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Branch updates and information
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 Share this email
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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 – December 2020
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| Looking forward to 2021 | | It’s undeniable that this year has been a difficult one. But thanks to the relentless work of our Branches and Members, we’ve persevered through it. Most importantly, we’ve been able to help Canada’s Veterans get through it, too. | | We look forward to sharing 2021 with all of you and wish everyone a healthy, safe and joyful Christmas season.
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| Veterans Affairs funding update | | On November 30, Dominion President Thomas D. Irvine, CD, sent a letter to the Prime Minister extending our thanks for releasing $14 million in financial aid to distribute to Branches struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. | | Read the letter ‣ | | Applications from Legion Branches that applied for financial support by the December 7 deadline are under review, and approved funds will be sent by December 21. As part of the agreement through Veterans Affairs Canada, Branches are required to coordinate a joint announcement with their local MP of the funding they received – great opportunity to thank government and the community for their support, to indicate how the money will be used, and to highlight the good work your Branch does for Veterans and your community.
| | Haven’t applied for support yet?
| | For Branches that need financial support, applications can be submitted to their Provincial Command for consideration for the subsequent funding release expected early in the new year.
| | View application details ‣ |
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| Our member numbers are growing! | | Did you know that over the past 8 weeks 5,000 new members have joined the Legion online? And 80% of those new members are joining their local Branches online! | Help your Branch build membership. Don’t forget to:
- Check your Branch @legion.ca email regularly for notification of new members (also available via the Branch Online Member Enrollment Report available on the Member Services Website)
- Ensure your Branch rates are up to date on the Member Services Website
- Reach out to new members as soon as possible and welcome them to your Branch
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| Check your Legion Branch email for important information | | Every Legion Branch has a dedicated Legion email address where important and confidential information is sent. The email address is the Command and Branch numbers, followed by @legion.ca. For example: 00-000@legion.ca. | Through this email, Branches receive crucial information including:
- All member transactions conducted online, including new member and renewals
- Important Legion updates and official notices and documents
- Confirmation of Legion National Headquarter EFT deposit remittances, including Branch payables and emergency fund grants
- Password reset information for the Member Services Website
| | Branches can access these emails via the Member Services Website Web Mail button on the login page. | | Branches will require their assigned username and password. If they do not have this information, they can reach out to Member Services at 1-855-330-3344 or membership@legion.ca |
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| New Member Benefit Partner: belairdirect | | We are pleased to announce that belairdirect is the latest addition to The Royal Canadian Legion Member Benefits Partners. Share this news with your members so they can take advantage of exclusive belairdirect offers and enjoy discounts on their car, home, condo and tenant insurance. Right now, this offer is for members residing in Ontario, Québec, Alberta and British Columbia, but it will be extended to those residing in other regions in the very near future. | | Visit legion.ca/belairdirect for details. | | Read the letter ‣ |
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| 100th anniversary of the Remembrance Poppy in Canada | | On July 5, 1921 the Great War Veterans Association adopted the Poppy as the flower of Remembrance. To celebrate this 100th anniversary, The Legion Dominion Executive Council approved a commemorative Poppy flower pin, currently in development, which will be available to wear on Legion dress until Dec 31, 2021. | | Learn more about the history of the Poppy by discovering how Anna Guérin, “the Poppy lady from France”, brought the idea of the Poppy as a symbol of remembrance forward. | | Read more ‣ |
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| Dominion Executive Council meeting | | The Dominion Executive Council took place virtually the weekend of November 28–29. DEC meeting minutes will be shared once they are available. |
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| Legion supports Operation Santa Claus | | The Legion is a proud supporter of Support Our Troops’ Operation Santa Claus program, which provides gift packages to every Canadian Forces member deployed. This year, we sent more than 2,500 gift packages thanks to the support of our membership. | | To keep our gift a secret from their recipients, we can’t share any pictures until after Christmas. Check back in the January edition of the Legion Dispatch to see what treats our troops opened up! |
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| Branch Membership Administration | | Resources and tips to support your Membership Chair |
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| + Down for the holidays | | The Member Services Website will be temporarily offline for annual maintenance during a period between December 23 and January 1. Online registration, renewal, and member processing will not be available during this time. |
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| + Reach out to new and renewing members | | Your Dominion Membership Committee encourages all Branches to reach out to your lapsed members to renew for the upcoming year. Members can renew online, making it easy and convenient to continue their support for the Legion. | | Branches can also use this outreach to collect email addresses using this helpful Excel template, and email it to Member Services at membership@legion.ca to update their member profiles. These emails help ensure all members receive important information about their membership, renewal reminders, and updates from the Legion. |
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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. | | We are here to help! | | The Member Services Department is available, Monday through Friday, 8:30–4:30 pm EST by email and by phone. The office will be closed for the holidays between December 24 and January 3. |
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| Get access to Marketing and PR resources |
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| It’s time for members to renew | | Find a wide variety of recruitment and renewal resources on the Member Services Website, as well as free materials through the Legion Supply Department. | | View resources ‣ |
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 | | PR Tip of the Month | | Members are a source of PR help | | Sometimes new members have Public Relations experience or are interested in volunteering in the field and have creative ideas. Find out about new members’ interests, and invite them to help organize your PR activities or files. | | 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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| Promote MemberPerks® | | Despite what its name says, MemberPerks® doesn’t just benefit members – it’s a great tool for Branches, too. Promoting MemberPerks® at your Branch is an easy way to attract and retain membership. Plus, you can partner with local businesses in your community to offer exclusive discounts for your members. | | Learn more ‣ |
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| Your Legion calendar: January – February 2021 | | Your 2021 Legion calendar is now available! | | 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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| Help your members on their journey to better hearing |
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| Please note that this webinar is available in English only. | | Register here |
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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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