Washington DC Conference
NEC Susie Bozella gives an update on issues discussed at NEC meeting and on the legislative agenda. Please see the attached:
|
| ||||
National Convention Updates
September 2016: From August 27th through September 1, 2016, delegates of the Colorado American Legion Auxiliary participated in the 96th ALA National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. 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 eight Colorado Auxiliary delegates covered the 24 pre-convention meetings and gave a short oral report to the acting Delegation Chairwoman, Evelyn Espinola, after the meetings. Unfortunately, our outgoing president, Diane Erickson was unable to attend the convention due to an illness suffered by her husband. Happily, he is much better now. 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. The convention body passed a resolution to clarify and simplify the process by which a member can transfer her membership to another unit. After much discussion the delegation approved removing another barrier to membership retention. We were also reminded that we are not to judge members, but rather accept them.
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, (very hot and humid, but fun), various receptions, lunches, banquets (including the National Commander and National Auxiliary President Banquets) and other hospitalities. As is our custom at the national conventions the Four Corner states 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 departments. However, many of our Auxiliary delegates attended training instead on Monday afternoon. I personally attended three trainings: the NEC training, Goal 4, Strengthen Departments and Units, and Goal 1 Enhancing Membership Strength. At the NEC training we were again reminded that American Legion Auxiliary Department Girls State Programs are the biggest liability of the American Legion Auxiliary and must be kept in line with all mandates. We were also reminded that the Secretary/Treasurer position can also be an area for abuse and Departments must keep strict oversight of this office.
On Tuesday, we attended the Woman of the Year Luncheon honoring U.S. Army Major General, Peggy Combs. She was recently promoted to the Chief of Staff, NORAD/USNORTHCOM as a two star general. Of course, you know that is in Colorado at Cheyenne Mountain. What an honor to hear about her life as a female military leader.
The convention delegation elected Mary Davis from Washington State as the American Legion Auxiliary National President for 2016-2017. See the National ALA website for more information. wwwalaforveterans.org Also, Laurie Kuntz was appointed the Northwest Division Public Relations Chairman Chairwoman for 2016-2017. Congratulations Laurie!
The NEC, National Executive Committee, met pre and post-convention. We were tasked to emphasize the following in our Departments:
The last two resolutions are contingent on The American Legion and their support. But wouldn’t it be great to have a National Poppy Day?
Since last year here in Colorado we passed the Code of Ethics and updated our Colorado C&B to align with our National organization in this area. As the year progresses, the Department of Colorado will need to address some other concerns. Each Unit should be working on a Centennial Plan according to the information sent out this summer.
Also of interest was the report on charters. Active Units nationwide as of Feb. 20, 2016, 8,654. New charters granted, 25. Charters re-instated, 7. Charters cancelled, 188. Total active Units, 8,498. As you can see, our organization is on a downward trend and we all need to help increase membership and retain new members.
This was again a very good convention where a lot of information was shared. Allow me to remind you again that the National American Legion Auxiliary is the guide for every Department and Unit in the United States. However, it is at the Unit level that all work for veterans, their families, and the active military takes place. It is at the Unit level where programs are organized and implemented and where dedicated Auxiliary members work tirelessly with little recognition in order to support veterans, children and youth, 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
Department of Colorado
National Executive Committeewomen
The American Legion Auxiliary National Convention began with pre-convention Committee meetings on Saturday. The eight Colorado Auxiliary delegates covered the 24 pre-convention meetings and gave a short oral report to the acting Delegation Chairwoman, Evelyn Espinola, after the meetings. Unfortunately, our outgoing president, Diane Erickson was unable to attend the convention due to an illness suffered by her husband. Happily, he is much better now. 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. The convention body passed a resolution to clarify and simplify the process by which a member can transfer her membership to another unit. After much discussion the delegation approved removing another barrier to membership retention. We were also reminded that we are not to judge members, but rather accept them.
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, (very hot and humid, but fun), various receptions, lunches, banquets (including the National Commander and National Auxiliary President Banquets) and other hospitalities. As is our custom at the national conventions the Four Corner states 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 departments. However, many of our Auxiliary delegates attended training instead on Monday afternoon. I personally attended three trainings: the NEC training, Goal 4, Strengthen Departments and Units, and Goal 1 Enhancing Membership Strength. At the NEC training we were again reminded that American Legion Auxiliary Department Girls State Programs are the biggest liability of the American Legion Auxiliary and must be kept in line with all mandates. We were also reminded that the Secretary/Treasurer position can also be an area for abuse and Departments must keep strict oversight of this office.
On Tuesday, we attended the Woman of the Year Luncheon honoring U.S. Army Major General, Peggy Combs. She was recently promoted to the Chief of Staff, NORAD/USNORTHCOM as a two star general. Of course, you know that is in Colorado at Cheyenne Mountain. What an honor to hear about her life as a female military leader.
The convention delegation elected Mary Davis from Washington State as the American Legion Auxiliary National President for 2016-2017. See the National ALA website for more information. wwwalaforveterans.org Also, Laurie Kuntz was appointed the Northwest Division Public Relations Chairman Chairwoman for 2016-2017. Congratulations Laurie!
The NEC, National Executive Committee, met pre and post-convention. We were tasked to emphasize the following in our Departments:
- Continue to make clear governing documents.
- Encourage members to donate to the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation.
- Encourage members and units to apply for grants from this Foundation.
- Promote and work the Centennial Plan.
- Encourage Units to apply for awards found in the National Action Plans.
- All officers are expected to attend the national trainings which are provided and paid for by the National American Legion Auxiliary. (Resolution passed)
- Money was approved to continue the support of the American Legion’s Auxiliary’s sustained investment in itself to accomplish the 5-year Centennial Plan. (Resolution passed)
- Request for The American Legion (TAL) to research the need to specify “widows” among ALA membership eligibility criteria. (Resolution passed)
- Work with the TAL to advocate Congress to establish National Poppy Day. (Resolution passed)
The last two resolutions are contingent on The American Legion and their support. But wouldn’t it be great to have a National Poppy Day?
Since last year here in Colorado we passed the Code of Ethics and updated our Colorado C&B to align with our National organization in this area. As the year progresses, the Department of Colorado will need to address some other concerns. Each Unit should be working on a Centennial Plan according to the information sent out this summer.
Also of interest was the report on charters. Active Units nationwide as of Feb. 20, 2016, 8,654. New charters granted, 25. Charters re-instated, 7. Charters cancelled, 188. Total active Units, 8,498. As you can see, our organization is on a downward trend and we all need to help increase membership and retain new members.
This was again a very good convention where a lot of information was shared. Allow me to remind you again that the National American Legion Auxiliary is the guide for every Department and Unit in the United States. However, it is at the Unit level that all work for veterans, their families, and the active military takes place. It is at the Unit level where programs are organized and implemented and where dedicated Auxiliary members work tirelessly with little recognition in order to support veterans, children and youth, 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
Department of Colorado
National Executive Committeewomen
