The Game is On: Building Stronger Auxiliaries

The game is on!

It’s time for all of us to start our season on a high note. My suggestion for dealing with all the aspects of this Program is to study the many aspects of keeping Auxiliaries strong as well as being on the lookout for opportunities to organize new auxiliaries.

To accomplish this, we need to learn from proven successes and turn those examples into models we can follow. Revitalization should be KEY for a new term. The old “That’s the way we always did it” should be gone and forgotten. This is a new year with fresh ideas. Don’t be afraid to offer ideas to keep your members involved and interested in the activities going on. Don’t discourage any person or idea. Remember, everything can be taken into consideration, and you may be surprised to find some new and refreshing ways to keep your Auxiliary vital.

Make a new friend. While this may sound simple, many of us tend to stay within familiar groups. Take time to get to know others in your Auxiliary. Some members may hesitate to speak up or share ideas when the same people are always at the forefront. There are really several ways you can achieve success. In order to encourage Posts to consider an Auxiliary you should be able to offer examples of the benefits of having one. It is important that you maintain a good relationship with the VFW. You can’t promise that you can be an asset if your Auxiliary isn’t one!

A look back at Auxiliaries that have failed indicate how mistakes can be made. Know your information before you set out to contact posts without Auxiliaries. Things that occurred in the past can often be the reason for there not being an Auxiliary in place. Do some background work about the how’s and why’s of defunct auxiliaries. Times and people change. You may be able to help to reorganize new and improved Auxiliaries.

Make sure to keep up with new developments and welcoming. Keep petty differences to a minimum (or a minus). Not everybody is the same, but we all belong for one thing… our veterans, our service members, their spouses, their widows and their children. Let’s keep our hearts and our minds open and we will succeed.

Liz Hellams

Departmentt Chief of Staff