FAMILY SUPPORT POD EDUCATION AMERICANISM COMMUNITY SERVICE CHAPLAIN 1

2 EDUCATION Kathy Dungan National Chairman

Objectives Promote education for military children Educate school administrators about the unique mental health issues military children face Veterans in the Classroom programs at your local school Assist veterans pursuing higher education and vocational education 3

Scholarships 4  Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship  Non-Traditional Scholarship  Spirit of Youth Scholarship  TAL: Samsung Scholarship

AWARDS - Unit 5  Most Outstanding American Education Week Program  Most Outstanding Literacy Program  Most Outstanding Scholarship Program  Most Outstanding Veterans in the Classroom Program  Honoring the Service of our Military  Give 10 to Education Department Award:  Most Outstanding Overall Department Education Program

Resources 6 Scholarship applications at The American Legion’s college scholarship resource, Need A Lift? at Emblem Sales online for educational products at Free Educational resources - contact the Americanism and Children & Youth Commission of The American Legion or visit their website at “How To” sheets for the 4 objectives at

AMERICANISM Promote patriotism and responsible citizenship 7

OBJECTIVES Encourage patriotism Promote Flag etiquette education Support participation in The American Legion Americanism programs 8

Encourage Patriotism Yellow Ribbon Integration Program Troop deployment and welcome home ceremonies Observe patriotic holidays Pocket Flag project Get Out The Vote Kids Voting USA Americanism Essay Contest 9

Support Flag Etiquette and Flag Education Flag history Flag etiquette Flag disposal ceremony Support the Flag amendment 10

Promote participation in The American Legion programs American Legion Baseball Oratorical Contest Junior Shooting Sports 11

Contests Americanism Essay Contest: “What Freedom do I enjoy the most?” Department Award: Most Outstanding Overall Americanism Program Dorothy Pearl Plaque: Unit award for the Most Outstanding Americanism Program targeted to children and youth Junior Americanism Award: award to the Junior group reporting the Most Outstanding Americanism Program 12

Americanism Resources –Plan of Action –Essay Contest and cover sheet –How-To sheets –Flag etiquette –Flag Advocacy –Americanism brochures –Voting

COMMUNITY SERVICE 14 Mobilize The American Legion Family, the veteran and military community, and the general population of the community to provide service to benefit veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

OBJECTIVES Develop, implement and monitor community-wide service activities that aid veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Develop, implement, and monitor community service activities that promote economic security for veterans, servicemembers, and their families. 15

AWARDS 16 Unit Award: Most Outstanding Overall Community Service Program Department Award: Most Outstanding Overall Community Service Program Senior Volunteer of the Year: Outstanding Community Service Junior Volunteer of the Year: Outstanding Community Service one AWARD EACH in each Division

RESOURCES 17 Plan of Action “How To” Sheets  Appendix of Plan of Action - 3  “Support Tools” tab

CHAPLAIN “A GOOD LISTENER – TUNING IN” 18

Express, by word and action, our founding principle of service to God and Country  Provide spiritual and emotional guidance when needed or requested lending dignity and respect to whatever the occasion may be.  Celebrate diversity among people and faiths. 19

It is the objective of the Chaplain to:  Reconnect with the heart of God, the Master of might, and promote our founding fathers’ desire to create one nation under God.  Act as spiritual ambassador of the organization. 20

COMMUNICATION  Increase awareness of the actual wording of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, with regard to religious expression.  Educate members on awareness of the diversity of all faiths and cultures.  Provide and promote emotional and spiritual support to, The American Legion Family by sending s, prayers, etc… 21

 Take responsibility for all invocations, benedictions and memorial services for deceased members at official meetings.  Recommend educational materials that promote a spirit of unity and love.  Schedule spiritual events throughout the year providing fellowship time and spiritual growth. e.g ceremonies, Chapel of Four Chaplains Services, Memorial services, etc. 22

FOUR CHAPLAINS  Encourage Units, Districts and Departments to hold a Four Chaplains Service.  Ceremonies are usually observed on the first Sunday in February, as the actual event took place in the early morning hours of February 3,  Invite other Units, Districts, etc. to come and share the remembrance.  See handout for further details. 23

RESOURCES  Unit Handbook  Guidelines for National Chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary  Chaplains’ Prayer Book of the American Legion Auxiliary  Handouts provided 24

National President’s Prayer Book All Department Presidents, Chaplains and any other officers wishing to provide a prayer or devotional thought to the National President’s Prayer Book, please send in the body of an or with a word attachment to: Please include Name, Title, Department, and Unit name and number. If submission is copyrighted, please include the name of the original author. Deadline: June 15, 2013! 25

REPORTING FOR ALL PROGRAMS: Mid – Year – end December/beginning January Year – End – beginning of June Actual dates in the Plan of Action. Please note that the Year End Reports and Award deadlines are the same date JUNE 1 st 26

Putting it all together: See How-To Guides 27