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FREEDOMS FOUNDATION AT VALLEY FORGE

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2008 MEMBERSHIP

November 14, 2007

Just want to remind any those American Legion Auxiliary members that haven’t paid their 2008 dues, it is very important that you get those renewals into your Unit Membership Chairman and into the Department Headquarters.  National did NOT send our reminders in July as in the past, but they were sent out in October.  Some seem to think that this is the reason that we are so far behind on our membership count this year.  Theoretically is the responsibility of the Unit to contact members to remind them that dues need to be remitted now.

Thanks to your support, the American Legion Auxiliary nation wide has been able to provide 10 million hours of volunteer services over the past year. In communities around our state and across the nation, our vital programs enrich the lives of our veterans, especially those hospitalized in 171 VA Medical Centers across the country.

Remember to renew your membership, so we can continue to serve veterans, their families and the youth of our nation.

Your membership promotes patriotism, family values and community service. Because of your affiliation with the world's largest women's patriotic service organization, you are empowering volunteers to nurture tradition and foster change for the benefit of others!

National President, Jan Pulvermacher-Ryan's theme for the year is: Forward Thinking: A Ripple Today, A Wave Tomorrow. Today, American Legion Auxiliary members are always forward thinking, assisting and aiding others wherever needed and focusing especially on the needs of our nation’s veterans, their families and our communities,

Any questions concerning joining the American Legion Auxiliary, feel free to contact the Department Headquarters in Jamestown.  Their phone number is (701) 253-5992.  They can also be reached via email at ala-hq@ndlegion.org

 

GUIDE TO VOLUNTEERS UPDATED

DATE: AUGUST 25, 2007

A fully revised VA&R GUIDE is now available.  Last updated in 1999; this project became a VA&R objective for 2007.  This publication specifically serves as a guide for ALA members with a strong interest in the VA&R Volunteer program though the VA, Field or Home Service.

 What's new in the Guide?

Organized and streamline content:  This user-friendly version is ideal for members new to the VA&R volunteer effort as well as those with years of experience.

Code of Ethics:  To underline the vital nature of the role each VA&R volunteer plays in the successful care and rehabilitation of our veterans, ALA has adopted a Code of Ethics to guide this work.

Definition Quick Source:  A comprehensive list of terms and acronyms frequently used in the VA&R environment.

Field Service Orientation Outlined:  The former "Field Service Course" now has a clearly articulated curriculum designed to ensure members have the knowledge and skills they need to represent the ALA in the veteran community.

Easy Access to Content:  The Guide is available online and for free download from the web at www.legion-aux.org/Guide

Basic to the ALA is the principal of "Service, Not Self."  We hope this revised Guide will be a valuable tool.  Now more than ever in our history, our veterans and their families need our help and assistance.  We need each and every one of you to encourage and promote our volunteer opportunities to our members, friends, family and youth.

Instructions for Ordering the Guide:  Print versions of the Guide will be available in late September.  Department Secretary's will receive notification of availability and ordering instructions after National convention. 

Contact Department Auxiliary Headquarters for a new copy of the GUIDE FOR VOLUNTEERS.  All other copies of the guide are obsolete.

(posted 10 Oct 07)

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 www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm

 

               BASICS ON HOME SERVICE IN THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

American Legion Auxiliary members do many wonderful and helpful tasks in their daily lives. Some of these hours of volunteer work are designated as Home Service and include time spent sewing, knitting, cooking, shopping for materials and supplies and other services preformed by the volunteer in her own home. Facility Gift Shop items made at home are classified as Home Service also.

In 1974, a new method of reporting the number of volunteers, hours and cost of material and supplies was initiated to record service for the veterans by our volunteers in their own homes. Home Service completes a true record of services given by all American Legion Auxiliary volunteers for reporting to the Congress of the United States and also recognizes all volunteer hours of service by our National organization.

Actual hours served in a facility or in the Field Service Program may not be included for credit in Home Service. However, facility volunteers and Field Service Volunteers must credit services they render in their own homes to Home Service. Hours spent caring for a relative are not eligible for credit to home Service.

A Home Service Pin will be awarded to the American Legion Auxiliary Home Service Volunteer after 50 hours of Home Service have been accumulated. Bars are available for 50, 100, 300, 500, and 1,000 hours of Home Service.

A Unit may present a Certificate of Appreciation to a Non-Affiliated Volunteer after 50 hours of Home Service have accumulated.

Home Service Volunteer Program reporting rules:

Hours, the Unit VA&R Chairman records number of volunteers and money spent on the Unit level. The Unit Chairman reports the total number of Home Service Volunteers, total number of hours served and the cost of all articles to the Department VA&R Chairman annually. (This includes the costs weather paid by the volunteer or the Unit.)

When the Home Service Volunteer has an accumulated total of 50 hours, the Unit VA&R Chairman or President will certify to the Department VA&R Committee. The Department Secretary shall keep a supply of Home Service Pins on hand to fill orders and when a certificate is received from the Department VA&R Committee.

The cost of the Home Service Pin and hour bar are to be defrayed by the Unit unless otherwise specified by the Department.

The honor system will prevail and each Home Service Volunteer will be responsible for keeping her own hours and costs and reporting them to her Unit VA&R Chairman. In case of discrepancy, the decision of the Unit President and the Unit VA&R Chairman is final.

Woven fabric tape name tapes, "From the American Legion Auxiliary’ are available from the National Headquarters at a small fee. These would be used in donated items from a volunteer.

The above stated rules and further information on volunteering as an ALA member can be accessed in the Guide for Volunteers booklet available through each Department Secretary’s office.

Please FOLLOW THE RULES, keep track of hours and dollars spend, and REPORT.