MEMBERSHIP

Membership is the lifeblood of our organization. The purpose of the Membership Committee is to retain and recruit members. It is tasked with promoting the benefits of ALA membership such that existing members renew, lapsed members rejoin, and new members join us to deliver our mission to our veterans, military, their families, and our communities.

Responsibilities of the Membership Committee

Be familiar with eligibility requirements. These are set by Congress. They are not open to interpretation.

Always have a Legion Family membership application on hand.

Make certain that all members are aware of membership eligibility criteria.

Members should consult their Unit Membership Chair if they have questions about eligibility, or the process of applying for ALA membership (including transfers) when recruiting members. Questions may also be directed to the Department Membership Chair.

Know the difference between Honorary Life Membership and Paid Up for Life Membership (PUFL).

The DD-214 of the veteran through whom a member is eligible is the most common document used to verify eligibility to join the ALA. These additional official military documents are acceptable:

• Official military orders
• Official military service citations or awards
• Letters on official government letterhead related to the veteran’s military service
• Certificate from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs records center in St. Louis
• Data from older discharge documents that pre-date the use of form DD-214

All new member applications must be reviewed and signed by the Post Adjutant or designated Post officer. Applications should be accompanied by the appropriate documentation of eligibility to join the ALA. Note: It is not the responsibility of the Post to retain ALA membership documents; it is the sole responsibility of the ALA Unit.

Process all membership including transfers in a timely manner. It is the responsibility of the membership chair to verify that a member wishing to transfer is a member in good standing in the unit from which they wish to transfer. A member is not in good standing if dues are not current, or if the individual is subject to suspension or membership revocation.

Join the ALA Membership Facebook group and check the National ALA website frequently for updates.

Excerpted from the ALA Unit Guide (2024, pp. 19-22, p. 63, p. 82), the Department C&B, and the Department Operations Guide Chapter 8 (https://www.legion-aux.org/cmsdesk/ALA/media/PDF/Guides/dog/Chapter_08_Membership.pdf)

Updated July 2025

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MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Chair:  Judith Farabaugh
Vice Chair: Paula Mullins
Email:  [email protected]
Members:  All District Presidents
Advisor:  Nancy Harting, PDP

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MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
Downloads:
Membership One Page Quick Reference Guide