Purpose: The purpose of the Junior Activities Committee is to inspire active participation in members aged 17 and under so they become engaging, productive members who will want to continue their American Legion Auxiliary membership into adulthood. Standing Rule 6, National Committees – Mission Outreach
Key Program Statements:
- To inspire active participation in members age 17 and under so that they will become engaging, productive members who will want to continue their American Legion Auxiliary membership into adulthood.
- To build the Junior Activities program one member at a time by giving Junior members a voice and an opportunity to participate.
- To promote and encourage Junior participation in the Patch Program in order to teach them about the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary.
- To make Junior meetings fun and informative.
Department Chairman: Nicole Ross
Email: nyalajractivities@gmail.com
2026-2027 Information and Report Forms:
For the 2026-2027 Dues Year
Member Dues are based on a member’s age on January 1st of the Membership year.
If a junior is born in 2009, they will be a junior member for the 2027 dues year. On their 18th birthday, they will automatically become a senior member.
Anyone who was born in 2008 and will be 18 years old by 11:59pm on December 31, 2026; is a senior for the 2027 year. National has already updated those members to senior status before the April printing of the 2027 membership cards and rosters. It should say “MAM” instead of “MYM” under Member type.
Example- A member that is 17 on January 1, 2027 will be billed as a junior member for 2027.
Honorary Junior officers traditionally include president, vice president, chaplain, historian, secretary, and sergeant-at-arms, and are likely to follow the structure of the unit or department. Any honorary Junior officer elected is solely an honorary, courtesy position without any formal recognition and with no official or formal duties. An honorary Junior officer must be paying dues as a Junior member for the membership year in which she is installed. Honorary Junior officers are a great way for our Junior members to learn about the ALA and our mission. Juniors could be paired with the senior officers to learn the duties and responsibilities of that office.
Congratulations to our newly elected Honorary Junior Department Officers! They were just installed by National President Pam Ray on January 17, 2026!
| President | Jaedyn Vernacotola | Steuben County | 7th District |
| 1st Vice President | Ailie Hagerty | Oneida County | 5th District |
| Secretary/Treasurer | Serena Forest | Monroe County | 7th District |
| Chaplain | Rilie Hagerty | Oneida County | 5th District |
| Historian | Ziva Yerdon | Montgomery County | 4th District |
| Sgt. At Arms | Adelle Collins | Tioga County | 6th District |
UPDATED 1/22/2026
Check out the Junior Activities Handbook for the latest information.
Click HERE to download the Junior Handbook.
- Junior Activities Handbook
- Junior Member of the Year
- Rising Star Juniors
- Commemorative Graduation Certificate
- Commemorative Enrollment Certificate
ALA Juniors Social Media
Contact Junior Activities Committee: JuniorActivities@ALAforVeterans.org
ALA Junior Activities Patch Program
Junior members of the American Legion Auxiliary, as well as school-aged Sons of the American Legion members who often work alongside Juniors, may earn patches for activities in ALA programs, such as Poppy, Leadership, Americanism, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, and more. Participating in the Patch Program is a terrific way to be involved in learning about the Auxiliary and our Legion Family, volunteering in the community, and serving our country’s veterans.
National Junior Meetings
If your Junior is 8 years old or older, we want to see them at a national Junior meeting! We’re going to meet new friends, do a service project for caregivers, and have tons of fun! The meetings are on a Saturday, one in each ALA division. We can’t wait to see your Junior there!
Is the Junior meeting right for your Junior?
- Yes – if they are interested in meeting other Junior members and national leaders outside of their local area who share their passion for helping veterans!
- Yes – if they want to share great ideas with other Junior members across the country and learn more about what it means to be a member of the American Legion Auxiliary!
Five ALA Mission Trainings and national Junior meetings are planned. They will be held at the same time and locations throughout the winter and spring.