Membership Chairman
Membership is the foundation on which the program of the American Legion Auxiliary is built, and the success or failure of that program depends largely on how well that foundation is laid. With the start of each new Auxiliary year, we build that foundation even before we plan any of our other programs. No Unit can successfully carry out any large activity without the firm foundation of a strong membership. A Unit which fails to recruit as many eligible women as possible to its ranks has not done its full share toward the success of its Department and the National Organization.
Dues of the American Legion Auxiliary members shall be payable annually of for life. Units should make an effort to have their entire membership in good standing for the new year as soon as possible. Active membership campaigns should be planned. Early payment of dues by members is highly desirable in order to free the energies of the Unit for securing new members and other American Legion Auxiliary activities.
Dues of the American Legion Auxiliary members shall be payable annually of for life. Units should make an effort to have their entire membership in good standing for the new year as soon as possible. Active membership campaigns should be planned. Early payment of dues by members is highly desirable in order to free the energies of the Unit for securing new members and other American Legion Auxiliary activities.
A Systematic Membership Effect
An enthusiastic, experienced chairman, with an able committee to aid her, should be placed in charge of the membership campaign. A definite plan for the campaign should be worked out well in advance by this committee in order that, when the campaign is once launched, it can move forward smoothly with no letup on the part of the workers. Hit-or-miss methods are apt to cause uncertainty and confusion, which may dull the enthusiasm of the workers. Careful organization is important and will insure a successful campaign.
A number of different organization plans have been used successfully by American Legion Auxiliary Units. The five things which are fundamental in the organization of the campaign are proper preparation, suitable grouping of members in working teams, good publicity, competition between teams and individuals, and active personal solicitation of prospective members.
A number of different organization plans have been used successfully by American Legion Auxiliary Units. The five things which are fundamental in the organization of the campaign are proper preparation, suitable grouping of members in working teams, good publicity, competition between teams and individuals, and active personal solicitation of prospective members.
Preparing for the Campaign
The most important part of the advance work to be done in preparing for a membership campaign is the compiling of a list of prospective members to be given to the membership workers at the opening of the campaign. The list should include the names and addresses of all eligible women in the community. A master list should be compiled and an individual record card should be prepared for each prospective member. This system facilitates recording data about calls and other information.
To this list, compiled from the Post's membership roll, should be added the names of women who are eligible through deceased veterans, women who are eligible through their own service, and those who have eligibility through Legionnaires living in other communities. The names of men who died in service can be secured through city/county records, from the Post's records of veterans who have died since the war, and from personal knowledge of Unit members.
The plan for dividing the members into two competing teams usually brings results in a membership drive. Workers must be enthusiastic, have detailed plans carefully worked out, and a definite goal toward which to work. Assign definite territories, make an even distribution of responsibilities, and set a definite time limit for the completion of the drive. Many interesting plans can be originated by enthusiastic leaders.
To this list, compiled from the Post's membership roll, should be added the names of women who are eligible through deceased veterans, women who are eligible through their own service, and those who have eligibility through Legionnaires living in other communities. The names of men who died in service can be secured through city/county records, from the Post's records of veterans who have died since the war, and from personal knowledge of Unit members.
The plan for dividing the members into two competing teams usually brings results in a membership drive. Workers must be enthusiastic, have detailed plans carefully worked out, and a definite goal toward which to work. Assign definite territories, make an even distribution of responsibilities, and set a definite time limit for the completion of the drive. Many interesting plans can be originated by enthusiastic leaders.
Membership Publicity and Solicitation
A campaign of newspaper publicity and talks before other woman's organizations should be planned in advance of the solicitation of prospects and continue throughout the membership drive. The publicity should be of such a character that it will create in the minds of the prospective members a desire to belong to the American Legion Auxiliary. Letters explaining the aims and activities of the American Legion Auxiliary and inviting membership should go to all prospects before solicitation begins. Many Units enclose a copy of the pamphlet "Does Anyone Really Know What We Do?"
Membership solicitors should attend a class of instruction before the start of visits and should be prepared to answer, in a clear and definite manner, all questions concerning the American Legion Auxiliary which may be asked of them. Personal solicitation is the best method of securing members. The success of the campaign depends upon the enthusiasm and skill of the workers.
Membership solicitors should attend a class of instruction before the start of visits and should be prepared to answer, in a clear and definite manner, all questions concerning the American Legion Auxiliary which may be asked of them. Personal solicitation is the best method of securing members. The success of the campaign depends upon the enthusiasm and skill of the workers.
Direct Marketing Program
In 1986, as a supplement to the traditional membership recruitment programs of the Units, the American Legion Auxiliary adopted a Direct Marketing Program consisting of three parts: Direct Membership Solicitation, Direct Membership Renewal, and Direct Fund Raising. Detailed information concerning these programs may be obtained from your Department Headquarters.
If you've been discharged from military service, your personnel files are stored at the National Archives and Records Administration. Click on the link below.
Military Service Records
Military Service Records
