2011-2012

Americanism

Franklin Roosevelt stated “Americanism is a matter of the mind and the heart, and never was a matter of ancestry”. Americanism/Patriotism is a feeling of pride passed on from our parents, grandparents. Seeing our flag or hearing the National Anthem makes us stand taller – we are citizens of the greatest country, the United States of America.

1. Objective:
Continued education of flag etiquette in our schools, community events promoting the ALA’s desire to promote leadership.

Action Steps:
Know your flag history and etiquette.

1. Promote the ALA as a community’s contact for information concerning flag etiquette in regards to display, retirement and disposal.

2. With troops still deployed overseas, promote the yellow ribbon campaign as well as the Pocket Flag project.

3. Continue to write your Congressmen and Senators to support the amendment to protect the flag of the United States from desecration (H.J. Res.8). We need to keep this amendment alive and show there are citizens not giving up making this change

4. Participate in the Get Out the Vote and Kids Voting USA Campaigns. Guidelines are available at www.legion.org/vote  and www.kidsvotingusa.org

2.Objective:
Increase our youth’s awareness and participation in the proper respect for our flag and loyalty to this great country.

1. Promote participation in the Americanism Essay Contest in local schools, youth organizations (such as 4-H, YMCA, Big Brother/Sisters, Boy/Girl Scouts) and home school associations. This contest encourages participants to learn fundamental rights and freedoms we enjoy today. This year’s theme will be “How Can I Show My Patriotism in My Community”

3. Objective:
Promote Auxiliary participation in the American Legion Americanism programs.

Action Steps:

1. Sponsor and support American Legion Baseball by volunteering to man concession stands, hold fundraisers, provide rides for team members to games and cheer them on. Contact local American Legion chairman to see what their needs are.

2. Oratorical Contest – Support local Chairman by offering to locate interested students to enter this speaking contest in your area as well as volunteering to be an escort, judge or timekeeper. This contest provides an understanding of the U.S. Constitution.

3. Junior Shooting Sports – Promotes gun safety and marksmanship training for youth. Offer your local chairman help with scoring, supervision or transportation.

 DEPARTMENT AWARD

CHARLOTTE CRAVEN AWARD... Awarded to the UNIT with a membership of 10-99 submitting the most outstanding Americanism Program of the year.

REGINA DAVISON AWARD... Awarded to the UNIT with a membership of 100 or more submitting the most outstanding Americanism Program of the year.

RULES: Entries shall be submitted in narrative form not to exceed 1000 words, typewritten on 8 1/2x 11" white paper. An attached flyleaf must include Unit Name, number and location as well as Name and Address of the Americanism chairman. Entries are to be submitted to the County Americanism chairman. who in turn will forward the winning Unit entry to the Department  Americanism chairman...No Later than  May 10, 2012.

NOTE: ONE of the two above DEPARTMENT AWARD WINNERS will be selected for the NATIONAL AMERICANISM AWARD.

MARY SMACK AWARD... Awarded to the Unit initiating and completing the most unique Americanism Program for the year.

HILDA DAVIS AWARD... Awarded to the Unit Member, a naturalized citizen, who by her service to her Unit and Community exemplifies Americanism .

ELEANOR PRIEST AWARD...Awarded to the Unit that submits the best report using music as part of a special program.

VIOLA BABIN AWARD... Awarded to the County submitting the best year round Americanism Program.

GIRL SCOUT OF THE YEAR AWARD – Awarded to the Girl Scout who has achieved the Gold Award from Girl Scouts of America.

RULES: Entries shall be submitted in narrative form and not to exceed 1000 words, typewritten on 8 ½ x 11” white paper. An attached flyleaf must include Unit’s name, number and location as well as the name and address of the Americanism Chairman. Entries are to be submitted to the County Americanism Chairman who in turn will forward the winning Unit entry to the Department Americanism Chairman no later than May 10, 2012. Winner will receive a $100 gift award.

NATIONAL AWARDS

AMERICANISM ESSAY CONTEST... One award in each of the five classes will be presented in each DIVISION. Winners will receive $50 and a $50 honorarium  in the student's name to the National Presidents Scholarship.  Department Chairman is responsible for informing Units of the deadline date. All DEPARTMENT entries must be postmarked by May 1, 2012, and sent to the  Division Chairman. Division must submit her winners to the National Chairman BY JUNE 1, 2012. The essay coversheets are available at www.alaforveterans.org This year’s theme will be "Americanism - My Parents Generation vs My Generation"

DEPARTMENT AWARDS...A plaque will be presented to the Department Chairman in each DIVISION reporting the most outstanding overall Americanism Program. The entry must be typewritten in narrative form, not to exceed 1,000 words. Do Not include pictures, clippings, scrapbooks, folder, etc. All entries must be postmarked by June 1, 2012, and sent by the Department Chairman to the Division Chairman.

DOROTHY PEARL PLAQUE... A plaque will be presented to the Unit that reports the most outstanding Americanism Program. targeted to Children & Youth. The entry must be typewritten in narrative form, not to exceed 1,000 words. The entry may include no more then five pictures and news articles. All entries must be postmarked by June 1, 2012, and sent to Committee member Shelley Riggs.

JUNIOR AMERICANISM AWARD...A plaque will be presented to a Junior group that reports the most outstanding Americanism Program. The entry must be typewritten in narrative form not to exceed 1,000 words. A maximum of five pictures and news articles may be included. All entries must be postmarked by June 1, 2012, and sent to Committee member Lynda Horton-Turk.

Resources:

1. Capitol Building flags: To order flags flown over the Capitol, contact your Congressional Representative or Senator or visit his/her website.  Flags are available for a nominal fee; 4 to 6 weeks should be allowed for delivery.
    

2. Project: Pocket Flag  www.pocketflagproject.com  or write Pocket Flag Project, P.O. Box 740847, Arvada, CO.  80006.
    

3. Emblem Sales: http://emblem.legion.org/  – flag education DVD; explains the history, significance, meaning, proper display and treatment of the U.S. flag. Let’s Be Right on Flag Etiquette – a “question and answer” booklet on proper flag etiquette.
    

4. The American Legion Flag Advocacy: www.legion.org/flag 
    

5. The American Legion’s Action Program of Americanism brochure:  http://www.legion.org/ActionProgram_of_Americanism   
   See program page on   http://www.alaforveterans.org for additional resources.

REPORTING PROCEDURE : Note, there are only two reporting dates this year.  Reporting-How-When-Why

Unit Chairmen: Please send Unit report form to reach your County Chairman by  November 1, 2011, March 1, 2012

County Chairmen:  Please send County report form  to reach the Dept. Chairman by  November 10, 2011, March 10, 2012
Units should report to Counties prior to the Department Deadlines.

Note: Forms are in (PDF Format ) and can be filled out using your computer keyboard. However, you cannot save data typed into any  forms unless you have the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software! Please print at least 2 copies of your completed form, mail one to the chairman, and save one for your  records. If you try to e-mail it without the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software, the chairman will receive a BLANK PAGE...

Patricia Hennessy
Department Americanism Chairman
E-Mail:  PatHennessy99@aol.com  

For Chairman's physical address,  contact Chairman or  Department Office