american legion auxiliary mailing/2015/march um for...what a great month of traveling – visiting...
TRANSCRIPT
PO Box 145, Boyd WI 54726 ♦ Email: [email protected] ♦ Cell: 715-577-5259
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY
DEPARTMENT OF WISCONSIN
Greetings from Department President Teresa Isensee
On a sad note the passing of a wonderful Auxiliary Member and District President Joan Wilkinson,
wishing her family my prayers and hopes that in her memory they will continue to volunteer for our
Veterans, our Military, their families, and promote patriotism throughout their communities.
What a great month of traveling – visiting Units, attending Holiday Parties, Luncheons, VA Medical
Center Visits, attending the Regional/State Oratorical Contest, celebrating Lincoln’s birthday in
Springfield, and talking with our Wisconsin Senators in Washington DC.
What an honor to lay the wreath with Commander Shappell at Lincoln’s Tomb to celebrate his 206th
birthday on Thursday, February 12th; and also to have the opportunity to visit with other Department
Presidents. Steve and I had some time on Wednesday to visit the Lincoln Museum – what a great
museum and a great trip to Illinois.
NEC Joyce and I traveled on planes, trains and automobiles to get to Washington DC on Saturday,
February 21st, starting out our morning at 7:30am. Our plane to DC was cancelled and we were rerouted
to Baltimore MD. We hopped on a train to Union Station in Washington DC and then waited in the cold
and snow for 30 minutes to get a taxi to our hotel. NEC Joyce did make it to the DEC meeting at 7:20pm,
just a few minutes late.
The 2015 Washington DC Conference was wonderful – great speakers and entertainment. The opening
session keynote speaker was Benjamin Patton, grandson of World War II General George S Patton, his
film company conducts a hands-on workshop specially-designed for service members being treated for
PTSD. “I Was There” a collaborative workshop combining the therapeutic value of storytelling with the
power of digital video, enabling veterans to connect with one another and to their families, for more
information go to www.iwastherefilms.org.
Sunday’s entertainment was by Operation Encore, a veteran music project that brings singers and
songwriters together to put their military experiences to song and verse.
Our Monday was filled with sessions on Faith, Family, and Freedom:
Engaging Faith Communities in Honoring and Supporting Veterans
Assuring a Robust military Family Readiness System
America’s Civic Health – How are we Doing?
Veterans Creative Arts, Just the Beginning
Delivering on our Promise to Veterans: VA Voluntary Service and Service to Veterans
Caring for Caregivers: The Need and the Response
Orientation to The American Legion’s Legislative Agenda
The highlight of the Washington DC Conference was visiting with Senator Ron Johnson and Senator
Tammy Baldwin to discuss The American Legion issues on Legislative Support for our Veterans and to
discuss the care that we expect our Veterans to receive.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEMBERSHIP
Unit Presidents and Unit Membership Chairman – Please call the members on your Roster who have not
paid their 2015 Membership Dues. It is vital to our organization and to make Congress aware that we are
there to support our Veterans and to make sure that they get what was promised to them when they left
their families and served our country.
For God and Country – God Bless America and God Bless the members of the American Legion Family.
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
Boyd American Legion Auxiliary Unit 326
Cordially invites you to a
Testimonial Dinner in honor of
DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT
TERESA ISENSEE
Saturday May 16, 2015
at
Eagle’s Club
2588 Hallie Road, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Cash Bar 5:00pm ♦ Dinner 6:30pm
Menu
Baked Chicken, Baked Ham, Baby Red potatoes,
vegetable, salad, dinner roll, and coffee, or milk -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOTEL LISTING
Avalon Hotel & Conference Center
1009 West Park Avenue
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
1-888-727-5288
Country Inn & Suites
1021 West Park Avenue
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
1-866-460-7440
Holiday Inn Express
12858 26th
Avenue
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
1-888-233-9450
AmericInn
11 South Avenue
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
1-800-634-3444
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- R.S.V.P by May 2, 2015
$25.00 per person
Name ___________________________________
Number Attending _________
Amount Enclosed _________ Check # _______
Make checks Payable to: Teresa Isensee
Mail to: Teresa Isensee, PO Box 145, Boyd, WI 54726
GREETINGS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS
Executive Secretary/Treasurer – Bonnie Dorniak
Website: www.amlegionauxwi.org Email: [email protected]
Phone: 608-745-0124 Toll free: 866-664-3863 FAX: 608-745-1947
CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOP: The Christmas Gift Shop at Zablocki VAMC has moved into a smaller facility. Due to the lack
of storage space, merchandise donations will no longer be accepted. Please see the flyer in this mailing for full details. The
American Legion Auxiliary appreciates that the Veterans Administration has allowed us to remain on the VA grounds so we
can continue to support our veterans and their families during the Christmas season.
UNIT YEAR-END IMPACT REPORTS & ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORTS – DUE APRIL 15th
: Unit Year-End
Impact Reports are due to District Presidents and Unit Annual Narrative Reports are due to Department Headquarters by
April 15, 2015. Report forms and additional information are posted on the department website. Questions should be directed to
the appropriate Department Program Chairmen.
DISBANDING A UNIT: As units complete their annual reports, they often wonder if they are doing enough for our veterans,
the military and the community. They question if they should turn in their Unit Charter. Remember that everything we do, no
matter how small, makes a big difference! And if we don’t do it, who will?!? Every effort should be made to revitalize a Unit
before disbanding. If your Unit is struggling from lack of leadership, please call your District President or Department
Membership Chairman for help. Units must follow the procedure for disbanding a Unit as defined in the Department Standing
Rules (pages 87-88 of the Red Book):
1. The procedure for disbanding a unit is as follows: a. The unit having fewer than 10 members must solicit the help of the County, District and Department Membership
Teams. These teams will meet with members to discuss the unit’s options. The local Post will be included in this meeting.
b. Following this meeting a letter will be sent to every senior member explaining the reasons the unit is considering the option to disband. A meeting time will be set up to present options as suggested in the National UD&R document, to save the charter.
c. If all efforts have no positive result, then the unit with fewer than 10 members may request the District President to present to the Department Executive Board a motion to disband the unit and relinquish the charter.
d. The Department Executive Board and Department Convention body must adopt the motion to disband the unit and allow them to relinquish their charter.
e. If a motion to disband is adopted at the Department level, a motion to disband must be brought before the National Executive Committee.
f. If the National Executive Committee approves the motion to disband, the unit will be notified to surrender its charter, all records and funds, to Department Headquarters.
g. Documentation at every step must be dated and submitted to the Department Executive Secretary for filing at headquarters.
MEMBERSHIP CREDITS – MAY 1, 2015: Membership credits issued by Department must be used by May 1, 2015. If you
have any questions, please contact Andrea Stoltz at headquarters.
ALA BADGER GIRLS STATE, JUNE 21-26, 2015: Reservation forms ($250/delegate) and the Delegate Orientation
Schedule are posted on the ALABGS website (www.badgergirlsstate.org). Units interested in sponsoring delegates should
contact Carrie Thrasher at headquarters or their local school to see if they have students who want to participate.
DEPARTMENT CONVENTION, JULY 16-19, 2015: The 95th American Legion Auxiliary Department Convention will be
held at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel (333 W. College Avenue, Appleton) from July 16-19, 2015. More information will be
sent to Units and posted on the website as it is available.
Representation at Department Convention: Per the Department Constitution (Article VII, Section 2 – page 63 of the Red
Book), “The annual Convention shall be composed of delegates and alternates from each Unit…whose District dues have been
paid…” Units that have not paid their district dues should pay them now. If you have any questions, please contact your
District President or District Treasurer.
Memorial Service at Department Convention: Department Headquarters must receive a Member Data Form by May 1st
for a
deceased member to be included in the 2015 Department Convention Memorial Book.
Resolutions for Department Convention: A resolution is a main motion, offered as a resolution either because of its
importance or because of its length or complexity. For this reason, resolutions should always be prepared in writing. A blank
resolution form is included in this mailing. Please read the instructions carefully and follow the deadlines.
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
Updated 3/23/15
2015 DISTRICT SPRING CONFERENCES
Dist Date Location Registration
Time/Fee
Luncheon
Cost
Make check
Payable to:
Send check to: Contact Person Dead-
line
#1 4/25/15 Orfordville AL Post 209
3919 S. State Rd 213
Orfordville, WI 53576
8:00-9:00 am
Fee: $15.00
Included in
Fee
ALA Orfordville
Unit 209
Shannon Little
3820 Chesapeake Ave.
Janesville, WI 53546
Kitty Larkin:
262-649-3399
4/11/15
#2 4/25/15 1
st Reformed Church
527 Giddings Ave.
Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085
8:00 am
Fee: $2.00 $15.00
ALA
Sheboygan
County
Betty Grothe
955 Anton Rd.,
Plymouth, WI 53073
Betty Grothe
920-892-6377 4/11/15
#3 4/25/15
Community Commerce Ctr
16381 Highway 131
Gays Mills WI 54631
8:00-9:00 am
Fee: $3.00 $7.00 ALA Unit 308
Julia Flitsch
16608 State Hwy 131
Gays Mills, WI 54631
Karen Johnson
608-632-0597
4/15/15
#4 5/2/15 Greendale AL Post 416
6351 W. Grange Ave.
Greendale, WI 53129
10:00 am
Fee: $2.00 $16.00 ALA 4
th District
Sue Hembrook
24215 60th Street
Salem, WI 53168
Sue Hembrook:
262-843-4791
4/17/15
#5 No Conference
#6 4/18/15
New Holstein Unit 124
1922 Wisconsin Ave.
New Holstein, WI 53061
8:00 am
Fee & Lunch: $12.00
Included in
Fee
ALA Calumet
County
Arlene DeTroye
830 Seventh St
Kiel, WI 53042
Arlene DeTroye:
920-894-2014 4/1/15
#7 3/21/15
Holmen AL Post 284
419 1st Avenue E
Holmen, WI 54636
8:00-9:00 am
Fee: $12.00
Included in
Fee ALA Unit 284
Mary Clements
108 Irene Place
Holmen, WI 54636
Mary Clements:
608-526-3383 3/14/15
#8 4/25/15
New London AL Post 263
840 E. North Water St.
New London, WI 54961
8:00-9:00 am
Fee: $3.00 $17.00 ALA Unit 263
Donna Bellettiere
N5019 Old 54 Rd.
Shiocton, WI 54170
Donna Bellettiere:
920-986-3712 4/15/15
#9 5/2/15 Forestville, WI TO BE ANNOUNCED
#10 4/18/15
Cumberland Senior Center
1255 Webb St.
Cumberland, WI 54829
8:00-9:00 am
Fee: $3.00 $10.00 ALA Unit 98
Mary Townsend
1887 21st Street
Rice Lake, WI 54868
Mary Townsend
715-234-5155 4/1/15
#11 4/18/15 Eagle River, WI TO BE ANNOUNCED
#12 5/30-
31/15 Cable Unit 487 TO BE ANNOUNCED
Current as of 3/4/15
Department of Wisconsin
Junior Spring Conference
Saturday July 11, 2015
10AM—2:30 PM Madison Area Technical College
Room D240
211 North Carroll Street
Madison, WI
A
M
A
Z
I
N
G
R
A
C
E
Save This Date
Pg. 6 – Karen Hansen (Parliamentarian) is from Unit 87, District 10
Pg. 8 – Replace Heidi Bremer (ALABGS Committee) with SuAnn Pagel-Rast (Unit 339/Dist 8)
SuAnn Pagel-Rast, PO Box 176, Almond, WI 54909. Ph: 715-366-2595 (h) / 715-572-4733 (c)
Email: [email protected]
Pg. 12 – WVH – Chippewa Falls, Nancy Randen is the Representative. Joan Chwala is the Deputy
Pg. 13 – Add Sue Winter (Brown County President): N4135 State Hwy 32, Krakow WI 54137.
Ph: 920-899-3680 / Email: [email protected]
Pg. 13 – Add Sandra Smet (Fond du Lac County President): 552 Vermont Street, FDL WI 54937
Ph: 920-923-6085 / Email: [email protected]
Pg. 24 – Update Barbara Kranig (Past National President) email to: [email protected]
*Pg. 24 – Add Betty Krauss (Acting Shawano County President). N9270 Maple Rd., Birnamwood WI 54414
Ph: 414-449-2184 / Email: [email protected]
Pg. 25 – Update Fern Madden’s address to 14050 Adelaide Drive, Winchester WI 54557
Pg. 26 – Mike Pook’s (SAL) title should be Sergeant at Arms
Pg. 26 – Anna Rosemeyer’s phone # should be 715-559-4696
Pg. 27 – Nancy Schraufnagel’s new email address: [email protected]
Pg. 28 – update Sharon Zales’ new cell phone # 608-604-4469
DATES & DEADLINES Last updated 2/6/2015
(subject to change)
DATE EVENT LOCATION
3/07/2015 National Training – All Auxiliary
members encouraged to attend
Dino’s Restaurant
2900 New Pinery Road, Portage, WI
3/21/2015 7th District Spring Conference Holmen, WI
3/27/2015 ALABGS Scholarship Judging Meeting Department Headquarters, Portage, WI
3/28/2015 ALABGS Committee Meeting Department Headquarters, Portage, WI
4/11-12, 2015 WALA Bowling Tournament Sabre Lanes, Menasha
4/18-19, 2015 WALA Bowling Tournament Sabre Lanes, Menasha
4/18/2015 6th District Spring Conference New Holstein, WI
4/18/2015 10th District Spring Conference Cumberland, WI
4/18/2015 11th District Spring Conference Eagle River, WI
4/25/2015 1st District Spring Conference Orfordville, WI
4/25/2015 2nd District Spring Conference Sheboygan Falls, WI
4/25/2015 3rd District Spring Conference Gays Mills, WI
4/25/2015 8th District Spring Conference New London, WI
5/02/2015 9th District Spring Conference Forestville, WI
5/02/2015 4th District Spring Conference Greendale, WI
5/16/2015 President Teresa Isensee’s Testimonial Chippewa Falls, WI
5/30-31, 2015 12th District Spring Conference Cable, WI
REDBOOK CORRECTIONS
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
*updated as of 2/6/2015
American Legion Auxiliary – Department of Wisconsin
95th Annual American Legion Auxiliary Convention
RESOLUTIONS - INSTRUCTIONS
A resolution is a main motion, offered as a resolution either because of its
importance or because of its length or complexity. Resolutions for this reason
should always be prepared in writing.
Resolutions usually are comprised of two parts, the preamble and the resolved
clause(s). However, a preamble is not required for a resolution to be proper. The
preamble explains the reasons for the motion, and each idea or reason therein
begins with “Whereas.” The “Resolved” clause is the motion itself, and would be
written as a motion.
The Bylaws of the Department of Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary (Article
II, Section 1) requires that:
4. The Department President shall, not less than 30 days prior to the annual
Department Convention, appoint a Resolutions Committee consisting of
five members chosen from the delegates.
a. Resolutions presented by an individual member must be approved by
the Unit or District of which she is a member. Resolutions must be
received at department by June 1. Copies of these resolutions shall be
transmitted to Units not less than 30 days before Department
convention.
b. Any resolution not approved by a Unit or District, or when the District
conference is held after June 1, must be approved by the appropriate
Department chairman of the program to which the resolution pertains.
The Department chairman will submit resolutions that she approves to
the Resolutions Committee for consideration.
c. The Resolutions Committee will forward any approved resolutions with
a financial impact to the Finance Committee for their approval.
Once the Resolutions Committee and other appropriate chairmen/committees have
acted on all resolutions, the chairman will report recommendations to the
convention delegates. This is done at the end of each program report.
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
American Legion Auxiliary-Department of Wisconsin
95th
Annual American Legion Auxiliary Convention
RESOLUTION ************************************************************************************
Submitted by:
Unit Name: City Unit # Dist. #
Contact Name: Phone # ( )
Subject: Date:
************************************************************************************
Resolution #
Program:
Signature of UNIT President/Secretary: Date:
Signature of DISTRICT President/Secretary: Date:
FOR DEPARTMENT USE ONLY:
Committee Chairman Name & Signature
___________________________________________Date:____________ Approved Rejected Revised
___________________________________________Date:____________ Approved Rejected Revised
___________________________________________Date:____________ Approved Rejected Revised
Convention Action: Approved Rejected Date: ____________________
Children & Youth Program
Danie Wilson, Department Chairman 3003 Wilgus Ave., Sheboygan, WI 53081
Ph: 920-207-3487 ♦ [email protected]
The Children & Youth Program emphasizes protecting, caring for and supporting children and youth within our communities, particularly those of veterans’ and military families. Children of military families and ‘suddenly military’ families also need to be recognized and honored as ‘heroes’ for their sacrifice and service. Our Children are our most precious natural resource – they are our future leaders, our hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow.
We have learned at Concert Tours that children living in a civilian society that become ‘Suddenly Military’, due to deployment of a parent or guardian, find life as they know it often turned upside down. ‘Suddenly military’ kids grow up in a world where they experience many challenges. As members of the American Legion Family, we have many wonderful programs that enable us to help the children and youth in our communities deal with these challenges. Hold a "Kids of Deployed are Heroes 2" (KDH2) event. (See the C&Y Plan of Action for 'How to' suggestions.) Ask at your schools to create an ‘I’m a Hero 2’ wall of honor where the child displays his/her picture with a picture of their military hero.
April is Children and Youth Month. It is an opportune time to host a 'Star Spangled Kids' event to educate the youth of our communities about the duties and responsibilities of Citizenship, Patriotism and Americanism. Partner with your various unit chairmen and coordinate with veterans or service members to sponsor an event at your Post home or present a program in the schools. Distribute patriotic coloring books to the younger children and pocket Constitutions to the youth.
The Children and Youth program has a number of tools to assist in meeting the fifth goal of our Strategic Plan - Build Brand Loyalty. As an example, when donating books to the schools or public libraries clearly note 'donated by the American Legion Auxiliary and Unit name' in the book. Put your brand on all literature and documents distributed in the community. Wear your 'Proud Parent or Proud Grandparent of a Military Child' button. Distribute Josh Dogs to children in the hospitals and G.I Josh to children of the deployed. Nominate youth for the Youth Hero Award or the Youth Good Deed Award.
Let your communities know 'Who we are’, ‘What we do’ and they will see ‘Why we matter'. Publish each event and award presented in your local paper and on the radio stations. Remember to make your efforts count - Report Report Report! Narrative reports and pictures of Children and Youth activities are due to Department Headquarters April 15, 2015.
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
Joan Chwala, 2014-15 Membership Chairman W13567 County Road M, Gilman, WI 54333
Phone: 715-668-5661 ♦ Email: [email protected]
Easter Greetings to all our wonderful members,
National Membership Chairman, Anita Biggs, liked this article in the National Newsletter enough to share parts of it in her report to the National Executive Committee. Therefore, I decided to share it with all units. Please consider reading it to your members.
“Just Tap Me” to Reach Our Dream
In 1867, John Roebling had a vision and a passion to do something experts said couldn’t be done. (He planned to build a bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn.) He and his son went ahead anyway. Only a few months into the project, John was killed in an accident. His son, Washington continued to pursue the project. Three years later, Washington was so badly injured that he could not walk, talk, or move most of his body, but his mind was sharp and he decided to communicate with his wife by tapping on her arm. For the next eleven years they used this system until the project was completed. Roebling needed a dependable team to reach his dream.*(Love Out Loud, a daily devotional by Joyce Meyer p. 15)
I listened to a Vietnam POW survivor and motivational speaker, Guy Gruters, tell of the torture and communication restrictions to which they were subjected while held by the enemy. He said they had only their faith and their pact to pull them through. They used a system of tapping to let the others know they were still there and still praying. By this tapping code, they knew they had a team they could rely on, and in the end, with God’s help, he was able to survive because of it.
We, in the American Legion Auxiliary, also have a dream that some might say is impossible. We, too, need a team to help us reach our goal. We need our National, Department, District, County, and Unit leaders on our team. But most important, we need our unit members to complete the team and to help us reach the dream of one million members by our centennial year. In my humble opinion, God is also counting on us to become one million members strong to be on His team to keep our religious freedoms as promised in the Bill of Rights. Together, with God’s help, we will be able to continue to support our veterans, our military, and their families while educating our children and our communities about the need for “Faith, Family, and Freedom.”
Can we count on you, our leaders and our members, to “just tap on each other” to keep the dream alive? Can we become brave enough to encounter eligible members and invite them to join us? We need you on our team, tapping out the code that is translated into “We Can Do It!”
THANK YOU FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT MEMBERSHIP TEAM:
Joan Chwala Bonnie Jakubczyk Mary Petrie Morgan Johnsen Membership Chairman UD&R UD&R Junior Representative
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
Leadership
“Raise Your Voice in Song” Becoming a Leader “for Our Veterans”
“Celebrating Faith, Family and Freedom”
The Leadership Program develops leaders at all levels, grows membership, and
mentors members of all ages. Leadership Contact Information
Department of WI Leadership Program: www.amlegionauxwi.org Leadership Committee
Chr. Diane Weggen, [email protected] or 715-644-2668 Bernie Baer, [email protected] or 920-494-4404 Patricia Smith, [email protected] or 608-786-4441
Report Writing Workshop: On Saturday, March 14, Seymour Unit 106 is hosting a Report
Writing Workshop from 9 am to noon—just in time to report what components of the Leadership
Program in which your unit has participated. It will be at the Seymour Community Museum,
Depot St., Seymour, WI 54165 (meeting room – WIFI available – bring your laptops). Specific
questions relating directly to your unit will be addressed. (Send your questions via email
[email protected] or text/call 920-464-0320). This is a FREE workshop. No
registration fee is required BUT an RSVP would be appreciated. Light snacks will be provided.
Plan on staying for lunch - a room is being reserved at a local restaurant for your convenience.
Taking the “Auxiliary Basics” course is one way members can build their knowledge about ALA
history and programs. The following 57 members have successfully taken the course this year.
District 1: Unit 209 Orfordville—Zondra Morris; District 2: Unit 83 Sheboygan—Danie
Wilson, Unit 483 Allenton—Pat Hart, Unit 486 Jackson—Sandra Poehlman, Sally Ollinger,
Patricia Herbst, Mary Rogge, Mary Rofritz, Dina Roberts, Betty Clement, Carol Hausmann,
Betty Gumm, Jenelle Roberts and Geraldine Ritterbusch; District 4: Unit 18 Milwaukee—Tina
Golla, Unit 434 Oak Creek—Kathleen Cook; District 6: Unit 75 Fond du Lac—Donna
Wilhelms; District 7: Unit 51 West Salem—Andrea Page, Unit 118 Thorp Juniors—Caitlin
Rosemeyer, Chloe Rabideau, Emma Lara, LiliAnn Batteen, Ziranda Mason, Kaedynce Rabideau,
Zandrea Mason, Katarina Petranovich, Kendall Luzinski, Brynn Luzinski, Aryan Ballard,
Abigail Petranovich, Kallee LeCloux, Gina Sokup, Kaitlin Rabideau, Zabrina Mason, Unit 118
Thorp—Virginia Kodl, Pat Plewa and Diane Weggen, Unit 284 Holmen—Patricia M. Smith;
District 9: Unit 262 Luxemburg—Nellie DeBaker, Berdina Lemens and Carol Simonar;
District 10: Unit 326 Boyd—Joan Chwala; District 12: Unit 62—Betty Stone, Unit 64
Ladysmith—Anne McCain, Bette Bohmann, Carol Olsen, Betty Compton, and Suzanne
Jennerman, Unit 92 Webster—Paula Smith, Donna Lehman and Marian Barber Johnson, Unit
143 St. Croix Falls—Karen Kahl, Mary Chapin and Marjorie Shores, Unit 174 Hawkins—
Shirley Neidel, Lou Ann Orme and Viola Dost, Unit 278 Balsam Lake—Laurel DuBois, Unit
499 Gordon—Barbara McDaniel.
Please complete the enclosed checklist and send it to me as soon as possible.
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
2014-2015 American Legion Auxiliary
Leadership Report Checklist
“Raise Your Voice in Song” Becoming a Leader “for Our Veterans”
Unit Name & #__________________________________________________District #________
Contact Person______________________________ Phone #: ___________________________
Email: ________________________________________________________________________
Send to Dept. of WI Leadership Chr. Diane Weggen, 16266 361st St., Stanley, WI 54768
Check all that apply.
Develop future leaders at all levels of the organization.
Unit
Hold a workshop on how to prepare reports.
Hold a workshop on how to be a chairman and/or organize a project.
Allow a member be “unit president” for a meeting.
Explain to members why we do the things we do (tradition, history).
Develop a plan to use tools and resources monthly or quarterly at meetings.
Survey to identify members’ leadership skills.
Member
Chair a short-term program or project or event.
Assume a leadership role to advance the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) mission.
Attend a workshop/training session to learn about tools, resources and leadership
opportunities available.
Work with a mentor to develop/enhance interest, skills and knowledge of the ALA.
Enhance members’ knowledge about ALA history, programs and the organization.
Unit Encourage members to take the “Auxiliary Basics” course.
Encourage members to take The American Legion Leadership Course.
Recognize members who have completed the courses either in a meeting or via public
relations (or both).
Offer a new member orientation packet and initiation.
Member
Take the “Auxiliary Basics” course.
Take The American Legion Leadership Course.
Attend unit/county/district/department training sessions/workshops.
Volunteer to be a trainer/course leader.
Ask questions.
Share past experiences.
Prepare a personal history of your involvement in the organization; refer to the
“Auxiliary Basics” course to “discover from national happenings” what may have
influenced your personal history.
Encourage the use of Auxiliary reference documents and materials, such as the Unit
Handbook and Constitution & Bylaws.
Unit
Set aside a time to discuss reference documents at unit meetings.
Develop a committee to address changes in procedures based upon a review of the
referenced documents.
Develop a plan to assist Junior members in learning about the referenced documents.
Use the handbook to review program explanations when creating your unit
Plan of Action, and combine with the national/department Plan of Action.
Set aside a “show me where it’s printed” moment at meetings where one member
asks why something is done the way it is or where in the Constitution & Bylaws it
says we have to do it this way.
Ask members to review the Unit Handbook and Constitution & Bylaws noting
something most important, most puzzling or most difficult to live with, and address
what comes from the discussion.
Member
Download/purchase the referenced documents and become familiar with them.
Challenge other members to do the same.
Volunteer to assist a Junior member in learning about them.
Ask questions.
Review the Unit Handbook and Constitution & Bylaws noting something most
important, most puzzling or most difficult to live with, and discuss at a unit meeting.
Foster the mentoring program, utilizing the knowledge and experiences of members.
Unit
Use positive, experienced members to train and guide new members.
Encourage members to volunteer to train/guide new members.
Encourage members to become “experts” in some areas so that they can become the
unit mentors in their area/s of expertise.
Member
Learn the process to apply for a unit, county, district, department and/or national
appointment.
Seek election to a unit, county, district, department or national office.
Apply for a unit, county, district, or department appointment.
Volunteer to be a mentor on the unit/county/district/department level.
Nurture a culture of goodwill at all levels of the organization.
Unit
Invite new members to participate.
Answer questions.
Be open, rather than critical, of the ideas of others.
Assist in positive solutions to conflicts.
Member
Learn by asking questions.
Participate in decisions or debates.
Speak with a mentor or officer regarding any concerns.
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
Andrea Page, Director of Hospital Volunteers 104 Lewis Street #27, West Salem, WI 54669
Ph: 608-786-0299 ♦ Email: [email protected]
How Can We Help Our Veterans?
I have spent several months with my husband at V.A. hospitals. I was able
to observe the loving care and offerings that volunteers contribute to the entire
scheme of things within V.A. facilities. Talking with several of the American
Legion Auxiliary volunteers, I found that they came for different reasons but
always came back to the benefits they received from serving in this capacity.
What does it take to become a volunteer? First of all, set aside a few hours
during the week, month or year to share with our veterans. Next would be
checking with our volunteer services to find a need within the individual facility.
A list of our Hospital Representatives for individual V.A. facilities and Veterans
Homes can be found on page 29 of the 2014-2015 Red Book. You can also check
with Virginia Kodl, Department Chairman of VA & R ([email protected]) or
with me. The Redbook can also be accessed from our Department Website
www.amlegionauxwi.org.
There are many different ways to volunteer within the V.A. facilities. Won’t
you take this opportunity to offer your time and smiling face to help our veterans
get through some of the roughest times in their lives? A smiling face and a helping
hand can mean the world to these veterans and can also change your outlook on
life. Let’s join together and show them how much we care. We would love to
recognize you as a new volunteer!
A special thank you to all of our hospital volunteers for all that you have
done for our veterans and their families!
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS PROGRAM
Veteran Affairs & Rehabilitation
Judy Walters, Department Chairman
715-832-5942 or 715-579-0672
Becoming a homeless or at risk of being homeless women veteran can
happen at any age. We have processed grant applications from women who served
their country as far back as 1974 all the way up to 2015. As much as the age varies,
so do the reasons. It can be as simple as poor financial decisions but many times it
is much more complicated.
Something I didn’t see much of last year was those who were suffering from
Military Sexual Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or both. This year around
5 of the women were in treatment and seeking assistance. The VA has made great
strides in helping these veterans and women veterans are beginning to realize there
is help for them. One of these veterans served in 1974 and since 2012 she has
been homeless. Three times she filed grant applications and 3 times she turned
down the help because she didn’t know what she wanted to do. This past year she
made great strides in her treatment and finally felt ready to get a steady place to
live. She was able to get into the HUD VASH Housing Program and with the
Auxiliary paying the first month’s rent and deposit, she finally had a place to call
home. Two of the women had attempted suicide and were not allowed to work for
awhile and your help allowed them to stay in the program by helping with their
rent and utilities.
Between June of 2014 and the end of January 2015 we have made a
difference in the lives of 18 women veterans with grants paid totaling $18,211.65.
We have approved other grants but payments are still pending additional
information. During that same time period, we received donations totaling
$29,076.42.
You all have made a difference in the lives of our women veterans and their
families. They thank you and I thank you for your continued support of this
program.
Please continue to support the Homeless Women Veterans Fund. Send cash
donations to: ALA-Dept Headquarters, PO Box 140, Portage, WI 53901.
(Please include a Poppy Fund Suggested Donation Sheet with your
contribution, designating #4456-Homeless Women Veterans to ensure proper
processing.)
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
THE CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOP HAS MOVED!
Due to lack of storage at the new, smaller facility at Zablocki VA Medical Center, Christmas gifts (merchandise) can no longer be accepted.
Packages sent to the Christmas Gift Shop will be returned to the sender at the sender’s expense.
Financial donations are requested in lieu of merchandise. Donations may be used to purchase gifts specifically requested by the veteran.
Gift cards will also be accepted in $10 and $25 denominations for restaurants, stores or gas stations (examples: Applebee’s, Subway, Culvers, Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Walgreens, BP, Kwik Trip, and Mobil).
Financial and gift card donations should be sent to Department Headquarters, not the Christmas Gift Shop, between June 1 and November 1.
Mail gift cards or checks (payable to “ALA” with “Christmas Gift Shop” in the memo field) to: ALA-Wisconsin, PO Box 140, Portage, WI 53901.
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOP DONATION
Unit CITY Location: ___________________________ Unit #: _______ District: _______
Amount of Check (payable to “ALA”): $ OR
Number of Gift Cards Donated: # AND
Total Value of Gift Cards: $
Department will implement a $25.00 administrative fee for checks returned by the bank.
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
WISCONSIN VETERANS HOME
KING, WISCONSIN
WISH LIST
Funds for Olson Hall activities
Funds for Ainsworth Hall activities
Funds for Special Care Unit activities
Funds for MacArthur Hall activities
Funds for Stordock Hall activities
Funds for Holiday Cheer (all
holidays)
Funds for Home Exchange Activities
Dove body wash
Old Spice body wash
Large print playing cards
Wireless headphones for TV watching
Sun Glasses
Fun size snack bars
Manicure items (no metal)
Easy paint by number kits
Puzzle books (large print circle
words, sudoku & crosswords)
Cans of coffee
Small notebooks/note pads
DVD’s and audio books on CDs
Non-alcohol aftershave gel
Ivory bar soap
Wii Games
Ipod shuffles with headphones (the
soft kind/not ear buds)
Itunes gift cards
Oversized EZ read slide bingo cards
Books with large pictures (travel,
animals, planes, a variety of subjects)
Craft supplies (construction paper,
markers, colored pencils, canvas
board, non-toxic acrylic paints)
Sensory items (scented hand lotions,
new and realistic looking
interactive/soothing stuffed animals
– No Teddy Bears, Cartoon
Characters or Childrens type
stuffed animal). Bags of chocolate candy (for prizes)
Plastic suncatchers
Fishing poles (closed face reels)
New electric razor
T-shirts – All sizes
(preferably M, LG, XL, XXL, XXXL)
Socks
Underwear – all sizes
Undershirts (crew and v-neck – XXL
& XXXL)
Sweatpants – all sizes
(preferably LG, XL, XXL, XXXL)
Sweatshirts – all sizes
(preferably LG, XL, XXL, XXXL)
2015 March Unit Mailing for April Meeting
Packages should be sent to:
Attn: Nancy Neuroth
PO Box 113
King, WI 54946
Cash Donations:
Donations in any amount are greatly
appreciated and are often combined to
cover the cost of suggested items. Checks
should be made payable to ALA
Department of Wisconsin, earmarked for
Wisconsin Veterans Home at King.
The items that are bolded are things
we are low on at the commissary.
1
2015 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY BADGER GIRLS STATE ORIENTATION SCHEDULE
ALABGS Delegate(s)/Alternate(s): We strongly encourage you, your parents and a school official to attend a county orientation.
Counties with an asterisk (*) conduct a joint Badger Girls and Badger Boys Orientation.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
County Date Time Location County President(s) Presenter(s)
Ashland, Iron St.John’s Lutheran Church
Price & Taylor 5/16/15 10:00 a.m. Phillips Public Library Vivian Simpson 715-339-6062 BGS:Theresa Schindler 715-229-2202
*Bayfield,Douglas,Burnett American Legion Post 185 BBS: Bill Cosh 608-770-1282
Washburn,Sawyer,Polk 4/26/15 1:00 p.m. 108 N.Oak St.,Grantsburg Gayle Jansen 715-463-5723 BGS: Gayle Jansen 715-463-5723
*Brown, Door American Legion Post 11 BBS: John Cumicek 920-676-9597
Kewaunee 5/11/15 7:00 p.m. 1708 N.Irwin St.,Green Bay Berne Baer 920-494-4404 BGS: Berne Baer 920-494-4404
*Calumet and Brillion High School BBS: Russ Hansetter 920-833-2469
Manitowoc 4/22/15 7:00 p.m W1101 Cty Rd HR,Brillion John Giese 920-756-2024 BGS: Rose Heinz 920-850-1941
American Legion Post 159 BBS: Fred Berns 715-583-4303
*Chippewa 5/2/15 2:00 p.m. Cadott Pauline Olinske 715-313-3164 BGS: Theresa Schindler 715-229-2202
High School Library BBS: Bill Cosh 608-770-1282
*Clark 5/3/15 3:00 p.m. 306 W.Central Ave.,Greenwood Cherilyn Hare 715-429-0814 BGS:Theresa Schindler 715-229-2202
Portage High School 608-617-9839 BBS: Norm Bednarek 608-617-9839
*Columbia 5/2/15 9:00 a.m. 301 E.Collins, Portage Norm Bednarek BGS:Carol Sidwell 608-296-4090
American Legion Post Ann Rynes 608-604-0350
Crawford & Richland 5/17/15 5:00 p.m. Richland Center ? Karen Johnson 608-632-0597 BGS: Sharon Zales 608-649-4468
WPS Nordby Bldg BBS: Bill Cosh 608-770-1282
*Dane 5/18/15 7:00 p.m. 1707 W.Broadway,Madison Mary Curran 608-873-9463 BBS: Jennifer Grinder 608-495-2733_
5/13/15 7:30 pm American Legion Post 69 Diane Billings 920-488-3668 BBS: Ted Duckworth 608-547-9994
*Dodge 5/13/15 6:00 p.m. 134 S.Main St.,Mayville Diane Billings 920-488-3668 BGS: Shirley Krier 262-377-5026
American Legion Post 53 Unit 53 President BBS: Fred Berns 715-583-4303
*Dunn & EauClaire 5/17/15 3:00 p.m. 634 Water St.,EauClaire Mary Gadwill BGS: Theresa Schindler 715-229-2202
American Legion Post 43 BBS: Jerry Lauby
*Fond du Lac 4/27/15 7:00 p.m. 133 E.Fond du Lac St.,Ripon Donna Wilhelms BGS: Char Kiesling 920-428-5655
Fennimore Community Bldg BBS: Ted Duckworth 608-547-9994
*Grant & Iowa 5/17/15 1:00 p.m. 860 Lincoln Ave,Fennimore Merry Cooley 608-822-3983 BGS: Dee Woolf 608-608-778-1936
Monroe Legion Post BBS: Bill Cosh 608-770-1282
*Green 5/4/15 7:00 p.m. 1627 12th Avenue Rose Wenger 608-325-6364 BGS: Dee Woolf 608-778-1936
Updated 2/20/2015
2
Green Lake & American Legion Post 282 920-294-3537 BBS: Ted Duckworth 608-547-9994
Marquette 4/16/15 7:00 p.m. 11 Charles St.,Markesan Patricia Westpfahl BGS: Jen Leahy 920-979-3213
American Legion Post 6 920-648-8424
*Jefferson 5/3/15 1:00 p.m. 129 S.Main St.,Lake Mills Beatrice Rothschadl BGS: Jan Jordan 608-362-4290
American Legion Post 110 BBS: Ted Duckworth 608-547-9994
*Juneau & Adams 6/2/2015 6:00 p.m 110 Welch Prairie Rd,New Lisbon BGS: Liz Staff 608-781-6888
*LaCrosse, Monroe American Legion Post 51 608-385-2025 BBS: Fred Berns 715-583-4303
& Vernon 4/16/15 7:00 p.m. 148S.Leonard St.West Salem Rebecca Gleason BGS: Liz Staff 608-781-6888
American Legion Post
*Lafayette 5/13/15 7:00 p.m. 1400 Keep Street,Darlington Cindy Corley 608-776-4229 BGS: Dee Woolf 608-348-7403
*Marinette, American Legion Post 280 BBS: Butch VanRossum 920-360-1974
Florence 5/04/15 7:00 p.m. 107 Zelia St., Coleman Claire Bolander 715-854-2676 BGS: Loretta Shellman 920-373-5853
American Legion Post416 BGS: Laura Calteux 414-379-2943
Milwaukee 5/20/15 6:30 p.m. 6351 W.Grange Ave.,Greendale Sue Hembrook 262-945-9791 BGS: Bonnie Jakubczyk 414-764-6752
Oconto Falls High School Lib. BBS: Butch VanRossum 920-360-1974
*Oconto 5/3/15 2:00 p.m. 210 N.Farm Rd, Oconto Falls Loretta Shellman 920-373-5853 BGS: Loretta Shellman 920-373-5853
*Oneida,Vilas, Three Lakes High School BBS: Bill Cosh 608-770-1282
Forest & Langlade 5/13/15 10:00 a.m. 6930 W School St.,Three Lakes Kay Arndt 608-622-9383 BGS: Kay Arndt 608-622-9383
Hortonville High School BBS: Russ Hansetter 920-833-2469
*Outagamie 4/14/15 7:00 p.m. NEW Main Entrance Marcie Surprise 920-757-5407 BGS: Rose Heinz 920-850-1941
5/6/15 7:15 p.m. American Legion Post 457 Joe Schneider 262-692-9862 BBS: Al Richards 262-377-6725
*Ozaukee 5/6/15 6:00 p.m. 6050 W.Mequon Rd,Mequon Shirley Krier 262-377-5026 BGS: Shirley Krier 262-377-5026
American Legion Post 171 BBS: Bob Kaczmarek 262-552-7777
*Racine & Kenosha 4/30/15 6:30 p.m. 1027 New St.,Union Grove Marcie Perez 262-308-8705 BGS: Kitty Larkin 262-649-3399
Hedberg Library
Rock 4/11/15 11:00 a.m. Janesville Zondra Morris 608-751-3924 BGS: Jan Jordan 608-362-4290
American Legion Post 240 BBS: Fred Berns 715-583-4303
*St.Croix & Pierce 4/15/15 6:30 p.m 410 Maple St.,Baldwin Fred Berns 715-583-4303 BGS: Laurel DuBois 715-825-3916
Sauk Prairie HS, Room 14 BBS: Bill Cosh 608-770-1282
*Sauk 6/1/15 7:00 p.m. 105 9th St.,Prairie du Sac BGS: Mary Walz 608-643-5921 BGS: Mary Walz 608-643-5921
*Shawano Community Center BBS: Paul Williams 414-943-5433
&Menominee 5/6/15 7:00 p.m. 208 W. Vinal St.,Wittenberg Mary Bevesdorf 715-253-2908 BGS: Jeannine Conradt 920-359-0860
3
Elkhart Lake High School BBS: Ted Duckworth 608-547-9994
*Sheboygan 5/11/15 6:30 p.m Leslie Sanzo 313-407-3310 BGS: Dani Wilson 920-452-6907
*Trempealeau, Buffalo, Tremealeau Cty Courthouse BBS: Fred Berns 715-583-4303
Pepin, Jackson 5/6/15 7:00 p.m. 36245 Main #4,Whitehall Kati Hanson 262-955-4869 BGS: Liz Staff 608-781-6888
American Legion Post 24
Walworth/Kenosha 5/3/15 1:00 p.m. 735 Henry St.,Lake Geneva Joyce Bouhl 262-248-4533 BGS: Joyce Bouhl 262-248-4533
Allenton Legion Post 483 BBS: Al Richards 262-573-0924
*Washington 5/11/15 7:00 p.m. 419 Railroad St (Cty Hwy W) Mary Montag 262-355-6467 BGS: Shirley Krier 262-377-5026
American Legion Post 382 BBS: Bob Kaczmarek 262-552-7777
*Waukesha 5/4/15 7:00 p.m. Main St.,Menomonee Falls Marcie Schmitz 262-628-1478 BGS: Kitty Larkin 262-649-3399
A.L.Post 263, New London BBS: Paul Wiliams 414-943-5433
*Waupaca 5/7/15 7:00 p.m. 840 E.North Water St. Marla Knuettel 920-359-1629 BGS: Rose Heinz 920-850-1941
The Waters BBS: Russ Hansetter 920-833-2469
*Winnebago 5/13/15 7:00 p.m. 1339 Washington Ave.,Oshkosh Char Kiesling 920-428-5655 BGS: Char Kiesling 920-428-5655