American Legion Auxiliary
Department of Texas
Junior Activities
Plan of Work
2007-2008

Mission Statement:

The Junior Activities Committee promotes volunteerism and the principals of the American Legion Auxiliary through our young members.

Through participation in various programs and services that are community-based and involve veterans, Junior members are taught the principles of loyalty to God and Country, justice, freedom and democracy.

Please pass on this information to your Junior Activities Advisor. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact one of the Junior Activities Committee Members.

Junior Activities Committee

Division I - Dadie Condron
dadiemae@go.com

Division II - Glenda Gallop
gfgljg@aol.com

Division III - Nicole Ebner - Chairman
ebner@techisp.com

Division IV - Michelle Kelley
JKelleyM@aol.com

Junior Activities Goals for 2007-2008

I. Volunteer Services
Promote volunteer opportunities, specifically designed to engage Junior members in activities Americanism, Community Service, Poppy and Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation.

A. Auxiliary Programs

Goal: Encourage Junior memberh2s to learn about the Auxiliary, the traditions, programs and to teach the importance of volunteerism.

Tactic:
1. Communicate to senior member advisors the importance of involving the Junior members in projects within their units and communities

Goal: Teach Americanism and promote leadership skills by giving the Junior members the opportunity to lead unit meeting and projects within the unit.

Tactic:
1. Present programs to schools on the American Flag, Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.
2. Community Service volunteer activities that may include food drives, park/beach cleanups, Make a Difference Day programs and mentoring children with reading, homework or sports activities.
3. Actively participate in the Poppy program by sharing the important message contained within the Poppy story with the post, unit and local schools and volunteer to distribute Poppies in their communities.
4. Promote volunteerism within the VAVS facilities, Fisher Houses, Veterans Homes, by adopting veterans in a nursing home and assisting with programs at local Senior Centers.
5. Give Junior members the opportunity to gain leadership skills by allowing them to preside over unit meetings, participate in unit meetings by serving in a different position each time and facilitate a project to raise awareness for a program.

B. Support Our Troops and their Families.

Goal: To show support and appreciation to our military and their families, as they continue to fight for our freedom.

Tactics:
1. Contact the local military or National Guard Units and find out what the general needs are for those stationed within the community. Use friends and family of our military as resources.
2. Promote within the post and unit the list of the items needed for those who are serving our country and their families.
3. Assist the families with daily life in the form of babysitting, lawn mowing, errands, house cleaning, reading to small children and help with homework.
4. Establish a “Care Package Program” within the unit and actively organize and participate in a care package needs drive and promote it within the community so local citizens and businesses have the opportunity to participate.

II. Collaborative ALA Committee Program Efforts.

A. Junior Activities Patch Program

Goal: To encourage participation in the American Legion Auxiliary by providing an incentive program four our Junior members to earn recognition for their participation.

Tactics:
1. Patches are awarded to Junior members who successfully complete the criteria for the various programs, including Americanism, Community Service, Field Service, Leadership, Membership, Physical Fitness, Poppy and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation.
2. To make learning and accomplishment fun and exciting.
3. Involve other community organizations and create awareness of our Junior program.
4. Patch Program sheets are available online through the National ALA Website, http://www.legion-aux.org/JuniorMembers/JuniorPatchProgram/index.aspx.

B. Americanism Pocket Flag Program

Goal: Promote troops hope and encouragement to our troops serving far from home and let them know we are thinking of them.

Tactic:
1. Secure flags through the Pocket Flag Program fro the purpose of folding and distributing them to our troops.

C. Veterans History Project

Goal: Record the memories and collect the documentation of war veterans and those who served to support them during wartime and preserve the records for the future.

Tactics:
1. Preserve individual stories by interviewing war veterans and collect and document letters, diaries and photographs for the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.
2. Promote the Veterans History Project to family, friends and local communities to become involved with the project so that the veterans history will be preserved for future generations.

D. VA&R Volunteen Program

Goal: To encourage teenage volunteers to participate within the VAVS system to help stabilize the decline in volunteers in the VA Medical Centers.

Tactics:
1. Volunteering in the VA Medical Centers is an excellent opportunity to fulfill the volunteer requirements needed for graduation.
2. Promote volunteering in local facilities that may include Veterans Homes, nursing homes and Fisher Houses.
3. Provide awards for active volunteers.

III. Additional Junior Programs and Activities

A. Leadership Training: Promote use of the Leadership Course for Junior Members. Encourage use of the Auxiliary Unit Handbook and the Junior Activity Handbook. Use the Plan of Work as a program guideline. Provide information on Auxiliary Scholarships. Encourage Junior members to attend the Mid-Winter Conference in Austin at the end of January 2008 and the Department Convention in Corpus Christi in the Summer of 2008.

B. Membership/Mentoring: Provide activities for Junior members that will attract their interest and encourage their friends to join. Encourage older Juniors to adopt younger members and teach them through their actions and encouragement.

C. Patriotism: Promote, encourage and teach the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and proper flag etiquette to every Junior member.

IV. Junior Activities Recognition: Certificates, Awards, and Scholarships:

A. National President’s Award for Excellence Award Criteria: unit program must meet all required elements as stated in this Plan of Work including Volunteer service for Auxiliary programs including those related to VA&R, participation in Patch Program and Pocket Flag program. Follow instructions as stated on the universal award for and submit to your District President by April 15, 2008.

B. Unit Program of the Year An award presented to a unit chairman reporting the best overall Junior Activities program including accomplishments in Auxiliary programs. The report is to be in narrative form, 1,000 words or less, typed, double-spaced, giving unit name, number Junior Activities chairman’s name and address, and the name of the department. All entries for this award are due to the District President’s by April 15, 2008.

C. National Plaque Award This award will be given to a Unit reporting the best overall Junior Activities program. The report is to be in narrative form, 1,000 words or less, typed, double-spaced, giving Unit Name, number, Unit Junior Activities Advisor’s name and address and the name of the Department. Reports need to be submitted to District Presidents by April 15, 2008.

D. Junior Member of the Year Award Each Unit should recognize the dedicated service, efforts and talents of a Junior member who has worked hard the for the programs of the American Legion Auxiliary. (See separate sheet for rules and qualifications). Nominations are due to District Presidents by April 15, 2008.

E. Certificate Program

a. Tiny Tot Certificate – Birth to six years.
Tiny Tot certificates are available through Department Headquarters or the National organization for members enrolled under the age of six. <]

b. Certificate of Promotion
Upon reaching the age of six, certificates of promotion to Junior membership are available from the National Organization.

c. Graduation Certificate
Upon reaching the age of eighteen, Junior members are promoted to Senior membership. See Unit Handbook for Graduation Ceremony. Certificate of Graduation is available from the National Organization.

F. Scholarship Opportunities

   a. Spirit of Youth Scholarship
      One four-year scholarship valued at $4,000 will be awarded to a Junior member in each division.
      Scholarship criteria is posted on the National website http://www.legion-aux.org/

b. A $1,000 scholarship awarded to a Junior member volunteer serving the greatest number of volunteer hours
for veterans. See National VA&R Plan of Work or visit http://www.legion-aux.org/ for details.

c. There are several other scholarships available at the Department level. Please see the Plans of Work
and get these scholarship applications out to eligible members.

DEPARTMENT JUNIOR AUXILIARY MEMBER OF THE YEAR

In order to recognize the dedicated service, efforts, and talents of a Junior Member and increase junior participation at the National and Department Junior Meeting, each Unit may submit one nominee for Junior Member of the Year to their Department Chairman.

The rules are as follows:

1. Only Junior members in good standing are eligible

2. Current year of membership dues must be paid.

3. Each Unit is limited to one nomination.

4. Selection should be based on the outstanding contribution the Junior has made through a program or project other than the office she is holding (based on the current year ONLY.)

5. Nominee may not be serving as Honorary Department Junior President.

6. Length of membership is not a criterion.

7. Her Junior Group will select the Junior nominee with the assistance of the Unit Junior Activities Advisor.

8. Each Junior Group will submit to the Department Junior Activities Chairman the following information:
    A. Name and complete address of nominee.
    B. Narrative typed, double-spaced, essay not to exceed 500 words describing nominees’ accomplishments
        during the current administrative year.
    C. Nomination must be signed by Unit Junior Activities Advisor, the Junior President and submitted to
        your District President no later than April 15, 2008. District Presidents please
        forward to the Department Junior Activities Chairman,
        Nicole Ebner at P.O. Box 294 – Moulton, TX 77975 by May 1, 2008.

JUNIOR ACTIVITIES PLAQUE AWARD

This award will be given to a Unit reporting the best overall Junior Activities program. The Report is to be in narrative form, 1,000 words or less, typed, double-spaced, giving Unit name and number, Unit Junior Activities Chairman’s name and address, and the name of the Department. Judging will be based on the following factors:

AMERICANISM – 35%
Memorizing the preamble Memorizing the National Anthem Knowledge of Flag Code, history of the Flag, knowing & reciting correctly, the Pledge of Allegiance Participation in Pocket Flag Project Proper Observance of National Holidays	5% 5% 15% 5% 5%
VETERAN’S AFFAIRS & REHABILITATION – 35%
Christmas or Holiday Activities Donations or Collections Field Service/Home Service/VA Hospital Activities Poppy Activities Veteran’s History Project Children & Youth	5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 10%
COMMUNITY SERVICE – 25%
Safety Programs & Health Programs Ecology/Beautification Programs Senior Citizens	5% 10% 10%
GENERAL ACTIVITIES – 5%
Other Projects (See Plan of Work)	5%