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August 2023 eNews

A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families

We're heading to Charlotte soon for ALA's biggest event!

Final preparations are underway for the ALA’s 102nd National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.! To help you prepare to join us, you can find convention information on our website, including hotel and transportation details, the agenda, States Dinner, and more! 


We know you’ll be sharing photos on your social media!🤳 📸

Tag us @ALAforVeterans and use the hashtags #AuxCon23 and #AmericanLegionAuxiliary. 


For those of you who can’t make it but want to interact with general session happenings, follow our livestream at www.ALAforVeterans.org and social media @ALAforVeterans

Attend pre-convention meetings from the comfort of your home!

Do you currently serve as an ALA committee chair or help with one of our programs? Be sure to attend our virtual pre-convention committee meetings Aug. 9-22. Any member, at any level, can attend these meetings, but not everyone can vote. Purpose of these meetings: to transact business pertinent to individual committees such as announcement of award recipients, consideration of assigned resolutions and/or amendments to Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules; to review program accomplishments; and to provide representatives an opportunity to exchange ideas. 

Find the meeting you’re interested in and register!


** The Credentials, Rules, Resolutions, and Constitution & Bylaws pre-convention committee meetings will be held in person on Saturday, Aug. 26, in the Charlotte Convention Center. 

Attention, Junior members! You can design the next ALA Junior T-shirt

Calling all ALA Juniors ages 8-17! Do you love attending our national Junior meetings? Do you love the fabulous T-shirts you receive at these events? Now is your chance to design the next ALA Junior T-shirt! Submissions must be received by Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. Eastern.


Instructions and contest rules can be found here.

ALA Girls Nation 2023 wrap-up

A week of debating bills, touring Washington, D.C., meeting senators, creating lifelong friendships, and much more! Ninety-three students attended this year’s ALA Girls Nation. Ysabella Olsen from Missouri was elected 2023 ALA Girls Nation president, and Ashland Ross from Alabama was elected national vice president.


For a look back at the week, visit @ALAGirlsNation on Instagram and Facebook! Also, check out the November issue of Auxiliary magazine for even more coverage.

Fundraising 4-1-1

Good to know

The ALA Junior membership patch has been updated to match the new ALA branding. It was time to restock, so the new order included the ALA word mark logo. American Legion Auxiliary Junior members and young Sons of The American Legion members can be active participants of the ALA Patch Program. Log in to learn more about the program and the list of activities youth can do to earn patches.

A great marketing resource. Hosting a back-to-school event? Do you have a booth at a local festival? Spread the word about the American Legion Auxiliary by handing out coloring books. You can order or download ALA-themed coloring books from our website. These easy-to-use publications are a great way to spread awareness of the ALA and our important mission to families in your community.


American Legion Auxiliary 2024 dues are now available to pay. Renew your annual membership dues in three easy ways: by phone, online, or mail. Go to www.ALAforVeterans.org, call (317) 569-4570, or mail in your renewal notice.


Increase your knowledge of the ALA quickly and conveniently! The ALA Academy is an easy way for all ALA members to learn about topics related to serving our mission. The Academy includes recordings of previously held live webinars and self-paced courses. Get started today! Log in with your member ID at www.ALAforVeterans.org/ALA-Academy.

Request to join the official 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.
On the ALA Blog

Dress in style for National Convention in ALA-branded apparel

The American Legion Auxiliary National Convention is right around the corner, so we asked National President Vickie Koutz to create a capsule collection from our Lands’ End Business ALA storefront for all your convention wardrobe needs. This collection has everything from a 3-in-1 coat to a classic polo shirt, so you’ll be cozy inside and outside of the convention hall. Lands’ End Business is your one-stop shop for high-quality clothing and merchandise that can be customized with the ALA logo. You can also get apparel and accessories with the ALA Foundation logo. Everything in the custom ALA/ALAF storefront is made to last and designed to keep you comfortable and looking your best. Check out the blog to find your next branded attire!

Navy veteran hopes to inspire others to participate in creative arts festival

Veterans across the country are busy competing at their local Veterans Creative Arts Festival, hoping for a chance to make it to the national event in 2024 in Denver. In honor of the local Festivals taking place, we are throwing it back to the 2023 national Festival and taking a closer look at one of the attending veterans, Kyle Higginbotham.

Save the date!

Aug. 10 – U.S. Department of Defense birthday

Aug. 10-15 – American Legion Baseball World Series

Aug. 14 – Navajo Code Talkers Day

Aug. 20-24 – American Legion Legacy Run

Aug. 25-31 – ALA’s 102nd National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

Quote of the month

The most important piece of advice I can give male ALA members is don’t hide in the background. Auxiliary units love to work the mission — step up and be part of that work. Offer to help at events and during programs. It can be a little intimidating being the only male in a room of female Auxiliary members, but what those members want more than anything is someone to help and be useful.”


— John Tester, Vermont

Legion Family News

Help others by donating blood at convention


The American Legion will host a Red Cross blood drive during its 104th National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. The drive will be conducted on Friday, Aug. 25, and Monday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, in Hall B of the Charlotte Convention Center. Hall B is serving as the exhibit hall at convention. Learn more and sign up here.  


Enjoy baseball and football in Charlotte


Attendees at National Convention in Charlotte will have two opportunities to watch area sports teams in action.


American Legion Family Baseball Night at Truist Field — a 10-minute walk from the Charlotte Convention Center — is Saturday, Aug. 26, when the Minor League Baseball Charlotte Knights take on the Memphis Redbirds. The first pitch is at 7:04 p.m. Tickets are $16; the purchase deadline is Aug. 21 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.


The NFL’s Carolina Panthers are offering discount tickets to their pre-season game against the Detroit Lions on Friday, Aug. 25, at Bank of America Stadium — a 12-minute walk from the convention center. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30.41.


Learn more about both events.

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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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