American Legion Auxiliary
Department of Texas
Community Service
Plan of Work
2007 - 2008

The Community Service Committee encourages and supports all programs and services that improve the quality of life in the Unit’s local community. Units closely examine the needs of their local community and complete programs either on their own initiative or in cooperation with the American Legion or other organizations that make their community a better place to live.

Special Emphasis Activities
    1. Welcome Troops Home
    2. Youth Appreciation Week
    3. Make a Difference Day
    4. Community Guide to Programs and ActivitiesI Community Recognition Programs
        a. *Welcome Troops Home
        b. *Youth Appreciation Week
        c. Health AdvocatesII

Collaborative Program Efforts
    a. *Make a Difference Day
    b. Habitat for Humanity, Domestic Violence Centers
    c. Adopt a Highway

III Additional Community Programs & Activities
    a. *Community Guide to Programs and Services
    b. Libraries
    c. Senior Citizens Centers, Nursing Homes IV Community Service Awards
    a. National’s President’s Award for Excellence
    b. Department Award
    c. Unit Awards
    d. Senior Volunteer of the Year Award
    e. Junior Volunteer of the Year Award
    f. Welcome Troops Home Award

Community service Goals for 2007-2008
I    Community Programs

A. *Welcome Troops Home

1. Start a minimum of 10 new Welcome Troops Home groups.

2. Make sure that all military personnel are welcomed home from active duty by your local community. Make a special effort to welcome home the veterans in your local community. Organize special events where the entire community can thank and show genuine appreciation for their service to our nation.

3. Consider arranging a special program at your local post home to showcase these Veterans and to honor them. Also, consider arranging a Family Activity Day at your local post home and bring in members of the community who can assist these returning service men and women to adjust to civilian life.

4. Utilize the valuable resources of The Veterans Outreach Center, support groups and faith-based organizations to help make the transitions back into the local community easier. The Veterans Outreach Center provides career counseling, skills assessment, job readiness training and workshops, occupational training referrals, job development and placement service. They also have access to a job information library.

B. *Youth Appreciation Week

1. Select one week during the year to honor youth contributing through their volunteer efforts in the betterment of the community.

2. Units are encouraged to look for Junior members; those in scouting or other youth programs the Unit already supports such as schools.

C. Health Advocate

1. Support education of cancer women are most prone to and Organ and Tissue donor programs. www.cancercare.org

2. Establish contacts within the community; assist in distribution of literature; promote understanding and the need of Organ and Tissue donors in citizens of all ages. Sign up to be a donor; just “say yes” when renewing your driver’s license.

3. Encourage members to donate blood and organize blood drives. It is estimated that about eight million volunteers donate blood each year. The need for blood is great. On any given day an average of 48,000 units of red blood cells are needed. Perhaps your unit can work to recruit suitable donors. Blood banks are always in need of volunteers to assist in blood donor stations or to organize blood mobile drives. Perhaps your unit can organize a blood drive in your area.

II    Collaborative Program Advocates

      *Make a Difference Day ~ October 27, 2007

1. Increase participation and attention given to Military Families.

2. Early planning and identifying active duty families who could benefit; incorporating local businesses and how to plan your project and work your plan.

A. Habitat for Humanity Aid in building affordable houses for low income families. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, nondenominational Christian housing organization that builds these affordable homes. Check in your local area to see if a home is being built where your unit members can work with the organization as they work in partnership with low income families to provide those families with decent homes that they can afford to buy.

B. Domestic Violence Centers

Volunteer time and financial assistance to families in distress.

C. Adopt-A-Highway:

To improve living conditions for those in need and have an active part in community beautification. Create a joint venture with juniors and other organizations to keep our highways clean.

III.    Additional Community Programs & Activities.

A. * “Guide to Community Programs and Services”

Establish a “Community Guide of Programs and Services” offered in your community to aid in avoiding duplication of services; work on cooperative programs; publicize and participate in existing programs with special attention supporting our troops and their families. Help identify programs that the National Security committee might collaborate with.

Establish an ongoing search identifying existing community programs; develop various forms of communication: booklets, web sites, community bulletins to help inform community members. Special attention to be given to finding services in support of active duty and military men and women returning to civilian life.

Libraries:

Provide funding and volunteers to assist public libraries.

Senior Citizens Centers, Nursing Homes

Volunteer time and financial assistance to improve the quality of life for our senior citizens.

Individual Community Needs:

Many programs and activities have been presented that will indeed enhance the quality of life in your local community, but each community has its own unique needs and challenges. Your unit is encouraged to not only imitate the programs set forth in this Plan of Work, but to examine the need of your community and act on those needs. Maybe we can entice someone to join our unit because they want to volunteer and help.

Include your juniors in your Community Service activities and keep a record. Report everything you do throughout the year – hours and monies spent. The year began April 1, 2007 and ends March 31, 2008

We can do it, because “We Believe”

Members of your Department Community Service Committee are available to help you and you are encouraged to invite them to speak at your unit and District Meetings.

Community Service Volunteer of the Year

A senior member and Junior member from each National Division will be honored for outstanding volunteer service during the 2007-2008 administrative year in one or more of the *activities emphasized in the Plan of Work.

To be eligible for the awards:

·Volunteer service must be provided during the 2007-2008 administration year (April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008 · The application must be completed with the required certification, *special emphasized activities and a narrative. Seniors 300-500 words, completed by the entrant.

· Juniors- no more than 250 words completed by the entrant.

· The name of the Department, Unit Name and Address, and name, Social Security Number and Address of Senior and Junior member must be included.

Special Note: The National Organization will be awarding a certificate to the “Senior Volunteer of the Year” and $100.00 and a certificate to the “Junior Volunteer of the Year” in each Division.Senior and Junior entries will be judged by the Department Community Service Committee and the winner will be forwarded to National. Entries must be received by the Department Chairman by May 1, 2008.

Unit Community Service Awards in each National Division

Award 1 – An award will be presented to the unit with the most outstanding single activity for Community Service. Be sure to include only one activity in your narrative.

Award 2 – Best Overall Activities within a Unit. Narrative must include one or more of *special emphasized activities

· Unit activities must be performed during the 2007-2008 administrative year (April 1, 2007 – March 31, 2008)

· Narrative must be type written, double spaced, and not to exceed 1,000 words.

· Do not include pictures, clippings etc.

Include the name of the Department, Unit name and address. A completed copy of the Unit Annual Report Form must also be included.

These entries will be judged by the Department Community Service Committee and the winner will be forwarded to National. Entries must be received by the Department Chairman by May 1, 2008.

National President’s Award for Excellence

Unit program must meet all required elements as stated in this Plan of Work including, *Welcome Troops Home, *Youth Appreciation Week,

*Make a Difference Day and *Community Guide to Programs and Services. Entries must be in narrative form, not to exceed 1,500 words, and must include the name of the Department, name and number of the Unit, and the name and address of the Unit Chairman. Pictures are encouraged, but not required with your entry.

Entries will be judged by the Community Service Committee and the winner will be forwarded to National. Entries must be received by the Department Chairman by May 1, 2008.

Award for Welcome Troops Home * Area of Special Emphasis

An award will be given to the Unit in each Division that submits the best overall report on Welcome Troops Home.

Entries must be in narrative form, not to exceed 1,500 words, and must include the name of the Department, name and number of the Unit, the name and address of the Unit Chairman.

Entries will be judged by the Community Service Committee and the winner will be forwarded to National.

Entries must be received by the Department Chairman by May 1, 2008.

DEPARTMENT AWARDS

· A certificate will be presented to each unit that submits a narrative (250 words minimum).

· A certificate will be presented to each unit that submits a Volunteer of the Year entry.

· A certificate will be presented to each unit that participates in the *Welcome Troops Home

· An award will be presented to each unit who participates in * Youth Appreciation week·

· An award will be presented to one unit in each of the four divisions promoting the best overall Community Service activities, including one or more *special emphasized activities.Entries will be judged by the Community Service Committee and the winner will be forwarded to National. Entries must be received by the Department Chairman by May 1, 2008

Community Service POW Print Version