Auxiliary News
From the Desk of the Department PresidentLisa Williamson
Family of Choice
Whew! Thats the word for the day whew! We completed a very successful Department Convention. Even Mother Nature allowed our visitors a taste of Spring followed by Fall and Winter.
I would like to thank the American Legion Family of C. Russell Huber Post, Unit and Squadron 57 for all the hard work and dedication that went into putting together such a great convention. Thank you also for always being there supporting me as I take on this new challenge
as YOUR Department of Alaska President.
We were honored to have National President Jan Pulvermacher-Ryan and her husband Connie in attendance. We didnt get to spend as much time with Connie as we would have liked, but let me assure everyone that Jan and Connie enjoyed their trip. She asked me to thank everyone for their care and concern, and a lovely trip. I would like to thank National
President Jan and National Vice Commander Peggy Dettori for being a very special part of the Installation Ceremony.
What more can one say after having your year blessed by none other than the National President? As well, I want to thank my daughter, Danielle Parkerson, for being the Installing Officer. All aspects of my family my American Legion Family were included Legion, National and home. Of course, I would
I personally want to congratulate everyone
on the outstanding job you have done in membership in all your Units this past year. You have definitely shown a team spirit that shines throughout our Department.
As we all know, membership is a 24/7, 365 day a year job. Our new membership
year is just around the corner and it is time to start planning to meet our goals for the 2008 2009 membership year. The Department of Alaskas membership goal this year is 3726. National has set our first goal date at 50% by October 1st. So please have all your memberships transmitted
to Judy Pusti by September 20th so she has ample time to process them and mail them to National in a timely manner. Each Department will receive $100 for every target reached, and an additional $200 for reaching all three targets!
This year I will be sending out incentive awards/trophies to Units making target dates, 100% membership, submission of creative ideas, etc. More to come on this in the July Alaska Legionnaire!
*IMPORTANT REMINDER The 2008 - 2009 per capita amount to Department
for Senior dues has increased to $12.00. Junior dues remain the same. It is up to each Unit to decide if they want to increase their dues, however I would personally recommend that it not be raised except if absolutely necessary. Raising dues can have a negative effect on membership.
A Membership Plan of Action was mailed out to all Units on June 1st. The Plan is intended for your use throughout the year. If you refer to it on a regular basis, it should be a very helpful tool. If you did not receive this Plan, please either call me at 486-6807 or email me at bashland@gci.net.
In each Alaska Legionnaire article this year I will list some activities you can do to assist your membership program.
Here are a few for the months of June and July:
1. Flag day is on Saturday this year and the 4th of July is on Friday. On both of these days you can set up a membership table at a local business. All you need is a table, two chairs, brochures,
applications and two people to explain what our family is all about. be remiss if I didnt thank my family my parents and employers, Dave and Judy Somers, my brothers, Jake and Rob, my son, Kyle, and Danielle again and the love of my life and husband, Darrel. I wouldnt be where I am today without their love and support.
There was one thing I wanted to mention
about the Convention the Blood Drive on Saturday was a huge success! To my knowledge, that was the first Blood Drive held in conjunction with our Department of Alaska Convention. We had a total of 26 donors registered, and we were able to give 17 pints of good blood! Nine donors blood could not be accepted for various reasons on certain medications, low iron or travel abroad. Thank you to all who donated, or tried to donate!
I am very competitive by nature, as most of you know. If you dont know it, you will by the end of the year. As I type this, our Department Second Vice President
and Membership Chairman Lynn Bash is back in Indianapolis at Nationals Membership
Workshop. Shell return full of ideas and energy when it comes to Alaskas membership
goals for the 2009 membership year. You can count on me to push, promote and prod all of you about Membership.
I am honored to serve as YOUR Department President thank you one and all! If there is anything I can do to help you, answer a question or just give you a word of encouragement, please dont hesitate to contact me. I am online most days at SALcmdrAK@netscape.net or williamson@gci.net - email me anytime.
Leadership Secret #1 - Develop a service attitude. Service is the lifeblood of any organization. Everything flows from it and is nourished by it. Customer service is not a department; it is an attitude.
United We Stand....Together....As A Family!