News

Suzanne Knapp, Public Relations Chair Public Relations is an essential part of how we strengthen awareness of the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission. Every Unit has meaningful stories of service, and effective PR helps ensure those stories inspire others, attract new members, and highlight the Auxiliary’s commitment to “Service Not Self.” Showcasing Service Across Our Units Michigan Units continue to demonstrate remarkable dedication through their projects and community partnerships. Sharing these accomplishments not only honors our members’ work but also helps the public understand the impact of the ALA. Units have recently completed many successful Give 10 to Education donations for… Read more: Sharing the Story of Service

Christine Merlington, Department Poppy Chair There is sometimes confusion about the donation funds received for poppies and how those funds can be used. The easiest way to find out is to look through your Poppy Guide Book. You can purchase a guidebook from Emblem Sales. You can go to alaforveterans.org to look up the Poppy Program and print it for your own use. Please, let’s be mindful of what we choose to support with our Poppy Funds. More specifically, some of the programs and items to use your poppy funds on are as follows: There are three major National Mission… Read more: Poppy Usage Defined

Dawn Gilbert, Music Chair Music, whether you sing, hum, play an instrument or tap your foot, it gets you moving. I think most of us listen to music on our travels. It’s a soothing comfort or an energetic rhythm that keeps you awake. We mark our celebrations for birthdays and holidays with music. We use music in times of sorrow, too. It’s said that music is therapy and is being used to treat some veterans with PTSD. Try to bring music into your unit meetings or to your post. Some posts make space available for musicians or karaoke to come… Read more: Music Chair: January 2026, Therapeutic Rhythm and Comfort

Dawn Gilbert, Department Chaplain As we turn the page to a new year, January is a time for reflection, renewal, and recommitment to our mission of serving veterans, military, and their families. The American Legion Auxiliary has always stood as a beacon of support and community, and my wish is that 2026 will be no different. Hopefully, you were able to enjoy the holiday season surrounded by family and friends. I know many of our units bring the celebration of the holidays to their communities by holding parties or providing for the needs of those less fortunate. Thank you all… Read more: Chaplain’s Corner: January 2026

A Year to Remember and Build OnShannon Werner, Executive Director, Secretary-Treasurer What a busy 2025 for the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan. There are literally thousands of activities that have occurred, been addressed, resolved, changed, supported, and completed here at headquarters. Luckily, Mike and I both love a good challenge, and we don’t give up. As we enter the new year of 2026, remember this is America’s 250th Anniversary. Just imagine how many men and women served in the military to get us to this point. What situations were encountered? What were the conditions they fought in? Where did… Read more: From the Desk of the Executive Director: January 2026

Dawn Gramza, Department President 2025-2026 As we step into a brand-new year, I am filled with gratitude for the dedication and passion each of you brings to the American Legion Auxiliary. January offers us a fresh start to the new year and an opportunity to reflect on our journey, renew our commitment, and set our sights on the important work ahead. Reflecting on our accomplishments, 2025 was a year of both challenges and triumphs. Our units rallied together to support veterans and their families, spearheaded community service projects, and fostered a spirit of patriotism in our neighborhoods. Every hour volunteered,… Read more: Looking Ahead: Renewal, Reflections, and Service in the New Year

Dawn Gilbert, Department Chaplain Thank you to the American Legion Auxiliary 5th district for hosting the Chaplain’s 101 for Michigan last month at the Armory in Belmont, Michigan. Great topics by some of the presenters on forgiveness and loneliness. If you have a chance to attend one of these in the future, consider it. It’s not just for Chaplains; the topics are something that we can all learn from. As we enter the final month of the year, December brings with it a spirit of reflection, gratitude, and hope. It is a time when we gather with loved ones, honor… Read more: Chaplain Corner: December 2025

Housekeeping, Explanations, and Helpful InformationShannon Werner, Executive Director, Secretary, Treasurer I love this time of year: the cooler temperatures, comfort food, and the undercurrent of excitement for the approaching holidays. However, I know it is a very difficult period for some folks–especially our Veterans. I do my best to pay attention to those around me who may need a positive conversation, assistance, or help but never ask for it. Go out of your way to be kind and help others; you never know when a “mission possible” will change a life. Speaking of helping others, if you want to donate… Read more: From the Executive Director: December 2025

Looking Back, Moving ForwardDawn Gramza Department President 2025-2026 As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on all that we have accomplished together as members of the American Legion Auxiliary. Each month has brought new challenges, opportunities, and moments of pride – and through it all, our shared commitment to Service Not Self has guided the way. Looking back, I am filled with gratitude for every Unit, every volunteer, and every hour spent serving our veterans, military, and their families. Whether it was hosting a fundraiser, visiting a veterans’ home, supporting a military family, or simply offering… Read more: From the Desk of the President; December 2025

Being a TreasurerDeanna Cortright, Finance Chair As your Unit’s Treasurer, you are responsible for so many important items during the year. You are responsible for keeping accurate records of all income and expenditures. You must also follow any specific guidelines outlined in your governing documents regarding allowable expenses. Most expenditures require the permission of your Unit, but some could be automatically authorized in your Standing Rules or Bylaws. Some Units have specific donations that they give every year, and those could be authorized. If not specifically listed, no expenditure should be made without prior Unit approval. Occasionally, emergency expenditures might… Read more: Being a Treasurer

We’re Your ALA Girls State Committee & We’re Here to Help!Beryl Robbins, Chairman Your ALA Girls State Committee had a busy September. All of our forms have been updated and they are ready to be added to our ALA Girls State webpage at: https://michalaux.org/girls-state/. We had committee members at Fall Conference in Battle Creek, and at the Leadership Conference in Indianapolis. Another committee member attended a Grand Haven School Board meeting and presented our Samsung Scholarship recipient, McKena Twa, with a certificate. The school board also presented her with a Certificate of Excellence. Now is the time to contact your… Read more: Michigan Girls State 2026 – Let’s Get to Work

Best Practices that Make it Possible to Complete Our MissionBy Shannon Werner, Executive Director There are certain activities and actions that you can take as members to make sure we have a Mission Possible at Headquarters. We all want to work smarter, not harder. The following are the situations we see most often: Please only send one check per transmittal-this ensures proper accounting and record keeping. There is no reason to send your complete roster every time you turn in a transmittal. Please use the transmittal list provided in your membership packets. You can also print this form (and many… Read more: From the Executive Director – November 2025

Dawn Gramza, Department President2025-2026 Supporting Adaptive Sports for Veterans Welcome to November! A time to celebrate our Veterans and to be thankful for the people and things in our lives. First, let me express my gratitude to the chairpersons who gave presentations at the fall conference. What a fantastic job they did of instructing the members and officers in attendance. Thank you to the crew who decorated the room with “Mission Possible.” Those secret agents did a fabulous job. I hope you have all gone back to your Units and Districts to teach and mentor the membership. We will succeed… Read more: From the Desk of the President – November 2025

Information ShareShannon Werner, Executive Director, Secretary & Treasurer We are just getting back to work after attending the Department Fall Conference in Battle Creek, Michigan. I hope you were able to join us. It was such a great learning and networking opportunity with American Legion Auxiliary members from across the state. If you could not attend, try to connect with someone within your unit or district who was in attendance. They just may be able to provide you with information you missed. New member applications can now be entered in ALAMIS or sent to headquarters to be processed. Make sure… Read more: From the Executive Director – October 2025

2025-2026 Celebrating the FamilyWe are family, we’re all in this together. Now that I have your attention, I hope you realize this is our organization. The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and Riders are all there to honor and support our veterans. I joined the ALA because a friend invited me to a meeting, and I thought it was something to do on a Wednesday. The women I met were friendly and inviting. As I sat there, I realized it wasn’t just a social club. The women spoke of VA gift shops, helping a legionnaire,… Read more: From the Desk of the President – October 2025

As the chosen leader of your Unit or District, you should have a working knowledge of parliamentary procedure. You should be familiar with the objectives, bylaws, and other rules of the American Legion Auxiliary. You don’t have to memorize everything, but you do need to know where to find the answers. Of course, you’ll set the example for impartiality, courtesy, and obedience to rules. Check the bylaws and standing rules for specific duties of your office. In general, as President, you will be expected to: Be the official representative of your organization. Preside at all meetings of the Unit and… Read more: YOU the PRESIDENT

As the chosen second in command of your Unit or District, you should be prepared to step into the role of president at a moment’s notice. In the case of the temporary absence of the president, you’ll be expected to perform those duties. In the case of the permanent absence of the president, you’ll become the president. You should be familiar with the objectives, bylaws, and other rules of the American Legion Auxiliary. You don’t have to memorize everything, but you do need to know where to find the answers. Of course, you’ll set the example in impartiality, courtesy, and… Read more: YOU the VICE-PRESIDENT

As the person chosen by your organization to serve in the important position of secretary, you should have a good working knowledge of parliamentary procedure. Your secretarial duties are only second in importance to those of the president. The president is the head of the organization, and the secretary is its right hand. Unlike the president, the secretary forfeits no rights of membership by holding office. You’re free to make motions, debate, and vote on all business matters. Check the bylaws and other rules of the American Legion Auxiliary for specific duties of your office. In general, as a secretary,… Read more: YOU the SECRETARY

As the person chosen by your organization to serve in the important position of treasurer, you should have a good working knowledge of parliamentary procedure. Your organization has chosen you for your financial integrity and accounting ability. You are the official keeper of their funds and trustee of their accounts. When large sums of money are involved, you and the other officers who handle funds should be bonded. Check the bylaws and other rules of your organization for specific duties of your office. In general, as treasurer, you will be expected to: Be the custodian of the funds. Collect, deposit,… Read more: YOU the TREASURER

A historian prepares a narrative account of the society’s activities during her term of office, which will become a permanent part of the society’s official history. The historian’s narrative book often contains the only reference materials the organization has relating to its history. As our population has become more mobile, the requirements placed on the historian of an organization have become wider and more varied. Many officers and chairmen leave the area and no records are passed on to their successors. Therefore, the historian is expected to fill the more traditional role of a true historian. That is, a writer… Read more: YOU the HISTORIAN

Members join organizations for a variety of reasons. Seldom is it because they need to attend more business meetings. Even less often is it to demonstrate a knowledge of parliamentary procedure. Whatever the reason, they all want to be good members. Nothing gives members more satisfaction following a meeting than knowing they did the right thing at the right time. Learning a few basic rules will help avoid displaying an ignorance of customs that prevail in well-organized societies. In general, as a member, you will be expected to: Respect and abide by the objects, policies, and rules of the American… Read more: YOU the MEMBER

WOW Central Bald Eagles and Eastern Roses each collected over 3000 renewals, rejoins, or new members.  WAY TO GO! You are driving that membership, setting the path for others. Ah, but look at these departments that are over 100 members from where they were this time last year: Arizona – 541 membersCalifornia – 342 membersConnecticut – 101 membersDelaware – 170 membersFlorida – 1005 membersGeorgia – 262 membersMichigan – 1023 membersNew York – 314 membersOklahoma – 149 membersVermont- 182 members Congratulations to each department for their work and dedication to membership!  John Quincy Adams once said, “ If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do… Read more: A Message from the National Membership Chair – Septmber 24, 2025

Fiscal Year End Most of you have noticed and/or experienced the compliance to the four P’s we adhere to at the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Michigan Headquarters. Ie, policy, protocol, procedure, and personal responsibility. We must follow the path and best practices our Department Executive Committees and the National Executive Committee have outlined and provided for us to be a successful business. Some may recall the old days of missing transmittals, uncashed checks, messages (phone and email) unreturned, duplication of forms, cashed checks related to pending members left pending and ultimately being deleted from ALAMIS, incomplete/incorrect paperwork being retained… Read more: From the Executive Director – September 2025

Carol Burke, Membership Chairperson aka: General McSquawker Welcome to the 2025-26 membership year! Your Department membership team invites you to join the fun in celebrating and growing our organization. Our Mission Possible is for each and every Unit in the Department of Michigan to achieve goal membership by July 4, 2026. Our NOT very ”secret” agents (area membership chairs) will be working closely with District Presidents and District Membership Chairpersons to accomplish our definitely NOT secret mission. Join the Department of Michigan Membership Facebook page (ALA MI Membership) and the National Membership Facebook page (American Legion Auxiliary National Membership Group).… Read more: Operation – 250 Candles – Membership Article September 2025

By: Krystal A. Hall, ALA VAVS Representative The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System provides healthcare to service men and women. It is a privilege to help with their healthcare needs. The Ann Arbor Medical Center is a 1A facility, providing the highest level of care complexity. They provide sophisticated levels of care like Neurosurgery, coronary artery bypass, and laparoscopic surgery. It includes the main hospital, several outpatient clinics, the Community Living Center (CLC) providing extended care, three research buildings, five administrative outbuildings, two parking garages, and the Fisher House. The Ann Arbor System has clinics in Adrian, Canton, Howell, Jackson,… Read more: Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System -September 2025 Article

Mission Possible I am so excited for the upcoming year. I am looking forward to visiting many of you in your units and districts. I hope to receive many invitations. My theme is Mission Possible; we can all make the programs of the American Legion Auxiliary possible. I hope all our members find their passion and remember why they joined the ALA. If every member found a program they are interested in, I can only imagine what the Department of Michigan could report. My special project this year is Adaptive Sports for Veterans. I will be working with the VA… Read more: From the Desk of the President – September 2025

September 10, 2025 – The American Legion Auxiliary 5th District invites all members of The American Legion Family interested in learning how to be an effective chaplain for their Post, Unit, or Squadron.  The Michigan Chaplain Workshop will be Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9 am to 2 pm at the Army National Guard Belmont Armory, located at 1640 House Street NE, in Belmont. The following topics will be covered.  The healing power of forgiveness, a pandemic of loneliness and isolation, help for us and others, homelessness, and the basics of the Chaplain role (Chaplain 101). YOU MUST RSVP to… Read more: Michigan Chaplain Workshop Hosted by the 5th District

LANSING – (July 13, 2025) – The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan elected Dawn Gramza as their new Department President for the 2025-2026 year, at their Annual Convention at the Kewadin Hotel and Convention Center in Sault Saint Marie. Dawn is the daughter, sister, and niece of Veterans in her family.  She lives in Lapeer and has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 2009. She is a member of the Lynn C. Weeman American Legion Auxiliary Unit 514 in Temperance and in the department’s second district. Dawn is a retired nurse. She has served in her… Read more: The Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Elects a New President

East Lansing—(June 23, 2025)—In keeping with the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission, the Michigan Girls State Committee performed a POW-MIA table presentation to the 2025 Michigan Girls State delegates at the evening flag. In addition to raising and lowering the flag every day at Girls State, they also perform the POW/MIA ceremony for the delegates.  The table is then set up and displayed in the cafeteria all week for all to see upon entering. 

East Lansing – (June 23, 2025) – The delegates took the Michigan Girls State Bar Exam on Monday morning. The results were back in, and those who passed the bar exam were announced after lunch. The first meeting of the Michigan Girls State Bar Association took place Monday night. Things move fast at Girls State. Delegates who passed the bar exam and wanted to join the association attended the meeting/training. Why is passing the Bar exam important? From this point on, delegates who wish to run for a Supreme Court seat, attorney general, or other legal position must be members… Read more: Welcome to the BAR Association of Michigan Girls State

Thank you for participating in today’s training. Please click each link for the documents we will cover. Unit Transmittal Form Transmittal Paid List Fillable Form ALA Membership Application Form Member Data Form ALAMIS Application form If you need the handbook for using ALAMIS follow this link:  ALAMIS Handbook

Message from the Second Vice President Anita Mennel – April 9, 2025: “To save money on postage, I will allow the following: PUBLIC RELATIONS: for PRESSBOOK ENTRIES- may be brought to the Department Convention and turned in NO LATER THAN 3 pm on Thursday, July 10th. MUST include in the District report that submissions are being brought to the convention.”

2025 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY CONVENTION CALL The 104th Annual Convention of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Michigan, is hereby called to be held in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, July 10 to July 13, 2025. The Convention is called for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year, considering amendments to the Constitution, By-Laws and Standing Rules, receiving reports of the National Executive Committeewoman, Department Officers and Chairmen, electing Delegates and Alternates to the 104th National Convention and for the transaction of such other business as may be brought before it. REPRESENTATION ARTICLE VI, SECTION 2:  The Annual Convention… Read more: 2025 Department of Michigan Call to Convention

April 15th is PURPLE UP DAY! So, make sure you wear purple to show your support for our military children and the sacrifices they make. There are more than 1.6 million military children who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of their parents’ service. While military members serve for our country, we forget about the challenges their children may face. On average, military families relocate every 2-3 years. As a child, this can be very overwhelming. Saying goodbye to friends, support network, and new school, and making new friends. Now, add a parent who has been deployed.… Read more: From the Desk of the President – April 2025 – Spring is in the Air

This year, we have made it much easier to submit for the Salute to Servicemember Award! And with the “new and improved” criteria, there is no need for your Department to vet the submission! Any ALA member or entity can submit! Remember, this is a National award; therefore, no need to go to the extra work to have your Department turn in their one and only entry! It is our sincere hope that we are inundated with submissions! An ALA member/entity simply makes the nomination, rather than the servicemember, to effectively tell the story of why they feel this person… Read more: Submit a Nomination for the American Legion Auxiliary’s Salute to Servicemembers Award

Click here for the flyer.

The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan will conduct training on April 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the department headquarters and broadcast it through Zoom.   Topics include: Paperwork 101: We will educate and review how to properly complete updated Transmittal Forms, Transmittal Lists, New Member Applications, Member Data Forms, and ALAMIS Applications with what is required for accurate and timely processing. Navigating ALAMIS 101: We will also do a “what’s what” and “where’s where” of ALAMIS to show how the program functions for people who do not have it. How do you want to participate? VIA… Read more: American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan Training Day

The annual meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan will be held at the Kewadin Casino Resort in Sault Saint Marie, July 10 – 13, 2025. The annual meeting is when delegates from across the department come to conduct the department’s business.  Vote for new officers and any other business brought forth. NOTE:  The hotel is under renovation, and rooms are limited at the casino, but other hotels are available if the casino sells out. The registration form is below. Registration form Convention Agenda – TBD

Priorities – How are they Determined? (And what are they?) Some might say this is the slowest time of year for our organization. However, this is the busiest time of year related to our job duties here at headquarters. Department, as we are called, doesn’t just process membership and ALAMIS applications. Think of our organization as a business with the same responsibilities as any other company. Priorities are mainly determined by deadlines set forth by the Federal government, State government, the ALA National Organization and our own calendar of activities. I have tax obligations/paperwork to complete with our 3rd party… Read more: Executive Director Article – February 2025 – Priorities – How are they Determined?

The Department President IS NOT in jail, desperate for gift cards, or asking for anything else! By: Shannon Werner, Executive Director January 31, 2025 The department is aware that someone or a group of people are sending emails to members impersonating Department President Julie Becker. These emails are sophisticated since they contain her name and words from the website, trying to convince you that the email is authentic. It is not.  If you receive one of these emails, please delete it.  The department does not ask individual members for gift cards or make requests that seem time-sensitive or desperate. We… Read more: Don’t Become a Victim