AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT GUIDE BOOK - Legion …

1 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARYUNIT GUIDE BOOKR evised June 16/12/14 1:20 PMUNIT GUIDE BOOKOF THEAMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARYThe AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY Unit GUIDE Book, previously published as the Unit Handbook, provides information and guidance to unit members about the history, mission, programs, membership eligibility, customs, and operations of an AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY unit, the community-level organization of the AUXILIARY . AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARYN ational Headquarters8945 N. Meridian StreetIndianapolis, IN 46260(317) Revised June 26/12/14 1:20 PMForewordThe community knows The AMERICAN LEGION and the AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY by its Posts and Units. This Unit GUIDE Book is a comprehensive source of information on the AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY , its programs, Unit operations, procedures, membership eligibility and prescribed is provided to assist the Unit s officers in conducting business and directing the activities of the Unit.

2 A successful Unit is a supportive partner to the Post and a positive force in the , the AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY Department Operations GUIDE , along with other publications on various programs and procedures, are available through your Department Headquarters and on the National AUXILIARY Website at District and/or Department officers are available to assist you. Please contact them if you have questions or need StatementIn the spirit of service, not self, the mission of the AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY is to support The AMERICAN LEGION and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and to the Constitution of the AMERICAN LEGION AuxiliaryFor God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations during the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation.

3 To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity, the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to participate in and contribute to the accomplishment of the aims and purposes of The AMERICAN LEGION ; to consecrate and sanctify our association by our devotion to mutual 36/12/14 1:20 PMTABLE OF CONTENTSF oreword .. iiPreamble .. iiCHAPTER IHistory-Mission-Purpose 1 History of the AuxiliaryFounding PurposesRehabilitation of VeteransChildren & Youth ActivitiesServing the Local CommunityDisaster Relief ActivitiesPeace and SecurityAuxiliary Ideals and PrinciplesMission and PurposesVision StatementStatement of Values The AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY EmblemRules Governing UseNational PresidentsCHAPTER II Eligibility and Membership9 Eligibility Requirements Eligibility Periods Questions and Answers on Eligibility and Acceptability MembershipApplications for MembershipInstructions for Completing ApplicationMembership Rights - Standing Rule IXPayment of Back DuesMember Data FormsTransfer of

4 MembershipTransfer RegulationsTransfers Without DuesTransfers With DuesTransfers for Members of a Canceled UnitExecuting Transfers on Member Data FormsWithdrawal of MembershipReinstatement of MembershipHonorary Life MembershipPUFL MembershipMember BenefitsVoluntary Insurance ProgramsMembership Years PinAuxiliary Grave Marker Emblem 46/12/14 1:21 PMCHAPTER III The Unit 25eUnitsHow to Organize a New UnitThe Unit CharterIssuing of the CharterPayment of Per CapitaCharter Lost or DestroyedCharter CancellationCancellation, Suspension and Revocation of CharterReorganization of a Disbanded UnitNaming the New UnitChange of Name of LEGION Post Relationship Between Unit and Post AUXILIARY Units Without Posts Consolidation of Posts and Units Federal Compliance and Tax LawsPrivacy Protection for Unit MembersLegal Opinions/RulingsSupplies and Promotional MaterialAmerican LEGION AUXILIARY National HeadquartersAmerican LEGION Emblem SalesCHAPTER IV Unit Constitution and Bylaws 39 CHAPTER V Unit Officers 45 Duties of the Unit President Duties of the Unit Vice President Duties of the Unit SecretaryMinutesUnit Permanent RecordsDuties of the Unit TreasurerDuties of the Unit

5 Historian Duties of the Unit Chaplain Duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms Installation of OfficersInitiation of New MembersCHAPTER VI Unit Meeting 50 Conducting a Unit Meeting The President as Presiding OfficerSuggested Order of BusinessUnit Meeting 56/12/14 1:21 PMCHAPTER VII Unit Protocol 53 Advancement of OfficersAdvancement of Guests Seating of GuestsOutside SpeakersWearing of the AUXILIARY PinFunction of National Executive CommitteewomanManual of AUXILIARY CeremoniesRelationship Between Unit and Department CHAPTER VIII Unit Committees/Programs of the AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY 55 Duties of Unit Committees AmericanismAuxiliary Emergency Fund Cavalcade of Memories Children & Youth Community Service Constitution & Bylaws Education Finance ALA Girls Nation Junior Activities Leadership Legislative Membership National SecurityPast Presidents ParleyPoppy Public RelationsVeterans Affairs & RehabilitationCHAPTER

6 IX 85 The Eight and FortyCHAPTER X Procedure for the Expulsion or Suspension of a Member86 ProcessNotice and Copies of Charges to AccusedChargesAppearanceFailure to AnswerContinuanceTrialUnit Members to Act as 66/12/14 1:21 PMChallengeAmendmentsAppealNotice by Department SecretaryNo Further AppealEffect of Decision CHAPTER XI Uniform Code of Procedure for Revocation, Cancellation or Suspension of Unit Charters 90 ChargesResolutions of Department Executive CommitteeComplaintServiceAnswerSub-commi tteeHearing and TrialReport of Sub-committeeAppealCHAPTER XII National Divisions 95 Central DivisionEastern DivisionNorthwestern DivisionSouthern DivisionWestern DivisionCHAPTER XIII Frequently Asked Questions 96 Gold StarJuniorsDelegation RepresentationPast President DesignateHolding Political OfficeRequirement for Holding OfficeRequirement for VotingInstallationsHolding Membership DuesAPPENDIX 101 Manual of Ceremonies.

7 103 Manual for Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation .. 157 Proper Parliamentary Points .. 171 The Flag Code .. 187 Explanation of the Preamble to the Constitution .. 201 INDEX .. 76/12/14 1:21 PM1 The AMERICAN LEGION AuxiliaryCHAPTER IHistory-Mission-PurposeHistory of the AuxiliaryFor nearly every man in World War I who endured the dangers and hardships of camp, shore and battlefront, there was a woman serving at home to help make possible America s victory his wife, mother, sister, daughter, or war was won, and the men and women of the armed forces banded together in The AMERICAN LEGION to carry forward their services to the country in peacetime. It was only natural that the women of their families should desire to continue to serve with them.

8 The result was the AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY , the largest and most influential women s organization of its kind in the world establishment of an AUXILIARY to The AMERICAN LEGION was provided for by the first National Convention of The AMERICAN LEGION in 1919. By the time of the 1920 National Convention, 1,342 local Units of this AUXILIARY had been formed; intensive organizational efforts were authorized. The first National Convention of the AUXILIARY was held in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1921. At that time, the name AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY was adopted and the first national officers AUXILIARY grew from a first year enrollment of 121,000 to approximately 500,000 at the beginning of World War II.

9 After the women of World War II families became eligible, the enrollment rose rapidly to a record of 1,001,545 in 1955, and since has remained around the 800,000 mark. The number of local Units of the AUXILIARY is approximately 9,500. The AUXILIARY organization ( , local, state and national) parallels that of The AMERICAN LEGION . AUXILIARY National Headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founding PurposesThe AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY was founded on the following purposes:Rehabilitation of VeteransOne of the major activities of the AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY is caring for disabled veterans of all wars and conflicts and assisting thousands of other veterans to regain a place in civilian life.

10 Women, who themselves have experienced the sufferings of war; can offer that warmth and understanding which no agency 16/12/14 1:21 PM2 The AUXILIARY for the benefit of veterans expends over four million dollars each year. An inestimable amount of personal attention is also given. Our personal contact program seeks to bring happiness and contentment to the veteran and the veteran s family, especially during his/her period of hospitalization. The AUXILIARY assists the families of hospitalized veterans or those who are unable to work. It aids disabled veterans in finding employment and helps to market articles made by them in the hospital workshops.