American Legion Auxiliary
Department of Texas
Plan of Work: Department Historian
2007 - 2008


I.    Auxiliary History

    Goal:    100% participation, a history received from each Unit, District and Division.

    1.    Historians should utilize the Plan of Work as a primary guideline to assist in writing the histories.
    2.    Department of Texas Historian
                        Jean Kelly
                        Jean_Kelly@nexeninc.com
                       
   
II.    New Iniatives – Youth

    Goal:    Encourage students to make a historical connection with veterans in their family and in their everyday life, thereby connecting with the history of the United States.

    Tactics:
        1.    Promote and initiate the Veterans History Project in as many schools and communities as possible.
        2.    Issue a timeline of U.S. President’s birthdays to include military service, term in office dates and home state.  (A veteran connection fostering appropriate respect and appreciation for the Office of President).
        3.    Generate and issue a timeline of United States historic events involving the Armed Forces do that students can directly relate to the veterans they know and care about thereby completing full circle their own connection to history.
        4.    Ask students to visit the “American memory” section on The Library of Congress’ Web site (www.loc.gov) to reinforce enthusiasm for the history of the United States.

III.    Support the American Legion -

        Oratorical Contest

        Goal:    Encourage participation in the Oratorical Contest to expand student understanding of the United States Constitution and The Bill of Rights.  A working understanding of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights equals a clear understanding of the history of the United States.

    Tactics:
        1.    Visit high schools armed with dates of area and state Oratorical Contests, brochures and The American Legion Web site address.  Target social studies and English teachers and speech coaches.
        2.    Publicize that the Oratorical Contest is open to all high school students.  Let them know about the prizes and scholarship awards.

IV.    Collaborative Program and Activities – Veterans History Project

        Goal:    Encourage unit members to work with their Post and local students to preserve the wartime stories of ordinary people and veterans in their communities.

    Tactics:
        1.    Visit and explore the Veterans History Project Web site.  For example, click on “How to Participate,” then read “Take 5 Easy Steps.”
        2.    Encourage students to make a historic connection with veterans in their family and in their everyday life, thereby connecting with the history of the United States.
        3.     The Field Kit (for interviews) and the Memoir Kit are both available online at: http://www.loc.gov/vets/kitmenu.html in PDF format (approximately 18 pages).
        4.    Focus on first-hand accounts from the following wars:  World War 1, World War II,, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts and those who were actively involved in supporting war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc.).
        5.    Publicize the Veterans History Project:  Involve libraries, schools and civic groups.
        6.    Host an open house at your post/unit to introduce the project and match students with veterans.
        7.    Setup possible sites and dates for the students to interview the veterans and assist them with the process.
        8.    Document, make copies of and showcase information at schools, libraries and Post homes and then submit the documentation to The Library of Congress.

V.    Awards

    Senior History Awards 2007–2008

        1.    A Certificate of Participation will be given to each Unit, District and Division Historian submitting a History.
        2.    A certificate of Merit and a Gift to the Unit Historian submitting the best History in each of the four Divisions.
        3.    A certificate of Merit and Gift to the District Historian submitting the best History in each of the four Divisions.
        4.    A certificate of Merit and a Gift to the Division Historian submitting the best History in each of the four Divisions in the Department of Texas.

    Junior History Awards 2007-2008

        1.    A Certificate of Participation will be given to each Unit, District and Division Honorary Junior Historian submitting a Junior History.
        2.    A certificate of Merit and a Gift to the Unit Honorary Junior Historian submitting the best Junior History in each of the four Divisions.
        3.    A certificate of Merit and Gift to the District Honorary Junior Historian submitting the best Junior History in each of the four Divisions.
        4.    A certificate of Merit and a Gift to the Division Honorary Junior Historian submitting the best Junior History in each of the four Divisions in the Department of Texas.

VI.    Historian Resources

    1.  National magazine: Issues of the national magazine provide information and ideas that can be used in preparing your history.
    2.  American Legion Auxiliary History volumes have been published.  National has a limited amount of volumes in stock.  The 1980-100- Auxiliary History book (355.213) is available through Emblem Sales by logging onto http://emblem.legion.org or dialing 888-453-4466.  Check your department office and/or poll your membership and see if you can get a complete set for reference.
    3.  Spreadsheet.  A spreadsheet of significant items in your Units history can also be a valuable contribution.
    4.  Auxiliary Alphabet of Writing Tips.  This document can be found on pages 38-40 of the Public Relations Handbook.  The handbook can be viewed by logging onto the Auxiliary’s website (www.legion-aux.org).  Copies of the handbook (355.212) are also available for purchase through Emblem Sales.
    5.  The American Legion Web site (www.legion.org).  Open the site then click on “Useful Links” located in the left-side panel.  Once in the “Useful Links” section, click on “Scholarship Information to spotlight the Oratorical Contest.
    6.  The Library of Congress Web site (www.loc.gov).  Click on “American Memory” for ideas and information about history in everyday life.
    7.  Veterans History Project Web site (www.loc.gov/vets).  Contains project
            Information, as well as submission guidelines.

VII.    Annual Report Form and History Score Sheets.

 
SENIOR HISTORY CONTEST RULES 2007-2008

Rules for Senior History Contest

    I.    Introduction (10 scoring points)
        1.    Title Page
            a.    History of _____ (Name and number of Unit, District or Division)
            b.    Name of Unit, District or Division Historian for 2007-2008
            c.    Date:  2007-2008 (Current administrative year)
        2.    Forward or Dedication
        3.    Photograph of Unit, District or Division President (optional)
            (if used, 5x7 in black and white or color.)
        4.    Prayer (by Resolution at national Convention in 2005)
        5.    Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America
        6.    First verse of “The Star Spangled Banner”
        7.    Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion Auxiliary

    II.    Historical Content (50 scoring points)
        1.    List of Unit, District or Division Officers
            a.    List of elected officers.
            b.    List of appointed officers
        2.    List of Unit, District or Division Chairman
        3.    List of Department Officers and appointed committee members from your Unit, District or Division for current administrative year (if applicable)
        4.    List of National Officers and Committee appointments for 2007-2008.
        5.    List of Department or National Awards received at the previous National Convention (if applicable)
        6.    The History shall be written as a factual narrative beginning with the Installation of Unit, District or Division Officers, and ending with the summary of end of year reports and closing events for that administrative year.
        7.    The signature of the Unit, District or Division Historian should immediately follow the final paragraph of the history.
        8.    Index (optional)

    III.    Appearance (20 scoring points)
        1.    Cover:  Soft cover binder for loose-leaf paper, preferably blue with 2½” gold foil American Legion Auxiliary seal centered on the cover or a regulation binder with imprinted seal. (These are available from Emblem Sales.)
        2.    Paper:  Plain, white bond, 8½ by 11 in.
        3.    Margins:
                a.    Computer – Left and right margin should be 1.25 in.; Top and bottom margins should be 1 in. 
                b.    Pagination: Page numbers should be centered at the bottom of the page.
                c.    Typing and handwritten page setup:  Typing – Left margin will be set at 10 and Right margin at 75.  Handwritten, please leave approximately 1” from the top and bottom of the page
        4.    Spacing:  Double spaced with the exception of the Introductory Pages (i.e.
            Title Page, through Preamble to the Constitution), which shall be centered in the middle of the page.  Paragraphs may be indented or in block form.
        5.    Text:  (Black type only) 12 point font, Times New Roman or Arial style font if using computer.
        6.    Typing:  Black ribbon only.  Should be clear and clean.  Erasures are permissible.  Standard typewriters, word processors or computers may be used.

    IV.    Arrangement (20 scoring points)
        1.    Written in narrative form, but not necessarily in third person
        2.    Clear concise language with correct spelling
        3.    No decorations, special effects with typewriter, computer or word processor, extraneous material or newspaper clippings.
        4.    Be unique and creative in thought and presentation

    V.    Deadline:
        Unit, District and Division Histories MUST BE RECEIVED in the Department History and Yearbook Room at the Department Convention in Corpus Christi no later then NOON ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 to be eligible for judging.

 
JUNIOR HISTORY CONTEST RULES 2007-2008

Rules for Junior History Contest

    I.    Introduction (10 scoring points)
        (This section should be single spaced and centered in the middle of the page)

        1.    Title Page
            a.    Unit History of (Name and number of Unit, District or Division Junior Group)
            b.    Name of Junior (Unit, District or Division) Historian
            c.    Date:  2007-2008 (Current administrative year)
        2.    Forward or Dedication
        3.    Photograph of Unit, District or Division Junior President (optional)
            (if used, 5x7 in black and white or color.)
        4.    Prayer (by Resolution at national Convention in 2005)
        5.    Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America
        6.    First verse of “The Star Spangled Banner”
        7.    Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion Auxiliary

    II.    Historical Content (50 scoring points)
        1.    List of Unit, District or Division Honorary Junior Officers.
            a.    List of elected Unit, District or Division Honorary Junior Officers for 2007-2008
            b.    List of appointed Unit, District or Division Honorary Junior Officers for 2007-2008.
        2.    List of Unit, District or Division Honorary Junior Chairman for 2007-20008.
        3.    Committee appointments for 2007-2008
        4.    List of National, Department, Division or District Honorary Junior Officers and Committee Appointments for 2007-2008.
        5.    List of Department or National Junior Awards received at the 2007 National Convention (if applicable)
        6.    The History shall be written as a factual narrative beginning with the Installation of Unit, District or Division Honorary Junior Officers at the 2007 Department Convention and ending with the close of the administrative year.
        7.    The signature of the Unit, District or Division Honorary Junior Historian shall immediately follow the final paragraph of the history.
        8.    Index (optional)

    III.    Appearance (20 scoring points)
        1.    Cover:  Soft cover binder for loose-leaf paper, preferably blue with 2½” gold foil American Legion Auxiliary seal centered on the cover or a regulation binder with imprinted seal. (These are available from Emblem Sales.)
        2.    Paper:  Plain, white bond, 8½ by 11 in.
        3.    Margins:
                a.    Computer – Left and right margin should be 1.25 in.; Top and bottom margins should be 1 in. 
                b.    Pagination: Page numbers should be centered at the bottom of the page.
                c.    Typing and handwritten page setup:  Typing – Left margin will be set at 10 and Right margin at 75.  Handwritten, please leave approximately 1” from the top and bottom of the page
        4.    Spacing:  Double spaced with the exception of the Introductory Pages (i.e.
            Title Page, through Preamble to the Constitution), which shall be centered in the middle of the page.  Paragraphs may be indented or in block form.
        5.    Text:  (Black type only) 12 point font, Times New Roman or Arial style font if using computer.
        6.    Typing:  Black ribbon only.  Should be clear and clean.  Erasures are permissible.  Standard typewriters, word processors or computers may be used.

    IV.    Arrangement (20 scoring points)
        1.    Written in narrative form, but not necessarily in third person
        2.    Clear concise language with correct spelling
        3.    No decorations, special effects with typewriter, computer or word processor, extraneous material or newspaper clippings.
        4.    Be unique and creative in thought and presentation

    V.    Deadline:
        Unit, District and Division Histories MUST BE RECEIVED in the Department History and Yearbook Room a the Department Convention in Corpus Christi no later then NOON ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 to be eligible for judging.


Historian Annual Report Form


Historian POW Print Version


Junior History Contest Rules


Senior History Contest Rules