Department President

President 

Karyn  Porempski
American Legion Auxiliary
Department of New York

Karyn Porempski was elected President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of New York,
on July 11, 2009 at the Department Convention, held in Buffalo, New York,
for the year 2009 - 2010.

 

Biography of the Dept. President

Karyn’s eligibility is through the service of her husband, Joseph, who served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam from 1966-1969. Karyn has been a member of Kensington Unit # 708 since 1969.

Unit: Her service to the Unit included chairing all committees and serving in all Officer positions, including President for the year 1975. She is currently serving as the Unit Treasurer.
 

County: Karyn’s service to Erie County began in 1972. Since then she has held many Committee Chairmanships and all Officer positions. She served as County Americanism Chairman for 15 years. In this capacity she was instrumental in helping to reinstate the Erie County Essay Contest that is co-sponsored by both the American Legion and the Auxiliary. Candidates for this program have won National Auxiliary Awards the last 3 years. For 5 years she served as County Girls State Chairman. In 1980, while serving as Vice-president in charge of membership, she received an award from the Department for achieving 100% membership. She served Erie County as President in 1981. She currently is the County Empire Girls State Chairman and Treasurer of the Past County Presidents Social Club.
 

District: Karyn was appointed by two 8^th District Presidents to serve on the Department Resolutions and Constitution and By-Laws Committees at the State Conventions. She was elected Vice-President of the 8^th District in 1998 and elected 8^th District President in 1999, where she served with distinction. She served as President of the Past 8^th District Presidents Club from 2000-2006.
 

Department : Karyn has served the Department as Gift Shop Chairman and Vice-Chairman and served for two years as Deputy VAVS Representative at the Buffalo VA Hospital. Karyn has served on five of the Department Convention Committees serving as: Housing Chairman in 1983, Distinguished Guest Chairman in 1989, Vice Chairman in 1992, Convention Chairman in 1998 and Candidates Reception Chairman in 2004. She has held the Chairmanship of Junior Activities, receiving a National Citation, Americanism, National Security, where she won he National and Eastern Division Awards for the best all around program, Public Relations Chairman where she won the Department Public Relations Chairman Award and the National Award for the Best Public Relations Book. She has also served for three years as Secretary for the Department Girls State Program. In 2006 she served the Department as its Poppy Program Chairman and in 2007 as Department 3^rd Vice President as the VA&R Chairman. As 2^nd Vice President in 2008 she served as Children and Youth Chairman. And as 1st Vice President was Chairman of the very important Membership/UD&R Committee.

Personal Life: Karyn is a member of the elite group known throughout New York as the typical Legion family. Her husband, Joseph, is a Past Post, County and 8^th District Commander. Her father, Albert Kramer, was a Past Commander, Corporation President and House Chairman of Kensington Post #708. Her mother, Lorraine Kramer was a member of Kensington Unit # 708 until her death last year.  Her sister, Kandace Carter, also is a member of  Kensington Unit # 708 as are her daughters, Tracy and Holly. Granddaughters, Rebecca and Jenna, are junior members, and grandson, Jared, is a member of the SAL

Karyn L. Porempski
Department President
2009 – 2010