2011-2012
Leadership

New Test Available (Link also listed below under resources/tools and in the Library )
Parliamentary Procedure and Protocol Test - and answers.

Basic Parliamentary Procedure

Dream, Believe, Succeed

Purpose: To develop and prepare knowledgeable and capable leaders to carry on the growth and success of the Auxiliary by promoting activities and resources that educate, motivate and mentor members of all ages and at all levels of the organization. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, sow the seeds in your garden to become an effective leader. Together I know we will have a beautiful garden filled with knowledgeable, informed, leaders to carry on the legacy of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Let’s join together and cultivate our leadership skills. What do we need to make our garden of leaders grow? It all begins with you. Your willingness to become knowledgeable about the American Legion Auxiliary programs is just like preparing the soil. You don’t have to be an expert on everything but basic knowledge is essential. Familiarize yourself on every program so at the very least you are able to explain the general objectives. Sounds like your watering can will soon be running over to quench the thirst of those seedlings.

Some leaders are born, but most are trained to be good leaders. No matter what the experience, education or technical skills, most anyone can be trained to be a leader if they are willing to make a commitment, devote their time and energy to listen, learn, and communicate. We are so fortunate to have the American Legion Auxiliary College, please consider enrolling for the 2012 session. It is truly an experience you will find very valuable in creating your garden. You will be inspired to get that soil ready and start planting those seeds.

PLANT THE SEEDS OF:

Attitude many people say happiness is 90% attitude; our Department President Ann is continuing the quest for a new attitude. Let’s plant a garden with kindness, love and support.

Resources our own Department web site: www.deptny.org  Click on library on left side of page. You will find the American Legion Auxiliary Leadership Correspondence Course. Check it out! You probably know more than you think. What a great idea for a couple of Unit meetings or a County Leadership workshop. Members that have completed the course can serve as instructors, or call on those Certified Leadership Instructors for their guidance. The course is downloadable for your use. Make it fun and make it happen! Resources are a tool, like the rake to spread the soil for planting.

Enthusiasm is a passion for what you believe. If you believe in the mission of the ALA, you should have enthusiasm for the programs, our membership, ideals and principles that govern our organization. Believe it and your can achieve it! Enthusiasm is like the water to our garden; it revitalizes our spirit and creates full blooms.

Knowledge look listen and learn. Take advantage of all the resources available to you. Our National website www.alaforveterans.org  has numerous resources of knowledge just waiting for you: The Unit handbook, Constitution and Bylaws, The correspondence course, ALA College, Leadership workshops, Midwinter Conference, Convention, Fall and Spring Conferences, and the Plan of Action. There is a lot of knowledge available for your use. Knowledge is the fertilizer to our garden.

Tools are like the ivy on the garden wall. Intertwining as they grow, using the Unit Handbook, and searching for information about leadership on the internet. Public relations, serves our tool shed well. If people in the community don’t know what we do and why we do it, we are not doing our job. As a leader your job is to motivate, challenge, and appreciate. You are only as good as the people you lead. Always lead by example. Take time to smell the roses.

Effective how do you measure your effectiveness? How well is your garden growing? Do the members seem more willing to help with Unit projects or events? Do you always prepare an agenda? An effective leader delegates the duties and oversees the result. Working together makes things so much more fun. Praise the accomplishments and give the credit where the credit is due. Good communication always leads to better understanding.

Good listener is weary of the snapdragons. Respect others ideas and opinions even if they are not your own. The ayes or nays will have it in the end. Good use of parliamentary procedure gives all the flowers an opportunity for a drink of water or ray of sunshine to help them grow with respect for one another.

Trustworthy is one of those characteristics that are earned. We all have had many lessons in life that teach us about trust. Just as the weed killer states, it will not hurt the flowers, but are we really sure? Weed your garden by your own hand and don’t take the word of another. Word and deed earn trust. Know the finances at all times, help prepare a budget for the year. Audits are to be done annually.

Participate, Action/Events- be a part of the plan not just in word. You have chosen the committee and put your trust in them. Take part in the action or event. Volunteer to fill any roll that is needed. Take time to mingle and welcome new members or have a brief conversation with others. Enjoy the outcome, creating a bouquet from the flowers in the garden.

Accepting/Decisive sometimes our garden just doesn’t take off the way we feel it should. Could have been the fertilizer, or not enough water, perhaps just not enough daily sunshine? Could have, would have, should have, and doesn’t matter. Accept the consequence and decide what we are going to do to fix it together. A leader is a coach, perhaps you need to rearrange those lovely blossoms and add some greenery to the mix. Maybe Matilda was right those daisies would have been nice.

As a member you have the ability to honor those who serve, have served and their families. Each committee chairman is a leader of the program she chairs. New ideas and a fresh out look through a different lens can make all the difference in the world. Don’t be afraid to try something new. We have always done it that way doesn’t mean it is the only way. Or when I was Chairman, President, Treasurer etc., we did it so and so. The past will always be the past and hopefully we have learned from it. Let’s move forward! You have the ability to take that first step forward.

Leaders should constantly seek knowledge. The Plan of Action or POA, Empire Newsletter, Department Bulletins are for everyone. They are for every member! Attend your Fall Conference, hear our leaders share their message, attend your Unit and County meetings ask questions be in the know. You may purchase your own POA at Fall Conference and subscribe to the Empire Newsletter. The POA and Newsletter are both available on line at www.deptny.org Department Bulletins are sent to County Presidents for distribution to Unit Presidents, and are also available on line.

You have begun your journey without even realizing it. You have opened the pages of knowledge and just as the flowers have begun to drink from that half full watering can. Just as the stepping stones placed in the garden are small but significant as laid amongst the plants. You have begun your journey as a leader, in the most powerful patriotic woman’s organization in the world. Congratulations and best wishes for a dream come true.

Mark your calendar for Midwinter Conference Jan. 26-28th, 2012. Albany- Marriott.
You asked for more information on Children and Youth, National Security, and Empire Girls State. Come one, come all and bring your new attitude to the Midwinter Conference.

Nancy G. Kurk
Department Leadership Chairman
tekngk@aol.com

Dream, Believe, Succeed
The National organization suggests that we focus our attention on reaching out to younger women in our communities.  We need to expand their confidence and develop their leadership abilities.  The process of good mentoring will ensure a stronger organization as we develop potential future leaders.

Below are some suggestions for reaching these goals:

1. Teach the history of the Auxiliary to all members.

2. Teach the programs of the Auxiliary and match members’ interests with the programs.

3. Teach the basics of protocol, parliamentary rules and meeting procedure.

4. Establish a mentoring program, matching senior members’ knowledge with younger members desires.

5. Encourage updating program activities so younger eligible women will want to join.

6. Promote the Sr. and Jr. Leadership Courses on the Dept. website-go to:  www.deptny.org  and click on “Library” in the left hand column.

7. Promote the use of the Unit Handbook.

8. Promote the use of the Unit Constitution & Bylaws as a resource tool.

 The following are Leadership resources/tools:

1. Emblem Sales: www.emblem.legion.org

2. The “NEW” Unit Handbook

3. National, Department & Unit Constitution & Bylaws

4. Robert’s Rules of Order

5. Parliamentary Procedure

6. Let’s Be Right on Flag Etiquette

7. Parliamentary Procedure and Protocol Test - and answers.    New ç

The act of “Mentoring” continues to be a guiding influence on our newer/younger members.  What we teach is what they will learn and in turn places a huge responsibility on "how" we mentor. 

Let’s make LEADERSHIP and MENTORING a priority this year. 

 How to be a Mentor
Certified Leadership Instructor Listing
Leadership Instructor Qualifications and Requirements

DEPARTMENT AWARDS

Marion Capasso Award
To the Unit Leadership Chairman who submits a written report of the most outstanding accomplishments through leadership in her Unit during the year.  The entry must be typewritten, in narrative form, not to exceed 1,000 words.  The narrative must include the number of senior and junior members in attendance at each program.  The entry must be presented in a folder with a cover page stating the Unit, the Unit Leadership Chairman’s name and address, and the number of words.  Copies of materials used, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other pertinent materials may be included.

Maud Millard Trophy
To the County Leadership Chairman who submits a written report of the most outstanding accomplishments through leadership in her County during the year.  The entry must be typewritten, in narrative form, not to exceed 1,000 words.  The narrative must include the number of senior and junior members in attendance at each program.  The entry must be presented in a folder with a cover page stating the County, the County Leadership Chairman’s name and address, and the number of words.  Copies of materials used, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other pertinent materials may be included.

Anna Schultz Award
To the Unit with the most first-time attendees at the Mid-Winter Conference.  For a Unit to be eligible, the Unit President must attend (although not be a first time attendee herself.)

Junior Award
To the Junior member exemplifying the best leadership role model at the Unit or County level.  The entry must be typewritten, in a narrative form, not to exceed 500 words.  The report may be typed by someone other than the junior member, but it must be the work of the junior member.  The entry must be presented in a folder with a cover page stating the Unit name and number, the County, the junior member’s name and address, the names and signatures of the Unit or County President and the Unit or County Junior Activities Chairman and the number of words.  Copies of materials used, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other pertinent items may be included.

NATIONAL AWARD

Unit Leadership Training Recognition Certificate
A Recognition Certificate will be presented to the individual Unit Leadership Chairman who best implements the mentoring program within her Unit.  Entries with all pertinent information should be sent to me at address shown below.  The winning entry will be forwarded to National for judging.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY MAY 10, 2012 AND SENT TO DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN:
Nancy G. Kurk, 149 State St. #2, Manchester, NY 14504

REPORTING PROCEDURE: