AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY DEPARTMENT OF DELAWARE AWARDS
Awards to units and individual members are presented at the Department of Delaware’s Convention, review the National Organizations Plan of Action in the members only section for requirements before submitting to Department Officers or Department Chairmen. You MUST meet all requirements; ineligible submissions will not be forwarded to the National Organization!
Deadlines for submissions are communicated at the Department Executive Committee Meetings. Members are encouraged to review the National Plan of Action for additional awards.
Americanism
Promoting patriotism and responsible citizenship
Billy Regan Trophy – Best Overall Americanism Program
Recipient of Billy Regan Trophy is eligible for a National Unit Award: Dorothy Pearl Most Outstanding Americanism Program Citation Plaque, announced at the National Convention
American Essay Contest
The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) sponsors an Americanism Essay Contest for students in grades 3-12 including students with special needs. Grade levels are divided into six classes and one award is presented in each division. Each year the theme of the essay changes and is included in the National Organization’s Plan of Action.
Units are encouraged to promote awareness of the American Legion Auxiliary, through stronger networking in schools, youth groups and home school associations.
The Department of Delaware awards $25 to each Class recipient and forwards essay winners to the National Organization to consideration.
National winners will receive $50, and a $50 honorarium in the student’s name will be made to the Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship fund
Review the National Americanism Plan of Action for guidelines
Chaplain
Express, by word and action, our founding principle of service to God and Country
Department Level Award Only
Chaplain of the Year
Nominated by Unit President -Exemplary performance above and beyond the normal expectations of their duties. Nominations should include some detail about how the chaplain has nurtured the spiritual life of unit members, cared for those who are ill and honored fallen veterans.
Best Prayer Book
Chaplain’s Prayer Book Requirements
Children and Youth
Protecting, caring for, and supporting children and youth
Kathy Foltz* Plaque (Most Outstanding Overall Program)
The Kathy Folz Plaque is awarded to the Most Outstanding program promoting the Children & Youth program activities. It is awarded to a unit in each division for their outstanding program
Outstanding Divisional Program
Division 1 (less than 100 members)
Division 2 (101 to 200 members)
Division 3 (201+ members)
Recipient of The Kathy Folz Award is eligible for National Citation Plaque Unit Award: Outstanding Unit Promotion of Children & Youth Activities
Review the National Plan of Action for Child & Youth for Materials and Guidelines
Community Service
Building community awareness of the ALA and its mission
Senior Volunteer of the Year
Awarded for outstanding service in at least one Community Service activity or project conducted during the administrative year. Narrative must include a summary of the nominee’s activities. You may also include pictures of the activity or project.
Recipient of Department award is also eligible for National Citation and a Gift Certificate.
Review the National Plan of Action for Community Service for Guidelines and other awards.
Education
Through classroom activities, literacy programs, scholarship promotion and support of education beyond high school
Department Education Award-None
Unit’s that sponsor scholarships are eligible for a National Citation Plaque for the Most Outstanding Scholarship Program
Review the National Education Plan of Action for Materials and Guidelines.
Historian
Historian’s purpose is to accurately record the accomplishments and significant events that occur on the department and unit level during the course of her term
Unit History Book
Unit History Book Requirements
The National Organization no longer has the Unit History Book Award. However, there are Senior and Junior Awards in the National Plan of Action.
Junior Activities
Inspiring active participation by ALA members under the age of 18
Junior of the Year
Recognized for her dedicated service, efforts and talents.
Overall Junior Activities
Demonstrate the completion of at least one action step from each of the five ideas or suggestions as stated in the Plan of Action
National Awards
Review the National Plan of Action for Junior activities awards and guidelines:
- Unit Award: Best Overall Unit Junior Activities Award
- Department Award: Junior Member of the Year
Membership
Encourage and support the nationwide effort to attract, engage and retain a diverse, active membership
Margaret Alfele Trophy – Overall Membership Renewal Effort
Divisional Awards
Division 1 (less than 100 members)
Division 2 (101 to 200 members)
Division 3 (201+ members)
Divisional awards based on the percentage of membership renewals verse total numeric goals
National Membership Awards, there are multiple monetary awards and gifts for individuals’ members and units for membership recruitment
Review the National Plan of Action on Membership!
Past Presidents Parley
All past presidents at all levels are encouraged to continue their support to the organization by accepting responsibility that the knowledge and wisdom as a past leader can make a difference in the development of one member
Member of the Year – contributions made by a valued unit member
Salute to Service Women – recognize the service of military women representing each branch of service
Department Member of the Year and Salute to Service Women recipients will be submitted to the National Organization for consideration.
Unit submission must meet the guidelines identified in the Past President Parley Plan of Action
Department Only Award and Scholarship
Women Veteran of the Year an Auxiliary member in good standing and who honorably served in the U.S. Armed Forces or Reserves. Demonstrates a track record of excellent volunteer service for veterans.
Nursing Scholarship Program assist students pursuing a degree in the nursing field. The scholarships are available from Delaware Scholarship Compendium: A Guide for College-Bound Students.
www.delawaregoestocollege.org/scholarship-compendium
Poppy
Using the image and story of the Flanders Field poppy to educate people about the sacrifices of our military service members
Miss Poppy Contest
- Little Miss Poppy (age 6 – 12)
- Miss Poppy (age 13 – 18)
Participant must submit a Miss Poppy scrapbook (8½” x11”) containing photographs and clippings illustrating how she promoted the American Legion Auxiliary poppy.
For complete guidelines see the Poppy National Plan of Action; Little Miss Poppy and Miss Poppy are eligible for National Awards
Poppy Poster Contest
Units can sponsor poppy contests in local schools, other youth groups and your junior members to raise awareness of the meaning of the poppy program among the students, as well as to inspire patriotism throughout the community. The contest have seven classes Grades 2-12 and students with special needs.
Unit’s submitting Poppy Poster to the Department Poppy Chairmen MUST follow the “Poppy Poster Requirements” as outlined in the National Poppy Plan of Action.
Department Center Piece Award
Monetary awards for the best center piece. Department Poppy Chairmen will communicate the theme
Public Relations
Promoting who we are, what we do and why we matter
Department Best Overall Press Book
Unit that achieves excellence in Promotion of the American Legion Auxiliary
Review the Public Relations National Plan of Action for Unit, Member and Junior awards.
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Enhance the lives of veterans, military and their families
Overall Program Award
Awarded to the unit chairman who conducted the best overall promotion of the VA&R program. Narrative should not exceed 1,000 words, include pictures and clippings.
Service to Veterans Hours Award
Recipients of the Overall Program Award are eligible for the National “Unit VA&R Program Awards”; additionally the National Organization has awards for Veteran Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) volunteers. Review the National Plan of Action for guidelines.