| Leadership Program |
| Inez McCain Leadership Chairman 2011-2012 |
American Legion Auxiliary
| Department of Mississippi |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
This year, our National leaders are
asking us to help “spread the word”
and get members on the local level
informed, and interested, in helping
new members learn what our
organization is all about. Those who
have been officers, or are now serving
as officers, should mentor new
members as they join and get them
involved.
Our monthly Department newsletter is
the best tool we have to get
information out to our membership.
The trick there is for the Unit
President (or whoever receives it for
the Unit) to share it with the
members. Please watch for the
monthly article on Leadership.
We hope to have some workshops
during the year. I have two capable
and dedicated members serving on
this committee with me: Diane
Cantrell and Emma Simpson. Both
are ready and willing to help anyone
interested in a workshop for their unit
or district. Also, Dept. Secretary
Nancy Sanders and I have discussed
a program whereby we would
combine Leadership with much
needed record-keeping information
throughout the state.
Let’s remember President Mary Ried’
s theme: Toucan Can Make a
Difference!
For God and Country,
Inez McCain, Dept. Leadership
Chairman
asking us to help “spread the word”
and get members on the local level
informed, and interested, in helping
new members learn what our
organization is all about. Those who
have been officers, or are now serving
as officers, should mentor new
members as they join and get them
involved.
Our monthly Department newsletter is
the best tool we have to get
information out to our membership.
The trick there is for the Unit
President (or whoever receives it for
the Unit) to share it with the
members. Please watch for the
monthly article on Leadership.
We hope to have some workshops
during the year. I have two capable
and dedicated members serving on
this committee with me: Diane
Cantrell and Emma Simpson. Both
are ready and willing to help anyone
interested in a workshop for their unit
or district. Also, Dept. Secretary
Nancy Sanders and I have discussed
a program whereby we would
combine Leadership with much
needed record-keeping information
throughout the state.
Let’s remember President Mary Ried’
s theme: Toucan Can Make a
Difference!
For God and Country,
Inez McCain, Dept. Leadership
Chairman
LEADERSHIP GUIDELINES
1. BE OPTIMISTIC--Expect the best from members and officers and you will usually get it. A
good leader should show the way by being enthusiastic.
2. BE POSITIVE--Praise and encourage people. A good leader should always be watchful
and take time to recognize the talents of others. Don't go around putting people down or
spreading rumors.
3. BE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN OTHERS-- Make each member feel that what she
provides to the Unit is valuable. If people feel as though you don't care about them, they will
not support you.
4. SMILE--A smile shows interest and caring. "Smile and the world smiles with you..."
5. DEVELOP A SENSE OF HUMOR--Be willing to laugh at yourself. Do not take your
position or yourself to seriously.
6. CALL PEOPLE BY NAME--Calling people by name shows an interest in them and
makes them feel important. There's nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting and
people love the sound of their own name.
7. LISTEN TO PEOPLE--Truly listen; you must try to see things from the other person's point
of view. Recognize that each person will have a different style. Show respect for the other
person's opinions. When you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
8. ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES--This give you the opportunity to
listen and learn. Be interested in people.
9. HELP OTHERS--Open and honest relationships in which people help each other are the
best ones. Be alert to give service. What counts most in life is what we do for others.
10. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT--Use good manners, be polite, watch your language and try
to keep emotions in check. Before you say or do things, think about possible
consequences. there are usually three side to a controversy; yours, hers and the right side.
(AUTHOR UNKNOWN)
1. BE OPTIMISTIC--Expect the best from members and officers and you will usually get it. A
good leader should show the way by being enthusiastic.
2. BE POSITIVE--Praise and encourage people. A good leader should always be watchful
and take time to recognize the talents of others. Don't go around putting people down or
spreading rumors.
3. BE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN OTHERS-- Make each member feel that what she
provides to the Unit is valuable. If people feel as though you don't care about them, they will
not support you.
4. SMILE--A smile shows interest and caring. "Smile and the world smiles with you..."
5. DEVELOP A SENSE OF HUMOR--Be willing to laugh at yourself. Do not take your
position or yourself to seriously.
6. CALL PEOPLE BY NAME--Calling people by name shows an interest in them and
makes them feel important. There's nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting and
people love the sound of their own name.
7. LISTEN TO PEOPLE--Truly listen; you must try to see things from the other person's point
of view. Recognize that each person will have a different style. Show respect for the other
person's opinions. When you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
8. ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES--This give you the opportunity to
listen and learn. Be interested in people.
9. HELP OTHERS--Open and honest relationships in which people help each other are the
best ones. Be alert to give service. What counts most in life is what we do for others.
10. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT--Use good manners, be polite, watch your language and try
to keep emotions in check. Before you say or do things, think about possible
consequences. there are usually three side to a controversy; yours, hers and the right side.
(AUTHOR UNKNOWN)
The Leadership program is designed to develop and prepare knowledgeable and capable
leaders to carry on the growth and success of the Auxiliary by promoting activities and
resources that educate, motivate and mentor members of all ages and at all levels.
leaders to carry on the growth and success of the Auxiliary by promoting activities and
resources that educate, motivate and mentor members of all ages and at all levels.
Your stated objectives for the year (from the Dept. Plan of Action) are:
1. Educate Members: Leadership chairmen must strive to educate members on
Auxiliary programs and duties of officers.
2. Motivate Members: Keep your meetings interesting and fun as you learn about the
programs and how to become potential leaders.
3. Encourage Mentor Programs: A mentor is an advisor or friend that is willing to offer
guidance to another individual. When a mentor is assigned, the individual, the mentor and
the organization gain.
Department Leadership Plans of Action
Leadership Annual Report Form
Star Guide Objectives: (These are two activities that our Units can do this year that will
contribute to the overall Dept. program.)
1. Encourage Unit Leadership Chairmen to ask Unit members to take the Auxiliary
Leadership Course and monitor administration of test. We want Mississippi to have a
record number of members pass the course.
2. Provide units with a mini-Leadership workshop in the monthly Department newsletter
that can be presented easily at each monthly unit meeting.
Try this! The Leadership Correspondence course is now free and may be downloaded
from our Dept. Web site at www.missala.com. It is located on the Plans of Action/Forms
page. There are four parts: the course, the instruction sheet, the test, and the answer
page. Print out a copy and make as many copies as you need to have your members take
the course. The course is educational and informative—your members will learn more
about the Auxiliary and appreciate its history. Don’t forget your Juniors—there’s a test for
them, too.
Try This!
Leadership Correspondence Course (Updated)
Leadership Correspondence Course Instruction Sheet
Leadership Test
Correspondence Course Answer Sheet
Key dates (events, deadlines) to know:
1. Mid-year narrative to Dept. Chairman by Dec. 31, 2010
2. Year-end report to Dept. Chairman by May 1, 2010
3. Leadership Courses may be submitted to National anytime, but let’s get them
completed for this year by June 1, 2011 for our report to National.
Other Leadership Tools:
Mentorship Agreement
1. Educate Members: Leadership chairmen must strive to educate members on
Auxiliary programs and duties of officers.
2. Motivate Members: Keep your meetings interesting and fun as you learn about the
programs and how to become potential leaders.
3. Encourage Mentor Programs: A mentor is an advisor or friend that is willing to offer
guidance to another individual. When a mentor is assigned, the individual, the mentor and
the organization gain.
Department Leadership Plans of Action
Leadership Annual Report Form
Star Guide Objectives: (These are two activities that our Units can do this year that will
contribute to the overall Dept. program.)
1. Encourage Unit Leadership Chairmen to ask Unit members to take the Auxiliary
Leadership Course and monitor administration of test. We want Mississippi to have a
record number of members pass the course.
2. Provide units with a mini-Leadership workshop in the monthly Department newsletter
that can be presented easily at each monthly unit meeting.
Try this! The Leadership Correspondence course is now free and may be downloaded
from our Dept. Web site at www.missala.com. It is located on the Plans of Action/Forms
page. There are four parts: the course, the instruction sheet, the test, and the answer
page. Print out a copy and make as many copies as you need to have your members take
the course. The course is educational and informative—your members will learn more
about the Auxiliary and appreciate its history. Don’t forget your Juniors—there’s a test for
them, too.
Try This!
Leadership Correspondence Course (Updated)
Leadership Correspondence Course Instruction Sheet
Leadership Test
Correspondence Course Answer Sheet
Key dates (events, deadlines) to know:
1. Mid-year narrative to Dept. Chairman by Dec. 31, 2010
2. Year-end report to Dept. Chairman by May 1, 2010
3. Leadership Courses may be submitted to National anytime, but let’s get them
completed for this year by June 1, 2011 for our report to National.
Other Leadership Tools:
Mentorship Agreement
