Free training for ALA members via ALA Academy | |
March 13: American Legion Auxiliary/Wreaths Across America Sponsorship Program
This year, national Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, Dec. 13! Now is the time to start planning. Your ALA unit can get involved and earn money while supporting our combined missions. During this webinar, our guest speakers from WAA will share some of the history of Wreaths Across America, their partnership with the American Legion Auxiliary, our sponsorship program, and the tools available to help make this a successful endeavor for units nationwide.
Register here.
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March 20: Leading the Way through Mentoring
This webinar will present ideas and best practices for mentoring our fellow ALA members. We will explore ways to incorporate former leaders’ ideas into ALA programs, how to utilize governing documents to establish a level playing field when controversies arise, and investigate ways to support and encourage those members entering leadership positions.
Objectives:
- Provide ALA members information and guidance about various mentoring approaches related to the ALA mission.
- Discuss the importance of governing documents for continuity between leaders.
- Encourage pairing of former ALA leaders with new and upcoming leaders for sharing of ideas.
Register here.
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And more free training is offered in April:
Planning Your Perfect Vacation Using ALA Member Benefits
Vacation is easier and more affordable than ever with the exclusive benefits available to American Legion Auxiliary members. With travel discounts at Wyndham Hotels, and savings on tickets and rental cars through BenefitHub, your ALA membership is the ultimate tool to plan the perfect vacation on any budget.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the range of travel-related benefits available through ALA membership, including discounts on hotels, car rentals, event tickets, and more.
- Identify which ALA member benefits best align with their travel needs and preferences.
- Learn how to access and redeem these benefits through the ALA website and affiliated partners.
- Apply practical tips for using these perks to save money and enhance their travel experience.
- Plan a personalized trip using ALA member benefits, ensuring a smooth and budget-friendly journey.
Elements of Leading an Effective Meeting
This webinar will present basic guidelines for running a successful meeting using the tools and resources available on the national website at www.ALAforVeterans.org.
Course objectives:
- Familiarize attendees with the suggested order of business and tips for a successful meeting.
- Review basic parliamentary rules that occur during most meetings.
- Revisit ALA customs and protocols as they relate to meetings.
Watch our socials @ALAforVeterans for registration information!
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Serve on the 2025-2026 ALA National Ethical Conduct Committee
The purpose of the Ethical Conduct Committee is to review allegations of Code of Ethical Conduct violations by all national officers, national committee members, and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), regardless of voting rights, in a timely manner ensuring fundamental fairness, and make recommendations to the NEC. Deadline extended: Applications are due by March 31.
Apply here.
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Apply now for ALA Girls State programs | |
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ALA Girls State delegates are a diverse group of young women with a shared desire to learn and lead. ALA Girls State “citizens” come together from small towns, big cities, and rural areas to hold ALA Girls State elections, and their varied backgrounds set the stage for a week of spirited, experiential learning. High school juniors interested in applying to attend ALA Girls State are encouraged to contact their school counselor or their local American Legion Auxiliary units regarding the application process and deadline. Click here to find your ALA Girls State date and location.
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Did you know you can submit the Salute to Servicemembers Award NOW? | |
We’ve made it much easier to submit for the ALA Salute to Servicemembers Award!
An ALA member/entity simply makes the nomination, rather than the servicemember, to effectively tell the story of why they feel this person is “head and shoulders” above their peers and worthy of this award. A simple narrative (no more than 1,000 words), a picture of the servicemember (preferably an official U.S. Department of Defense photo), and the endorsement from their command group are the only requirements!
You can submit now, and right up until the June 1, 2025, deadline! The nomination form is live now.
This award acknowledges the servicemember’s contributions that go beyond their military career, displaying their impact on their community. Our goal is to have at least one submission from every ALA department, and ensure that every branch of the military is represented — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and the National Guard/Reserve.
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Do you know a unit member who goes above and beyond in everything they do, yet never asks for anything in return? Perhaps they run poppy distribution, organize the annual holiday party, or are the first ones to start cleaning up and doing dishes after an event. If this sounds like someone you know, we would love to hear from you. Every unit has at least one special someone who deserves to be recognized. All you have to do is write up why they are so special.
Unit Member of the Year nominees must be an adult American Legion Auxiliary unit member not in an elected or appointed leadership role higher than a unit president. A narrative of 1,000 words or less describing the nominee’s accomplishments and activities must be submitted by a unit to its department Leadership chair or the Past Presidents Parley chair. Winners will be recognized at a special luncheon during the American Legion Auxiliary’s National Convention. Application deadline is June 1.
Learn more.
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A special 2024-2025 membership award | |
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National President Trish Ward is visiting ALA departments (states) during her term as president to share a content enablement experience to help departments help their units succeed. Leveraging her deep business acumen as a senior lead project manager and corporate trainer, Ward looks to bring her skills to empower departments to build organizational excellence. During the visits, she’s been presenting on how to build leadership capacity and sharing knowledge on how to stop the trend of units surrendering their charters. To help motivate and guide departments, Ward established the Department Merit Medallion Recognition.
Read more.
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American Legion Auxiliary Foundation to give two awards in 2025
The Donor Champion Award will be given to the department that makes the largest per capita donation to the Foundation and the Veterans Champion Award will be awarded to the department with the most approved grants.
Awards will be based on grants given and donations received from June 1 - May 31.
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Empower the future: Donate to Spirit of Youth Scholarships and transform lives
Your support can help deserving students achieve their dreams through education. By donating to the Spirit of Youth Scholarship fund, you provide opportunities for those who may not otherwise afford college. Every contribution, big or small, makes a lasting impact. Text “SOY” to 1-844-940-3450 or click here to give today!
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Exclusive travel savings for ALA members with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts!
Planning your next trip? Whether you’re looking for an upscale hotel, an all-inclusive resort, or a budget-friendly stay, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has you covered! With thousands of locations worldwide — including trusted brands like La Quinta, Days Inn, Super 8, Ramada, and more — you’re sure to find the perfect place to rest and recharge. As an American Legion Auxiliary member, you can enjoy up to 20% off at over 9,000 participating hotels globally. Simply search for your destination and travel dates here or call 877-670-7088 to book with a dedicated travel expert. Be sure to mention you’re an ALA member and use organization code 1000002807M to claim your exclusive discount.
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April is the Month of the Military Child (#momc), and April 15 is Purple Up!
ALA members: Visit our Children & Youth Committee page to see how you can get involved.
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Deadline approaching for ALA Americanism Essay Contest.
Our annual Americanism Essay Contest encourages participants to learn about the fundamental rights and freedoms we enjoy today. The 2024-2025 administrative year contest theme: “What does America the Beautiful mean to me (regarding veterans and our military)?”
Learn more.
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Ready for this ALA challenge?
Discover ways to get involved in your community and make a real difference in the lives of local veterans by using the ALA Challenge Deck.
Learn more.
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Share our Poppy Poster Contest info with youth you know.
With the ALA Poppy Poster Contest, units sponsor poppy poster contests in local schools. Grade levels from 2nd to 12th are divided into seven classes with one additional class for “Best Overall” in each division. One award in each of the eight classes will be presented in each ALA division. Winners will receive $50, and a $50 donation in the student’s name will be made to the ALA Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship fund.
Learn more.
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ALA program and committee groups on Facebook
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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Veterans bring unique perspectives to the Auxiliary
The American Legion Auxiliary has nearly 550,000 members, each bringing their own background to the organization’s work to support veterans, military, and their families.
Read More
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Volunteering for veterans: tips on where to go when you want to help
Volunteering for veterans is a way to show appreciation for the sacrifices they made for us and our great nation. Every day, ALA members demonstrate compassion and gratitude to veterans in a variety of ways that make a positive impact in their lives … and ours.
Read More
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March — Women’s History Month
March 13 — K-9 Veterans Day
March 13 — American Legion Auxiliary/Wreaths Across America Sponsorship Program webinar
March 15 — The American Legion’s 106th birthday
March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day
March 20 — Leading the Way through Mentoring webinar
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 15 — Purple Up! Day for Military Children
April 26 — American Legion Family Day
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Forever Poppy — Poem by Patti Rolf, Iowa
Roses are red, for love so true
These poppies are in remembrance of you
You shed your blood without
any fear, to keep our homeland safe and secure
We will always remember
your valor and fight
whenever we see this
small poppy in sight
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Your voice matters: Share how changes in VA impact your benefits
The American Legion National Headquarters is encouraging those impacted by recent or future government actions at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to contact the Legion’s Government Relations office and tell your story via The American Legion Impact Survey here. These voices are crucial to convey the human impact of these policies back to the White House and VA.
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Be the One app now available to assist veterans in crisis, those around them
The Be the One app, developed by Columbia University and tailored to The American Legion’s Be the One veteran suicide prevention mission, is available via both Apple and Google. The app used the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), the most evidence-supported tool of its kind. It asks a simple series of questions that anyone can use anywhere to help prevent suicide.
Learn more.
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Happy birthday, American Legion!
The American Legion is turning 106 on Saturday, March 15 — the day in 1919 when the first American Legion caucus, held by members of the American Expeditionary Force, convened in Paris. If your American Legion post is holding a birthday celebration event, a speech has been drafted by the Legion’s Media and Communications staff for Legionnaires to emphasize what the Legion represents, both to themselves and to the community at large.
Learn more.
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