A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families |
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An opportunity to share your ALA opinions! |
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Watch your inbox for the American Legion Auxiliary member survey! All members will soon receive an email invitation to share their opinions with ALA National Headquarters through a member survey. Think of it as your important duty as a member to make your voice heard. Your feedback will help us improve the organization not only at the national level, but at the unit/local level as well — impacting how all of us as members serve the ALA’s mission.
The goal of this survey is to establish a baseline of who our members are and how they feel about the organization. The last member survey was conducted in 2014-2015, so it’s time to update the information.
“The more we know about our current membership, the more we can help attract new volunteers and members and better meet the needs of current members,” said ALA National Headquarters’ Executive Director Kelly Circle. “We need you — the members — to tell us what you love and what you don’t love. We hear from some individuals on certain occasions, but this survey will give us a better picture of the members overall.”
The survey questions are uncomplicated and should take about 15-20 minutes to complete. In the end, your answers will help us all better serve our mission. If you don’t receive the email, don’t worry. You will be able to access the survey through a QR code or link. The survey will be open until the end of February.
You can read more about the survey on our blog.
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R. Riveter handbag auction benefits American Legion Auxiliary and our mission |
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Head over to Instagram right now! The R. Riveter handbag auction is live!
R. Riveter has selected a few Limited Edition bags to be auctioned on their Instagram where 100% of the proceeds will go the American Legion Auxiliary. Yes, you read that correctly: 100%!!!
American Legion Auxiliary is excited for this partnership with R. Riveter! You may remember when the ALA named the company’s co-founders, Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse, our Women of the Year award recipients in 2017.
“As a company founded by women, we owe it to those who came before us, and those who will come after, to continue acting as positive agents of change. Our calling is to provide steady income opportunities that can provide ease of mind for our military spouses and help them be as focused as possible on their mission at hand. R. Riveter is certainly focused on its mission and it’s one we share with the American Legion Auxiliary. Together, we can continue to build each other up. I can do it. You can do it. We can do it.” — Lisa Bradley, Co-founder & CEO of R. Riveter
The first auction is live right now until 9 p.m. ET!
An added BONUS: ALA members can get a 20% discount on other R. Riveter bags! Follow this link to get the discount!
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ALA Mission Training events still happening — register today! |
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The first two ALA Mission Development Training 201 events are just weeks away!
Las Vegas will kick things off Jan. 29, followed by Orlando on Feb. 12. If you want to attend either of these, you need to register ASAP!
These training events 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:
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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. 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
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Going to Mission Training? Take a Junior with you! |
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National Junior meetings will be held at the same time as Mission Training, which makes it a perfect opportunity for members to invite our younger members along for the day.
Junior members ages 8 and over may attend the national Junior meetings. They will enjoy fun and interactive activities during the one-day event while learning about the ALA’s mission.
Is the meeting right for your 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!
Plus, Juniors get a free ALA branded hooded T-shirt!
DATES AND LOCATIONS:
(These meetings are held at the same time as Mission Trainings)
- Las Vegas, NV - Jan. 29
- Orlando, FL - Feb. 12
- Indianapolis, IN - Feb. 19
- Baltimore, MD - Mar. 26
- Omaha, NE - Apr. 2
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Apply to serve on ALA Foundation Board of Directors |
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Interested in using your leadership and fundraising experience to serve veterans, military, and their families?
The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation is looking for talented and passionate individuals to serve for a three-year term on our board of directors. This group builds, promotes, and sustains the ALA Foundation by connecting with supporters and volunteers, all while raising funds to support the programs and services of the American Legion Auxiliary.
More information, and the application, can be found here. Apply by April 1.
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Watch recorded versions of ALA Academy Live webinars |
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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 live webinars are always 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!
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Updated ALA National Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules |
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An updated spiral-bound ALA National Constitution, Bylaws and Standing Rules (item No. 355.202) can now be ordered from American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales or toll-free at 888-453-4466. It continues to be available as a free download for members.
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It’s time to renew your American Legion Auxiliary membership. You can renew for 2022 by phone, online, or mail. Go to www.ALAforVeterans.org, call (317) 569-4570, or mail in your renewal notice.
ALA annual reports are now available online. These include the Commemorative Centennial Report, the Annual Report, and department presidents report. Read them all here.
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.
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. 84,441 — the number of military families served in the 2020-2021 admin year. Keep up the good work!
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Find ALA program committee groups on Facebook |
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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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Patsy Everhart Ledford, Steve Youngdeer American Legion Unit 143 Auxiliary president, has served the members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for years in various capacities, and now she is an honorary member of the Tribe.
Res. No. 29 (2021), passed unanimously by Tribal Council during its regular session on Thursday, Nov. 4, made the designation stating, “Patsy Everhart Ledford embodies the Auxiliary’s mission statement beginning with educating our citizens by working 17 years at the Cherokee High School; and, during her time at the high school, Mrs. Ledford taught physical education and coached cheerleading, softball, volleyball, and assisted with track and football.”
Ledford addressed Council following passage of the resolution. “For the past 40+ years, it has been an honor to be here and to be accepted by the community and to be accepted by those who I have worked with for so many years. I appreciate this very, very much.”
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Any way that American Legion Auxiliary members can help our veterans, military, and their families always leaves us with that feel-good of why we do what we do.
Post-holidays can sometimes leave people feeling down after the excitement of the end of the year. To get that feel-good momentum back, all while helping our deployed servicemembers, consider participating in greeting card projects.
Michigan ALA Unit 106 member and veteran Charly Lindquist-Mathews started Cards for Soldiers in 2005 to support her husband while he was deployed. During that time, she had surgery, so while she was recovering, she began making cards to send overseas. She also put together care packages.
“We just continued, and whenever the military units went over there, we supported them,” she said. “It kind of snowballed from there over the years.”
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A long-awaited memorial to World War I and the 4.7 million Americans who served in the war is now a reality in Washington, D.C. It is the last of the 20th century wars to receive its own memorial in our nation’s capital. The U.S. flag was raised above the park on April 16, 2021, signifying its opening to the public.
In 2013, an act of Congress created the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission to create the memorial. They selected architect Joseph Weishaar and sculptor Sabin Howard to enhance the existing park and create the memorial.
Located in Pershing Park, the memorial is named for Gen. John J. Pershing, who commanded American Expeditionary Forces in Europe. The statue of Gen. Pershing remains and has been incorporated into the memorial. The original park was dedicated in 1981. Renovations and construction for the memorial cost $42 million.
There are several points of interest on the site that will educate visitors while they remember those who fought for our freedom.
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Are you ready to think outside the box and learn how to attract and recruit members, volunteers, and donors?
If so, ALA Mission Development Training 201 is for you! This training is geared toward helping members inspire and engage volunteers to help the ALA for decades to come. Members will be encouraged to break their projects into bite-sized pieces by creating a “menu” of opportunities to select from. The point is that units don’t have to tackle everything— they can pick and choose the projects or parts of projects that appeal to them. When people are having fun and engaging in genuine mission-related activities, others will want to join us.
Thinking about the volunteer experience — and not just focusing on numbers — is an important part of making the Auxiliary appealing. Could you use extra hands when making poppies, stuffing backpacks or boxes, or having a special event to raise funds for ALA Girls State? The Mission Development Training 201 learning experience is a great way to get ideas on making service fun for everyone, including volunteers who may also become members someday.
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Don't miss out on ALA member benefits! |
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Saving money on dental care has never been easier |
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Starting at only $9.95 a month, the Careington Discount Dental Plan for American Legion Auxiliary members gives you access to discounts from 20% to 50% on most dental procedures. Imagine saving $69.00* on a single teeth cleaning and $45.00* on a routine checkup. That’s a total savings of $114.00 for one visit to the dentist’s office for just $9.95 per month! Now that’s something to smile about. Learn more.
*These savings are based on the average of the assigned POS fees in the Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, and NYC metropolitan areas. Actual savings will vary based on provider and geographic location.
DISCLOSURE: THIS PLAN IS NOT INSURANCE and is not intended to replace health insurance. This plan does not meet the minimum creditable coverage requirements under M.G.L. c.111M and 956 CMR 5.00. This plan is not a Qualified Health Plan under the Affordable Care Act. The range of discounts will vary depending on the type of provider and service. The plan does not pay providers directly. Plan members must pay for all services but will receive a discount from participating providers. The list of participating providers is at https://www.alaforveterans.org/careington-discount-dental-plan. A written list of participating providers is available upon request. You may cancel within the first 30 days after effective date or receipt of membership materials (whichever is later) and receive a full refund. Discount Plan Organization and administrator: Careington International Corporation, 7400 Gaylord Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034; phone 800-441-0380. This plan is not available in Vermont or Washington.
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Jan. 12 – R. Riveter Handbag Auction 1
Jan. 17 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day; ALA National Headquarters closed
Jan. 29 – Las Vegas ALA Mission Development Training 201 & national Junior meeting
Feb 3. – Four Chaplains Day
Feb 6. – Four Chaplains Sunday
Feb. 12 – Orlando ALA Mission Development Training 201 & national Junior meeting
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Recruiting for the entire American Legion Family |
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“If someone signs up for the ALA, Legion, Sons, or Riders, ask questions to see if the new member has a relative who may be eligible to join any part of the Legion Family.”
— Jeffrey K. Crouser, Delaware
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Special podcast series focuses on veteran suicide
To kick off the third season of the Tango Alpha Lima podcast, The American Legion is focusing attention on identifying solutions for and raising awareness about veteran suicide. This special four-part series focuses on efforts by American Legion members around the United States that are having an impact.
The American Legion encourages you to share these episodes in the hope that they will spread awareness and find solutions to this ongoing crisis.
Please note that these episodes may be triggering for some people. For veterans in crisis, VA has help available 24/7. Call 800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255. An online chat is available here.
This series, as well as all of the more than 100 Tango Alpha Lima episodes, is available here. You can also download episodes on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or other major podcast-hosting sites and view on the Legion’s YouTube channel.
Time to apply for annual TALMA contest
Are you a member of The American Legion Media Alliance (TALMA)? If so, TALMA is now accepting entries for their annual contest. Submissions are due soon.
If you aren’t a member, you are invited to join. TALMA is an important resource for all Auxiliary members involved in public relations and/or communications at the post, district, or department level. Membership is only $15 per year. Whether you are joining for the first time or renewing, the application page is the same. Visit www.legion.org/talma/join to sign up.
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Legion Family Merchandise
Show your support by buying from
American Legion Flag & 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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