ALAFL

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Juniors PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 28 August 2008 16:21
 

Stephena Cox

Plan of Action

Unit Report Form

District Report Form

 

Purpose

Tiny Tots
The enrollment of Junior members from birth to six years of age is known as Tiny Tot enrollment. Tiny Tot certificates are available through Department Headquarters. Upon reaching the age of six, certificates of promotion to Junior membership are available. A parent or guardian must sign the application of a Junior member.

Juniors
The enrollment in the Auxiliary of many daughters of Legion members too young to take part in the regular meetings and activities of their Units brought about the formation of Junior groups within man Units.

Junior members are defined in the National Constitution as follows: "Junior membership shall consist of that group under the age of eighteen years, whose activities shall be supervised by the Senior membership. Upon reaching the age of eighteen years, Junior members shall automatically be admitted into active membership with full privileges. "The voting age of eighteen years for members of the American Legion Auxiliary was adopted at the National Convention in Boston in October, 1930.

Junior members do not form a separate organization but are members of the American Legion Auxiliary, grouped separately so they may be given a program within the scope of their years and understanding. Junior members may not be counted in the minimum of ten members necessary to organize a Unit, as it is believed that it takes at least ten Senior members to efficiently carry on the work of the Unit. In determining delegation representation, Senior and Junior memberships are treated without distinction; all are counted in Department membership. Junior Activities are merely activities for the younger members which will give them early training in the work of the Auxiliary and inculcate in them the ideals of the Auxiliary. Junior membership is the training ground for active Auxiliary membership. Junior Activities, properly carried out, can also be an important step in teaching the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy to these young people as well.

Junior groups function under the guidance of an advisor and committee from the Senior members. They are organized as a committee of the Unit, conduct their own meetings and carry out their own activities. The Junior officers shall be known as Honorary Junior officers. Their work should be coordinated with the work of the Senior group and they should be given part in the regular Unit activities whenever possible so they will feel they are truly a part of the Auxiliary.

Americanism should be a major activity of the Juniors and presented to Them such manner that they will be taught patriotism, citizenship and loyalty to American ideas and principles. Practically all Auxiliary activities can be adapted to Junior use and the Juniors given some participation in all phases of the year's program. The Juniors should be kept active and interested.

Success of the Junior group depends upon the leadership given it by the Unit. The advisor should be a woman capable of handling and reaching children of all ages, keeping alive their interest, and directing activities which will carry out the purposes of the organization.

Junior Activities Handbook
Details for directing the Junior Activities of an Auxiliary Unit are contained in the Junior Activities Handbook. Suggestions for organizing a Junior group, eligibility rules, installation, initiation, and graduation ceremonies, plans for conducting contests, meetings, and programs, and other suggestions helpful to the Junior chairman are included in this Handbook. The Handbook may be secured from the Department Headquarters.

National Awards

Unit Program of the Year Award
An award presented to a Unit Chairman in each Division reporting the best overall Junior Activities program including accomplishments in Auxiliary programs. The report is to be in narrative form, 1,000 words or less, typed, double -spaced, giving Unit name , number, Junior Activities Chairman's name an address, and the name of the Department. Department Chairman to forward the winning entry to the Division Chairman by June 1. Label as Unit Award.

Commitment Award
An award presented to a Junior Group in each Division reporting the most outstanding service project in the Community. The report is to be in narrative form typed, double -spaced, 1,000 words or less, describing the service project ad and volunteer activities of the Junior Group. Entry must include the Unit's name and number, name of Junior President and Advisor and the name of the Department. Department Chairman to forward winning Unit report to Division Chairman by June 1. Label as Commitment Award.

Department Program of the Year Award
An Award presented to a Department Junior Activities Chairman in each Division submitting a report describing the most outstanding Department Junior Activities Program. The report must reflect a minimum of one Junior Department meeting. Report should be in narrative form, typed, double-spaced. 1,000 words or less, describing the activities of the Department Junior Activities Chairman. Name ad address of Department Junior Activities Chairman is to be included on report. The Department entry should be forwarded to the Division chairman by June 1. Label as Department of the Year Award.

Spirit of Youth Award
A Citation Plaque will be presented to the Department that contributes the largest amount of money to the Spirit of Youth Fund by June 1, based on % of Department membership. National Treasurer to verify all donations.

Junior Auxiliary Member of the Year
In order to recognize the dedicated service, efforts and talents of a Junior member and increase Junior participation at the National Junior Meeting, the National Organization has made it possible for each Uni to submit one (1) nominee for Junior member of the Year. The rules are as follows :
  1. Only Junior Members in good standing are eligible.
  2. Current year of membership dues must be paid.
  3. Each Unit is limited to one (1) nomination.
  4. Selection should be based on the outstanding contribution the Junior has made through a program or project other than the office she is holding; based on the current year ONLY.
  5. Nominee may not have served in an appointive or elected office higher than President of her Junior Group or District Junior President.
  6. Length of membership is not a criteria.
  7. The Junior nominee will be selected by her Junior Group with the assistance of the Unit Junior Activities Advisor.
  8. Each Junior Group will submit to the Department Junior Activities Chairman the following information:
    1. Name and complete address of nominee.
    2. Narrative typed , double-spaced, not to exceed 500 words describing nominee's accomplishments during the current administrative year.
    3. Nomination must be signed by Unit Junior Activities Advisor, the Junior Group President and submitted to Department Junior Activities Chairman prior to deadline for Junior Reports.
    4. Each Department shall establish it's own judging procedure to determine who will represent them as the Department's Junior Member of the Year at the National Junior Meeting.
    5. The Department nominee's name, address and Unit affiliation should reach the National Junior Activities Chairman by June 1. A copy should be sent to the attention of the National President's Secretary, 777 North Meridian Street, 3rd Floor, Indianapolis, IN 46204, as well as to the Department Secretary. Label as " Junior Member Entry"


Award: Each recipient will be honored during the National Junior Meeting, will be allotted actual airfare or mileage; 2 days per diem and $100.00 allowance for a chaperone. Funding for this award is to be derived from the SPIRIT OF YOUTH FUND.
 

 
Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 September 2009 14:22 )