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Important Branch 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 | | October 2024 |
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| Meet the new Dominion President | | The Royal Canadian Legion has elected Berkley Lawrence as the new Dominion President during the organization’s 49th Dominion Convention held in Saint John, New Brunswick from August 25-28. “I’m proud of the work our organization has achieved to date, and I look forward to more positive growth as we continue to focus on the needs of our Veterans,” said Lawrence, upon his installation as the new leader. “I’m honoured to be elected.” You can read more in this news article. | | The Convention was a success in modernization. It marked the first time we had on-site electronic voting, allowing for the collection of delegate votes and the announcement of results within minutes. It was the first in-person Convention where the Committee Reports and Resolutions Book was provided to delegates in electronic format, minimizing our environmental footprint and reducing costs. We also introduced the Convention App that was used successfully not only for the electronic voting process, but to provide information on activities, facilities and more to support delegate participation. | | Videos from Convention workshops, guest speakers and the installation ceremony area available for viewing. | | View videos ‣
| | With these successes, we are looking forward to the 2026 Convention in Winnipeg for The Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th anniversary! |
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| Tell us what you love about your Legion Branch! | | Legion National Headquarters is inviting all Branches to share videos about your local Legion. Tell us what you love about your Branch so that we can share it to help promote the work you do and encourage Canadians to join. | There are three topics to choose from:
- What your Branch does for Veterans
- What your Branch does for the community
- What your members love about your Branch
| | Make a video about one topic... or make videos on all three! | | Use this QR Code to record your short video. |  | | The easy‑to‑use technology will guide you through the simple steps to record, edit and share your story. | | We can’t wait to hear about your Branch, the work you do for Veterans and your community, and the fun and camaraderie your members enjoy. |
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| Call for Applications for the Pilgrimage of Remembrance 2025 | | The Legion National Foundation is now accepting applications for Legion members to represent their Provincial Command and the Legion in the 2025 Pilgrimage of Remembrance, July 5–19, 2025. Selected individuals will experience and share a once‑in‑a‑lifetime journey visiting the battlegrounds, museums, commemorations, and final resting places of soldiers who fought in and around Normandy, France and Belgium. | | See the attached memo for details. Applications are completed online at, https://lnfcanada.ca/our-work/pilgrimage-of-remembrance/, and must be received by 31 October 2024 for consideration. | | 2025 Pilgrimage memo ‣
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| How to handle Poppy Fund assistance to currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces | | There are administrative orders and directives set by the Canadian Armed Forces to address currently serving members with financial situations. Poppy Funds may not be granted to a currently serving member without guidance from a SISIP financial counsellor. If a currently serving member applies for financial assistance with you or your Branch, the best course of action is to re‑direct the member to the SISIP financial counsellor on base, the military family resource centre or their local CAF chaplain’s office. Should the financial counsellor on base deem that Poppy Funds would benefit the member, the SISIP counsellor will reach out to the appropriate command office to discuss the case. | | Please ensure the Branch Service Officer and Branch Poppy Fund administrator review the full details in this pdf. |
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| Want to hear from CAF members this Veterans’ Week? | | Did you know that the Department of National Defence offers Canadians an opportunity to bring history to life and hear stories of our Veterans as part of the National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program? You can invite a CAF speaker for an in‑person or video presentation during Veterans’ Week, November 5–11. | | Learn more ‣
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| Miscalculation of Disability Pensions Class Action Settlement | | Earlier this year, Veterans Affairs Canada [VAC] settled a class action lawsuit relating to the miscalculation of disability pension benefits payable between 2003 and 2023 to disabled Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans and their survivors. Living veterans will receive their settlement payments automatically from VAC and consequently there is no action required on their part. | | However, there are a large number of Estates of deceased veterans, family members or survivors of veterans who are eligible to receive a significant payment. On average, claims are worth about $2,500. However, there are 40 people who are eligible for payments over $35,000 and approx. 2,000 for payments over $10,000 | | The entire claims process is being administered by KPMG, who have created a website where claims can be made here. | The deadline to make a claim is on March 19, 2025.
KPMG have also established a toll-free call center to answer questions (1-833-839-0648).
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| Learn about the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans | | The Royal Canadian Legion is proud to support the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCoE). The CPCoE is an important partner in research and improving the well-being of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans, and their families, suffering from chronic pain. | | Watch and share this video to learn more about the CPCoE. |
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| Branch Membership Administration | | Resources and tips to support your Membership Chair |
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| + Fall Membership Renewal Campaign | As we approach the busiest time of the year for membership renewals, we urge you to update, collect, and upload member email addresses and phone numbers on the membership website. This will allow us to send cost-effective reminders to members on your behalf. Members can renew their membership through any of the following methods:
- At your local Branch
- Contacting member services by phone
- Online
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| Get access to Marketing and PR resources |
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 | | PR Tip of the Month: | | Screen your branch rentals | | A crucial step with any room or hall rental is the screening process. It allows you to avoid hassles and PR troubles if an inappropriate booking is made. Remember that a useful screening tool can be found in the Member Services Website portal under marketing resources. |
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 | | Your Legion calendar | | October 1–7 is Mental Illness Awareness Week, and October 10 is World Mental Health Day. These are great opportunities to share the Legion’s mental health supports with Veterans and their families.
| | 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 your copy to help with Branch planning for the new year. | | Download the 2024 calendar ‣
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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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| Messages from affiliated organizations | | The following information and special offers are brought to you by organizations the Legion works closely with. |
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| Watch this short video on how Mailchimp can support your Legion Branch email communications | | The Legion partnered with Mailchimp, a leading provider in email marketing, to offer Branches an easy, efficient, and affordable email service can help you send out newsletters to your members with the click of a button. Plus, you’ll have access to Legion branded newsletter templates to help support the Legion brand. | | Learn more ‣
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| Preferred rates for Branches from Canada’s leading payment processor |
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| Moneris® offers preferred payment processing rates to Royal Canadian Legion branches. With a wide range of industry-leading payment products and services, Moneris has the solutions you need to support your branch. | | At Moneris, we take pride in being the payment solutions provider of choice for businesses of all sizes across Canada. Learn more about the Top 7 Reasons Canadian Businesses Choose Moneris. | | Take advantage of the preferred rates from Moneris available to Royal Canadian Legion branches. Call 1-888-552-0341, and reference chain #30500058435 or visit moneris.com/associations. | | Learn more ‣
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| Intuit Canada is offering special partner rates for Royal Canadian Legion branches looking to streamline their bookkeeping using QuickBooks Online! To take advantage of this 30% lifetime discount*, to learn more about partner pricing for your branch, schedule a 15 minute consult with a product specialist! | | Learn more ‣ | Book 15 Minute Consult ‣
| | *Discount valid on new QBO activations only. |
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| Cost savings on everything your Branch needs to run its restaurant and hospitality services |
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| Sign up for a free membership with Entegra and your Branch will receive rebates and savings through your current and new suppliers on food and beverages, furniture and equipment, maintenance and repair services, and more! | | Learn more ‣
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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. – 4:00 p.m. EST |  | | Working together to serve Canada’s Veterans. |
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