Junior Member Activities

The ALA Junior Activities program inspires active participation in ALA for girls ages 17 and under so they will become engaging, productive members who will want to continue their ALA membership as an adult. Junior members are not a separate organization, but
are members of the ALA, grouped separately so they may be given a program within the scope of their age and understanding. Junior membership is the training ground for active ALA membership, instilling the ideals of the ALA, and presenting opportunities to
teach the ALA’s founding principles of justice, freedom, loyalty, and democracy. Juniors function under the guidance of ALA adult members; they may conduct their own meetings and carry out their own activities, coordinated with adult members. Junior members should have a role in regular unit activities whenever possible.

All Junior Department meetings and activities are under the guidance of the Department Junior Activities Chair. Likewise, all Unit Junior meetings and activities are under the guidance of the Unit Junior Activities Chair (or other appropriate adult unit member).

The Department Junior Activities Chair, Vice Chair and any committee members or others assisting with Junior Activities must have a background check. This background check is reimbursed by the Department.

Activities:

• Americanism should be a major focus of the Junior Activities program.
• Promote participation in the Junior Patch Program. Members of the SAL who are under 18 years of age can participate as well. Completing requirements for Patches provides Junior members and SAL youth opportunities to increase their knowledge of the various aspects of the American Legion Family.
• Promote Unit chair collaboration with Children & Youth, Americanism, and other Unit chairs to maximize participation in a variety of activities.
• Promote Unit chair collaboration with Post and Squadron Children & Youth chairs. Only the ALA has a Junior Activities program, and this is an avenue for inclusion of SAL youth in many activities.

Resources:

• ALA Junior Activities Handbook
(https://www.legion-aux.org/Member/Guides/Junior-Handbook)

• Junior Patch Program https://www.legion-aux.org/Member/Committees/Junior-Member-Activities/Patch-Program

Join the ALA Junior Activities Facebook group and check the National ALA websitefrequently for updates.

Excerpted from the ALA Unit Guide (2024, pp.78-79), Department C&B and https://www.legion-aux.org/Member/Committees/Junior-Member-Activities/Get-Involved-Juniors

Updated July 2025

________________________________________________________

JUNIOR ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE