you can support the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation. Simply sign in though 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 in Numbers.
In our first quarter (October-January), ALA National Headquarters hosted over 30 hours of live virtual trainings for members.
After attending the ALA Academy Live – Mission Delivery Caregiver Support, participants went from 56 percent recognizing themselves as a caregiver to 81 percent recognizing themselves as a caregiver.
*Source: Q1 2020-2021 ALA Strategic Plan Report
|
|
ALA In the Know eBulletin |
|
Find our groups on Facebook |
|
ALA In the Know eBulletin
Click here to stay updated with March reports and timely articles from ALA national committees, programs, and activities: ALA 100th Anniversary Committee, Americanism, Children & Youth, Community Service, Education, Legislative, Membership, and Public Relations.
|
|
ALA Committee Facebook Groups 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.
|
|
American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters wants to make sure every member is informed and updated. No matter the form of communication you prefer, our goal is to make it convenient for you. Our multiple platforms provide useful information to ALA members, as well as the public.
|
|
Let’s face it: We seemingly live in whirlwind times with general uncertainty surrounding the life we’ll come to know post-pandemic.
An important event you’re looking forward to may be cancelled. Your child is doing virtual learning for school while you work a busy full-time job from home. You received notice that your workplace has to reduce hours and staff because of ...
|
|
A 12-year North Carolina member, a Paid Up for Life Illinois member, a Past National President, a Pennsylvania unit president, and a mother and daughter are some of the ordinary people doing extraordinary things for veterans, military, and their families. These individuals, 30 in total, make up the Legacy Society.
The Legacy Society is a group of dedicated individuals, members and nonmembers...
|
|
Wearing apparel emblazoned with the American Legion Auxiliary’s name and emblem is a great way to raise awareness of the ALA brand in your community — or to get people curious enough to ask about our organization. Most ALA members have mastered this traditional marketing technique.
ALA members can build on that success and find additional ways to get our name, emblem, and website...
|
|
Don't miss out on ALA member benefits! |
|
Stars and Stripes is the No. 1 source of independent news and information serving the U.S. military community. Stars and Stripes is proud to offer American Legion Auxiliary members 50% off a Digital Access subscription to Stripes.com. The website is updated 24/7 by news bureaus around the world, reporting on topics of interest to active-duty servicemembers, veterans, U.S. Department of Defense contractors, and their families. Enter the coupon code ALA50 when purchasing an annual subscription, or visit www.ALA.Stripes.com for more information.
|
|
The American Legion Auxiliary is proud to announce a partnership with Liberty Mutual to provide broad, useful, and competitively priced insurance products and services to meet your ever-changing needs. Useful tip from our partner Liberty Mutual: Looking to lower your energy costs this winter? Getting timers for your lights helps prevent you from leaving them on by mistake. Learn more about what Liberty Mutual has to offer ALA members.
|
|
March 14-20 – National Creative Arts Therapy Week
March 14 – Daylight Saving Time begins
March 15 – The American Legion’s 102nd birthday!
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
March 21 – Rosie the Riveter Day
March 25 – Medal of Honor Day
March 29 – National Vietnam War Veterans Day
April – Month of the Military Child
April 4 – Easter
April 5 – Gold Star Spouses Day
April 15 – PurpleUp! Day
|
|
How did attending ALA Girls State impact you? |
|
“ALA Girls State taught me leadership, confidence, and how to forge a connection — and all in such a short time!”
- Junga (Nora) Young, California
|
|
Happy birthday to The American Legion! The nation’s largest veterans service organization will celebrate 102 years on March 15!
National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford delivered his testimony to the Joint House and Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on March 4. Watch here.
Registration is now open for The American Legion’s second annual 100 Miles for Hope. This program encourages American Legion Family members to get active while supporting the Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF). The American Legion has upgraded 100 Miles for Hope, which officially begins April 1, with a few changes:
American Legion Legacy Scholarship applications are due April 15. The scholarship is awarded annually to children of veterans on active duty since 9/11 who were either killed while on active duty or have a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater. Go here for more information on this scholarship and to apply.
|
|
|
|
Legion Family Merchandise
Show your support by buying from
American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales.
|
|
The American Legion Legislative Alerts
The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
