Leona McDermott
2016-2017 National Membership & Leadership Ambassador
Membership & Leadership: What You Need to Know
WOW! What an outstanding job you are all doing! As of January 31, 2017 our membership stands at 97.51% and we have eight Departments who have now reached 100% plus. Congratulations to the following Departments:
- Alaska
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Ohio
- Vermont
For the seventh consecutive month we are running ahead of last year’s membership numbers – I am so proud of all of you for that! Don’t forget the Be My Valentine Membership Incentive which ends on February 15. Each Department that reaches 100% plus in membership transmitted to National Headquarters by that date will earn a $100 gift card for the Department President to be awarded at the National Mid-Year cruise.
Just one more member does matter! If every member of your Auxiliary recruited just one member, your Auxiliary would grow, the number of members who attended your meeting would likely grow and what your Auxiliary could accomplish to assist our veterans and their families would increase – it is a win-win for everyone. Every one of us knows as least one person who is eligible to join the Auxiliary; if you never ask the person to join, it won’t happen.
We continue to get many questions regarding former members of the Men’s Auxiliary who want to join us – so here is what you need to know:
Former Members of Men’s Auxiliary Who Wish to Join the Auxiliary – Former members of the Men’s Auxiliary who wish to join the Auxiliary are not transfers. The individual must complete a New Member Application Form and must provide proof of eligibility just like any other new member unless they are coming into the Auxiliary under a VFW member to the VFW Post affiliated with the Auxiliary to which they are applying; in which case all that is needed is the VFW member’s name, relationship and ID number. There are NO exceptions. We certainly want to recruit as many of these individuals as possible; however, we must follow the proper procedures.
There are five months left in our membership year. Don’t lose your momentum. Don’t lose your focus. I believe we will reach 100% plus in membership this year – one member at a time!