Department of North Dakota
Peggy Moran – Chairman
education@ndala.org
Scholarships – *Please scroll to the bottom of this page for additional scholarship information *
National Scholarships – Deadline is March 1, 2025
Department Scholarship 2024 – Deadline is April 1, 2024
As was stated in a previous article, the Department of North Dakota’s Education Program Scholarship application is now due to me no later than April 1, 2024.
Past Presidents Parley nursing scholarship applications are due to the Past Presidents Parley Chairman by April 1, 2024.
Feel free to contact me at education@ndala.org or by telephone at 701-462-3919. I will try to answer any questions you may have.
Happy Spring!
Peggy Moran
Education Chairman
2023 Department Scholarship Winners
The American Legion Auxiliary believes that the more knowledge our young people gain, the better citizens they will become. That is why the organization is so committed to education. Investing in the education of our young people is investing in the future of our country.
Time and again we hear about the difference an American Legion Auxiliary scholarship has made in a person’s life, providing unimagined experiences and opening up a world of opportunities. The Auxiliary supports a number of scholarship programs that benefit veterans, the children of our veterans, and the members of the organizations within The American Legion Family. (credit: ALAforVeterans.org)
The following scholarships are available:
2024 Department of ND Education Program Scholarship for disbursement during 2024-2025 academic year
This scholarship application is due by April 1st, 2024. It is awarded to worthy applicants that attend a college, university or trade school in North Dakota. Affiliation with the American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary is not required. The $500 award is paid out by March 1, 2025, to the school of choice after the applicant can verify enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.
Contact Peggy Moran, Education Chairman, with questions at 701-315-0568.
2024 Nursing Scholarship application for disbursement during the 2024-2025 academic year
This scholarship application packet is due by April 1st, 2024, and is paid out during the spring of 2025. It is awarded to a worthy applicant that is pursuing a degree in the nursing field. Affiliation with a veteran is required. Affiliation with the North Dakota American Legion family is required in some cases. The scholarship award is in the amount of $500.
Contact PPP President Sharon White Bear at 701-799-3107 or parleypresident@ndala.org for more information.
2024 Dr. Grace Holmes, MD, Nursing Scholarship application for disbursement during the 2024-2025 academic year
Proceeds from the sale of Dr. Holmes book ‘North Dakota Nurses Over There, 1917-1919’ are being used for the $1,000 scholarship to worthy applicants pursuing a degree in the nursing field. Due date is April 1st, 2024, and the scholarship money will be disbursed in the spring of 2025. Affiliation with a veteran is required. Affiliation with the North Dakota American Legion family is required in some cases.
Contact PPP President Sharon White Bear at 701-799-3107 or parleypresident@ndala.org for more information.
The above is a small taste of what is available on the national Auxiliary website under scholarships. Please visit www.legion-aux.org/scholarships/ for more information and the applications. READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. Some of the scholarships require a local unit sponsorship. Apply through your local Auxiliary unit and they will pass the application along to the Department Secretary and Education Chairman. Please contact Peggy Moran, Education Chairman, for information at 701-315-0568 or email education@ndala.org. To find a unit in your area, contact the Department Secretary at 701-253-5992.
April 2024
March 2024
January 2024 Unit Mailing
December 2023 Winter Conference Mailing
November 2023 General Mailing
November Scholarship Mailing
October 2023 General Mailing
August 2023 Unit Mailing
Welcome to Department Convention 2023!
Georgette Dorval, President of William C. Blair Unit 144 of Belfield is serving as Chairman of the 2023 American Legion Auxiliary Department Convention to be held in Bismarck on June 23-25. Meetings will take place at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center located at 800 South 3rd Street. Georgette along with members of Unit 144 and Joseph E. Appert Unit 126 of Hazelton welcomes the American Legion Family. They will serve as registrars and greeters when you arrive. Come join us as we celebrate 102 years of service for the American Legion Auxiliary. Enjoy your stay in Bismarck!
Past Department President Sandra Petermann preparing for meetings at Convention.
Current Department President Gloria Covert (left) during installation with Past NW Division Vice President Judy Twete (right).
Three past department
presidents honored at Convention memorial service: Rosella (Rosie) Weber, Myrna Ronholm
and Marjean Boe.
Past Department Presidents at 2024 Winter Conference – back (l-r): Judy Twete 2001-02 (NW Division National Vice President 2015-16), Marlys Aubol 2013-14, Jeannie Román 2018-19, Marlene Boyer 2015-16 (NW Division National Vice President 2022-23), Tammy Ryberg 2004-05. front (l-r) Sandra Petermann 2022-23, Charlotte Lassonde 2007-08, Beverly Wolff 2002-03 and 2020-21, Lualice Stockert 1995-96, Diane Kraemer 2016-17.
American Legion Oratorical Contest Winners (l-r): National Auxiliary President Vicki Koutz, National LegionVice Commander Glenn Wahus, Contest Chairman Mike Weyrauch, 1st place winner Casey Kruger of Valley City, 2nd place winner Eva Rykowsky of Mandan, 3rd place winner Malachi Dilse of Scranton, 4th place winner McKenna Wilke of Cando, and National Leading Candidate Daniel Seehafer.
Past Department President Sharon White Bear (2021-2022) (left) , and sister Danile Henry present National President Vickie Koutz with a star quilt hand made by members of Joseph White Hawk-Elmer Bear Unit 253 of White Shield.
Northwestern Division National Vice President Marlene Boyer and National Auxiliary President Vickie Koutz receive warm North Dakota head gear from the American Legion Department of North Dakota.
District Presidents with Department and National President: (l-r) Gigi Moore, District 10; Brenda Ekness, District 9; Lualice Stockert, District 7; Linda Siewert, District 6; Vickie Koutz, National President; Sandra Petermann, Department President; Peggy Moran, District 5; Jane Schoonover, District 4; Sandra Smith, District 3; Shelley Schuster, District 2; and Berniece Froiland, District 1.
Gold Star Mothers (l-r): Joyce Mehrer, Harriet Goodiron, National Auxiliary President Vickie Koutz, Sheila Richter, Adi Reiss.
2021 Department Organizational Meeting
July Organizational meeting for Department Executive Committee. Pictured (back l-r): District 1 President Berniece Froiland, District 3 President Sandy Smith, Department Secretary Marcy Schmidt, Past Department President (PDP) Marlene Boyer, Past Department Treasurer Annette Zeller, Past Finance Board Chairman and PDP Marlys Aubol, Department Vice President Gloria Covert, District 8 President LoAnn Dick, Current Department Treasurer Sonnie Otto, District 9 President Brenda Ekness, Department President-Elect Sandra Petermann. (front l-r): Current Finance Board Chairman and PDP Diane Kraemer, Department President Sharon White Bear.
Participants in Winter Conference Memorial Service: (L to R): Gloria Covert, District 3 President; Marcy Schmidt, Department Secretary; LoAnn Dick, District 8 President; Gigi Moore, Past Department President; Peggy Moran, District 5 Vice President; Berniece Froiland, District 1 President; Kathy Tuma, District 2 President; Rose Laning, District 7 President; and Joan Lasher, District 4 President.
A Memorial Service honoring deceased Auxiliary members was officiated by Department Chaplain Sandra Petermann at the 2020 Winter Conference on Saturday, January 25. District Presidents and Department Officers read the names of 230 members, including three Past Department Presidents, who passed away in 2019. Our departed members are missed by their families and their units and we appreciate their past loyalty and commitment to the American Legion Auxiliary and its mission to support veterans and their families.
Submitted by Department Chaplain Sandra Petermann
Winter Conference Documents
I recently attended the Winter Conference in Bismarck. The event was hosted by the Gilbert S. Furness Post 40 of Mandan and they extended great hospitality to all the attendees. Thank you all for your hard work to make it a very enjoyable two days.
I will include a few notes from the conference. There were 65 Auxiliary members who attended the conference out of 158 units in North Dakota. Thank you to the members who were able to attend. There is a lot of information shared during meetings and social time.
Judy Twete, Past Department President, gave a presentation on “How to Conduct an Effective Meeting” and “Parliamentary Procedures”. It is always good to have a refresher on these topics.
There will be a new unit guide book printed in the near future. In the meantime, you can download a copy from the National website at Unit Guide Book.
The Department Constitution is being updated and every unit will receive a copy before it is approved. Hopefully all our members will take the time to review it. It will be voted on and approved at the Department Convention in June 2021. After approval, all units will be required to update their unit constitution accordingly.
All units must file a 990-N tax-exemption form annually with the IRS in order to maintain non-profit status. If your unit hasn’t filed your tax form or you don’t know how to file, please contact the Department Office with your questions. Units must also be registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office.
All units are encouraged to promote a celebration in honor of the 100th anniversary of the American Legion Auxiliary in 2021. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate but a little something to promote the American Legion Auxiliary and make your community aware of who you are and what you do. Remember to snap a few pictures and send those to our Department Historian. Hopefully we can create an archive book of all the events in the state.
We have three units in the state that are recommended for disbandment this year. The members will be transferring to surrounding units. All three units had very low membership numbers. Please welcome those transferred members to your unit.
We need to create and maintain a good working relationship with our local posts. We need to make sure they are aware of what the Auxiliary unit is doing. If your unit needs assistance with an event, the Legion post might be willing to provide a helping hand or two.
Not everything in our daily lives or in our Auxiliary lives goes smoothly, so remember to use your sense of humor to get through the bumps.
Gloria Covert
District 3 President
Gilbert S. Furness Post 40 and Unit 40 of Mandan to host the 2020 Winter Conference
The Department of North Dakota American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary will hold their annual Winter Conference set for January 24-26, 2020 at the Ramkota Inn in Bismarck, ND. This year’s event is hosted by members of the Gilbert S. Furness Post 40 and Unit 40 of Mandan.
Essentially there are two types of reports: Narrative (your story, what was done in your own words) and Impact (hours spent, money donated). Both types of reports should be submitted at the end of the year.
Year-End Report Forms
The impact numbers (hours volunteered or spent during projects, money donated, etc.) may be reported using these forms:
Forms for Unit Members
Using the calendar year indicated on the MEMBER Year-End Impact Numbers Report:
Forms for Unit Presidents only
Contact information for District Presidents and Department Chairmen
Note to Unit Presidents – If your Unit hosts a special event such as a fundraiser for a specific veteran’s program or cause, ‘toot your horn’ and submit a Narrative Report (written as an article), along with pictures, video, identifying the participants, leaders, etc. Don’t wait until the end of the year to do so…do it right away. Submit your narrative reports to your District President, Department Chairmen, and the Department Office.
Note to Unit Presidents – Every Unit has a member who goes above and beyond what might be expected when doing work related to veterans and their community. They probably do not seek or may not receive many accolades for their efforts. Think about who in your unit fits that description and nominate them for a ‘Unit Member of the Year’ award. Forms are available at the bottom of this webpage.
Send your unit’s nomination for 2024 Unit Member of the Year Application no later than May 1 to:
Heidi Wakefield, Department Leadership Chairman (Contact List)
Forms for District Presidents Only
Contact information for District Presidents and Department Chairmen
Information for Department Chairmen
**All Department Chairmen – There is no requirement for mid-year reports for the current administrative year. These were typically done in late December/early January.
There are many awards available. To receive an award, units and members need to apply for them. Submitting a report does not mean the unit/member is also applying for an award. The National website has awards listings available at Forms. Please also check with specific Department Program Chairmen if you wish to apply for an award. They will help you get items submitted to the National office.
Unit Member of the Year – Applications on the Leadership webpage
Servicemember of the Year – Applications on the National Security webpage
Membership Award – Application on the Membership webpage
Please visit the National Website at ALAforVeterans.org for other specific awards
June 9-14, 2024 – Session at UND
Amanda Dinger – Director
ndgirlsstate@gmail.com
Quick links
Amanda Dinger – Chairman
ndgirsstate@gmail.com
Phone: 701-314-2460
Last year, Girls State board members assisted many girls in finding sponsorships for ALA Girls State. If you know of a girl that would like to attend, please let us know. Also, if you have extra funds and are willing to help a girl experience this wonderful program, drop us a line or give us a call.
We are now accepting applications for “City Moms.” If you are an American Legion Auxiliary member that would like to help out and spread the good word of our organization, then this may be the job for you!
Do you have a girl who is on the fence about going and needs someone to “seal the deal?” Or perhaps you are concerned they aren’t serious about attending. Let us know!
ALA Flickertail Girls State Information
Other Resources
Contact Information:
Amanda Dinger, Director
ndgirlsstate@gmail.com
701-314-2460
Girls State Governor
Hello everyone,
This year, American Legion Auxiliary Flickertail Girls State came with a lot of changes including me stepping into the role of Director and being in a new UND building in Grand Forks where we set up our week-long operation. Even with all of the changes, Girls State week was a huge success.
On June 10 our staff arrived and settled in. The counselors hit the ground running with training and prepping for the week. On Sunday, the students arrived. It brings me great pleasure to announce that we had 63 girls in attendance for the entire week. On Sunday evening, the girls assembled poppies as a community service project and wrote thank you cards, participated in a flag retreat, and broke the ice within their ‘cities’ by electing mayors and other city officials.
Girls State Lt Gov
On June 12, the girls participated in a flag raising before heading over to take in a wonderful city government lecture before hopping into city functioning. This functioning included some city disasters to solve and working to get their cities back on their feet. Monday was also filled with both parties composing their platforms and making some amazing campaign posters. Monday evening was filled with learning how to run for office on the state level and getting an amazing skit on parliamentary procedure.
On June 13, the girls heard from some amazing women in government who encouraged them to not be afraid, find their voices, and speak up. The afternoon found the girls at Party Conventions in which they finalized their platforms and then filled their ballots for all the positions available at the state level. Tuesday night featured a pep rally and then campaign speeches by the candidates fighting for the backing of their party. After voting was completed the successful candidates would have two different opportunities to convince their fellow citizens to vote for them.
June 14 was county function day and additional candidate campaigning before a statewide election would occur. Wednesday evening we were honored to have Department Commander Dan Brown and Past Department Commander Steve Anderson in attendance as well as 2023 Boys State Governor Hayden, Boys State staff Garret, and many other members of the American Legion for our Legion night. Each city came up with skits that were performed that evening along with having our first-ever talent show.
June 15 found the girls working on state functions all day and voting in state elections. Taryn Romfo was elected 2023 Girls State Governor, Daci Wells, Lt. Governor, and Lauren Beck and Marjorie Rue were elected 2023 Girls Nation Senators.
Graduation on the 16th was the final occasion with Abby Redfearn being named the finalist for the Samsung scholarship. Finally, everyone said goodbye to new friends made during this intense week-long event.
The Girls State staff and I are extremely proud of all the Girls State attendees and everything they accomplished at the 2023 Girls State week. As a staff, we couldn’t be happier with how well the week went.
We want to thank you all for supporting this important educational program and we look forward to prepping for next year.
Amanda Dinger
Flickertail Girls State Director
