American Legion Auxiliary Department of Colorado President Diane Erickson 2015-2016 Membership Co-Chairs Jan Peticolas and Kim Peticolas United Together for a Common Cause Mission Statement In the spirit of service, not self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military and their families, both at home and abroad. Our Membership Committee is committed to promoting membership as the means to best support those veterans, active duty military and their families. We believe that however active a member may or may not be at the local level, her membership in and of itself shows strong commitment to ALA values and activities. As our most recent National Presidents have been committed to doing things differently to enhance our image and goals, and so are we. We hope you find more fun and inspiration in all we do this year. Together we are united together for a common cause.
Membership Membership Committee Duties: ALA Unit Guide Book The purpose of the Membership Committee is to promote the benefits of membership and to promote retaining and recruiting a diverse, active membership to carry out the American Legion Auxiliary mission and programs. Membership is the foundation on which the program of the American Legion Auxiliary is built, and the success or failure of that program depends largely on how well that foundation is laid. With the start of each new Auxiliary year, we build that foundation even before we plan any of our other programs. No Unit can successfully carry out any large activity without the firm foundation of a strong membership. A Unit which fails to recruit and retain as many eligible women as possible to its ranks has not done its full share toward the success of its Department and the National Organization. Dues of American Legion Auxiliary members shall be payable annually or Paid Up For Life (PUFL) through National. Units should make an effort to have their entire membership in good standing for the new year as soon as possible. Active membership campaigns should be planned. Early payment of dues by members is highly desirable in order to free the energies of the Unit for mission delivery. A Systematic Membership Effort An enthusiastic, experienced chairman, with an able committee to aid her, should be placed in charge of the membership campaign. A definite plan for the campaign should be worked out well in advance by this committee in order that, when the campaign is once launched, it can move forward smoothly with no letup on the part of the workers. Hit-or-miss methods are apt to cause uncertainty and confusion, which may dull the enthusiasm of the workers. Careful organization is important and will insure a successful campaign. A number of different organization plans have been used successfully by American Legion Auxiliary Units. The five things which are fundamental in the organization of the campaign are proper preparation, suitable grouping of members in working teams, good publicity, competition between teams and individuals, and active personal solicitation of prospective members. Preparing for the Campaign The most important part of the advance work to be done in preparing for a membership campaign is the compiling of a list of prospective members to be given to the membership workers at the opening of the campaign. The list should include the names and addresses of all eligible women in the community. A master list should be compiled and an individual
record card should be prepared for each prospective member. This system facilitates recording data about calls and other information. To this list, compiled from the Post s membership roll, should be added the names of women who are eligible through deceased veterans, women who are eligible through their own service, and those who have eligibility through legionnaires living in other communities. The names of men who died in service can be secured through city/county records, from the Post s records of veterans who have died since the war, and from personal knowledge of Unit members. The plan for dividing the members into two competing teams usually brings results in a membership drive. Workers must be enthusiastic, have detailed plans carefully worked out, and a definite goal toward which to work. Assign definite territories, make an even distribution of responsibilities and set a definite time limit for the completion of the drive. Enthusiastic leaders can originate many interesting plans. Membership Publicity and Solicitation A campaign of newspaper publicity and talks before other women s organizations should be planned in advance of the solicitation of prospects and continue throughout the membership drive. The publicity should be of such a character that it will create in the minds of the prospective members a desire to belong to the American Legion Auxiliary. Letters explaining the aims and activities of the American Legion Auxiliary and inviting membership should go to all prospects before solicitation begins. Membership solicitors should attend a class of instruction before the start of visits and should be prepared to answer, in a clear and definite manner, all questions concerning the American Legion Auxiliary, which may be asked of them. Personal solicitation is the best method of securing members. The success of the campaign depends upon the enthusiasm and skill of the workers. Tiny Tots ***************************************** The enrollment of Junior members from birth to six years of age is known as Tiny Tot enrollment. Tiny Tot certificates are available through Department Headquarters. Upon reaching the age of six, certificates of promotion to Junior membership are available. A parent or guardian must sign the application of a Junior member.
ALA Colorado Membership Challenge for 2015-2016 Unit Members bring in one new Jr. or Sr. member. Unit Officers bring in two new Jr. or Sr. members. District Officers bring in three new Jr. or Sr. members. Dept. Officers & Committee Chairs bring in four new members. This year we re interested in everyone participating in the membership drive. We believe that the leaders of our Colorado Auxiliary know more about our mission and the wonderful work we do and thus can better share that information to increase our membership. We believe that our leaders have the skills and passion to let our communities know about our Million Membership Drive. Some Facts: 1. Your family members and friends living in another state can join your Unit in CO! 2. Eligible babies from birth on can be members. (A parent must sign the application form.) 3. A woman who lives in Town A can join a Unit in Town B. Gather your friends around the country and get them to join in CO. They can always transfer later to a Unit near their home. 4. A woman does not have to join the Unit where her husband is a member of the Post. She can join the Unit where she fits in best! That Unit is probably where you participate and you can keep her up to date on activities. 5. Encourage potential new members to join the unit that meets their specific needs. 6. A Unit member is not required to attend meetings or participate in activities. Just renewing her membership each year honors our Veterans and adds power to our voice as we advocate for our Veterans and Active Duty Military in Congress. 7. You can gift a Junior membership to a child with the permission and signature of the parent. Junior fees are very low and it helps our young people become aware of our mission and activities. 8. Old age doesn t keep a woman from being a member! 9. Being too busy shouldn t keep a woman from being a member. Remember, our soldiers never really have the time to go to war, but they pack up and go! Membership honors our veterans and active duty military! 10. If we aren t advocating in Congress for our veterans, who will? If not us, who? If not now, when?
United Together for a Common Cause Membership Kick Off Promotion for the 2015-2016 Year 1. The first 1,500 Colorado ALA Senior members to renew will receive a rear window, exterior ALA decal for her car. In addition, the first 500 new CO ALA members for 2015 2016 will also receive a rear window ALA decal. Unit Presidents will receive and distribute the decals. Unit Presidents must request decals. Requests can be sent to the Membership Chairman. All decals should be placed on the car or returned to Unit President. Mid Year Thank You Promotions 2. Witness G.I. Homecoming, a National Geographic DVD, will be awarded to the Colorado Unit with the most newly enrolled Tiny Tot and Junior members by Jan. 5th, 2016. This will be presented at the Mid Year Conference. (The Dept. Secretary will be the judge of enrollment numbers.) 3. Witness G.I. Homecoming, a National Geographic DVD will be awarded to the Colorado Unit with the most newly enrolled Senior members by Jan. 5 th, 2016. This will be presented at the Mid Year Conference. (The Dept. Secretary will be the judge of enrollment numbers. 4. Complimentary luncheon for the Colorado Unit President and Unit Membership Chair at the 2016 Mid-Year membership luncheon with the highest percentage of new Colorado ALA members (any combination of Tiny Tot, Junior and Senior new members) by Jan. 5 th of 2016. If unable to attend the luncheon, a check for $15.00 for the absent leader(s) will be sent to the Unit to use as it sees fit. 5. Pizzas (up to 4 large) for a Unit meeting for the Unit who does the most indoor and/or outdoor presentations (combined) by Jan. 5 th, 2016. In case of a tie, the winning Unit s name will be drawn from a hat. The details of each presentation must be sent to Kim Peticolas by January 5 th and photos of each event are required (digital or printed). The gift certificate will be awarded at the Mid-Year Conference. 6. $100.00 for the Colorado Unit that hosts three or more community presentations that work on membership recruiting by Jan. 5 th, 2016. If more than one Unit hosts three or more community presentations, the Unit s name will be drawn from a hat at the Mid-Year Conference. Details of each presentation must be sent to Kim Peticolas by Jan. 5 th and photos of each event are required (digital or printed).
Year End ALA Dept. of Colorado Convention Awards 7. $100.00 for the Colorado Unit that has the highest percentage of current members who recruit a new Colorado ALA members by May 31st, 2016. (Junior or Senior Members). The award will be given at the Dept. Convention in June 2016. In case of a tie, the winning Unit will be chosen by pulling from a hat. Recruiter s name must be listed on each new member s application for it to count. Unit President should submit the total number and the resulting percentage of members who recruit a new member to the Membership Committee. 8. $100.00 for the Colorado Unit that has the highest number of current members who recruit new Colorado ALA members (Junior or Senior Members) by May 31 st, 2016. The award will be given at the Dept. Convention in June 2016. In case of a tie, pulling from a hat will choose the winning Unit. Recruiter s names must be listed on each new member s application. Recruiter s name must be listed on each new member s application for it to count. Unit President should submit the total number of members who recruit a new member to the Membership Committee. 9. $500.00 drawing where each Colorado Legion Family member s name (Auxiliary, Legion or Sons) will be entered each time he/she enrolls a new Senior Colorado ALA member by May 31 st 2016. The $500.00 will be split between the recruiter and the newly enrolled member. The name of the recruiter & new member will be drawn at the Colorado Legion Family convention in June 2016. All applications must be signed (eligibility verified) by a Colorado Post Adjutant, be approved by the Unit and dues received by the deadline. Approved applications must be received by June 7 th at Department for entry into the $500.00 drawing. Need not be present to win. Any former member who has not paid dues since 2013 and who renews will be considered a new member and may be entered in this drawing with her recruiter as well.
Our Colorado Department of The American Legion has over 20,000 members. Each Legion member usually has one or more female family members who are eligible to join the Auxiliary. Eligible members include: 1. grandmother 2. mother 3. wife 4. daughter 5. sisters 6. granddaughters 7. great granddaughters (These categories are established by Congress. Notice it does not include great grandmother, step-parent, aunt, or foster parent.) If we can recruit even one eligible relative of each CO Legion member we will reach a membership of over 20,000 Department of Colorado ALA members! Let s do it for Colorado and for our Veterans! Some Very Interesting Statistics about Colorado ALA Membership Colorado is a member state of the Northwestern Division of the National ALA. There are seven states in our Division: 1. North Dakota s total population is about 724,000. Their 2015 ALA membership goal is approximately 13,100. 2. South Dakota s population is about 845,000. Their 2015 goal is 14,200 members. 3. Wyoming s population is about 583,000. Their goal is 3,880 members. 4. Nebraska s population is about 1 million 870 thousand. They hope to have over 24,000 ALA members. 5. Minnesota s population is 5 million 420 thousand. Their goal is to have over 43 thousand Minnesota ALA members!!! (43,000!) 6. Montana s population is just over 1 million. Their goal is to have 4,000 members. 7. In last place percentage wise is Colorado. We have a population of around 5,268,000 people and our goal is just 6,000 members!
DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES 1. Develop a District Officer Job Description that includes attendance at a minimum of three Unit membership outreach programs per officer. It is suggested all district officers assist at these events, together or separately. 2. The District President will distribute a District Survey developed by the Dept. President s team to each Unit in her District. She will forward results to the Department President. 3. The District President will write a Shout Out summary of district activities in November and April (without mentioning Units) that will reflect on District Team accomplishments! This will be distributed to all members of the District. 4. Establish a District Level Membership Chairman whose name would be sent to the Department officers and the Department Membership Chairman. The district membership chairman will work directly with the Department Membership Chairman. 5. The District President and the District Membership Chairman shall be responsible for explaining membership application procedures and community outreach programs each year to each Unit in their District. 6. The District Membership Chairman shall be responsible for collecting all the Unit s membership chairmen s contact information and reporting it to the Department Membership Committee. 7. Department and District Membership Chairman shall develop a Unit Membership Chairman Group email list so that Unit membership chairmen may be contacted on a monthly basis with encouragement and updated information.
2015 2016 Membership Committee Support Activities United Together for a Common Cause, the Membership Committee wants to support all members who are honoring our commitment to our Veterans and our Active Duty Military members and their family. 1. Community Event assistance a. Department Membership Committee, along with District leaders, will help identify local community events that the Unit can attend and/or hold a booth to create awareness of ALA activities and recruit new members. b. If available, Department Membership Committee members will endeavor to help plan and staff booths at these events. 2. Communications Assistance a. Dept. Membership Committee, along with District leaders, will help Units identify free advertising and community announcement opportunities. b. Assistance will be given in the writing of articles, announcements, press releases, flyer templates, scripts and other communication and public relations activities. 3. District Assistance a. Department Membership Committee members will train District leadership to promote closer communication with Units and best membership practices in their district. Materials and Help available: 1. Cardboard Brochures Kiosk: At Dept. Headquarters or with Jan P. (303.469.6416) 2. Informational Pamphlets: At Dept. Headquarters or your District President. 3. Newspaper announcements: Website or Ann Brandt (303.438.1428) 4. Our Auxiliary Magazine: Collect and distribute at doctor s offices, on our information table, at church, etc.
SUGGESTED PLACES TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS 1. Invite people from your church groups (wear your crocheted poppy). 2. Ask employees at your Spa/Salon: hair dresser, manicurist, esthetician, receptionist, etc. 3. Ask employees at your dog s kennel. 4. Invite people from diet groups: TOPS, Weight Watchers, etc. 5. Invite people from political groups you are involved with (Our dues are only $2.50 per month or $30.00 p/yr for your voice to be heard.) 6. Sign up your daughters and granddaughters. 7. Ask your neighbors: canvas the neighborhood with flyers. 8. Ask other post members wife, daughters & granddaughters. 9. Ask your favorite business owners (as you ask for a donation or ask to leave pamphlets). 10. Hold booths at town festival, Holiday Bazaar or yard sale. 11. Have a booth at your local health fair. 12. Invite people from the Senior Center. 13. Ask gym members and staff to join. 14. Wear your poppy to your favorite local pub/restaurant. 15. Ask your favorite cashier at the grocery store. 16. Memorial Weekend & Veterans Day handouts (poppies and pamphlets). 17. Invite your local Daughters of the American Revolution. 18. Ask people at your local schools as you promote Girls State, Oratorical, flagday activities, etc. 19. Host a booth at your local Farmers Market. 20. Ask people if they are veterans as you hand our poppies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit XX and American Legion Post XX Cordially invite You to an Informational Meeting on DAY, DATE & TIME In the SAMPLE room at SAMPLE FACILITY. Learn how the American Legion Auxiliary and the American Legion serve our veterans and our community. We will talk about Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments for our Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders and other programs. Time will be available to answer questions and help veterans in attendance. Treats are on Us! We look forward to meeting you!
Dear New Member: The Department of Colorado American Legion Auxiliary is delighted that you have decided to join our volunteer organization. Our work together is important for our veterans and active duty military members, their families and our communities. We hope you will look at our Unit Guide Book, our National alaforveterans.org website, and our Colorado Auxiliary website, alacolorado.com, to discover more about what we do. Each Unit s activities are different, but we want to welcome growth and change. Please look around our entire organization for activities that match your interests and talents. If you find something you would like to work on or chair, please speak up and let us know. Share your talents and ideas! Create enthusiasm and motivate others! Work with other Units and our Department! Even if you can t be physically active, your membership matters a great deal. When we go to Washington D. C. each year, your voice is part of our strength that has Congressional members listening! Your financial support with the occasional check makes a difference, too. No matter how you choose to participate, you matter! Welcome to our Department of Colorado American Legion Auxiliary where we are United Together for a Common Cause. Sincerely, Diane Erickson, President Dept. of Colorado Jan Peticolas, Co-Chair Kim Peticolas, Co-Chair
SUGGESTED FOLLOW-UP TELEPHONE SCRIPT FOR POTENTIAL MEMBERS Hello. This is. I am a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit in (city). We noted that at this address is a member of The American Legion. The American Legion Auxiliary is conducting a membership drive, and we really hope you are interested in joining in our commitment to helping veterans and their families by joining the Unit. Did you know that just by paying your dues, you have access to significant discounts on eye wear, technology such as computers and televisions, national attractions like Disney World and Six Flags, movie tickets and national restaurant chains. And of course you receive our quarterly Auxiliary magazine. The Auxiliary Unit serves the community through sponsoring local community programs such as, youth programs such as Girls State and, and veterans by. We would love to have you attend our next meeting, which is where you can see first hand the contributions we are making in our community. Can we count on you? I will be pleased to send you an application which you can complete and send with your dues of $. Thank you so much. We appreciate your support and hope you can attend our next meeting. Can I offer you a ride? OVERCOMING OBJECTIONS If you ran into objections, try to determine how those objections can be overcome. An ideal question to ask is, What would it take to get you to join the American Legion Auxiliary? This question will most times get a person to talk and detail their real feelings and impressions. Then try to overcome by mentioning another benefit or ways your Unit could address her objections. You may find a pattern of responses that indicate changes your Unit may need to address to get members to pay their dues and participate in our programs. Remember, if things that your Unit is currently doing are not encouraging growth and participation, changes are required!