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| Keep your Branch informed | | Forward this email to your Branch Executives, Committee Members and other members to keep them up-to-date on Legion news. | | All Branch emails are also available on the Member Services Website |
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| In this edition — March 2019 |
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| A statement on stolen valour | | As part of his mandate, Dominion President Tom Irvine is committed to tackling the issue of ‘stolen valour’ in the Legion. With the full support of the Senior Elected Officers, Comrade Irvine released a statement on this important topic. The statement emphasizes the already established laws relating to Stolen Valour.
| | When an individual commits stolen valour, they degrade the honour and sacrifices of those rightly wearing the uniform and they are breaking the law. Together we will uphold the service and sacrifice of all Veterans, and honour their legacy.
| | The Legion Dominion Command Going Forward Committee is undertaking a review of stolen valour and drafting an organizational policy for consideration by the Dominion Executive Council.
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| Lower your flags on Vimy Day |
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The Legion asks that all Branches fly Canadian flags and all Royal Canadian Legion flags at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, April 9 in observance of Vimy Ridge Day 2019. The day honours and remembers those who fought during the fierce Battle of Vimy Ridge in France in 1917, a defining moment for Canada as soldiers from several divisions battled together.
The Legion joins federal, provincial and municipal institutions in lowering the Canadian flag.
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| The Legion advocates for Veterans nationally | With the release of the 2019 Federal Budget and the Federal Election being held this October, the issues faced by Canada’s Veterans must be kept front and centre.
As part of The Legion’s mission, we advocate to Canada’s Government a list of measures that would positively impact the care, benefits and wellbeing of all Veterans and their families. These national advocacy positions can be found on the Legion website.
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| Promote Legion Membership | The Legion is 260,000 members strong and the tide is turning! 2018 marked our best performance in the last 8 years, retaining 97.9% of our membership. Membership growth continues to be a key focus for our organization.
Is your Branch looking for new members? Order the Legion’s free recruitment brochures from Legion Supply and ask local businesses if they would have them available to their visitors. This is a great way to engage with your community and reach out to potential new members.
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| HOPE Program: Peer bereavement support |
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| Do you know of families coping with the death of a loved one who served in the Canadian Forces? Whether active in service or a veteran, Regular Force or Reserves, the HOPE program offers peer bereavement support. The loss does not have to be attributed to military service
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Trained volunteers with similar experiences are available to provide a listening ear, comfort, guidance, and hope. We are here to walk the grief journey with them.
HOPE has been helping bereaved families since 2006.
Contact HOPE at hope-espoir@forces.gc.ca, www.hope-espoir.com, or at 1-800-883-6094.
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| Apply for the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund | | Veterans Affairs Canada has announced that the 2019-20 Call for Applications for the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund (VFWBF) is now open.
| | In 2019-20, the VFWBF will award $3M in grants and contributions to private, public or academic organizations to conduct research and implement initiatives and projects that support the well-being of Veterans and their families.
| | Branches can apply by March 29, 2019 through the online application system. For information on the Fund, including eligibility, please visit the program guidelines.
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| Your Legion calendar: April – May 2019 | | This calendar lists upcoming commemorative days of relevance to The Royal Canadian Legion that raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate an important topic. Branches may wish to promote these dates or organize related activities.
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| Get access to Marketing and PR resources |
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| With the Marketing and Public Relations resources available on the Member Services Website, member acquisition and renewal are easier than ever. Simply: | - Visit portal.legion.ca.
- Click on Branch and Command Resources, then Marketing and Public Relations.
- Download Legion tools including brand guides, website style guide, public relations manual, and recruitment materials.
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 | | PR Tip of the Month | PSAs are a great PR tool
Public service announcements (PSAs) can promote programs or activities and you can often have a Legion-related event or update aired on local radio or TV at no charge. | | Check with your local stations for submission guidelines.
| | Have questions or need advice? Contact your Command Public Relations Officer or Nujma Bond, Dominion Command Communications at nbond@legion.ca. |
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| Partner offer: MBNA credit card | There are new promotional materials available for the Royal Canadian Legion MBNA Rewards® Mastercard® credit card. Use these materials to promote the card to members of your Branch.
Benefits to members include:
- Flexible rewards: Redeem points for travel, gift cards and more
- No annual fee
- Travel support, including support for lost document and ticket replacement, lost luggage assistance, pre-trip information and legal assistance**
- Extended warranties on most new purchases made with an MBNA credit card**
- Help to advocate for the care of Veterans and their families each time you make an eligible purchase
Promotional posters and online banners are available on the Member Services Website, under Branch and Command Resources / Marketing and Public Relations
** Underwritten by Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company (Canadian Branch). Details of insurance benefits, including terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions are in the Certificate of Insurance provided with your card
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| The Legion’s new Member Services Website is a gateway to convenient branch-specific and membership information and services, including simplified new member sign-ups and renewals. | | Branches can login to portal.legion.ca with the username and password provided. |
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MEMBER WEBSITE PROCESSING TIPS |
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- A reminder that effective January 01, 2019:
‘CURRENT YEAR’ = 2019; ‘NEXT YEAR’ = 2020. - Deceased Members can now be processed on the Member Profile page.
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| There are no changes to the 2019 per capita tax rates. Rates can be viewed on the Member Services Website under Branch and Command Resources / Membership. |
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| Please ensure you are accessing your Branch email by clicking ‘WEB MAIL’ on the left-side menu of the Member Services Website. | 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 |
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| Honouring Veterans is Our Duty |
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Our mailing address is:
The Royal Canadian Legion
86 Aird Place
Ottawa, ON K2L 0A1
Canada
We have you on file as the email contact for your local Royal Canadian Legion Branch. If you are not the correct person to receive emails from Dominion Command on behalf of your Branch, please forward this email to the new contact.
The Branch may update the email address at any time by updating their Branch Profile at portal.legion.ca or contact Member Services at 1‑855‑330‑3344 or membership@legion.ca
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