March 2020 eNews & eBulletin
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Happy 101st birthday to The American Legion on March 15!
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For more than a century, The American Legion has advocated on behalf of veterans and affected change throughout America. As part of the Legion Family, the American Legion Auxiliary is proud to support the Legion, especially this month when our Legionnaire friends celebrate! To mark this 101st year, The American Legion Amateur Radio Club will host a
special birthday event
this month.
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The ALA declaration - the story of us
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You’ve seen our new tagline:
A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families
. Now we have expanded our descriptor into a declaration. Its purpose is to tell the story of who we are. We have a printed version (
flyer
or
full-color poster
) and a
video version
for you to use. The video can be shown at meetings, posted on social media, or on your website. The printed version can be framed in your post home, printed in a newsletter, or distributed at a meeting. You don’t have to limit yourself to these options. Be creative and share where you see fit.
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A 'Family' show of support in Washington, D.C.
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American Legion Family members are in Washington, D.C. this week to support The American Legion’s national legislative and public policy agendas. ALA members attended National Commander Bill Oxford’s congressional testimony and met with Congressional representatives to advocate for veterans. Look for a recap in the May 2020 issue of
Auxiliary
magazine. You can also see real-time updates from The American Legion
here
.
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Serve on the ALA Foundation Board of Directors
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The ALA Foundation is looking for talented and passionate individuals to serve a three-year term on its board of directors. This group is committed to building, promoting, and sustaining the ALA Foundation by adopting ethical governance and financial management policies, as well as ensuring resources to advance the mission for our next generation of heroes.
Apply
by April 1.
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ALA In the Know eBulletin
Click
here to stay updated with March reports and timely articles from ALA national committees, programs, and activities: Children & Youth, Community Service, Education, ALA Girls Nation, Junior Activities, Leadership, Legislative, Membership, Poppy, Public Relations, and ALA 100th Anniversary Committee.
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April is Month of the Military Child
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Military children face unique challenges and make sacrifices. To recognize this, April is designated as the Month of the Military Child (#MOMC). The American Legion Family publicly demonstrates our commitment to youth by hosting activities nationwide throughout April. Does your ALA unit need help planning Children & Youth events for the Month of the Military Child?
Resources are available to help your ALA unit and department get started. Also, mark your calendar: We are celebrating “Purple Up! For Military Kids” day on Friday, April 3 – wear purple to show support and thank military children.
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Help students follow their dreams
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Supporting education = supporting the future. Make a gift to the ALA National Presidents’ Scholarship Fund today and help a deserving military child or Auxiliary member achieve their academic goals.
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Time to prepare for National Poppy Day®
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Get ready! National Poppy Day® is May 22 this year! The poppy is the internationally known and recognized symbol of the lives sacrificed in war and the hope that none died in vain. In the 1920s, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion Family. In 2017, the Legion Family called upon Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day. Numerous
resources are available
to help units have a successful Poppy Day.
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Be sure to report your impact numbers.
It’s time to start compiling your volunteer hours and contributions for impact reports.
Download
your member impact form and check with your unit president for due dates.
Free training tools available online for ALA members!
The ALA Academy is a training program designed to give all members at all levels the tools they need to grow. Eight courses are currently available. Courses are useful for anyone in the ALA from new volunteers to experienced leaders. See all the ALA Academy courses
here
and encourage fellow members of your unit to take a course too.
Time to sign up for The American Legion Media Alliance!
The American Legion Media Alliance (TALMA) is offering membership at a special discount. The newly formed TALMA will focus on the priorities for those producing media at the post, district, and/or department level. Those who join will receive:
- A press credential with lanyard
- Free entry into the annual contest
- Resources for promoting Legion programs, post activities, and more
- Training by subject matter experts
- Subscription to a regular enewsletter
Those who sign up for TALMA now will receive six months free and the opportunity to enter the contests for both this year and next year. A $15 membership fee will ensure your membership through Aug. 31, 2021. Go to
www.legion.org/talma/join
to join.
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Special centennial issue of
Auxiliary
magazine available online! Take a look back at how the ALA has made an impact over the last century, along with historical photos and interesting facts.
Click here to read this commemorative issue today.
If you would like extra copies, contact us at alamagazine@ALAforVeterans.org. The magazines are available in cases of 50 for $40 each. Limited quantities are available. The extra magazines can be used to promote the American Legion Auxiliary. Consider taking them to local U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, coffee shops, libraries, etc. Send to local media outlets and direct them to the special 100th anniversary section. Distribute in other clubs/organizations you're involved in. There are several ways you and your Public Relations chair can use the publication to spread awareness of the ALA.
Are you following @ALAforVeterans on social media?
Don’t miss out on the latest news from ALA National Headquarters. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
If you shop on Amazon, make sure you’re using 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 it a little can add up to a lot.
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ALA Centennial
Get your centennial celebration items from American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales, where your purchase supports Legion Family programs.
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The American Legion Legislative Alerts
The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.
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Don't forget about your member benefits
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Save on prescriptions with WellRx
Prescriptions can be costly. ALA members can save on prescriptions by using the WellRx Prescription Savings Program. It’s offered to all ALA members for FREE. To learn more and see other advantages of being an ALA member,
click here.
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Mission Statement
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.
Vision Statement
The vision of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion while becoming the premier service organization and foundation of every community providing support for our veterans, our military, and their families by shaping a positive future in an atmosphere of fellowship, patriotism, peace, and security.
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