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Branch updates and information
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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 – March 2021
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| Take the five‑second survey | | Pandemic guidelines and restrictions are impacting Legions across the country. Take this single-question, multiple choice survey to let us know if your Branch is currently open to members and the public. |
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| Verify your Branch address | | Visitors to the Legion.ca website can search for a Legion Branch location and contact information on our Branch Locator. Please check our Branch Locator to confirm the information posted for your Branch is correct. | | If your Branch mailing address is different than your physical address, or if other information needs to be updated, please inform Member Services at membership@legion.ca so we can update our website. |
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| A message from the Dominion President | | In a video message to Legion membership, Dominion President Tom Irvine shares his thanks, gives an update on the state of the Legion in the midst of COVID-19, and highlights a significant anniversary. | | Watch the video ‣ |
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| Financial aid update: There’s still time to apply! | | Three quarters of The Royal Canadian Legion’s 1,380 Branches have received funding from the Veterans Affairs Canada federal aid package to date. Of the original $14M, approximately $3.8M remains and will be distributed to Branches as we enter Phase III. | | Read more ‣ | | Your Branch can still apply for funding | | Another application opportunity is available to Branches that did not make the December or February deadlines. We encourage your Branch to apply and take advantage of this opportunity. Funds will be distributed by April 30th. | | Contact your Provincial Command for their deadline to apply. | | How to request funding ‣ | | Application Form ‣ | | Direct Deposit Authorization Form for EFT ‣ |
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| Legion Nationals have been cancelled | | For the second year in a row, the pandemic has forced the cancellation of the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships. The 2021 event was originally scheduled to take place in Sherbrooke, Quebec from August 6-8. | | Read more ‣ |
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| Host a 2023 Member Sports Championship | The Dominion Command Sports Committee is calling for Branch applications to host the 2023 Dominion Member Sports Championships:
- Cribbage: Friday 21 April – Monday 24 April 2023
- Darts: Friday 28 April – Monday 1 May 2023
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| The application deadline to Provincial Commands is July 31, 2021. |
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| Member renewal push is underway
| | National Headquarters is reaching out to members not yet renewed for 2021 encouraging them to renew their membership. Renewal reminders were mailed and emailed to lapsed members this month.
| | As an incentive, renewing members are encouraged to renew for 5 years to receive a free limited edition Poppy Watch.
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| Our members are our strength
| | Help the Legion grow by encouraging your members to refer family and friends to the Legion for a chance to win. New members can join your Branch online here before April 30 using promo code REFER for a chance to win $500 Canada Post Visa gift cards for both the new and current member. |
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| Last Post Fund’s Indigenous Veterans Initiative | | The Last Post Fund’s Indigenous Veterans Initiative helps honour fallen Indigenous Veterans by providing and updating their grave markers. Print and display the attached posters to promote the program within your Branch. |
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| If a member of your community may qualify for this program, please direct them to this website. |
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| The Legion stands with the CDA
| | As a member association of the CDA, the Legion fully supports this statement on recent allegations of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces.
| | Learn more ‣
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| Veterans’ House opens in Ottawa
| | As part of the Legion’s efforts to combat homelessness, the Legion’s Ontario Command provided $200,000 to the Multifaith Housing Initiative to build apartments for homeless Veterans in Ottawa. | | Learn more ‣ |
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| Branch Membership Administration | | Resources and tips to support your Membership Chair |
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| + Check your Legion email for members who joined or renewed online | | Many new members are joining local Legion Branches online. In the last four months, over 7,000 members have joined their local Branch through Legion.ca! Be sure to check your Legion.ca email account for notifications of new members, or read the “New Online Member Report” on your Branch profile on the Member Services Website. | | If you need help accessing your @legion.ca email account, please contact Member Services. |
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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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| We are here to help! | | As of March 1, Legion House staff members have returned to working in the office. Our team is here to help, Monday through Friday, 8:30–4:30 pm EST by email and by phone. |
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| Get access to Marketing and PR resources |
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| Marketing Resources | | Zoom Backgrounds | | Showcase the Legion brand when you video conference with this series of Legion backgrounds you can use for your virtual meetings! | | These are sized to 1920x1080 for most platforms. Please check the system requirements for virtual backgrounds for the meeting platform you are using. |
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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 | | Refrain from blame | | If your Branch is going through some challenging times either internally or with your Command, it’s best for the sake of professional public relations to resolve your challenges using internal channels. What you choose to share externally should be factual, honest, and provide adequate context. | | 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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| MemberPerks®: Deals and savings for Legion members | | MemberPerks® is more than a member benefit package. It’s also a tool Branches can use to promote membership. Plus, you can partner with local businesses in your community to offer exclusive discounts for your members. | | In 2020, Legion members saved almost $150,000 using MemberPerks®. Promote MemberPerks® at your Branch using the MemberPerks® poster. | | Order online through Legion Supply at supply@legion.ca or by calling 1‑888‑301‑2257. |
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| Your Legion calendar: 2021 | | 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 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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