January 2021 eNews & eBulletin |
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A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families |
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MyAuxiliary - A new feature for www.ALAforVeterans.org |
Our website got a makeover! A new feature is the MyAuxiliary member site.
This intuitive area was redesigned with YOU in mind. You can now:
- Pay dues for the current year and the next year
- Print a current year membership card
- Print membership cards from previous years
- Update contact information
- Add additional addresses
- Opt out of national and department (state) publications and mailings
To see these new features, log in by clicking the member login link at the top with your user name and password, or create an account if you don’t have a current account.
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Learn more about the ALA Junior Activities Patch Program |
Do you work with Juniors? Learn how to make the most of our Patch Program.
Register for ALA Academy Live – Junior Patch Program. In this FREE webinar, you will:
- Develop an understanding of how our Patch Program relates to the ALA’s mission.
- Learn how to engage your Junior members in the Patch Program.
- Learn how to manage the Patch Program.
- Receive guidance on how to engage The American Legion Family in the Patch Program.
This hourlong webinar will be offered twice. Register for the session most convenient for you:
This course is part two of the Junior Mentor Training Series. Part one can be viewed in the MyAuxiliary portal at www.ALAforVeterans.org under ALA Academy.
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ALA Academy gets a refresh |
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The ALA Academy received an update heading into the new year. It now has a new look and features to enhance the member experience.
- ALA Academy Live recordings. If you were unable to join us for a virtual course, you can now watch webinar recordings and access all of the handouts and slides.
- ALA 101 has been updated. This course is useful for anyone in our membership. If it's been a while since you took this course, consider retaking it as a refresher. If you have already taken this course, after logging into the Academy, you can find it in your Learning Center under the completed section.
- Read and leave reviews. You can now see what others thought of the course and leave your own reviews for any of the courses that you have taken.
- Discussion forum. Do you have questions about the course or want to discuss something you learned? This is a place for you to do it.
- View and edit your profile. You can now include a profile picture, personal details, and display your achievements.
- ALA branded completion certificates have been added for every course. Certificates are available once you complete the online courses.
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Spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day in service to others |
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The Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service is Jan. 18. This is a great opportunity for ALA members to serve the community. Service on this day focuses on empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and creating solutions to social problems.
While making a difference in your community on this day, make sure you’re wearing ALA branded clothing and tag us on social media @ALAforVeterans. Tell us more! Auxiliary magazine would love to hear how your unit served: Email us at ALAMagazine@ALAforVeterans.org. Be sure to include pictures!
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Thank you for your monthly gifts! |
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Back in December, we sent a cry for help to our supporters as our goal of reaching 100 monthly donors before the end of 2020 seemed out of reach. However, our supporters rallied, and thanks to YOU and YOUR desire to help our servicemembers, many are now receiving assistance not just today, but far into the future.
On behalf of our nation’s heroes, we thank you for this life-changing commitment!
If you couldn’t start your monthly gift in 2020 and wish to now, you can still set up monthly giving. It’s never too late to make a difference!
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A gift to the ALA Foundation is a gift for the future |
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The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation’s Mission Endowment Fund was created to make a large impact for veterans, military, and their families for years to come.
Make a gift today knowing that 100 percent of your donation will go straight to helping our nation’s heroes both today and for future generations.
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Your Amazon shopping helps our nation’s heroes |
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If you shop on Amazon, make sure you’re using AmazonSmile. Using this special link, 3,455 supporters have raised over $19,000 for our veterans, military, and their families. Imagine how many heroes could be supported if everyone who values the ALA’s mission took the time to sign up with AmazonSmile. Get started today!
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Important note about 2021 ALA national scholarship applications. Under the unusual circumstances of this year, the SAT/ACT requirement will be waived for the 2021 scholarship applications. If the student is able to take the test at some point, the score should be included. If a student is unable to take the test, please include a notation with the application that the student was unable to take the test due to COVID-19 restrictions. Applications are due March 1, 2021, to the unit level. Reminder: National scholarships can now be submitted online through a fillable application.
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.
The response to the call for applications for two special committees was outstanding. The application process is now closed for the Inclusion & Diversity Special Committee and the Code of Ethical Conduct Review Committee. Interviews with selected candidates will be conducted at the end of January. ALA National President Nicole Clapp will present her appointments for ratification at the mid-winter NEC meeting on Feb. 27.
The ALA in Numbers. 25,575 Facebook followers, 2,590 Twitter followers, 2,070 Instagram followers. Help us grow! Follow us at @ALAforVeterans.
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ALA In the Know eBulletin |
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Find our groups on Facebook |
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ALA In the Know eBulletin
Click here to stay updated with January reports and timely articles from ALA national committees, programs, and activities: ALA 100th Anniversary Committee, Community Service, Membership, Junior Activities, Leadership, and Public Relations.
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ALA Committee Facebook Groups ALA members discuss or share about broad or narrow topics related to each committee. Groups 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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Refreshing your wardrobe or home décor every now and then can be a great thing. The same is true for websites.
The American Legion Auxiliary’s national website was recently refreshed and is still stocked with the same content. Even the address is the same: www.ALAforVeterans.org. Our site continues to illustrate how ALA members help and honor ...
Read more:
www.ALAforVeterans.org
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A veteran stands next to his artwork, explaining the details of what led him to create the piece. Nearby, another veteran shares an excerpt from her creative writing story, detailing how the arts have helped her overcome her PTSD. Soon after, the stage lights are dimmed as the next performer readies himself. He begins to strum his guitar, a soft melody pulsating out over the auditorium audience.
Welcome to what the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival ...
Read more:
www.ALAforVeterans.org
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It’s not “taking from the rich to give to the poor.” It’s not walking in off the street asking for a donation. If the idea of asking for money makes you break into a cold sweat and you think the dentist’s office would be more fun, then maybe you need another way to approach it.
Step back for a moment. Let’s pretend you just baked a big batch of cookies and you want to share them with a neighbor. Who do you ...
Read more:
www.ALAforVeterans.org
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I remember sitting at a back table at a formal dinner that American Legion Auxiliary Unit 5 in Tampa, Fla., hosted not too long ago for a very special group of ladies: mothers of fallen military members, also known as Gold Star Mothers.
A delicious meal was enjoyed by the 40 Gold Star Mothers. I listened to them talk about their fallen heroes. I saw them laughing, and ...
Read more:
www.ALAforVeterans.org
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Don't miss out on ALA member benefits! |
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Lower your family's healthcare costs |
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Jan. 18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NHQ offices closed
Jan. 28 - 7 p.m. ET - ALA Academy Live - Junior Patches
Feb. 2 - 9 p.m. ET - ALA Academy Live - Junior Patches
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Why I renewed my ALA membership |
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"I enjoy seeing the impact our Auxiliary unit has on our veterans, their families, and community. We support our Legion Family and our community, and it feels nice to be a part of something bigger than myself."
- Shannon Barie
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The American Legion and Chip Ganassi Racing have a multi-year agreement for the Legion to sponsor the No. 48 car driven by Jimmie Johnson and Tony Kanaan. The American Legion will be featured prominently on the No. 48 Honda during every 2021 and 2022 NTT IndyCar Series. The Legion will be the primary paint scheme for two races, including the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend. |
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Buddy Checks. The American Legion is supporting a bipartisan effort to pass the Buddy Check Bill, aimed at combatting veteran suicide by connecting veterans to the care they need. The bill is modeled after the Legion's "Buddy Check National Week of Calling."
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The American Legion's Washington, D.C. Conference will be virtual. In the first week of March, a virtual "Know Before You Go" session will be conducted, as will a virtual "Storm the Hill" effort via email, phone, and any other appropriate communication. American Legion National Commander James W. "Bill" Oxford will deliver his testimony either virtually or on Capitol Hill with no audience at a date that has not yet been determined. |
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Legion Family Merchandise
Show your support by buying from American Legion 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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