Leadership means mentoring and helping others to stay mission-focused and leading by our guiding principles.

The American Legion Auxiliary is a national organization with its own charter whose mission is to support The American Legion, veterans, children and youth and communities. It is a 501(c)19 non-profit business which must meet federal requirements to continue as a non-profit. It has its own Constitution and Bylaws and is organized into 50 state Departments and also Departments in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

Leadership is the least understood and yet the most critical program of the Auxiliary next to membership. A good leader can set the tone for the whole organization. Although we work with Veterans & military all the time, the Auxiliary is a volunteer organization. Regardless of title, leaders are not “the Boss”, servant leadership is a necessity.

Leaders put the organization first and take care of their people to lead them. In the military tradition: “Leaders eat last”. A large part of being a good leader is mentorship and guiding our members to the information and educational resources available from our national organization.

One of the best resources available is ALA Academy which is ALA National’s online library of courses offered to strengthen ALA members’ knowledge of the guiding principles of our organization.

ALA Leadership: Living Our Motto of Service Not Self: reviews what it means to be a leader and that leadership is not only a title - it is helping others to stay mission-focused and leading by our guiding principles.