ALA In the Know eBulletin

Click here to stay updated with February reports and timely articles from ALA national committees, programs, and activities: ALA 100th Anniversary Committee, ALA Girls Nation, Americanism, Auxiliary Emergency Fund, Child Welfare Foundation, Education, Junior Activities, Leadership, Membership,

National Security, Poppy, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation

Are you interested in sharing your leadership skills, prior board experience, grassroots fundraising ideas, and more, in support of the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization? The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation Board of Directors seeks applications for a three-year elected board position. We are looking for individuals – with a passion for veterans, military, and their families – who are excited to join a board committed to building, promoting, and sustaining the ALA Foundation. As a board of directors member, you serve as a trusted advisor on a team that steers the ALA Foundation by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as making sure the ALA has adequate resources to advance our mission for our next generation of heroes. More information, and the application, can be found at www.ALAFoundation.org. Apply by April 8.

The American Legion Auxiliary believes the more knowledge our youth gain, the better citizens and leaders they will become. We are committed to education.

The ALA has three national scholarships available:

CHILDREN OF WARRIORS NATIONAL PRESIDENTS’ SCHOLARSHIP - Fifteen $5,000 scholarships are given to high school seniors who are direct descendants of U.S. wartime veterans.

SPIRIT OF YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FOR JUNIOR MEMBERS - Five scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each are awarded annually to Junior members of the American Legion Auxiliary. Current ALA Junior members who are high school seniors and who have been Junior members for the past three years are eligible to apply.

NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP - This scholarship helps people who are part of The American Legion Family pursue a college degree later in life or allow them to pick up where they left off when their studies were interrupted. Five scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each are awarded annually.

Click here to download an application form. Applications must be submitted to a local American Legion Auxiliary unit by March 1. Be sure to check with your local unit and your state department for any scholarships that they may offer.

The February edition of our national magazine is now available for you to read and share online. In this issue, we take a closer look at a few of the first-time attendees of the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Also, see some of the NVCAF gold medal art winners. Plus, read about a dual member of The American Legion and ALA using her personal struggles with post-traumatic stress to help other veterans in crisis. Follow this link to read the online version.

In 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion Family, and, in 2017, the Legion Family called upon Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day. The Legion Family has successfully trademarked the use of the name National Poppy Day! The event, happening May 24 this year, will be here before you know it! Be on the lookout for resources your unit can use to make your National Poppy Day events successful here.