Keep up to date with all programs and changes as well as challenges and awards by reading the Department Newsletter “The SPIRIT” each month. Contact Chairmen for more information on all committees and for more detailed information by e-mail. Stay in tune with this web-site for updates on various items of interest.

Americanism

The Americanism work of the Auxiliary includes all activities tending to perpetuate American ideals and to uphold the principles of American democracy. The security of America lies in a citizenry in whose minds and hearts is ingrained a true understanding of and love for those ideals and principles upon which the nation was founded; a citizenry awake to the duties of citizenship and willing to perform these duties even at the cost of great personal sacrifice. Americanism work is largely educational in character and is usually divided into three phases: work with the youth, the adult and the community. All matters pertaining to the flag or patriotic education are rightly classified as Americanism activities. The five point program of Americanism is: Active Americanism in the home; active Americanism in the Unit; active Americanism in youth groups; active Americanism in adult groups; and active Americanism in our community. February is Americanism Month. Fly those flags in your community. For more information on this program contact Department Americanism Chairman Patricia Moore at (e-Mail) patricia.moore@wvlegion.org

Auxiliary Emergency Fund

The Auxiliary Emergency Fund was started in 1970, funded by memorial gifts of Units , a loan from Auxiliary funds and an inheritance to the Auxiliary from a former member. This fund provides emergency assistance to a member for a limited period of time, as long as she has belonged for the two previous years and has current dues paid. ( Three Consecutive Years). There are three areas of assistance: during a financial crisis, for disaster relief, and for education assistance. For more information on this program contact Department AEF Chairman, Jane Parrish at (e-Mail) jane.parrish@wvlegion.org

Children & Youth

The purpose and principles of the American Legion Auxiliary’s Children & Youth Program are in general the same as those of The American Legion. Although the program is derived from mandates of The American Legion, the Auxiliary augments it through its continuing support of the overall program as well as through the sponsorship of special assignments and activities. Continuing financial support of The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. Through this foundation can become available to finance research, special projects, and public education regarding children over and above the Children & Youth program itself. For more information contact Department Children & Youth Chairman, Lisa Cadwallader at (e-Mail) lisa.cadwallader@wvlegion.org

Community Service

This program embraces all activities for improvement of conditions of life in the community where the American Legion Auxiliary Unit is located. It has been a major activity of The American Legion and Auxiliary since 1926. Every Auxiliary Unit is expected to carry out or cooperate in at least one project for community betterment each year. Suggested projects can fall under the following areas in your community: Health, Recreation, Safety, Beautification, Libraries and Community Councils. For more information contact Department Community Service Chairman Marsha Duckworth at (e-Mail) marsha.duckworth@wvlegion.org

Education

the education of all of America’s children is essential for the future of our nation. The American Legion Auxiliary joins with The American Legion to aid and support the basic rights of all children to receive an appropriate education. That education should prepare them for a fulfilling life in the 21st century. The pattern followed in the development of the program corresponds with the following objective and policies adopted by The American Legion.

1. To help make it possible for any student, who has the ability or the desire, to receive an education beyond high school.
2. To encourage the membership of The American Legion and its affiliated organization to take an active part in the development and maintenance of a school system that will serve the needs of all children at every level of education.
3. To encourage students to select careers where personnel shortages exist.

“Need A Lift” books can be made available to schools and libraries in your community. Can be ordered from Emblem Sales. Also the following Scholarships are available through the “FORM” section on this web site.

• National President’s Scholarship (for children of veterans)
• Spirit of Youth Scholarship ( for Junior members)
• Non-traditional Student Scholarship ( for Legion, Auxiliary or SAL members)
• Department Scholarship (Resident of WV under 22 years of age)

For more information on this program contact Department Education Chairman Mary Waybright at (e-Mail) mary.waybright@wvlegion.org

Rhododendron Girls State

This is a program of practical application of Americanism and good citizenship. The entire program is a non-partisan, non-political attempt to teach and inculcate in the youth of America a love of God and country. This program provides citizenship training for girls of high school age (finished 11th grade); to afford them an opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens; to inform them about the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, in order that they may understand and participate in the functioning of their government; and to help them grasp the meaning of some of the responsibilities which they must assume when they become adults. The Units with in each State must brief the local high school officials on the qualifications and the selection process that has been established by their Department. Early selection of students is vital in your Unit so once application has been processed into Department Headquarters, information packets can be mailed to the students from the Girls State Registrar. Deadline for applications into Department Headquarters is May 1st. The applications are mailed to the Units or Schools from the Girls State Registrar in February. Registration fee for each student is $175.00 each. Unit can obtain contributors in the community to help with the registration fee. For more information on this program contact Department Girls State Chairman, Ann Buchanan at (e-Mail) ann.buchanan@wvlegion.org or go to the Girls State web-site at www.wvgirlsstate.com or www.boysandgirlsstate.org

Junior Activities

This program is for Junior members (birth—18 years of age) is to encourage the younger members that are to young to take part in the regular meetings and activities of their Unit. Junior membership consists of that group under the age of 18 years whose activities must be supervised by the Senior membership. Upon the age of 18, the Junior members shall automatically be admitted into active membership with full privileges. Their work should be coordinated with the work of the Senior group and they should be given part in the regular Unit activities whenever possible so they will feel they are truly a part of the Auxiliary. Success of the Junior group depends upon the leadership given it by the Unit. The Spirit Of Youth Scholarship is available for Junior members. Form is in Form section of this web-site. For more information on this program contact the Department Junior Activities Chairman, Debra Fox at (e-Mail) debra.fox@wvlegion.org

Leadership

Preparation of future leaders for the organization is a vital concern of the American Legion Auxiliary. Every Unit member is urged to learn more about the programs of the American Legion Auxiliary. Knowledge of the organization enhances member participation in support of Unit programs. Much information is compiled in The American Legion Auxiliary Unit Handbook that can be purchased from Emblem Sales. The Mid-Winter Conference held annually in February offers some information on programs and leadership skills. Each Unit should try and attend this event. There is fall workshop each year in September that also offers a lot of leadership information each year. For information on this program contact Department Leadership Chairman Connie Pyles at HC79, Box 8A, Rio, WV 26755

Legislative

The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary members are vital to legislative measures which come before the United States Congress. Through lobbying efforts The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary are able to influence legislation of benefits to veterans, the community and our nation. The numbers of our membership strength is VITAL when working with your city, county , state and national representatives on all measures. EVERY MEMBER IS IMPORTANT in the count when it comes to Capital Hill. Get Out The Vote is vital to all for the present issues and the future issues. For information contact our Department Legislative Chairman Kim Rolls at (e-Mail) kim.rolls@wvlegion.org

Membership

Membership is the foundation on which the programs of the American Legion Auxiliary are built, and the success or failure of these programs depends largely on how well that foundation is laid. At the start of each new Auxiliary year, the membership program builds that foundation even before we plan other programs. No Unit can successfully carry out any large activity without the firm foundation of a strong membership. A Unit which fails to recruit as many eligible women as possible to its ranks has not done its full share toward the success of its Department and the National Organization. Dues of members are payable annual or for life. Units should make an effort to have their entire membership in good standing for the New Year as soon as possible. Active membership campaigns should be planned early. Early payment of dues by members is highly desirable in order to free the energies of the Unit for securing new members and participating in other American Legion Auxiliary activities. Members can pay for life which is our VIM “Very Important Member” program. Application can be found in Form section of this web-site. For more information on this program contact Department membership Chairman Sharon Glassford at (e-Mail) sharon.glassford@wvlegion.org

National Security

A national defense strong enough to guarantee the security of America from any aggressor has always been the concern of The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. Under National Security program falls the following functions:

• Citizens Corp
• Supporting Military Families — POW-MIA, America Support You (ASY), Welcome Home Troops, Coupons Toasty Toes and Care Packages, Military Children, Month of the Military Child [April], National Military Appreciation Month [May], ROTC/JROTC programs
• Supporting Military Related Initiatives — USO, Blue & Gold Star Banner Program

For more information on this program contact our Department National Security Chairman, Dede Kelly at (e-Mail) dede.kelly@wvlegion.org

Poppy

Our poppy is an emblem of sacrifice, those who love it must make every effort to teach the public the true meaning of the flower. The success of the poppy distribution depends upon the advance publicity. If, in the season of Memorial Day, the poppy can make the indifferent public recall the sacrifices which have been made by the men and women who gave their lives that our country might be saved, the first and greatest mission of the poppy has been fulfilled. The public should be reminded that the disabled men and women in hospitals and their families are assisted by our poppy funds. Also this program gives the public an opportunity each year to help in the significant work of The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary, as well as an opportunity to pay tribute to al who died in service, by wearing a poppy on Poppy Day. REMEMBER Poppies are not SOLD they are given to public for a donation to help support the Veteran Programs of our Department and in you community. It is recommended that the week of Memorial Day be considered National Poppy Week by the American Legion Auxiliary. Due to special circumstances, the poppy distribution can coincide with Veterans Day. Poppies can be used for decorations in special events in Post homes, church altars, store windows, corsages and memorial wreaths. West Virginia Poppies are made by veterans at the West Virginia Veterans Home in Barboursville. The veterans earn a small amount for making these poppies. For more information on the Poppy Program contact Department Poppy Chairman Sharon Smith at (e-Mail) sharon.smith@wvlegion.org

Public Relations

Public Relations provides maximum support to The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary must be well thought of in the community. It must have reputation for worthwhile community endeavors. This can only be accomplished by telling the public about the work of the Auxiliary and its value to the community. Public Relations is a simple matter of establishing and maintaining goodwill. It is telling the general public of the value of the American Legion Auxiliary to the community and the country. Public Relations covers every kind of communication from personal contact in casual conversation, to speakers, and carefully prepared news releases for the media. It is not a complicated job, but it is a vitally important one. It is a job for every member of the Auxiliary as well as the Public Relations Committee. For more information on this program contact Department Public Relations Chairman Dr Rosemary Thomas at (e-Mail) rosemary.thomas@wvlegion.org

Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA & R)

The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation work of the American Legion Auxiliary includes bringing physical comfort and mental cheer to veterans in hospitals, aiding the disabled to earn money for the support of themselves and their families, and helping them to reestablish themselves in life. The American Legion Auxiliary cooperates with The American Legion in ALL its endeavors on behalf of veterans. The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund (Welfare Fund/Poppy Donations) must be used for this work only, and should be kept in a separate fund. Since the public has usually contributed generously (Poppy Days) to this fund because of the nature of its use, we are obligated to keep faith with the public in the expenditure of this money. There is work at the VA Hospitals that Department Chairmen set up and work for the Annual Gift Shops at Christmas set up by the Department Chairmen that is just area of work for our Veterans here in West Virginia. The Auxiliary Units can participate in Field Service work by programs at local nursing homes for our veterans. Members should keep track of their Field Service hours as well to earn Hour Bars. There is another phase of this program that Units can participate in and that is Home Service. Home service includes time spent sewing, knitting, cooking, shopping for materials and supplies, and other services performed by the volunteer IN HER OWN HOME. Hospital gift shop items made at home are classified as Home Service. Volunteers should keep track of hours for their pins and hour bars. Units need to keep track of number of volunteers, hours and amount of cost on all their VA & R programs . For more information on this program contact our Department VA & R Chairman Betty Burton at (e-Mail) betty.burton@wvlegion.org