MEMBERSHIP PLAN OF ACTION

Purpose: To support the Units in their effort to attract and retain a diverse, active membership to ensure the future growth and prosperity of the organization. To promote benefits of membership in the American Legion Auxiliary and encourage Unit Chairmen to spread the word about the aims and purposes of the organization.

Membership

The National Membership Goal and that of our Department of Alaska is Through mission delivery, the American Legion Auxiliary will become so appealing to people who care about veterans that they will want to become an auxiliary member.

Objective 1: Engage to retain current members

Action Steps:

a. Identify and offer meaningful volunteer opportunities in which members can participate to support and deliver the Auxiliarys mission. Examples: volunteering at a VA Medical Center, participating in a local stand down to provide necessities for homeless veterans, mentoring military children with the big brother/big sister concept.

b. Recognize all members for any and all contributionsvolunteering, serving as a chairman or officer, preparing food, organizing events, being a mentor to new members, contacting other members to renew, being a good example of Service Not Self, etc.

c. Ensure a positive experience for all members:

i. Be welcoming, kind and respectful to members of all ages and backgrounds.

ii. Solicit and be open to new and different ideas.

ii. Encourage personal contact with all members of the Unit.

Iv. Promptly and positively address conflicts and disagreements.

v. Demonstrate Service Not Self in all activities and interaction with others.

d. Use engagement tools provided in the Membership Toolkit available on the National Headquarter web site at: http://www.alaforveterans.org/members/support_committees/pages/membership.aspx

Objective 2: Attract new members

Action Steps:

a. Increase the Auxiliarys visibility in the community.

i. Become a community center by raising the activity level of community involvement in ALA programs that will encourage responsible, active citizenship with total support of our military service members and their families.

ii. Engage with service/community-based organizations to participate in ALA projects such as welcome home/deployment events, support of active-duty families and providing services that may include plumbing, carpentry, childcare, etc. for families of those deployed.

iii. Volunteer at schools, giving flag demonstrations, Americanism training and serving as mentors with a special emphasis on military children and the issues they face with deployments and transfers.

b. Identify recruitment target groups such as active military families, Girls State alumnae and local colleges.

c. Ensure the Auxiliary is appealing to new members:

i. Share the benefits and value of belonging.

ii. Be welcoming, kind and respectful to persons of all ages and backgrounds.

iii. Demonstrate Service Not Self in all activities and interaction with others.

d. Provide a positive new member experience:

i. Contact a new member within 30 days of application. Contact from Unit officer, chairman or welcoming committee is best.

ii. Learn how a new member wants to be involved and invite her to participate in Unit-sponsored activities.

iii. Assign a buddy or mentor to each new member.

iv. Solicit and be open to new and different ideas.

v. Offer a variety of meaningful volunteer opportunities in which new members can participate, at times convenient to them, to support and deliver the Auxiliarys mission.

vi. Recognize new members for any and all contributionsvolunteering, preparing food, organizing events, being a good example of Service Not Self, etc.

vii. Promptly address and resolve conflicts in a positive manner.

National Membership Awards

INDIVIDUALS: Recruit 3/Renew 3, Silver Brigade

UNITS: Service Not Self Award

DEPARTMENTS: Numeric Objective Award, Numeric Incentive Award, Milestone Recognition

Resources

1. American Legion Auxiliary Unit Handbook

2. American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters website at www.ALAforVeterans.org

See Membership page on www.ALAforVeterans.org for additional resources.