Welcome to our 2025 – 2026 Auxiliary Year!
This is the year of PRIDE in our Texas Auxiliary! Our Department President Leigh-Anne Stewart has asked us to “Stand up for Veterans & Stand Proud for Texas” and that’s what we’re going to do. Of course, it all starts with MEMBERSHIP and this year we want to recover all our current members and add a few more for good luck – every member counts! We have ideas, we have programs, we have incentives and we have faith that our mission is worthy. So how do we bring Texas back as the power-house of our country? Recognizing and rewarding our members for their work; actively keeping in touch and encouraging our quieter members; regularly contacting our membership with updates and event reminders; and keeping our eye on why we’re here and what we’re doing to support our veterans, our active-duty military and our communities.
WE CAN DO THIS!
Eligibility
The backbone of any organization is its members, and the ALA is no different. We could not do what we do without our membership. But we do have rules regarding the eligibility of someone who wishes to join us. Membership in The American Legion Auxiliary is limited to the:
- grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion; and
- grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of all men and women who served in either of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918 and any time after December 7, 1941 who, being a citizen of the United States at the time of their entry therein served on active duty in the Armed Forces of any of the governments associated with the United States during either eligibility periods and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge;
- to those women who of their own right are eligible for membership in The American Legion. *
* A woman who is eligible for American Legion membership is eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary regardless of whether or not she is a member of The American Legion. However, eligibility of her female relatives (sister, mother, direct descendants) and/or spouse depends upon her membership in The American Legion.
2025 – 2026 Department of Texas Goals and Awards
Our Department Membership Committee year-end awards will include certificates for all those units that make the Department of Texas Goals plus ribbons for those units who achieve 100% membership:
- 25% by the Sons of the American Legion’s Birthday on September 15, 2025
- 60% by the American Legion Auxiliary’s Birthday on November 10, 2025
- 85% by The American Legion’s Birthday on March 15, 2026
- 100% by the United States’ Birthday on July 4,2026
Ribbons and certificates will be awarded at the Summer Department Convention along with special awards for those units reaching the highest percentage in their groups.
- Small Group 0 – 25 members (85 Units)
- Medium Group 26 – 100 members (117 Units)
- Large Group 101 – 571 (42 Units)
2025-2026 National Goals and Awards
The National Membership Goals are the same as our Department Goals:
- 25% by the Sons of the American Legion’s Birthday on September 15, 2025
- 60% by the American Legion Auxiliary’s Birthday on November 10, 2025
- 85% by The American Legion’s Birthday on March 15, 2026
- 100% by the United States’ Birthday on July 4,2026
National Membership Awards include:
Member Award: Recruit/Rejoin 10
- Award: Special gift selected by the National Membership Chairman
- Presented to: Members who recruit and/or rejoin 10 Senior and/or Junior members. Rejoined members must not have renewed since 2022 or earlier.
- Deadline: Members must be entered and paid in ALAMIS member database by June 1, 2026.
- FORM must be received at National HQ by June 6, 2026, and can be downloaded and printed through the link below. One entry per recruiter.
Member Award: Family 3
- Award: Special gift selected by the National President
- Presented to: Members who recruit 3 New Legion members, 3 New Auxiliary members & 3 New SAL members
- Deadline: Members must be entered and paid in the database by June 1, 2026
- FORM must be received at ALA National HQ by June 6, 2026, and can be downloaded and printed through the link below. One entry per recruiter.
Unit Award: 100% Unit Award
- Award: ALA Key Chain with phone stand and cleaner, 2 per unit for the unit president and unit membership chairman.
- Presented to: Units that reach 100% of their 2026 membership goal by January 31, 2026.
- Deadline: January 31, 2026
- This award will be based on units that reach 100% of their reported goals by January 31, 2026, as verified by ALAMIS.
Unit Award: New Unit Award
- Award: Unit Guidebook & ALA National Constitution & Bylaws from Emblem Sales
- Presented to: New units chartered between September 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026
- Deadline: July 31, 2026
- This award is automatically presented upon receipt and processing of new unit charter applications at National Headquarters
Dual Member of the Year Award
We feel that there are some members of our Auxiliary that need a special mention for their dedication and service, so this year we are introducing the Dual Member of the Year Award. This is open to all Dual Members of the ALA and the Legion/SAL and should recognize the nominee’s contributions to their Unit and their Post and/or Squadron. Nominations can be made by any member of the Auxiliary for any Dual Member. The Post or Squadron Adjutant should verify that the Dual Member is in good standing with the Post and/or Squadron.
To nominate a Dual Member, please use the form listed below. Every section of the form must be filled in, and nominations are due no later than May 1, 2026
Recruit the Spouses
Did you know that there are dozens of potential Auxiliary members right at your fingertips? Every spouse of a Legionnaire is eligible for Auxiliary membership – all we have to do is ASK THEM TO JOIN! What’s the worst that can happen? District Presidents, please pass this on to your Unit Presidents and encourage them to start planning now. We’ll be sending out incentives and more specific guidelines to start recruiting as many Legionnaire’s spouses as possible!
Some ideas to get the ball rolling:
- Use personal invitations! Don’t just hand out forms – make it personal with a letter, a phone call or (even better) a one-on-one visit goes a long way.
- Suggest Legionnaires invite their spouses to attend an Auxiliary Monthly Meeting or a “Coffee and Conversation” event.
- Highlight the value of being an Auxiliary member:
- Emphasize the chance to bond with others who understand the military family life
- Show how their membership helps veterans, active-duty military and children through Auxiliary scholarships
- Remind them that being a member of the Auxiliary honors their spouse’s service
Social Media
ALA Facebook Groups are safe places for discussion, sharing activities or to request assistance or support for any problems. The membership pages are for members of the American Legion Family who are committed to enhancing membership in the American Legion Auxiliary. All posts will be made “in the spirit of good will” and include the sharing of ideas and success stories that will inspire others. Photos and videos are encouraged.
You can find our Facebook National Membership page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538378623040619
You can find our Facebook Texas Membership page at https://www.facebook.com/AlaMembershipinTexas
Department of Texas Membership Committee
Our Texas Membership Committee is always on hand to support and assist our Units, Districts and Divisions in their effort to attract and retain a diverse, active membership to ensure the future of the American Legion Auxiliary. If you have any questions, please contact our 2025-2026 Membership Chair Gillian Woodstrom at gwoodstrom@woodborne.com