Leadership Program
Heidi Wakefield – Chairman
leadership@ndala.org
Unit Member of the Year Application – Due May 1
The ‘Unit Member of the Year’ award recognizes members of our units who exemplify the value and ideals of the American Legion Auxiliary. Those members work hard to support their units, improve the unit’s programs, and have a positive impact on our communities.
Look for that special member in your unit that exemplifies those ideals and has not held an office higher than Unit President. Then, nominate them for the ‘Unit Member of the Year’ award.
Wouldn’t it be great if we received a nomination from every District in our state? ‘Unit Member of the Year’ nominations are due to me no later than May 1, 2025.
Have you heard about the ALA Academy? This is an incredible educational opportunity for you to learn about the Auxiliary and what we do. There are 8 main courses and many other live courses available to help mentor our newest members. I personally have completed 4 of them and I was amazed at the history of our program and the amazing individuals that made it all happen. This is a great opportunity for our Junior members to learn about the Auxiliary as well. They are the future of our program. There are even some E-courses designed specifically with our juniors in mind. You can enroll in any of the self-paced courses. I encourage everyone to try them. You will not be disappointed!
Lastly, how can you get our Junior members involved in your units? In a recent Zoom leadership meeting, we discussed the importance of mentoring our Junior members and involving them in our monthly meetings, fundraising events, preparing meals, and assisting in planning events and activities. Your juniors will amaze you with their use of technology and social media. Ask them to help with public relations and advertising your events. Juniors are our future, get them involved now. Get a few juniors excited to join our organization and they will reach out to others to help grow our membership.
Visit www.ALAforVeterans.org to learn what others are doing to involve their juniors and to familiarize yourself about programs designed for them.
Heidi Wakefield
Leadership Chairman
The Unit Member of the Year award recognizes those serving at the unit level who exemplify the values and ideals of the Auxiliary and whose accomplishments significantly impact the program work in their units.
Criteria & Selection Process
- Nominees must be a senior American Legion Auxiliary unit member (over 18) who are not currently, nor have ever been, in an elected or appointed leadership role higher than unit president.
- A narrative of 1,000 words or less describing the nominee’s accomplishments and activities must be submitted by a unit to its Department’s Leadership Chairman.
- Each Department selects one Unit Member of the Year from its submitted candidates.
- The selection of the winner is at the discretion of the Department Leadership chairman.
- Recognition of the winners occurs at the American Legion Auxiliary’s national convention.
2025 Unit Member of the Year Application
Sparrow Wins 2024 Unit Member of the Year
James Roberts Unit #124 of McClusky proudly and enthusiastically nominated Deb Sparrow for the 2024 American Legon Auxiliary Unit Member of the Year. At Department Convention, Past Presidents Parley Chairman Sharon White Bear presented a gift card and certificate to Unit 124 President Lynn Helm on behalf of Deb, who was unable to attend. Deb’s dedication to our veterans and her service were celebrated by the McClusky unit.
In their nomination, unit members described Deb as one who exemplifies the values and ideals of the Auxiliary to the utmost degree. Her impact on the program of work in the McClusky unit is without measure.
Deb further shows dedication to her community by playing organ and supporting other church projects. Deb has served on election boards and, of course, votes as is her duty as a citizen. Veterans are always on Deb’s mind when doing activities with the Auxiliary. Honesty, dependability, and responsibility are all character traits of Deb. She is respectful to all she encounters. Along with all these characteristics, Deb is a retired school speech therapist, who served children in three schools for several decades. Finally, Deb is a dedicated wife of a rancher/farmer and is an enthusiastic supporter of her children and grandchildren as well.
Deb Sparrow has held several local unit offices including secretary, historian, public relations chair, and most importantly, junior leader. With the support of our unit, she was the member responsible for the revitalization of our Junior Auxiliary. While we have always had Junior members, the group had not been active for many years. Several years ago, Deb restarted the program and gave it new energy. The Junior members have been a vital part of our program activities since then because of Deb’s leadership and encouragement. She has taught our young members patriotism by example and the Junior members have responded to this with enthusiasm. Members of the McClusky unit are proud of and grateful for Deb’s contributions to her family, community, veterans, and our unit.
Information submitted by McClusky unit members