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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 – November 2021
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| Take the five‑second survey | | Is your Branch open for business? Many Branches are now starting to re-open their doors and resume Branch activities. Take this single-question, multiple choice survey to let us know if your Branch is currently open to members and the public. | | If you responded previously, please take the survey again so we can see how Branches are doing as things start to open. |
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| Thank you for your hard work | | In this period of Remembrance, we rely on our Branches across Canada to help support the Poppy Campaign. Through hosting local Remembrance Day ceremonies, handing out Poppies and collecting donations in your communities, your hard work helps ensure Canada never forgets. | | We would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all Branches and members for your effort and dedication during this time. |
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| Recap of the Remembrance Period | | The Remembrance period is the busiest time of the year for the Legion. Get caught up on some events you may have missed: | |
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| New! Veteran Family Welcome Program | | The free first-year Legion membership program has now expanded to include family of Veterans. Spouses and children (18+) of serving, retired or passed CAF or RCMP Veterans new to the Legion can register to receive their first year free. | - Veteran Family Welcome Program members will be registered at Dominion Branch 16-016 to process the free 1-year membership
- New members will receive a welcome email when their application is processed through Member Services
- Once registered, members can transfer at any time to a local Branch, who will initiate the transfer
- The membership card will be sent from Dominion Command to the member’s address on file. Should the member transfer to a local Branch, the local Branch will receive their membership card
| | Promote this opportunity by downloading the printable poster. | | Eligible applicants can fill out an application form online. Print-ready Branch Application Forms also can be downloaded from the Member Services Website. |
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| Amendments to The General By-Laws | | The Dominion Executive Council has amended the following sections of The General By-Laws. | Article II Membership
- Section 202
- Section 203
- Section 205
Article IV Dominion Command
Article V Provincial Commands
| | Please see attached for details. The General By-Laws Manual is in the process of being updated. | | Read amendments ‣ |
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| Members who prepay for 5 years receive a FREE Poppy toque, scarf, and mittens! | | While you’re reminding members to renew this season, encourage them to prepay their membership for the next five years. When they do, they’ll receive a Poppy scarf, toque and mittens free with their renewal. Offer ends December 15. | | Offer ends December 15 | | Get more details ‣ |
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| Veterans who endured sexual misconduct need a government apology | | The Royal Canadian Legion asks the federal government to formally apologize to Veterans who were subjected to sexual misconduct while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. | | Learn more ‣ |
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| Legion urges Government to Leave no one behind in Afghanistan | | The Royal Canadian Legion is imploring the Government of Canada take immediate and decisive action to protect and evacuate Afghan Interpreters, their families and vulnerable civilians who are at imminent risk of torture or death under Taliban rule. Dominion President Bruce Julian has written a letter to the Prime Minister addressing this issue. | | Read the letter ‣ |
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| Help find Second World War Veterans eligible for award | | The French government is searching for Canadian Second World War Veterans to award the National Order of the Legion of Honour. Help find eligible Veterans and their relatives by sharing this message. | | Learn more ‣ |
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| Reminder: Nijmegen Marches call for submissions | | The deadline for Legion Members to apply to participate in the Nijmegen Marches for 2022 is fast approaching. Please share the call for applications with your members. Applications must be submitted to their Provincial Command office by 14 January 2022. | | Learn more ‣ |
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| Branch Membership Administration | | Resources and tips to support your Membership Chair |
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| UPDATE: Branch Membership Payments to Dominion Command. | | The Dominion Finance Team is working towards streamlining Branch Per Capita Membership Payments to improve efficiencies and reduce growing Branch accounts receivables. It has communicated a move to eliminating accepting cheques by the end of 2022. As this plan continues to develop with Provincial Commands, we wish to clarify the following: | | Until further notice: | - Memberships processed on the portal can be paid by the Branch using a credit card (preferred method of payment) or by cheque mailed to Dominion Membership.
- All memberships processed manually (not on the portal) can be paid by credit card (over the phone) or by cheque mailed to Dominion Membership.
- Cheques will continue to be accepted until other options of payment outside of Visa and Mastercard have been explored, tested, implemented and fully communicated (target end of 2022).
- Please Do Not send membership payments via direct deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer or E-Transfer. We are unable to accept these payments.
- Direct deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer payments are only used to transfer funds from Dominion Command to Branches (Membership, Poppy etc.), NOT for Branches sending funds to Dominion Command.
| | As we continue to work towards other Branch Membership payment options, we will keep you updated. |
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| + Verify and welcome new members at your Branch | | 85% of new members joining online are selecting a local Branch to join! Branches are encouraged to reach out to new member applicants within 30 days of their application to let them know the process for their application or, if approved, welcome them to the Branch. | | The Membership Committee’s recommended 30-day application review period is a suggested timeline to ensure our organization is maintaining strong customer service practices for new members wishing to join and support the Legion. If a Branch is unable to meet the suggested 30-day period for a General Meeting or Executive Committee review of the application, it may still follow its own process to approve/decline a member and the procedure for that continues to follow the communicated policy. | | Be sure to check your Legion.ca email account for notifications of new members or check the New Online Member Report on your Branch profile on the Member Services Website. | | + Reminder: Digital Membership Card coming soon | | Coming soon, new and returning Legion members will have the choice of the traditional plastic card or an electronic membership card downloadable to a digital wallet. These digital cards will allow the Legion to save time and money producing, mailing and replacing plastic cards. Stay tuned for more details. |
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| We are here to help! | | Our team is here to help, Monday through Friday 8:30–4:30 pm EST. |
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| Get access to Marketing and PR resources |
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| Reach out to lapsed 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 | | Promote the Poppy Store | | Many citizens don’t realize the Legion has an online Poppy Store, where all sorts of interesting things are for sale! When people buy items, they not only support the Legion’s work, they help promote the organization. Consider a “did you know” posting on your bulletin board or online. | | 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: 2021 and 2022 | | The 2022 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. |
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 | | MemberPerks®: Exclusive offers and preferred pricing through Venngo | | 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. | | Learn 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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| Get an autographed jersey from the Canadian Premiere League |
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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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