Washington DC Conference
NEC Susie Bozella gives an update on issues discussed at NEC meeting and on the legislative agenda. Please see the attached:
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National Convention Updates
From August 19th through August 24th, 2017, delegates of the Colorado American Legion Auxiliary participated in the 97th ALA National Convention in Reno, Nevada. Delegates, alternates and guests to the national conventions of the Sons of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and The American Legion spent the week in various national commission meetings, committee meetings and their respective conventions where decisions were made on resolutions, leadership elections and other important matters to the membership.
The American Legion Auxiliary National Convention began with pre-convention Committee meetings on Saturday. The nine Colorado Auxiliary delegates covered the 24 pre-convention meetings and gave a short oral report to the Delegation Chairwoman, Evelyn Espinola, after the meetings. All delegates were asked to then attend the Constitution & Bylaws meeting and the Northwest Division caucus in the late afternoon. These committee meetings cover any awards given and consider all resolutions which may have been assigned to them. The convention committee chairs are then scheduled to make a report to the national convention body, which is the governing body of the American Legion Auxiliary. The resolutions are voted on by the convention delegation; those that are approved become American Legion Auxiliary policy. This is how our organization operates and thanks to all the Colorado Auxiliary members who attended the convention as delegates, alternates and guests.
There are many other events that take place at our national convention which include pre and post-convention NEC meetings, a parade of the Departments on Sunday afternoon, various receptions and lunches, the National Commander and National Auxiliary President Banquets and other hospitalities. But back to the parade. This was a good one, except I lost my cell phone! You never think you can survive without one, but I am still waiting for a replacement! As is our custom at the national conventions the Four Corner states 2 NEC Report Reno Convention 2017 of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah held their annual Four Corners party on Monday afternoon which was attended by more than 1,500 delegates from all American Legion Family Departments. However, many of our Auxiliary delegates attended training instead on Monday afternoon. I personally attended two trainings: the NEC training and ALA Foundation training. At the NEC training we were again reminded that each NEC is a member of the governing board of the ALA which is the same as being a corporate director. Also, the corporate officers and directors collectively and individually, are accountable and liable for the safekeeping, wellbeing, and actions of the corporation. Accordingly, I will continue to strive to be a responsible National Executive Committeewoman for the Department of Colorado.
On Tuesday, we attended the Woman of the Year Luncheon honoring Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse, who are co-founders of R. Riveter. The two Army wives started the handbag company to employ military spouses who often cannot find meaningful work because of frequent moves. This work in making handbags, can be done remotely, offering military spouses flexible and mobile job opportunities. Congratulations ladies!
Also, on Wednesday, the convention delegation elected Diane Duscheck from the Department of Wisconsin as the American Legion Auxiliary National President for 2017-2018. See the National ALA website for more information, wwwalaforveterans.org. Also, Laurie Kuntz was appointed the National Public Relations Committee for 2017-2018. Congratulations Laurie!
The NEC, National Executive Committee, met pre and post-convention.
This was a very nice convention. We learned a lot, listened to a lot of reports, met many people, and walked miles in the huge convention center. We also were given training, heard inspirational speakers, and participated in the election of our ALA national officers.
Oh, that makes me remember that the 2017-2018 National Legion Commander is Denise Rohan from Wisconsin. She is the first female National Legion Commander. (In red cap.) Now isn’t that great! Congratulations to Denise on her newly elected position and I am sure she will be an outstanding Commander. Her theme is Family First, both personal family and of course Legion Family! It is also a year for Wisconsin as the National ALA President, Diane Duscheck, is also from that great state.
Also, another cool thing was to hear President Trump give a speech on Wednesday morning. We were privileged to see an historic event where the President signed the Veterans Appeals, Improvement and Modernization Act 2017 into law! It seems bills are always signed at the White House. But, an exception was made to have it signed in the presence of many, many veterans at the American Legion National Convention. Why they even brought along the antique desk which is used by Presidents to sign bills! The act addresses the long wait time in which it takes for veterans to get a decision of their appeal of a claim to Veterans Affairs (VA).
Thank you all again for your dedication to the American Legion Auxiliary and your commitment to veterans, children, and our communities! I am so proud of the Auxiliary members in Colorado at every level and I do appreciate each members’ efforts. Congratulations to the entire Colorado Legion Family delegation for a great convention. And let us all keep working for God, country, and our veterans.
Susie Bozella
American Legion Auxiliary
National Executive Committeewoman
Department of Colorado
2017-2019
The American Legion Auxiliary National Convention began with pre-convention Committee meetings on Saturday. The nine Colorado Auxiliary delegates covered the 24 pre-convention meetings and gave a short oral report to the Delegation Chairwoman, Evelyn Espinola, after the meetings. All delegates were asked to then attend the Constitution & Bylaws meeting and the Northwest Division caucus in the late afternoon. These committee meetings cover any awards given and consider all resolutions which may have been assigned to them. The convention committee chairs are then scheduled to make a report to the national convention body, which is the governing body of the American Legion Auxiliary. The resolutions are voted on by the convention delegation; those that are approved become American Legion Auxiliary policy. This is how our organization operates and thanks to all the Colorado Auxiliary members who attended the convention as delegates, alternates and guests.
There are many other events that take place at our national convention which include pre and post-convention NEC meetings, a parade of the Departments on Sunday afternoon, various receptions and lunches, the National Commander and National Auxiliary President Banquets and other hospitalities. But back to the parade. This was a good one, except I lost my cell phone! You never think you can survive without one, but I am still waiting for a replacement! As is our custom at the national conventions the Four Corner states 2 NEC Report Reno Convention 2017 of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah held their annual Four Corners party on Monday afternoon which was attended by more than 1,500 delegates from all American Legion Family Departments. However, many of our Auxiliary delegates attended training instead on Monday afternoon. I personally attended two trainings: the NEC training and ALA Foundation training. At the NEC training we were again reminded that each NEC is a member of the governing board of the ALA which is the same as being a corporate director. Also, the corporate officers and directors collectively and individually, are accountable and liable for the safekeeping, wellbeing, and actions of the corporation. Accordingly, I will continue to strive to be a responsible National Executive Committeewoman for the Department of Colorado.
On Tuesday, we attended the Woman of the Year Luncheon honoring Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse, who are co-founders of R. Riveter. The two Army wives started the handbag company to employ military spouses who often cannot find meaningful work because of frequent moves. This work in making handbags, can be done remotely, offering military spouses flexible and mobile job opportunities. Congratulations ladies!
Also, on Wednesday, the convention delegation elected Diane Duscheck from the Department of Wisconsin as the American Legion Auxiliary National President for 2017-2018. See the National ALA website for more information, wwwalaforveterans.org. Also, Laurie Kuntz was appointed the National Public Relations Committee for 2017-2018. Congratulations Laurie!
The NEC, National Executive Committee, met pre and post-convention.
- At the Pre-Convention meeting the NEC approved the cancellation of 157 units across the country and approved 22 new charters and 13 reinstated charters. We now have 8,364 ALA units. In Colorado we lost Unit 33 in Mesa and Unit 76 in Wiggins.
- The NEC approved a resolution to support the Gold Star Mother’s National Monument without financial obligation.
- The NEC ratified the purchase of a building at 3450 Founders Road. Indianapolis, to become the ALA National Headquarters in 2018.
- The NEC approved a resolution to increase the ALA National dues by $3.00 and the ALA Junior dues by $1.25.
- The NEC approved periodic increases based on the Cost of Living Allowance, not to exceed 4%, if justified and approved by the NEC through the ALA budget process.
- The convention delegates approved the $3 and $1.25 increase in dues.
- However, the delegation body did not approve the COLA resolution as presented.
- The NEC adopted the ALA FY18 national budget as presented.
- The NEC adopted the ALA Foundation FY18 budget as presented.
- The NEC approved resourcing year four of the ALA 5-Year Centennial Strategic Plan
- The NEC approved the ALA Code of Conduct. See the last two pages of this report.
This was a very nice convention. We learned a lot, listened to a lot of reports, met many people, and walked miles in the huge convention center. We also were given training, heard inspirational speakers, and participated in the election of our ALA national officers.
Oh, that makes me remember that the 2017-2018 National Legion Commander is Denise Rohan from Wisconsin. She is the first female National Legion Commander. (In red cap.) Now isn’t that great! Congratulations to Denise on her newly elected position and I am sure she will be an outstanding Commander. Her theme is Family First, both personal family and of course Legion Family! It is also a year for Wisconsin as the National ALA President, Diane Duscheck, is also from that great state.
Also, another cool thing was to hear President Trump give a speech on Wednesday morning. We were privileged to see an historic event where the President signed the Veterans Appeals, Improvement and Modernization Act 2017 into law! It seems bills are always signed at the White House. But, an exception was made to have it signed in the presence of many, many veterans at the American Legion National Convention. Why they even brought along the antique desk which is used by Presidents to sign bills! The act addresses the long wait time in which it takes for veterans to get a decision of their appeal of a claim to Veterans Affairs (VA).
Thank you all again for your dedication to the American Legion Auxiliary and your commitment to veterans, children, and our communities! I am so proud of the Auxiliary members in Colorado at every level and I do appreciate each members’ efforts. Congratulations to the entire Colorado Legion Family delegation for a great convention. And let us all keep working for God, country, and our veterans.
Susie Bozella
American Legion Auxiliary
National Executive Committeewoman
Department of Colorado
2017-2019