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

December 2022   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 – December 2022 > Legion Headquarters closed over Christmas Break > It’s time for members to renew for 2023 > Promote the Veteran Family Welcome Program > Recent manual update > The Legion is combatting Veteran isolation through Operation VetBuild > Research opportunity for Veterans and families > New membership training tools are available > Messages from our partners Merry Christmas from your Legion As the new year fast approaches, we would like to recognize the many things the Legion has accomplished in 2022 — like the return of the Legion Nationals, a growing memorial banner program, the strengthened focus on youth and Remembrance, and another successful Poppy Campaign. We deeply appreciate the countless volunteers and staff who not only keep things running smoothly, but are constantly cooking up new ideas. It’s no secret that it’s thanks to Branches like yours that we are able to serve Canada’s Veterans and families and support our communities. On behalf of everyone at the Legion, we would like to wish you and your family Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a wonderful 2023! Legion Headquarters services paused over Christmas Break Legion National Headquarters will be closed from December 26 to January 2 for the Christmas break. Additionally, the Member Services Website will be down for regular year-end maintenance between December 23 and January 2. Online registration, renewal, and member processing will not be available during this time. It’s time for members to renew for 2023 Almost 50% of members have not yet renewed for 2023. Encourage your Branch members to renew with these resources: Placing the Renewal poster in a prominent space in your Branch Reach out by mail or email with this renewal reminder message Update member profiles with emails on this template so members can be notified automatically when it’s time to renew Encourage your members to sign up for auto-renewal with this poster Spouses, children, parents and guardians of Veterans get first year membership free Do you know a spouse, child over 18 years of age, parent or guardian of a Canadian Veteran who has not yet joined the Legion? Let them know we offer the first year of membership free to Veterans’ Family Members. Encourage them to register and get to know their Legion! Promotional poster  ‣ | Register online  ‣ | Registration form  ‣ Recent manual update The Legion’s General By Laws manual has been updated. Please see the recent amendments to the manual and update your copy. General Bylaws: Amendments  ‣ | Update manual  ‣ The Legion is combatting Veteran isolation through Operation VetBuild The Globe and Mail recently featured a story on Veteran loneliness and highlighted the Legion’s Operation VetBuild as one program helping to reduce social isolation. Launched in 2019, the program is running in 37 Branches across Canada and growing! Read more  ‣ Get information on bringing Operation VetBuild to your Branch here. Confidential research opportunity Please share within your Veteran network: Have you served previously in the Canadian Armed Forces or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police? OR Are you a current or past partner or spouse of a Veteran of either the Canadian Armed Forces or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police? If so, have you experienced intimate partner violence in this relationship e.g., physical, psychological, controlling behaviour and sexual aggression from/with a past or current intimate partner)? Follow the link to learn about a research opportunity through the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families to confidentially discuss your experiences and the help you received or tried to access. Reimbursement of $50 for your time included. Learn more  ‣ Branch Membership Administration Resources and tips to support your Membership Chair + Memberships have been auto-renewed The Auto Renew Process is now complete and has billed all members who have signed up for auto renew with valid credit card information on file. Branches can view all members who renewed online and by autorenewal on the Member Services Website under Reports / Membership – Branch Online Member Renewals [PDF]. + 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 / Training Videos. + New Digital Membership Card now available! Members can now choose between 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 If in doubt, check it out Media or other community individuals may call and put you on the spot with questions about sometimes controversial issues. You do not have to respond instantly. Get a name and number, confer with colleagues and then reply appropriately. Have questions or need advice? Contact your Command Public Relations Officer or Nujma Bond, Dominion Command Communications at nbond@legion.ca Your Legion calendar The 2023 Legion calendar of notable dates is now available. Download your copy to help with Branch planning for the new year. 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 © 2022 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. The Branch may update the email address at any time by updating their Branch Profile on the Member Services Website or by contacting Member Services. Learn more about All Branch emails. 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