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Legion Dispatch
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| Keep your Branch informed
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| 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
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| In this edition – April 2020
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| Message from the Dominion President | | Comrades, | | During this unprecedented time, it warms my heart to see Legion Branches and members across the country stepping up, helping our Veterans, our seniors, and all those in need through this pandemic. | | I read stories of Legion members delivering meals and groceries to those in need. Members are checking in on those in isolation. Branches are donating to their local food banks. The Legion’s Buddy Check Coffee
is helping keep the military community connected online. Countless stories from across the country are highlighting our Branches pitching in. | | I am so grateful to the members working the front lines or helping from their homes. I truly appreciate the staff at Dominion and Provincial Commands for keeping things running and getting information out to those who
need it. I am so proud of the Service Officers who continue to support our Veterans and families during this very difficult time. I am sincerely thankful to our elected leaders of the Legion at all levels for acting
swiftly to address the pandemic in your areas. | | Our Branches may be closed, but we continue to serve – this is what we are all about. I cannot thank you enough. Your efforts are making a difference right across the country and I am very proud of you. | Stay safe.
Tom
Thomas D. Irvine CD
Dominion President
Royal Canadian Legion
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| Dominion Convention rescheduled to August 2021 | | In light of the pandemic and related public health concerns, the Dominion Executive Council, with the unanimous support of all Provincial Commands, voted to reschedule the 2020 Dominion Convention planned for August
in Saskatoon. Dominion Convention is rescheduled for August 12–19, 2021 in Saskatoon. Further updates on the Convention will be sent to all Branches at a later date. |
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| Important updates on the COVID-19 situation | | As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the Legion at all levels is adjusting to this unprecedented time. | | Please visit Legion.ca/covid-19 often for details and the latest updates from National and Provincial Commands. | Temporary changes to General By-Laws: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting closures of branches, temporary changes to the General By-Laws have been approved by the DEC. These changes impact:
- Article 129 (Fund Raising)
- Article 308.d. (Complaint Hearing Timelines)
- Article 6 (Branch Elections)
- Article 919 (Dominion Convention Resolution Deadline).
| | Get more details on By-Law changes here. | | National office closed: Legion National Headquarters in Ottawa has closed its office until further notice, in accordance with the Government of Ontario’s direction. Staff are working remotely
and continue to deliver most services. Legion Supply deliveries and membership administration mailings are not available at this time. | | Legion Nationals cancelled: The Legion made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the 2020 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships in Nova Scotia, scheduled for August 7–9.
Learn more about this cancellation.
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| Branch financial assistance during COVID-19 | | The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the operations and programs of the Legion at all levels of the organization. One major impact on the organization is the closure of Branches nationwide. These closures have put a serious
strain on the financial resources of Branches everywhere. | | Fortunately, help is available! There are financial assistance options available through the Legion and through provincial governments your Branch can explore. |
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| Branch Membership Administration | | Resources and tips to support your Membership Chair | | The Member Services Department continues to serve Branches and members remotely, Monday through Friday, 8:30–4:30 pm EST by email and by phone. | | Unfortunately, we are unable to mail membership cards or renewal stickers to Branches at this time. These will be mailed once the office has re-opened. |  Help your members stay connected and renew online | | With Branches closed, it is crucial we continue to stay in touch with our members and keep them engaged. Reach out to your members to check in and ask them to confirm their email address so we can stay in touch. | | Enter member emails online on their member profile or send a list of member emails with corresponding membership numbers to membership@legion.ca and we will upload them for you. Use this Excel template to collect member emails. | | With Branches temporarily closed, please ensure your Branch Membership Rate is entered in the membership system, allowing your members to renew online or by phone. |  Sign up for Direct Deposits from Legion National Headquarters
Sign
up to receive Branch payments from Legion National Headquarters through direct deposit to your bank account by completing the attached Direct Deposit Form. No more bank runs or waiting for your cheque to arrive! Simply download and complete the form and email to DirectDeposit@legion.ca
| | For questions, please contact the Legion National Headquarters Finance Department – Tiffany Patterson at 613- 591-3335 ext 262
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 | | Legion initiatives going strong during COVID-19
| | In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and its many restrictions, Legion members across Canada are finding innovative ways to continue helping Veterans and communities, while still
following advice from medical officials.
| | Read more ‣
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 | | Facebook Town Hall postponed
| | The Facebook Live Town Hall with the Dominion President has been tentatively rescheduled for November 23, 2020 at 2:00–3:00 pm EST. | | Questions can be submitted in advance to townhall@legion.ca by November 18. | | Learn more ‣
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 | | Help your Legion members connect online!
| | To keep members engaged in this confusing time, we’re asking them to share stories of why they joined the Legion and what they like about being a member of their Branch. This
is a great opportunity to showcase the work your Branch is doing to support Veterans and your community.
| | As a thank you for participating, submissions are entered into a draw to win one of three prizes — a $500 Visa gift card or one of two $250 Poppy Store shopping sprees. Please
share this contest with your members and promote the campaign on your social media channels using www.legion.ca/ijoined.
| | Feel free to download any of the campaign graphics to use on social media.
| | Download graphics ‣
| | See all submissions ‣
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 | | A fly-fishing program has changed Veterans’ lives forever
| | Thanks to donations to The Poppy Fund, initiatives like the Heroes Mending on the Fly program can become a reality. Heroes Mending on the Fly is a unique program
that supports disabled Veterans of the military, RCMP and first responders through fly fishing, fly tying and associated activities. | | Read more ‣
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| Partner promotions | | The following is brought to you by our partners, highlighting special offers and other information. |
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| Special offer from Legion Magazine |
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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.
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