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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 – May 2020
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| Stay in touch with members by email | | Recent social distancing measures have made online and email communication one of the strongest ways to stay connected with our members. And as a national member-based organization, staying connected is one of the most
important activities we can do. | | But of our 260,000 members, we only have about 80,000 member emails. That means 180,000 members are not receiving important communications that help keep them informed and support member engagement and retention. | | Now is a great time to reach out to your members to request or verify their email address so we can stay in touch. Branches can update a member profile online, or use this Excel template to collect member emails and send the list to membership@legion.ca so we can upload them for you. |
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| Financial support through the Emergency Community Support Fund | | On April 28, Legion Dominion President Thomas Irvine sent a letter to the Prime Minister requesting clarity on how the Emergency Community Support Fund will support Legion Branches. While information on the Fund is
starting to emerge, full details on eligibility criteria, use of the funds and application processes have not yet been shared. We will update Branches once we have more information on the Fund. | | Read the letter ‣
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| Create videos to support local Veterans | | Legion members are known for selfless acts of service and community support – like how Branches in Ontario engaged their members to create a video to share their support with Veterans in a local long-term care
facility. Take a look! | | Creating an online video of support is a great way to engage your members while social distancing! Follow these tips to create your own Branch video:
| | Learn about other innovative initiatives Branches are doing to help others and stay active during this time. | | Read more ‣
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| Legion Nijmegen Marches representative joins in virtual marches | | The 104th International Four Days Marches Nijmegen has been cancelled as a result of the extended COVID-19 measures in the Netherlands. Joan Cook, the Legion’s 2020 Marches Nijmegen Representative on
the Canadian Armed Forces team, will continue as our selection for the 2021 Marches and carry on her training for next year. | | Following news of the cancellation, the Canadian Forces Contingent organized a CAF Virtual Commemorative March on May 5 and May 8 to recognize the liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe respectively. Joan
joined her fellow Canadian Armed Forces team members in the virtual marches. | | Read more ‣
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| Legion Dominion Member Sports Championships update | | Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent event cancellations, the upcoming Dominion Member Sports Championships are scheduled to be held as follows: |
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| 2021 Dominion Member Sports Championships:
| Cribbage: 23 to 26 April 2021
Host: Branch #02-015 Men of Vision | Darts: 30 April to 3 May 2021
Host: Branch #01-004 Chilliwack | Eight ball: 28 to 31 May 2021
Host: Branch #02-104 Innisfail |
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| 2022 Dominion Member Sports Championships: | Eight Ball: 27 to 30 May 2022
Host: Branch #10-051 Happy Valley‑Goose Bay | Cribbage: Friday 22 April–Monday 25 April 2022
Darts: Friday 29 April–Monday 2 May 2022 |
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| Legion sponsors military youth reporter competition | | The Royal Canadian Legion is proud to sponsor The Canadian Armed Forces Newspapers Youth Reporter Competition. This initiative engages teens in the military family community and offers them a unique opportunity to tell
their story. | | CAF Newspapers invited teens to submit a story idea about something important to their life or the community around them. Applications were received from CAF youth from all over the country and around the world. Six
finalists were selected to deliver their stories, all of which are featured in a special PLAY e-zine edition published on CAFconnection.ca as well as in Canadian Forces Newspapers across the country. The finalists were made honorary members of the Canadian Forces Newspaper Association and were given access to journalism training and mentors from CFN
teams across Canada. | | CAF Newspapers is now inviting community members and Legion members to vote for their favorite story. The Legion funded a $2,500 scholarship award for the teen reporter whose submission receives the most votes. | | Read the online stories here and vote today for your favourite! Voting ends May 31, 2020. | | Vote now ‣
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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. Below are recent updates: | | Financial relief information: Legion National Headquarters emailed information on COVID-19 government financial relief programs to all Branches on April 24. Details can be found here. | | Dominion Convention: 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. | | Please visit Legion.ca/covid-19 often for details and the latest updates from national and provincial Commands. |
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| 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 it to DirectDeposit@legion.ca. | | For questions, please contact Tiffany Patterson at the Legion National Headquarters Finance Department by calling 613-591-3335 ext. 262. |
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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, 8:30–4:00 pm EST by email and by phone. We are here to help! | | Membership administration mailings will resume May 1st but may be subject to postal delays. | | With Branches temporarily closed, please ensure your Branch Membership Rate is entered and up to date in the membership system, so your members can renew online or by phone. |
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| Get access to Marketing and PR resources |
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 | | Marketing
| | Follow us online
| | Follow Legion National Headquarters on social media to stay up to date on the latest news, stories, online sweepstakes, activities, and more!
| | Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn
| | Send us your Branch social media accounts and we will be sure to follow you as well!
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 | | PR Tip of the Month
| | Most of our members are Veterans or their family
| | When asked about membership in a public or media situation, share that the majority of our membership is composed of Veterans or direct family members – people who understand
Veterans well. Our other members support our overall mission and bring welcome ideas. You don’t have to be a Veteran to support a Veteran.
| | 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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| Your Legion calendar: June–July 2020 | | Promote important dates and organize activities at your Branch with this list of upcoming days that raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate an important topic. | | DOWNLOAD THE CALENDAR ‣ |
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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 message from Legion Magazine |
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| A message of support to Legion branches | | The staff of Canvet Publications Ltd., publisher of Legion Magazine, is thinking of you. We’d like you to know we are still working hard, remotely, to continue publishing the magazine every two months. For the
latest news on cancellations and updates of relevance to Canada’s Veteran community, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and legionmagazine.com. | | We stand united with you during this perilous and challenging period and look forward to when we can gather again, speak face to face and, as always, honour comrades lost. |
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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. - 4:00 p.m. EST
|  | | Working together to serve Canada’s Veterans.
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