American Legion Auxiliary Junior Members
Engaging the next generation to become members in the American Legion Auxiliary is the important purpose of the Junior Activities Program.
Junior Auxiliary membership is open to girls from infancy through age 17. The Junior Activities Committee prepares girls to become active adult members of the organization by providing positive volunteer experiences that instill the ideals of the Auxiliary. These girls develop leadership skills while having fun and will hopefully become the future leaders of our organization.
National Junior Meetings
Across the country, Junior members of the American Legion Auxiliary are building their leadership skills as they carry out our mission of helping veterans, military, and their families. When these talented teens and tweens come together at ALA national Junior meetings, there is sure to be lots of laughing, singing, dancing, and idea-sharing among these new friends who feel like family. Since the meetings are held on a Saturday, Juniors won’t miss any school because the meeting is likely to be within driving distance. Any Junior attending a national Junior meeting is eligible to register to vote and run for Honorary National Junior Division Vice President. See National Meetings link on right tab.
VolunTeens
Teenage volunteers, called VolunTeens, follow in the footsteps of senior Auxiliary members by donating thousands of hours in service to our veterans. This special gift of time given by young people is one that ill or homebound veterans would normally have no opportunity to receive. From reading books to playing board games to writing letters to just spending time talking, VolunTeens provide veterans with a meaningful connection to today’s young America. Junior members who volunteer at a VA facility and have completed 100 hours of regularly scheduled VAVS volunteer service during the calendar year, prior to September 1, are eligible for the $20,000 James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship. See link on right tab under scholarships.
Juniors Patch Program
Junior members of the American Legion Auxiliary, as well as school-aged Sons of the American Legion members who often work alongside Juniors, may earn patches for activities in ALA programs, such as Poppy, Leadership, Americanism, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, and more. Participating in the Patch Program is a terrific way to be involved in learning about the Auxiliary and our Legion Family, volunteering in the community, and serving our country’s veterans.
Honorary Junior Officers
Honorary Junior officers traditionally include president, vice president, chaplain, historian, secretary, and sergeant-at-arms, and are likely to follow the structure of the unit or department. Any honorary Junior officer elected is solely an honorary, courtesy position without any formal recognition and with no official or formal duties. An honorary Junior officer must be paying dues as a Junior member for the membership year in which she is installed. Honorary Junior officers are a great way for our Junior members to learn about the ALA and our mission. Juniors could be paired with the senior officers to learn the duties and responsibilities of that office.