2026 October Sunflowerette

SUNFLOWERETTE

October 2026

PLEASE SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM FOR MORE INFORMATION!!

President

Kristen Hensley

kristen.d.hensley@gmail.com

913-638-9724

Let’s Get This Party Started!

By Kristen Hensley

September started the new administrative year and program year across our country. The election of the new National President Dr. Coral May Grout began the new program year. Our department has begun this year at a full sprint. This article will be a little lengthy, however there is so much to share, so please take the time to read everything from National President visit report and the upcoming Fall Conference details.

National President’s Official Visit Report:

We were honored to be the department to host the very first official department visit of our new National President on September 7 - 10. Each stop, each interaction, and each unique program highlight stop was met with National President Coral Grout saying she cannot imagine any other department being better than this. These comments were a direct result of seeing first-hand what our members are doing, the passion and love they pour into the services they provide to those that we are duty bound to serve. Your passion, your drive and your dedication spoke to her heart, and she will carry this with her throughout her term. Thank you for welcoming her during her visit and showing her what makes Kansas special.

You will hear updates from some of our special visits made to KVH-Winfield, Starbase on the National Guard Training Base in Salina, and Medal of Honor Recipient and Korean War POW Father Emil Kapaun’s Tomb at the Wichita Diocese Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. These stops were educational and inspiring, with two of them being the first time for many of us.

A special thank you to the units and post homes that hosted meet-n-greets and meals, allowing her to share her passion, focus and encouragement. Thank you to the following units and post families:

· Post and Unit #4 – Wichita

· Post and Unit #10 – Winfield

· Post and Unit 140 – Lindsborg

· Post and Unit 62 – Salina

· Post and Unit 17 – Manhattan

· Post and Unit 5 – Emporia

Also, a big Thank You to TAL Department Commander George Pogge and TAL and SAL Department and District Leaders for being present and showing the family support for Kansas ALA. We truly value your focus on helping each other in reaching our goals and program successes.

Fall Conference - Included in this month’s newsletter is the schedule of events for Fall Conference. The schedule is subject to change if needed, however, we wanted to give you visibility into what you can expect. Time limits will be strictly adhered to as it is our intention to fit as much content in while being cognizant of time to allow most attendee’s to get home before nightfall.

Please remember to register using the QR code

Vice President

Laurie Kerns

lauriedkerns@gmail.com

620- 228-4277

Hello Auxiliary Members!

We have exciting news to announce after the national convention in Louisville in August!

The American Legion Auxiliary has new eligibility requirements e>ective immediately!!!

Here are those new requirements exactly as they appear in the resolution adopted by the

American Legion:

(1) grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, and direct or adopted descendants within

two degrees of consanguinity of members of The American Legion; and

(2) grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, and direct or adopted descendants within

two degrees of consanguinity of all service members who served in either of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918 and any time after December 7, 1941 who, being a citizen of the United States at the time of their entry therein served on

active duty in the Armed Forces of any of the governments associated with the United States during either eligibility periods and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge;

(3) grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, and direct or adopted descendants within two degrees of consanguinity of all service members who were in the Armed Forces of the United States during either of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918; and any time after December 7, 1941, who served on active duty in the Armed

Forces of the United States during either eligibility period and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge; and

(4) to those women who of their own right are eligible for membership in The American Legion.

Please pay extra close attention to the wording on paragraph 4, WOMEN of their own right are eligible for membership in the American Legion are also eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary; this does not include males. The new application for membership is a little bit deceiving, it says service members of their own right. Please see the new application attached. Members can also go to www.alaforveterans.org and click join at the top of the page to access the new membership application online!

I am super excited to share membership information with everyone during Fall Conference in Dodge City on October 3. Bring your creative minds to build a steampunk style lighthouse to decorate throughout the year as you reach your membership goals!!!!

Chaplain

Sonia Wiley

s.wiley160@gmail.com

913-680-5935

Historian

Marsha Weber

mweberksala@gmail.com

620-430-0650

Click on Marsha notes to see the rest

NEC

National Executive Committee Report

Greetings Kansas, the post National Executive Committee (NEC) meet on Thursday September 3^rd, 2026, following the close of National Convention in Kentucky. During the meeting it was voted on by the NEC to adopt the following changes to our Mission and Vision statements as follows:

ALA Mission

(What we do every day.)

The American Legion Auxiliary honors the sacrifice of those who serve by uniting members to make a meaningful impact for veterans, military and their families, and communities.

What it was: 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.

ALA Vision

(The legacy we’ll leave)

To be a connected, compassionate force – a community where veterans, servicemembers, and their families belong and thrive through service that supports veterans, military and their families, and the next generation.

What it was: 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.

During National Convention the introduction of a new Strategic Plan was introduced, this plan has simplified the priorities that units, districts and departments can easily digest and manage for their future. The priorities are as follows:

Mission

Who we are and why we exist. Through service to veterans, military, their families and communities, we fulfill our promise of Service Not Self. Our mission connects generations and turns compassion into meaningful action.

- Review committees and programs regularly to ensure they support today’s mission and make the best use of our resources.

- Strengthen relationships across The American Legion family and community partners so we can serve more people together.

- Be a trusted voice and advocate for veterans, military, their families and communities.

Membership

United by service, empowered by belonging, and inspired by connection, our members are our strength.

-Engage and retain members through meaningful service, mentorship, training, and leadership opportunities.

- Grow membership by welcoming people who want to serve and connect with ur mission.

-Create a member experience where people feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to stay involved.

Means

Our means are the people, resources, and commitment that make our mission possible. Stewardship, sustainability, and sound decisions ensure that very dollar, hour and idea strengthen our impact.

- Protect member information and promote safe, responsible interactions at every level of the organization.

- Maintain financial stability and responsible stewardship to support our mission for years to come.

- Support clear, consistent, and fair governance at all levels of the organization.

Please be sure to share this information with your unit, make a plan to help sustain and grow your unit for the future of our organization.

I also would like to thank you all for your vote of confidence in me as your NEC for the next two years. I have made it a goal to ensure that Kansas is up to date with information that comes from our National Organization.

Tracy Kinnick

Department of KS NEC

Honorary Junior President

Hello everyone,

My name is Averi Johnson, I am the 2026-2027 American Legion auxiliary Honorary Junior president. I am in the American Legion auxiliary through my Great Grandfather John W. Adams who served in the US Army during Vietnam. I have been in the auxiliary since I was 2 years old

As honorary junior auxiliary president my project for this year is, sending supplies to our active military. I picked this because; I think that our active military should know that we appreciate them. Our active military would benefit from getting new supplies and things for them to know that we have their back just like they have ours and I would like for all of us to help them out. I am doing the president project to support our active military by collecting donations and raising money for supplies.

Donations that we would love your help in getting are personal hygiene supplies, food, and any non-perishable items.

I am proud to be with the American Legion Auxiliary. I am excited to work with you all and to continue to serve others even more.

Thank You,

Averi Johnson

ALA Honorary Junior President 2026-2027

Here are a list of items that you can bring with you to Fall Conference, and Mid-Winter. If your unit will help and adopt some of these items, or if you send a donation to the Department office please let me know, we would like to send as much as possible:

100 chap sticks

100 bottles of sunscreen

100 bottles of body wash

100 razors

100 bottles of shampoo

100 deodorants

100 packages of body wipes

Hard candy

Chips/cookies/crackers

Tea

Water hydration flavored packets

Email department chair Tracy Kinnick at tracykinnickala@gmail.com with items that your unit will help adopt for us.

GOVERNING DOCUMENT UPDATES

ALA Children & Youth

Legislation

Kansas American Legion Family. We did really great this past year in contacting our representatives. Let's keep up the pressure to get our voices heard.

Thank you