american legion auxiliary mailing/2015/march um for...what a great month of traveling – visiting...

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

http://www.iwastherefilms.org/

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


1-866-460-7440

Holiday Inn Express

12858 26th

Avenue


1-888-233-9450

AmericInn

11 South Avenue


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.


Updated 3/23/15

http://www.amlegionauxwi.org/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.badgergirlsstate.org/

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

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

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


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


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


*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.


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



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.


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


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.







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.


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!



HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS PROGRAM

Veteran Affairs & Rehabilitation

Judy Walters, Department Chairman

715-832-5942 or 715-579-0672

[email protected]

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.)


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.


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)


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.

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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

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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

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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

american legion auxiliary mailing/2015/march um for...what a great month of traveling – visiting...

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