November 2020 eNews & eBulletin
On this Veterans Day, we thank those who served our country, past and present. Thank you for your service, sacrifices, and for protecting our freedom.

This year, it's more important than ever to reach out to veterans in your life and thank them for their service. We'd love to see how you are honoring veterans this year. Post pictures on social media with #AmericanLegionAuxiliary or email us at [email protected].
ALA turned 101 on Nov. 10, but we are still celebrating! 
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ALA’s centennial year was extended and will be celebrated at the 2021 National Convention. Meanwhile, you can still hold centennial celebrations in your units, districts, and departments! Share your pictures with us by tagging #ALA100Celebration on social media.
Impact our nation’s heroes this #GivingTuesday (Dec. 1)
The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation reaches hundreds of veterans each year through its grants and support of American Legion Auxiliary programs. But it wouldn’t be possible without your generosity. Do your part today by making a gift to benefit veterans, military, and their families for years to come. 
Learning opportunities for all ALA members
We have two new ALA Academy Live courses coming up soon!
ALA Academy Live - Getting Started with Juniors (Course 1 in the Junior Mentor Training Series)

ALA Junior members are charged with carrying on the mission of The American Legion Family: helping veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Having effective leaders for the Junior Activities program at the local level is crucial. As mentors, our Junior Activities leaders need to prepare Juniors to lead the ALA successfully by giving them useful life and leadership skills and helping them understand and support our mission. 

In this course, you will:
  • Learn how to create an appreciation and habit of service in Juniors so they’ll stay involved as adult members.
  • Learn how to make Juniors’ experience more meaningful and fun so they’ll remain interested in the ALA and continue their membership as adults. 
  • Develop an understanding of the risks and liabilities associated with working with youth.
  • And much more!

As a convenience to you, the same course will be offered at different times. Pick the one that works best with your schedule:

Monday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, Dec. 10 at 9:30 p.m. ET
ALA Academy Live - Mission Delivery through Caregiver Support

November is Family Caregiver Month, and to celebrate the dedication and sacrifice of caregivers everywhere, we present the third of our ALA series of Mission Delivery webinars: Mission Delivery through Caregiver Support.

In this hourlong webinar, participants will take a guided tour of American Legion Auxiliary-specific tools and training in place within the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN). You’ll also learn how to identify caregivers in your community, as well as become empowered to identify yourself as a caregiver. We’ll also talk about the new and exciting developments for volunteer opportunities through the VA emerging to meet the needs of caregivers during the pandemic.

As a convenience to you, the same course will be offered at different times. Pick the one that works best with your schedule:

Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET
ALA In the Know eBulletin
Click here to stay updated with November reports and timely articles from ALA national committees, programs, and activities: ALA 100th Anniversary Committee, Children & Youth, Education, Juniors, Leadership, and Legislative.
ALA National Read Your Constitution & Bylaws Day is Nov. 14 
The ALA National Executive Committee, at its virtual meeting in August, approved a resolution to recognize Nov. 14, 2020, as ALA National Read Your Constitution & Bylaws Day. 
 
During the COVID-19 quarantines, the ALA national Constitution & Bylaws Committee received numerous inquiries from members to get a greater understanding of their role as members and how to impact their governing documents. So, plan an activity for your unit/department to participate in this day! 
Help the ALA by serving on one of these new national committees 
Two special committees were appointed at the virtual National Executive Committee meeting in August. The committees are Inclusion & Diversity Special Committee and the National Code of Ethical Conduct Review Committee. 

Both committees are seeking American Legion Auxiliary members who can expect to serve until at least the 2021 ALA National Convention, who like working as part of a team, and have good listening skills and respect for differing opinions. 

These new committees may meet as often as weekly via videoconferencing, so technology skills and reliable internet are musts. 

For the National Code of Ethical Conduct Review Committee, detail-oriented people with knowledge of grammar and sentence structure are being sought. If you like word problems, debating the meaning of a word, and appreciate how one word can change the meaning of a sentence, this is the committee for you! If you have experience in law or parliamentary procedure, even better! 

Never served on an ALA national committee? Now is the time! Apply by Dec. 31, 2020, and help make a tremendous impact on the future of our organization. 
Auxiliary Emergency Fund – Members Helping Members 
Hurricanes and wildfires have caused a great deal of damage this year, and there is no shortage of Auxiliary members facing disaster. It’s times like these when the Auxiliary Emergency Fund is the difference between suffering and survival. Click here to donate now to the AEF and ensure your fellow Auxiliary members are never alone in their time of greatest need. If you have been affected by a disaster, click here to apply to the AEF and get the assistance you need.
NVCAF At Home  
This year, due to COVID-19 precautions, the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) will change from an in-person Festival to a virtual, at-home event to be held the week of Nov. 30.

Stay tuned for more information on NVCAF at Home, and how VA medical facilities incorporate creative arts into their therapy programs for rehabilitation for both inpatients and outpatients.

We will be sharing highlights from the Festival on social media.
DID YOU KNOW?
The November 2020 issue of Auxiliary magazine is now arriving in mailboxes (it’s also online!).  In this issue: ALA members adapt to changes by continually going virtual, members share stories of their heirloom Auxiliary jewelry, and much more. We would love to hear from you! Let us know what you think of this issue by emailing [email protected].
It's time to renew your Auxiliary membership. You can now renew your American Legion Auxiliary 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. Get a head start on the 2021 membership year before your 2020 membership expires on Dec. 31, 2020! 

If you are holiday shopping on Amazon, be sure you are using 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.

Are you following @ALAforVeterans on social media? Don’t miss out on the latest news from ALA National Headquarters. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The American Legion Auxiliary has more than a dozen Facebook groups dedicated to our national ALA programs. These closed groups are dedicated spaces where ALA members can share updates, photos, and messages with other members who share common interests in the Auxiliary’s national programs. If you are looking for insight on how to run a program, interested in learning more about what other units and departments do to reach veterans, or simply want to connect with ALA members around the world, join one of our many ALA Facebook groups.
ALA Membership
Where does your department stand in Auxiliary membership? Click here to log in and view the latest reports.
ALA Centennial
Get your centennial celebration items from American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales, where your purchase supports Legion Family programs.
The American Legion Legislative Alerts
The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.
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ALA Mission & Vision
Mission Statement
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.

Vision Statement
The vision of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion while becoming the premier service organization and foundation of every community providing support for our veterans, our military, and their families by shaping a positive future in an atmosphere of fellowship, patriotism, peace, and security.