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American Legion AuxiliaryMission:In the spirit of Service Not Self, the missionof the American Legion Auxiliary is to supportThe American Legion and honor the sacrificeof those who serve by enhancing the livesof our veterans, military, and their families,both at home and abroad.For God and Country, we advocate for veterans,educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promotepatriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.American Legion AuxiliaryNational Headquarters3450 Founders RoadIndianapolis, IN 46268P: (317) 569-4500 F: (317) g American Legion Auxiliary National HeadquartersAll rights reserved. 01/2021Produced in the USAUnitGuideBookREVISED 2021A Community of VolunteersServing Veterans, Military,and their Families
UNIT GUIDEOF THEAMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARYThe American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide providesinformation, direction to desired information, and guidance tounit members about the history, mission, programs,membership eligibility, customs, and operations of anAmerican Legion Auxiliary unit, the community-levelorganization of the Auxiliary.AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARYNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS3450 Founders RoadIndianapolis, IN 46268(317) .orgRevised 2021
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How to Use This GuideThe Unit Guide, published by the American Legion AuxiliaryNational Headquarters, is a compilation of information andbest practices on a variety of topics pertinent to unitoperations. The aim of the Unit Guide is to help membersmake informed decisions about unit operations andgovernance. However, adherence to a guideline does notguarantee a successful outcome. Ultimately, unit membersmust make their own governance and operational decisionsbased on the unit, department, and ALA national governingdocuments, and their individual judgment, knowledge, andexpertise. Consult a professional parliamentarian or attorneyfor assistance interpreting your governing documents andstate law.The National Headquarters staff, National Officers, andNational Chairmen disclaim all liability for the accuracy orcompleteness of a guideline, and disclaim all warranties,express or implied, to their incorrect use. The Unit Guide,either printed or online version, may not be complete oraccurate.Because units and departments are separately chartered andoperate according to their own governing documents and thenon-profit laws governing each state, this guide addressesoperations from a general perspective only.Unit Guide users are urged to seek out newer information thatmight impact the operational recommendations containedwithin a guideline. This publication’s purpose is to help unitslocate and use the most up-to-date information from theAmerican Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters. Districtand/or department officers are available to assist you. Thedepartment is the final authority for units. Please contact yourdepartment office if you have questions or need assistance.Units are also advised to seek advice from a professionalparliamentarian or attorney to ensure compliance with Robert’sRules of Order, Newly Revised and state law.American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide3
Recommended Online ResourcesFind a Professional Registered Robert’s Rules Online Official Websitewww.robertsrules.comHelpful IconsThis icon indicates that more information can be foundon the ALA national website or elsewhere online. ThisUnit Guide, the ALA Department Operations Guide, and manyother publications and resources on programs and proceduresof the ALA may be accessed at www.ALAforVeterans.org.The national website may have more up-to-date information.Members will need to use their membership ID number tocreate a username and password to access the MyAuxiliarymember portal.Note: This icon is used to call your attention toimportant information.4American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide
Table of ContentsHow to Use This Guide . 3Recommended Online Resources . 4Helpful Icons . 4PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THEAMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY . 11ALA NATIONAL CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS . 11CHAPTER 1: HISTORY, MISSION, AND PURPOSE. 12HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY. 12MISSION AND ORGANIZATION . 13Mission Statement. 13Vision Statement . 13Purposes. 13Values . 14Organization . 14THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY EMBLEM . 15Rules Governing Use . 15CHAPTER 2: ELIGIBILITY AND MEMBERSHIP . 17ELIGIBILITY . 17TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP, RIGHTS,TRANSFERRING TO A DIFFERENT UNIT. 19Honorary Life Membership . 19Paid Up For Life Membership . 19Applications for Membership . 20MyAuxiliary Member Portal . 20Membership Cards . 21Membership Dues . 21American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide5
Payment of Back Dues . 21Membership Rights . 21Transfer of Membership . 22MEMBER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION . 22One-on-One Promotion . 22Local Mission-Related Events . 23MEMBERSHIP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. 24CHAPTER 3: THE UNIT . 29How to Organize a New Unit . 29Procedures for Obtaining a Unit Charter . 30eUnits . 31Charter Lost or Destroyed. 31Charter Cancellation . 31Cancellation, Suspension, and Revocation of Charter. 32Holding Membership Dues . 33Units and The American Legion Post . 34Recommended Unit Operations. 34Policies . 35Budgets . 36Privacy Protection for Unit Members. 38Legal Opinions/Rulings . 38CHAPTER 4: NON-PROFIT INFORMATION,COMPLIANCE, AND PRACTICES . 39Federal Compliance and Tax Laws . 40Public Scrutiny of IRS Tax Documents . 406American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide
Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN)/EmployerIdentification Number (EIN) . 41How to Obtain a TIN/EIN. 42Request Inclusion Under American Legion AuxiliaryGroup Exemption Ruling . 42Nonprofit Organization Classification 501(c)(19) . 42Tax-Exempt and Deductibility Status Are NotAutomatic . 43ALA Federal Group Exemption Number (GEN) GEN0964. 44Tax-Deductible Donations and Gifts . 45ALA Unit Structure: Nonprofit Corporation orAssociation (Unincorporated) . 45State & Local Requirement – Tax and CharityRegistration . 46Tax-Exempt Status Revocation . 47CHAPTER 5: UNIT OFFICERS . 49Duties of the Unit President . 49Duties of the Unit Vice President . 49Duties of the Unit Secretary. 49Minutes. 50Unit Permanent Records . 52Duties of the Unit Treasurer . 52Dues . 53Duties of the Unit Historian . 53Duties of the Unit Chaplain . 54Duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms . 54Requirement for Holding Office. 54ALAMIS . 55American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide7
Installation of Officers . 55Initiation of New Members . 55CHAPTER 6: UNIT MEETING . 56Conducting a Unit Meeting . 56The President as Presiding Officer. 56Example of Order of Business . 57Requirement for Voting . 58CHAPTER 7: CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT. 59CHAPTER 8: RESOLVING CONFLICT . 60PRIVATE CONVERSATION . 60Five Tips for Engaging in a Private Conversation . 60Some Helpful Phrases in Conflict Resolution . 62DISCIPLINARY ACTION. 64CHAPTER 9: CEREMONIAL UNIT PROTOCOL . 66Advancement of Colors . 66Advancement of Officers . 67Advancement of Guests . 67Seating of Guests . 67Wearing the American Legion Auxiliary Pin . 67Function of National Executive Committee person . 67Relationship Between Unit and Department . 68CHAPTER 10: UNIT COMMITTEES/PROGRAMS OFTHE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY . 69DUTIES OF UNIT COMMITTEES . 69AMERICANISM . 69AUDIT COMMITTEE . 71AUXILIARY EMERGENCY FUND . 72CHILDREN & YOUTH . 738American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide
COMMUNITY SERVICE . 74CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS . 75EDUCATION . 75FINANCE . 76ALA GIRLS STATE/ALA GIRLS NATION . 78HISTORY . 79JUNIOR ACTIVITIES . 80LEADERSHIP . 81LEGISLATIVE . 82MEMBERSHIP. 84NATIONAL SECURITY . 84POPPY . 85PUBLIC RELATIONS . 88VETERANS AFFAIRS & REHABILITATION . 90CHAPTER 11: AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARYFOUNDATION . 92TYPES OF FOUNDATION GRANTS . 92Veteran Projects Fund Grants. 92Veterans Creative Arts Festival Grants . 92Mission in Action Grants . 93Subgrants . 93WAYS TO DONATE TO THE FOUNDATION . 93CHAPTER 12: NATIONAL DIVISIONS OF THEAMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY . 96A FINAL WORD. 98APPENDIX A: SAMPLE UNIT CONSTITUTION ANDBYLAWS . 99Sample Unit Constitution and Bylaws . 100American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide9
Sample Standing Rules . 108Unit Meeting Terminology . 111APPENDIX B: FUNDAMENTALS OF PARLIAMENTARYPROCEDURE . 113Basic Parliamentary Principles . 113Common Definitions. 113Roles for Those Leading and Attending a Meeting . 114Presenting a Motion . 115Parliamentary Procedure – Frequently Used Motions. 117APPENDIX C: RESOLUTION PROCESS . 121How to Write a Resolution . 121Procedure for Presenting an Amendment . 121APPENDIX D: EMERGENCY OPERATIONS-CONDUCTING ELECTRONIC MEETINGS. 123APPENDIX E: HONORARY JUNIOR OFFICERS . 125APPENDIX F: ALA ACADEMY . 12610American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide
PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION OFTHE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARYFor God and Country, we associate ourselves together for thefollowing purposes:To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States ofAmerica; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate aone hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memoriesand incidents of our associations in all wars; to inculcate asense of individual obligation to the community, state, andnation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and themasses; to make right the master of might; to promote peaceand goodwill on Earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity,the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; toparticipate in and contribute to the accomplishment of the aimsand purposes of The American Legion; to consecrate andsanctify our association by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.ALA NATIONAL CONSTITUTION &BYLAWSThe ALA National Constitution, Bylaws and Standing Rulesare referenced throughout this Unit Guide.The ALA National Constitution, Bylaws and StandingRules can be found in the MyAuxiliary member portal ofthe national website at www.ALAforVeterans.org.American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide11
CHAPTER 1: HISTORY, MISSION, ANDPURPOSEHISTORY OF THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARYWith the cessation of World War I, the Great War, the men andwomen of the armed forces banded together in The AmericanLegion to carry forward their services to the country inpeacetime. It was only natural that the women of their familiesshould desire to continue to serve with them. The result wasthe American Legion Auxiliary.The founding purposes of the Auxiliary encompassedrehabilitation of veterans, children and youth activities,community service, disaster relief, peace, and security. Thistradition of service continues today.The establishment of an Auxiliary to The American Legion wasprovided for by the first National Convention of The AmericanLegion in 1919. By the 1920 National Convention, 1,342 localunits of this Auxiliary had been formed and intensiveorganizational efforts were authorized. The first NationalConvention of the Auxiliary was held in Kansas City, Missouri,in 1921. At that time, the name “American Legion Auxiliary”was adopted, and the first national officers elected.The Auxiliary grew from a first-year enrollment of 121,000 toapproximately 500,000 at the beginning of WWII. After thewomen of WWII families became eligible, enrollment roserapidly to a record of 1,001,545 in 1955.On July 30, 2019, the President of the United States signedinto law the landmark LEGION Act. This act opened eligibilityfor membership in The American Legion to those who servedhonorably since December 7, 1941. That same year, inrecognition of the rising number of women in military service,The American Legion opened membership eligibility in theAmerican Legion Auxiliary to male spouses of AmericanLegion members or those of deceased servicemembers whowould have been eligible for membership.In 2020, eligibility for membership was extended to include thenewly formed United Space Force, created by the NationalDefense Authorization Act of 2020 and signed into law. United12American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide
States Code now reads that the term “armed forces” meansthe Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, andCoast Guard. Those servicemembers and their families arenow authorized to join The American Legion Family.MISSION AND ORGANIZATIONMission StatementIn the spirit of Service Not Self, the mission of the AmericanLegion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and honorthe sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of ourveterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad.For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate ourcitizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, goodcitizenship, peace, and security.Vision StatementThe vision of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support TheAmerican Legion while becoming the premier serviceorganization and foundation of every community providingsupport for our veterans, our military, and their families byshaping a positive future in an atmosphere of fellowship,patriotism, peace, and security.PurposesIn fulfillment of our mission, the American Legion Auxiliaryadheres to the following purposes: To support and advocate for veterans, military, andtheir families.To support the initiatives and programs of TheAmerican Legion.To foster patriotism and responsible citizenship.To award scholarships and promote quality educationand literacy.To provide educational and leadership opportunitiesthat uphold the ideals of freedom and democracy andencourage good citizenship and patriotism ingovernment.American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide13
To increase our capacity to deliver our mission byproviding volunteer opportunities within ourcommunities.To empower our membership to achieve personalfulfillment through Service Not Self.ValuesOur statement of values is predicated on the foundingpurposes: Commitment to the four founding principles: justice,freedom, democracy, loyalty.Service to God, our country, its veterans, and theirfamilies.Tradition of patriotism and citizenship.Personal integrity and family values.Respect for the uniqueness of individual members.Truthful, open communication in dealing with the publicand our members.Adherence to the adopted policies and rules.OrganizationThe American Legion Auxiliary is incorporated in the state ofIndiana as a nonprofit organization classified by the InternalRevenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(19) veterans organizationauxiliary because our purpose is to serve veterans,servicemembers, and their families. The Auxiliary also has a501(c)(3) foundation to facilitate the donation process andensure the mission of the organization continues.The Auxiliary organization (i.e., local, state, and national)parallels that of The American Legion. The Auxiliary isorganized in units (local), departments (state), and the nationalorganization. A member of the Auxiliary is a member at theunit level, the department level, and the national level. Portionsof a member’s dues go to support all three levels of theorganization. The American Legion Auxiliary NationalHeadquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, as is theheadquarters of The American Legion.14American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide
THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY EMBLEMThe emblem of the American Legion Auxiliary is our badge ofdistinction and honor. It stands for God and Country and thehighest rights of all mankind. It consists of several parts withdistinct meaning. The rays of the sun that form the backgroundstand for the American Legion Auxiliary principles of Loyalty,Justice, Freedom, and Democracy, and dispelling thedarkness of violence, strife, and evil. The unbroken circle ofblue represents Unity and Loyalty. The field of whiteexemplifies the hope of Freedom. The star of blue is theemblem of service in war; it is no less the emblem of service intime of peace.Rules Governing UseThe American Legion Auxiliary emblem is fully copyrightedandpatented. The use of the emblem by an individual Auxiliarymember is limited to the wearing of the official insignia and tothe possession of authorized jewelry or merchandise bearingthe insignia. To obtain approval to use the emblem, you mustsubmit a form that can be found on the national website. Unitsmay only use the emblem on stationery, unit publications,notices, posters, place cards, or items of similar characterused in the ordinary conduct of legitimate unit business.Departments and programs of the American Legion Auxiliaryare similarly limited. Any other use of the name “AmericanLegion Auxiliary” or the emblem shall be subject to theapproval of the national executive director. These restrictionsapply equally to the emblems of The American Legion, Sons ofThe American Legion, and American Legion Riders.Any merchandise intended to bear the name or emblem of theAmerican Legion Auxiliary not ordered from American LegionFlag & Emblem Sales requires authorization by the AmericanLegion Auxiliary. A request for permission to use thetrademark may be downloaded from the national website. Itshould be submitted to the department secretary/executivedirector who will approve and forward it to ALA NationalHeadquarters (NHQ). Proceeds from items purchased throughAmerican Legion Flag & Emblem Sales benefit our veterans,the military, and their families, and units are encouraged toorder within the Legion Family.American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide15
Visit the MyAuxiliary member portal to download abranding guide and the “ALA Emblem Use ApprovalRequest Form.”16American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide
CHAPTER 2: ELIGIBILITY ANDMEMBERSHIPELIGIBILITYEligibility for membership in the American Legion Auxiliary isdetermined by The American Legion. Membership in theAmerican Legion Auxiliary shall be limited to the:(1) Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and directand adopted female descendants of members of TheAmerican Legion; and(2) grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and directand adopted female descendants of all men andwomen who served in either of the following periods:April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918, and any timeafter December 7, 1941, who being a citizen of theUnited States at the time of their entry therein servedon active duty in the Armed Forces of any of thegovernments associated with the United States duringeither eligibility periods and died in the line of duty orafter honorable discharge;(3) grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and directand adopted female descendants of all men andwomen who were in the Armed Forces of the UnitedSates during either of the following periods: April 6,1917, to November 11, 1918; and any time afterDecember 7, 1941, who served on active duty in theArmed Forces of the United States during eithereligibility periods and died in the line of duty or afterhonorable discharge; and(4) to those women who of their own right are eligible formembership in The American Legion.A woman who is eligible for American Legion membership iseligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary regardless ofwhether she is a member of The American Legion. However,eligibility of her female relatives (sister, mother, grandmother,grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter) depends uponher membership in The American Legion.American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide17
In 2019, The American Legion voted to change the eligibilitywording from “wife” to “spouse,” allowing the male spouses ofAmerican Legion members and the spouses of deceasedveterans who served during the expanded eligibility timeperiod to join the American Legion Auxiliary.The IRS regulation concerning veterans organizationauxiliaries states in part that its members are spouses ofveterans or related to a veteran within two degrees ofconsanguinity representing the most distant allowablerelationships (for example, grandmother, mother, sister,daughter, granddaughter).This means that no great- or great-great-granddaughters canjoin the Auxiliary. Current members whose eligibilityrelationship is great-granddaughter, great-great-granddaughteror direct descendant can continue being a member, as long astheir dues are kept current.Each unit of the ALA is responsible for verifying eligibility anddeciding its membership, as provided in the ALA NationalBylaws. However, this responsibility is subject to therestrictions of the national governing documents.NOTE: While the DD-214 is the most common militarydocument used to verify a service member’s militaryrecords, additional official military documents are acceptable: Official military orders Official military service citations/awards Letters on official government letterhead related tothe veteran’s military service Certificate from the U.S. Department of VeteransAffairs records center in St. Louis Data from the back of older dischargesDD-214 discharge papers can be requested online byvisiting www.archives.gov.Once eligibility is established, applicants who meet theeligibility requirements may seek membership in an Auxiliaryunit. A member of a unit is also a member of the department(state) and the national organization.By payment of dues to the unit, a member also contributes tothe support of their department and the national organization.18American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide
TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP, RIGHTS,TRANSFERRING TO A DIFFERENT UNITThe only authorized form of membership is activemembership, of which there are two classes: Senior andJunior. Granting special or honorary membership to anyonenot eligible for membership for any purpose or reasonwhatsoever is prohibited. Units can give Honorary LifeMembership in their units to those eligible for membership.Senior members are those who are age 18 or older and thoseunder the age of 18 years and married.Junior members are defined in the ALA National Constitutionas under the age of 18 years whose activities shall besupervised by the Senior membership. Upon reaching the ageof 18 years, Junior members are automatically admitted intoSenior membership with full privileges. The voting age of 18years for members of the American Legion Auxiliary wasadopted at the National Convention in Boston in October 1930.Honorary Life MembershipThis distinction was created for units that confer Honorary LifeMembership on outstanding members. Each department shallestablish its own rules for conferring Honorary LifeMembership and certification of these memberships.Remember: Honorary Life Memberships are not the same asPaid Up For Life (PUFL) memberships. Honorary lifeMemberships are paid by the unit and cannot be processed atNational Headquarters. They should be processed as aregular renewal. Units should submit requests to theirdepartment to designate a member as an Honorary LifeMember. This will prevent the member from receiving futurerenewal notices.NOTE: Honorary Life Membership may not betransferred from unit to unit or department to department.Paid Up For Life MembershipAny member in good standing whose membership dues arepaid for the current year may become a Paid Up For LifeAmerican Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide19
member (PUFL). The unit secretary must verify themembership status and sign the application before it can beprocessed. This one-time lump sum payment is based on theage of the applicant and the member’s current annual dues.Once approved, the member will never again pay annual dues.Obtain a PUFL application at www.ALAforVeterans.org.Applications for MembershipEvery applicant for membership in the Auxiliary must completean individual membership application as proof of eligibility.Membership applications may be completed in paper form oronline.When members join online, they are automatically placed intoa holding unit--the Department Headquarters’ unit of the statethey designate on their mailing address. Members may thentransfer to a unit in their area. Contact your departmentheadquarters for assistance in locating a unit in your area.To join online go to www.ALAforVeterans.org.MyAuxiliary Member PortalUsing MyAuxiliary, the member portal on the national website,members can now view the following information aboutthemselves: The unit they belong to
citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace, and security. Vision Statement The vision of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion while becoming the premier service organization and foundation of every community providing supp
