Leadership

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Theme: “Leading with Honor:  a Blue Ribbon for Strong Units Built by Brave Hearts”

Core Principals of Leadership

Communication, listening, respect, vision, self-awareness, learning agilities, collaboration, courage, compassion, integrity, gratitude, and resilience

Areas of Emphasis:

  • Schedule a special Leadership Training meeting
  • Encourage members to use past leaders as mentors.
    • for discussions and questions to help enhance your skills.
  • Encourage members to attend district, division and department meetings
  • Mentors – lead by example
  • Encourage use of National ALA Academy Courses

Leadership isn’t measured by how many followers you have. It’s gauged by how many lives you improve, and in our case how many Units, Districts, Divisions and even our Department are improved.

Leaders can be found at every level of the Auxiliary, whether or not the member carries a title. Everyone has a role to play in developing and carrying out programs, keeping the Unit/District/Division/Department on track, and being aware of other members and their individual needs. Teamwork is what makes it possible to carry out our missions, and the more you know, the more you can contribute.

I am planning to hold a Leadership Course on Wednesday afternoon, prior to the beginning of Department Convention in July 2027. More information will follow as the class content is scheduled. If you have any suggestions for a particular subject, please let me know.

I do hope that Units, Districts and Divisions schedule a Leadership Class during this Auxiliary Year. If there is a new Unit, perhaps a Past District or Department President could conduct a class to help the new Unit learn about the Auxiliary, the various roles of officers and chairmen, and the different programs. Please reach out to me if any assistance is needed.

The Leadership Chairman recognizes the Unit Member of the Year at the annual Department Convention. Every Unit has that member who is always there to help, whether in the background or in charge of committees. The requirement for eligibility for this honor is that the Unit Member of the Year has never been in an elected or appointed leadership role higher than Unit President.

I’m not sure how many of you have ever been in 4-H. But the 4-H year starts in the fall right after the fairs end. Members learn and report on their various projects, whether they have an animal that they work with daily so that when it comes time to show the animal in the ring, they are confident and are able to work with the animal to show the judges the best showmanship and animal. Or the young cook, that makes so many 1 egg cakes that the family is burned out on cakes, but you keep practicing and learning as that cake needs to be good when submitted for judging at the fair and hopefully coming home with that blue ribbon! That’s the way leadership works, we practice and learn, and one way to learn with through the ALA Academy courses. These can be completed on your time schedule, and are so informative. Access them at https://member.legion-aux.org/member/online-training.

Would you like to learn more about working the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary? Would you like to network with national leaders and other members who share your passion and enthusiasm for helping our veterans? Then plan to attend one of the Mission Training Sessions this next year – with one in our own backyard! In Springfield on January 30, 2027. During this 1-day conference, you’ll be inspired while learning more about working the ALA’s core programs in an interactive and fun environment. Many of the American Legion Auxiliary Mission Outreach programs will be covered during this conference. Don’t forget to take your Juniors also as they can attend the National Junior Meeting.

 

2026-2027 ALA Mission Training & National Junior Meetings

Nov. 14: Omaha, NE*
Jan. 30: Albany, N.Y.*
Jan. 30: Springfield, III.
Feb. 6: Atlanta, Ga.
Feb. 6: Las Vegas, Nev.*

*Events will be held with The American Legion National Information Conference and the SAL Regional Meeting.

Registration Info: Click here!

Department Award

DIANA’S HATS OFF TO YOU PLAQUE – to the Unit Member of the Year.

  • Use the Unit Member of the Year Award form.
  • Must be an active senior member of her Unit who is not currently, nor has been, in an elected or appointed leadership role higher than Unit President.
  • Due May 1, 2027.

Personal Awards:

  • $10 for the Most Outstanding District Leadership Program
  • $10 to the Unit with the most completed ALA Academy Courses as reported on the Unit Report Form.

Linda Oakley  |  lindao.1950@gmail.com

Resources from National

  • Junior and Senior Leadership Course
  • How to be a Good Leader
  • Officers Duties and Responsibilities
  • ALA Protocol Presentation and Quiz
  • How to Live a Culture of Goodwill
  • Log into the National Website to Access these Items: Click Here

Department Resources

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