In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Youth Development Pod

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Girls State Martha Corriher National Chairman 2

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Objectives to Success Objectives: To utilize the Internet and social networking sites to increase visibility and viability of the ALA Girls State program and obtain 3,500 ALA Girls State Facebook “likes” by July To instill in all ALA Girls State citizens a commitment of volunteerism and an awareness of the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission. To continue to attract participants and grow ALA Girls State programs by keeping them relevant and current and to encourage departments to increase scholarships/funding for their Girls State programs. 3

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country 4 After Girls State, What’s Next? Girls Nation Session late July 2013 in Washington, DC High School Senior Year College Applications Scholarship Applications – State and National Selection of Girls State Junior Counselors ALA future members Resources (college credit) ALA Girls State Program and Operations Guide ALA Girls State Facebook page ALA Girls Nation Facebook page All ALA Department Girls State Chairman/Director

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Junior Activities Marie Goede National Chairman 5

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Junior Activities 6

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Objective #1 To encourage participation in service projects that serve our military, veterans and their families.

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country 8 Action Steps Adopt-A-Soldier Adopt-A-Child of deployed servicemember Care packages Veterans/VA Christmas Gift Shops National Veterans Creative Arts Festival Volunteer at your local Operation: Military Kids or the VA Pocket Flag Project VA&R Volunteen – Field Services, Home Services Babysit for deployed soldier’s spouses Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project Volunteer at a Fisher House Invite friends or family members when you volunteer Much, much more

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Objective #2

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Action Steps Post information about the National President’s Scholarship on your social networking sites and/or Department website. Distribute scholarship information to your local high school counselors and/or school districts, youth organizations and churches. Promote the scholarship to your friends and family members and get them to tell five of their friends or family members. Communicate!

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Objective #3

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Action Steps Have Junior members teach Unit and Department leaders the basics of and Internet. Junior members help create and educate Unit and Department leaders about social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. Have Junior members work with Unit and Department leaders to create and maintain ALA websites. Teach and actively ALWAYS practice Internet safety

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Resources Plan of Action Junior Activities Handbook Junior Leadership Course Junior Patch Program Junior Activities Chairman Guide Junior Activities Brochure And so much more All available at ALAforVeterans.org

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children and Youth Sharon Conatser National Chairman

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Program Objective 1 : Develop, implement and monitor programs and activities that contribute to the physical, mental and emotional health and wellness of military children and youth.

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Participants could include: Give an Hour Military parents Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers & Sisters School counselors, teachers, etc. Guard/Reserve Family Readiness Group Reps Operation: Military Kids Representatives Others from your community

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Develop and implement public awareness to increase community support of military children

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Sponsor community events and gatherings that bring military and non-military families together. unit-hosted dinners game nights community fairs charity walk/runs, etc.

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Implement public awareness campaigns newsletter stories news releases discussions on social networking sites (i.e., Face book, Twitter, blogs, website postings), etc.

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Host fairs to introduce military families to mental health and social support resources and services in your community Introduce military children to the Auxiliary Junior program and American Legion youth programs.

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Assist the military families in utilizing the ALA Gateway to Services website and American Legion site for assistance active_duty_military_families/Pages/default.aspxhttp:// active_duty_military_families/Pages/default.aspx

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Recruit Auxiliary, Legion, Son and Rider members to participate in: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America Military Mentoring Program Boys and Girls Club of America Military Programs Operation Military Kids

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Program Objective 2: Department or Unit Innovative Activity

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Auxiliary Departments and Units, along with their Legion Family can undertake a military Children & Youth program or activity other than a national supported program. The activity should be innovative in nature or responsive to an explicit unmet need among military children and youth.

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Some activities might include: Sponsor a “You’re My Hero” event Host a movie and popcorn night for teens or a board game activity Collect and distribute movie passes Provide prom dresses for military teens Determine if there are homeless veterans in your community and plan activities for their children Other suggestions???

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program OPERATION PURPLE Offers a free week of summer camp fun to military kids with parents who have been, are currently, or will be deployed

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program OPERATION PURPLE Began in with 12 camps serving 1,000 children Now serving over 45,000 military children and teens

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program OPERATION PURPLE 2012 Camps were held in 15 states Host camps chosen annually Locations change from year to year Website: Click on Operation Purple link on right

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Program Objective 3: Support the implementation of Children &Youth programs of The American Legion

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Visit The American Legion website for information on Missing Children, Halloween Safety, Gateway Drugs, Suicide Warning Signs and other Legion youth programs What are activities being done in your unit or post with American Legion programs?

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program The Auxiliary is still promoting Youth Hero Award and Good Deed Award

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Youth Hero Award A national award for youth, under 18 years of age, who perform a heroic act of physical valor. Awarded 33 in

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Children & Youth Program Good Deed Award An award for youth, under 18 years of age, who do not meet the Youth Hero Award criteria but who are great examples of community service. 139 given in

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Resources Operation: Military Kids (American Legion Family National Partner) Big Brothers Big Sisters: Boys & Girls Clubs of America: The American Legion Children & Youth Programs: The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation: See program page on for additional resources. 35

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country American Legion Child Welfare Foundation Dedicated to the betterment of children

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Fast Facts Incorporated in 1954 Separate corporation with nine member board Over $11.4 million granted to date All donations used for grants Provides assistance to nonprofit organizations to educate public about the needs of special children

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Fund Raising Ideas ????? YOUR IDEAS!

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Just imagine… If all our Posts, Units & Squadrons annually donated $1 per member to the foundation, just imagine the good we could do. Participate in the 100% per capita Banner Program.

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Fundraising & the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country Youth Development Pod Thank you for this opportunity….Do you have any questions?