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, 2024.
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.
2024 Unit Member of the Year Application
Ruth with husband and Past Department Commander Carroll Quam
Ruth Quam Receives Unit Member of the Year Award
The American Legion Auxiliary Department of North Dakota is proud to announce that Ruth Quam of Wahpeton, ND, was selected as the winner of the 2023 Unit Member of the Year Award.
Ruth was nominated for this distinguished honor by Hafner-Miller-Ross Unit 20 of Wahpeton. Ruth is a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary and has served proudly for 53 years. In District 10, the Quam name is synonymous with the American Legion Family. Ruth accompanied her husband Carroll on his many travels around North Dakota and the country while he served as the American Legion Department Commander.
Ruth has served in various unit offices and currently serves as the unit’s vice president. Throughout the years, she has provided countless gallons of lemonade and dozens of cookies for the North Dakota Boys State counselor’s picnic. She has served or donated food and volunteered for unit fundraisers, community veterans programs, and dinners. Her other efforts include distributing poppies in the community, donating countless funds and personal hygiene items to the Lisbon Veterans Home and Fargo VA Medical Center, and working the ‘Give 10 for Education’ program for school students.
In addition to her involvement with the American Legion Auxiliary, Ruth is active with St John’s Catholic Church, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and Quilts of Valor. She was actively involved and served on various committees with the North Dakota National Guard Enlisted Association Auxiliary. In recent months, Ruth has provided care and support to her husband, Carroll, as he continues to recover from recent surgery.
Ruth embodies the American Legion Family’s mission of being an active member within a community of volunteers serving our veterans, active military, and their families.
Congratulations, Ruth, on a job well done!
September 2023 Message Article