American Legion Auxiliary Deparment of California United We Stand President: Nancy Heinisch 23525 Via Farol Valencia, CA 91355 661-254-7896 nancyheinisch@att.net Editor: Linda Hayes 37560 Sierra Hwy, #800 Palmdale, CA 93550 661-209-4365 LJeffery@aol.com United we stand, steadfast and tall, Committed to peace and freedom for all, For times like these that try all our souls, Can renew our faith in ourselves and our goals. Let s open our hearts as our proud banners wave O er the land of the free Volume 58 #2 October 2017 CHATTERBOX Real Heroes Wear Dog Tags, Not Capes President Nancy s Message American Legion Auxiliary District 20 is a support group for all local units that promotes, stimulates and helps coordinate programs to ensure our units succeed. The district can also provide and supporting training in operations, organization and leadership for unit and district leaders. ALA Academy: Under a new academy training program, the American Legion Auxiliary is providing all members with the tools they need to help grow the organization as a team. The training is designed to help members learn as part of a process that includes learning the information, sharing it with others, practicing their new skills, and, eventually, making those new skills a habit. Find it in the Members Only section of the national website. ALA Department of California President Loretta Marsh visit will be held jointly with ALA District 18 on February 19 th, 2018. Quick reminder: Verification of audits and tax filings for all units and the District are due to Department by October 30, 2017. Next District Meeting.is November 8, 2017; Dr. Joyce Shulman who will discuss how to identify PTSD and what to do about it. And, most importantly, have fun! Nancy Heinisch Power Rangers Top Dawg 12 1
From Our Chaplain Can you feel the change in the weather? Doesn t it feel great. I love the change of seasons, the different colors represented, the upcoming holidays that we will celebrate, and the special foods that we like to have at our holiday feasts. We not only celebrate our Holidays, we thank God that we live in a country where we can do this. How lucky we are to live in the USA. It really is a privilege to live here, regardless of what we think of the folks who make up our Government. They have to make the hard decisions which are not easy. All we can pray is that they can step up to the challenges that face them, for if they don t make those decisions now, our future generations may have to pay a terrible price. And Lord - Hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them for the selfless acts they carry out while performing their duty. And Lord, please look after the families of those who are serving away from home and bring them comfort till their families are reunited. In your name we pray Amen Americanism Chaplain Terry Invincible Woman P.S. Remember Veteran s Day, the eleventh day, of the eleventh month at eleven o clock. Wear your poppy. Ladies, Remember any flags or emblems purchased helps support programs that help America s children, our Veterans and Military families. From the Editor s Corner My AOL has upgraded or updated it s site. I am having trouble copying/pasting directly from my email. So I have to ask that you write your article in a document such as Microsoft Word and attach it to your email. Most of you are already doing this, and I thank you. If you do not have Microsoft Word, try whatever program you have to write documents. I truly appreciate those of you who are getting your articles to me early. It is very helpful to me to have more time to work with our District Chatterbox. See you next month! Linda Hayes God Bless America. Hila Estrada Super Turtle 2 11
Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF) The Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF) was established in 1969 with a bequest from the estate of Auxiliary member Helen Colby Small of Burlington, Wisconsin. It continues today solely through generous donations from Auxiliary members. The AEF is a national grant assistance program that provides temporary emergency help to eligible members of the American Legion Auxiliary who have suffered a significant financial setback as the result of an act of nature or other personal crisis. You only need to be an Auxiliary member for three consecutive years to qualify for assistance. Feel free to contact me with questions or if you need assistance. I'm happy to help you complete the necessary paperwork. Liz Tungate Super Duck 10 3
COMMUNITY SERVICE No article this month. Beth Ryan Super Tiger POPPIES Hopefully you have sent in your poppy order by now. If you haven t already done so, be sure you send me a copy of your order. Dorothy Bernier Hercules Mouse CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS Units 176 and 520 need to re-write their bylaws this year. Please start early as two readings are necessary. Forms can be found on the department website. Betty Caster, Super Parrot RESOULTIONS Look for opportunities to write Resolutions. Resolutions are proposals that ask the membership to take a position and/or an action on a proposal. You can make an official resolution that may enhance or change a former position or make a courtesy resolution to honor or give thanks to an individual or group. Ann Pounds Resolver EDUCATION The Education Program s purpose is to promo tequality education for children and adults through classroom activities, literacy programs, scholarship promotion, and support of education beyond high school, especially for military children. The Department will award the following scholarships provided budgeted funds are available: Department Scholarships Educational Assistance Past Department Presidents Junior Scholarship Past Presidents Parley Nursing Scholarship Connie Settles Scholarship Lucille Ganey Memorial Scholarship Educational Assistance for Continuing /Re-entry Students Nontraditional Student's Scholarship Spirit of Youth Scholarship Samsung Scholarship Children of Warriors National President Scholarship Noreen Heinisch Thora Bunny PUBLIC RELATIONS Send meeting invitations! - Even if everyone knows that you meet on the first Monday of the month, make it a habit to send email invitations to remind members. The invitation can be simple. Specify the date, time, and location, and share how excited you will be to see everyone. Be sure to include the agenda (if you have one) so that members come to the meeting better prepared to contribute. Send reminders 5-7 days in advance. Or, text or make phone calls. At a meeting have members write down their addresses, with information, home phone/cell and birthdate. A roster for your unit with this information is helpful for all members to keep in touch. Carol McChesney Foxy News Gal VETERANS AFFAIRS & REHABILITATION If you would like a copy of the V A & R Guide for Volunteers or our Mission statement please contact VA & R Department Chair Kathie Martinez at KathieMartinez@genpt.com and she will send it to you via e-mail. Jackie Landan Super Giraffe 4 9
NATIONAL SECURITY There is no article for this month. Sam Marsteller Green Gecko GIRLS STATE There is no article this month. Bobbi Estes Super Racoon JUNIOR ACTIVITIES PARLIAMENTARIAN More DeLashmit wisdoms from our Department Parliamentarian, Diane DeLashmit : Officers, say Sgt-at-Arms not Sgt-of-Arms Say Retiring President not outgoing President Say President-elect not Incoming President Say Chairman not chairwoman or chairperson. When the Vice President is presiding, she is referred to as Madan President, not as Madam Vice President or Madan Chairman.. As a non denominational organization, every veteran with an honorable discharge or active duty personnel can be a member. There are many faith beliefs, and as such it is necessary to respect all religious practices. Prayers should also be nondenominational. The name of Jesus should not be used. In thy holy name, Lord, God, Father are all acceptable. Preamble: Say associations during the Great Wars. There were more than one association so an s was added after WWII. The auxiliary has but one accomplishment, so we recite accomplishment of the aims and purposes of the American Legion. There is no s on the end of accomplishment. Linda Hayes Marvelous Eagle Junior Conference is an annual event that is held in April at Wonder Valley Resort. This year it will be held April 27th through the 29th. Each District was given one book of tickets for each unit, each post, each chapter, and SAL Districts. Our goal is to raise $10,000. If every Unit and Post participates by purchasing just one book, we will hit our goal. If you would like extra tickets for your Unit to sell, please let me know..marcy Velador Super Puppy LEADERSHIP The Education Program promotes quality education for children and adults through classroom activities, literacy programs, scholarship promotion, and support of education beyond high school, especially for military children. This year s theme is Real Heroes Wear Dog Tags not Capes and we will excel throughout 2017-2018! Use your Super Powers as you carry out your District Education Program. We will focus on 4 Program Goals this year; 1) Promote literacy programs for youth and adults 2) Support legislation that establishes new scholarship opportunities 3) Encourage schools to invite veterans to speak in their classrooms 4) Provide scholarships for students who desire a college education We know that the sacrifices of our veterans are the reason we live in freedom; easing the burden of the cost of their children s education is one way we can express our gratitude to them. Pat Contreras Super Dino 8 5
LEGISLATIVE The Legislative Program provides information and assistance to American Legion Auxiliary members to advocate for the legislative agenda of The American Legion: Subscribe to the Legion s Legislative Action Alerts to receive notification when they call on all to take immediate action on a topic. www.capwiz.com/legion/mlm/signupto subscribe. Subscribe to the Legion s Legislative Update to stay informed on veteran and military legislative issues. Visit the Legion s legislative website, www.legion.org/ legislativethis site also contains the Legion s legislative priority sheets and point papers, available for download. MEMBERSHIP REPORT Kathy Faulconer Wonder Woman Let's all strive to make the early bird goal, and then concentrate on building membership from there. DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA MEMBERSHIP AWARDS: Early Bird Citation. Awarded to the Unit equaling or exceeding their membership of the previous year s actual membership at close of books (not goal) by postmark date of November 12, 2017. Department Citation. Award to Unit attaining goal into the Department Office by April 1, 2018. Ethel Flynn Award. A citation presented each year to the Unit with the greatest numerical gain over goal as of close of books. Estella Hannell Memorial Award. A citation presented each year to the District with the largest numerical increase from the previous year s close of books to the Book of Reports for the current year. The Josie Melgard. A special lapel pin will be presented to each Unit President whose Unit attains its membership goal plus two members on or before Department close of books. Edward Elks Memorial Award (formerly the Colleen Award, Marjorie McDonald). A citation plus $100 to be used to promote the program of education. This award will be under the Jurisdiction of the Department Membership chairman with the following rules: Unit must have received a Department Membership Citation. Unit must have filed an activity report with District President. MEMBERSHIP (continued from page 6) Activity report must show participation in the following programs: Americanism, Children & Youth, Education, Legislation, Poppy and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation. Unit shall attach a written supplemental report, which shows; Activities in each program, hours spent and dollars spent. DEPART- MENT MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN AWARDS: Districts that have no units with 0 membership as of October 31, 2017 will be put into a drawing for $75.00. To qualify, membership must be received by National Headquarters by midnight, October 31, 2017. Units that make goal by March 17, 2018 will be put into a drawing for $75.00. To qualify, membership must be received by National Headquarters by midnight, March 17, 2018. From the Department Membership chair: California s membership as of September 27, 2017 is 4,210 down a bit from last year. I know we will end up with a great 2018 Membership year because we have awesome ALA members working to achieve our goals. I wanted to provide accomplishment dates that will earn Units & Districts a certificate when each goal is met. The certificates will be provided at our Super Hero Cape Membership Party held at our Mid-Year Meeting January 19 January 21, 2018. ACCOMPLISHMENT DATES: October 18, 2017 certificate awarded for 30% of goal November 15, 2017 certificate awarded for 55% of goal December 20, 2017 certificate awarded for 65% of goal January 5, 2018 certificate awarded for 80% of goal Mid-Year Reports due dates: 1. Unit to District due December 4, 2017 2. District to Department due December 11, 2017 3. Department to Western Division Chairman due January 5, 2018 Mahala Berry Membership Chairman Tin Lady (Continued on page 7) 6 7