A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families |
|
On Dec. 7, we remembered those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
We encourage you to take a moment and remember the 2,403 servicemembers and civilians who were killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Every December on that day is a reminder for us to thank our military, veterans, and their families, and remember the sacrifices they make.
ALA National President Kathy Daudistel took part in a remembrance ceremony at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. View her pictures of the event on Facebook.
|
|
#GivingTuesday raises over $60,000 to support veterans in need |
|
Thank you to all who gave to the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation on #GivingTuesday. We were able to meet our goal of $60,000, but most importantly, these gifts will go directly to support heroes across the nation who deserve it the most. Follow along at www.ALAFoundation.org to see what your gift does in the coming months.
|
|
Give our veterans the best Christmas gift of all: a worry-free holiday season |
|
Christmas is almost here, but for many veterans, obstacles such as homelessness, PTSD, and natural and financial disasters prevent them from truly enjoying the holidays. Thankfully, you can give them the best possible Christmas present by starting a monthly gift with the American Legion Auxiliary or the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation and joining Heroes Giving Hope. These monthly gifts will address the problems our nation’s heroes face not just for the holiday season, but for years to come. Start your monthly gift to the ALA or ALA Foundation, and gift these brave men and women the freedom to enjoy the holidays worry-free!
|
|
Don't miss out on the early bird discount! |
|
Save some money by registering early for the first of five ALA Mission Development Training 201 events!
Mission Development Training 201 will be held in Las Vegas on Jan. 29. The early bird registration deadline for this session is Friday, Dec. 10, and who doesn’t love a discount?!
This training will help members overcome common hurdles in mission delivery. The underlying belief in this training is that improving the member engagement experience will also drive membership.
During this one-day training, learn how to:
-
Identify and engage volunteers — members and non-members
- Determine the needs in your community
- Solve roadblocks
- Construct specific volunteer menu opportunities in your community
WHO SHOULD ATTEND MISSION DEVELOPMENT TRAINING 201?
Active members looking to welcome and engage other ALA members and supporters in our mission will greatly benefit from this session. Attendees should have a basic concept of mission delivery.
DATES AND LOCATIONS:
Las Vegas, NV - Jan. 29
Orlando, FL - Feb. 12
Indianapolis, IN - Feb. 19
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 26
Omaha, NE - Apr. 2
|
|
Register for a national Junior meeting and get this cute branded shirt! |
|
Junior members who register for the national Junior meeting in Las Vegas before Dec. 10 can get this ALA branded shirt and a discount!
Junior members ages 8 and over may attend the national Junior meetings. They will enjoy fun and interactive activities during this one-day event while learning more about the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission.
Is the meeting right for my Junior?
- Yes - if they are interested in meeting other Junior members and national leaders outside of their local area who share their passion for helping veterans!
- Yes - if they want to share great ideas with other Junior members across the country and learn more about what it means to be a member of the American Legion Auxiliary!
DATES AND LOCATIONS:
(These meetings are held at the same time as the above Mission Development Training 201 events.)
- Las Vegas, NV - Jan. 29
- Orlando, FL - Feb. 12
- Indianapolis, IN - Feb. 19
- Baltimore, MD - Mar. 26
- Omaha, NE - Apr. 2
|
|
Continue serving veterans, military, and their families |
|
It’s time to renew your American Legion Auxiliary membership for 2022. You can renew by phone, online, or mail. Go to www.ALAforVeterans.org, call (317) 569-4570, or mail in your renewal notice. Your 2021 membership expires Dec. 31, 2021.
|
|
Watch recorded versions of ALA Academy Live webinars |
|
Were you unable to attend a recent ALA Academy Live webinar, or do you want to watch one again? Do you have other members in your unit who would benefit from taking a course?
Our webinars are recorded and can be viewed in the MyAuxiliary member portal. ALA Academy Live webinars currently available:
- Using Social Media to Your Unit’s Advantage (Part 1)
- Using Poppy Funds
- Unit Fundraising Panel
- ALA Junior Leadership Training (includes four webinars)
- Mission Delivery Series (includes four webinars)
Get started today!
|
|
Time's running out; only a few more days left to apply! |
|
Don't miss this opportunity to apply! If you started your application or need to start a new one, please have everything complete, including submitting a résumé, by Dec. 15 in order to be considered for a national committee appointment for 2022-2023.
National committee chairs and members are appointed annually and confirmed by the National Executive Committee to serve on a wide variety of ALA committees for you to explore. The goal is to match skill sets and talents that best complement the Auxiliary’s mission of serving veterans, the military, and their families. Some committees, like ALA Girls Nation, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (for the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival), and Junior Activities require physical agility and endurance.
You need not have served as an officer in your district or department to be eligible for an appointment, and male spouse ALA members are welcome to apply. The application window closes Dec. 15. Apply now!
Here are some useful tips to complete your application.
- Use the same device AND the same web browser (Safari, Google Chrome, Edge, etc) in order to start your application where you left off instead of starting a brand new application.
- Have your updated resume ready to upload. You’ll be required to do so before you can hit the SUBMIT button.
- Once you hit the SUBMIT button, you’re finished! Congratulations and Thank you!
If you have any questions or need help completing your application, please contact Harley Mannix, Administration Project Coordinator, at 317-569-4507 or hmannix@ALAforVeterans.org.
|
|
ALA Foundation grant applications due Jan. 3 |
|
Does your ALA unit or department have projects planned for the new year? The ALA Foundation wants to support you in your mission to serve veterans, military, and their families. Submit your grant application by Jan. 3 to be considered in the first month of 2022 and kick off the new year with extra resources on your side. See if your project will qualify and start your application.
|
|
Annual report publications available for viewing |
|
ALA annual reports are now available online. These include the Commemorative Centennial Report, the Annual Report, and department presidents report. Read them all here.
|
|
ALA programs receive grants to support youth |
|
The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation has awarded the American Legion Auxiliary two grants.
A grant for $45,500 was awarded for the project, “American Legion Auxiliary National Youth Programs Scholarships.” This grant will provide academic scholarships in the following areas: American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation program, the Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship, the Spirit of Youth Scholarship, the Honorary National Junior Division Vice President Scholarship, and the Junior Member Loyalty Scholarship.
A second grant for $3,390 was awarded for the project, “American Legion Auxiliary Children and Youth Project.” This grant will instill American Legion Family values in youth while teaching them about the poppy program and being safe.
|
|
We can help raise funds for the Child Welfare Foundation |
|
If your unit was unable to get a CWF piggy bank at National Convention, you can now download a donation can label. The 8x10” label can be attached a Pringles “Super Stack” can. The CWF donation cans and piggy banks can be placed in your post home for people to drop in their spare change. Once filled, your leadership can count the change and submit a check to The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. More details can be found here.
|
|
The updated 2021 ALA National Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules booklet is now available as a free download through the MyAuxiliary member portal. On the advice of registered parliamentarian Chris Dickey, it now includes national policies. When the print version is available from American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales, we will let you know!
The ALA Children of Warriors National Presidents’ scholarship is now an online form. Applications will come to ALA National Headquarters and then be distributed to departments (states) for the first round of judging. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this scholarship to support the children of our warriors. These scholarships are awarded to 15 students annually who excel in academics and volunteer in their communities. The scholarship deadline is March 1, 2022.
Do you shop Amazon Prime? If you do, be sure to use 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.
The ALA in Numbers. The ALA Foundation was able to award 23 grants during the 2020-2021 fiscal year, including two local Veterans Creative Arts Festival grants to programs in Colorado and Texas, as well as $45,000 to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.
|
|
Find ALA program 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.
|
|
In early 2017, artists Wendy MacNaughton and Julia Rothman launched a website, Women Who Draw, in an effort to increase the visibility of female illustrators. On the site, emphasis is focused on female illustrators of color, LBTQ+, and other minority groups of female illustrators. The first day, they received 1,200 requests to be part of the website.
Women Who Draw is an open directory of female professional illustrators, artists, and cartoonists. When looking for an artist, there are a handful of filters that can be used for searching more specifically, including race/ethnicity, location, orientation, and religion.
Since its launch, Women Who Draw has become the place to go to discover new talented illustrators from all over the world. It features over 2,700 (and counting) professional artists, tools to help users curate their own stables of artists, interviews with industry pros, monthly member collaborations, and a resources page for artists and the people who hire them.
|
|
Branding ourselves in public as the American Legion Auxiliary is important for getting our name out to communities so people know who we are, what we do, and why we matter. Branded clothing, jewelry, bags, and more with the ALA emblem can also help recruit potential members.
Where to buy branded materials
A division of The American Legion National Headquarters, American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales gives financial support to American Legion Family programs that enhance the quality of life for America’s veterans, military, and their families. Purchases through here help support the Family.
With items geared toward all parts of the Family — Legion, ALA, Sons of The American Legion, and American Legion Riders — there is plenty to find for everyone.
The three most popular ALA-branded items are the three-quarters sleeve blouse, clear rhinestone T-shirt, and allegiance polo.
|
|
It’s another way to honor their spouse’s military service and show care and appreciation for veterans, military, and their families. It supports The American Legion Family and our collective missions. And, maybe most importantly, it boosts our membership so our strength in numbers helps us to serve even more people.
There are many reasons male spouses of veterans and servicemembers have joined the American Legion Auxiliary after ALA membership eligibility was extended to them two years ago. Those are the same reasons given by many women who became ALA members throughout the organization’s 102 years.
Today, the ALA’s number of male spouse members is more than 1,000. This year, when you’re renewing your 2022 membership dues, consider the hundreds of thousands of other spouses eligible for membership in the American Legion Auxiliary.
|
|
As part of a new pathway in Newkirk, Okla., Unit 165 Junior members Hannah Cross and Brylen Liberton wanted to include a Walk of Warriors to honor all veterans.
The final idea was for each veteran to have their own paver with their first and last name and military branch of service. Some pavers were customized beyond that.
The basics
Cross said there are two important components of a project like this to take into account before getting started.
First, have a good foundation with the right organization. For the Juniors, it was having support from their ALA unit.
“It allows multiple people to back the project and help spread the word,” Cross said.
|
|
Don't miss out on ALA member benefits! |
|
Hear In America Hearing Plans are offered at no cost to ALA members and their extended families with free annual hearing screenings, deep discounts on hearing aids, and many other value-added services. Learn more.
|
|
Dec. 13 – National Guard birthday
Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve; ALA National Headquarters closed
Dec. 25 – Christmas Day
Dec. 27 – ALA National Headquarters closed in observance of the Christmas holiday
Dec. 31– New Year’s Eve; ALA National Headquarters closed
Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day; ALA National Headquarters closed
(Most ALA department offices are also closed on the above holiday dates.)
|
|
ALA Christmas Gift Shops bring the holidays to veterans |
|
“I would tell anyone who was thinking of volunteering to do it because it will be so rewarding to help a veteran. It will tug at your heartstrings when you know you are helping them. I love it and will continue doing it.”
— Ruth Morgan, Connecticut
|
|
Grant available for Legion posts affected by COVID-19
The Mission Blue Post Assistance Program provides $1,000 grants to help posts pay current or past due rent, mortgage, utilities, and insurance. To apply, the post must be in good standing with their respective department. The Funds are provided through The American Legion National Emergency Fund (NEF). Find out if your post is eligible and apply! Applications are due by July 1, 2022.
The American Legion podcast wins award
The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast won the Innovative Communication Program Award from the Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE).
The award recognizes “any improved or innovative tactic your association has used to communicate to its membership.” Specifically, Tango Alpha Lima was awarded for the 20-20-20 series, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
An exciting Legion Family volunteer opportunity in 2022
The American Legion National Oratorical Finals invites American Legion Auxiliary members to participate as contest staff at the 2022 event. The National Oratorical Finals will be held April 23-24, 2022, at the Wyndham West Hotel in Indianapolis.
Youth programs of The American Legion rely heavily upon the support of volunteer time. Please be assured that while volunteer time is a commodity greatly appreciated and highly valued by our organization, we want to ensure your awareness that The American Legion National Headquarters will not provide any financial compensation for your time or travel expenses associated with your volunteer support of the 2022 American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest.
Please consider volunteering for this prestigious event. Those interested in volunteering can register online.
|
|
|
|
Legion Family Merchandise
Show your support by buying from
American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales.
|
|
The American Legion Legislative Alerts
The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
