An update from Dominion Command to its branches (note that items only relevant to branch executive or for Canadian branches have been removed).

Updates from National Headquarters 

February 2023   Share this email Keep your Branch informed Forward this email to your Branch Executives, Committee Members and other members to keep them up-to-date on important updates and information. All Branch emails are also available on the Member Services Website In this edition – February 2023 > The Legion comments on unspent VAC funding > Call for Dominion Member Sports Championship hosts > Queen Elizabeth II portraits in Branches > Provincial Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal > 150th Anniversary of the RCMP > 2023 Membership Committee targets > Messages from our partners The Legion comments on last year’s unspent VAC funding The Legion was surprised and concerned to learn that Veterans Affairs Canada didn’t spend nearly $1 billion of its budget last year. When asked for his views by media, Dominion President Bruce Julian stated that if this funding “remains available” in future years as reported, the Legion would like to know that it will not replace additional funding. Unused funds should be re-routed to completely eliminate the disability claims backlog – something that is taking way too long. Read more  ‣ Call for applications to host a 2025 Dominion Member Sports Championship The Dominion Command Sports Committee is calling for Branch applications to host any one of the 2025 Dominion Member Sports Championships: Cribbage: Friday 25 April – Monday 28 April 2025 Darts: Friday 2 May – Monday 5 May 2025 Eight Ball: Friday 23 May – Monday 26 May 2025 View call for applications  ‣ | Download the 2025 application  ‣ Applications by individual Branches to host the 2025 Dominion Member Sports Championships are due to their respective Provincial Commands by July 31, 2023. For more information, please contact the Dominion Sports Committee Coordinator, Steven Van Muyen, at 1-888-556-6222 ext. 224 or at svanmuyen@legion.ca The portrait of the monarch in Legion Branches The official portrait of His Majesty King Charles III has not yet been made available. The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II may remain on display at Legion Branches, with a Poppy affixed in the bottom left corner, until such time as the official portrait of His Majesty is received. At that time, the portrait of The Queen may be respectfully shredded and disposed of. Information on procurement of The King’s official Canadian portrait will be available on the Canadian Heritage Download Royal Portraits page. This process could take several months. Provincial Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal The Government of Canada recently created a new policy to recognize the use of the Provincial Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal. You can view that policy here. The wearing of the Provincial medal is authorized on Legion Formal Dress as per Section 115 of the Ritual, Awards and Protocol Manual and mounted as per the directions detailed here. 150th Anniversary of the RCMP May 23, 2023, marks the 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Visit the RCMP website for a list of upcoming events in your area as the RCMP marks this milestone. Branch Membership Administration Resources and tips to support your Membership Chair + 2023 Membership Committee targets The Membership Committee has announced its 2023 targets for our five key performance indicators as established in the Membership Strategic Plan. As membership growth in 2022 has demonstrated, continued improvement in these areas is directly related to improved membership performance. Key Indicator 2022 Targets 2022 Results 2023 Targets Renewals 89% 87.4% 89% Branch Rates 100% 97.6% 100% Branch Portal Processing 75% 72.2% 80% Member Emails / Phone Numbers 60% 55.7% 70% Auto Renewals 15% 11.3% 15% + New membership training tools Five new training videos are now available to assist in processing members on the membership website. They can be found on the Member Services Website under Branch and Command Resources/Membership. + New Digital Membership Card now available! Over 10,000 Legion Members have already signed up for the Digital Card! Members can now choose a traditional plastic card or a Digital Card. Learn about the Digital Card technical requirements, how to request a card, branch notification and more! Get all the details  ‣ Get access to Marketing and PR resources Promote membership with free Branch resources Order FREE recruitment and retention resources through the Legion Supply Department to help promote membership at your Branch. Check out our flyer  ‣ PR Tip of the Month Remember Diversity and Inclusivity When writing about or promoting projects, remember the Legion’s focus on diversity and inclusivity. Reach out to ethnic groups or related media outlets to share information. Have questions or need advice? Contact your Command Public Relations Officer or Nujma Bond, Dominion Command Communications at nbond@legion.ca Your Legion calendar Promote important dates and organize activities at your Branch with this list of upcoming days that raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate an important topic. Download the 2023 calendar  ‣ MemberPerks®: Exclusive offers and preferred pricing through Venngo MemberPerks® is more than a member benefit package. It’s also a tool Branches can use to promote membership. Plus, you can partner with local businesses in your community to offer exclusive discounts for your members. Learn more  ‣ Partner promotions The following is brought to you by our partners, highlighting special offers and other information. Special offer from Legion Magazine If you have any questions, please contact Member Services and we will be pleased to assist. 1-855-330-3344 or membership@legion.ca Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST Working together to serve Canada’s Veterans. Click here if you are having trouble viewing this message Copyright © 2023 The Royal Canadian Legion. All rights reserved. Administrative emails from Legion National Headquarters are sent to the email address on file for your local Legion Branch. If this is no longer the correct email address for your Branch, please forward this email to the new contact and request the Branch update their contact information. Our contact information is: The Royal Canadian Legion National Headquarters Member Services Department 86 Aird Place Ottawa, ON K2L 0A1 Canada Toll free: 855‑330‑3344 E-mail: membership@legion.ca