Where can you learn information that’ll help you make the most of your American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) mission work? And how about an opportunity for ALA Juniors to learn more about the Auxiliary while making new friends and having some fun?

All that can be done at Mission Training, and at National Junior Meetings, which are one-day events for ALA members. These events are held simultaneously at the same locations. There are ALA Mission Training and national Junior meetings events scheduled for Saturday, January 20, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina and Saturday, February 3, 2018 in Las Vegas. Make plans soon – the housing deadline for these events is Wednesday, December 20.

Among the topics of focus at these meetings are the Auxiliary’s core programs – including Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Also discussed is the importance of ALA’s 5-Year Centennial Strategic Plan and why it is crucial to our mission of serving veterans, military, and their families for years to come.

ALA member Deloris Artis, of California, attended her third Mission Training last year and brought two new ALA members with her. Artis said she learned just as much there as the new members she brought along did.

“I got a chance to meet Auxiliary sisters from other parts of the Western Division, and even some that weren’t from the Western Division. Hearing their stories on what they do within the organization was a great learning experience and something I plan on taking back to my unit,” Artis said.

ALA Junior Kyrsten Johnson-Gray, of Alaska, attended her first national Junior meeting earlier this year.

“My favorite part of today was meeting all the Juniors and seeing how involved they are,” Johnson-Gray said right after the event. “Back home, we don’t have as many Juniors. But here, a lot more Juniors are involved around the country. I learned that the ALA not only has a lot of activities for veterans, but they also have activities for homeless veterans who need shelter.

“I would encourage other Juniors to find an opportunity to go (to national Junior meetings),” Johnson-Gray added.

Ready to learn more about the resources available to grow the ALA mission? Register for an upcoming Mission Training/national Junior meeting here. Questions? Contact ALA National Headquarters’ Events Team at meetings@ALAforVeterans.org or (317) 569-4500.