Around the start of a new year, people often like to work on upgrading parts of their lives, such as their health or their home. 
 
At American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters, we’ve upgraded the ALA Academy, an online training platform that provides tools to members to help grow the Auxiliary’s mission of serving veterans, military, and their families, and the organization as a team. 
 
The updates have made ALA Academy more user friendly, there are more options for different types of content, and attendees can leave reviews of the courses. The latter will inform fellow members what others think of the course, as well as provide feedback for any future changes. With ALA 101, for example, one member gave a 5-star review, writing, “Great overview course! Easy to follow and provides useful information. All Auxiliary members should take this course!” Additionally, members can go back in to see previously viewed content. Once on the ALA Academy site, click “go to your learning center” and then the “completed” tab. We have also updated the completed certificate for each course — now ALA branded. 

The educational opportunities these courses provide are a deeper level of understanding about the American Legion Auxiliary organization. Members who don’t take these courses will miss out on advanced options to grow and learn as a member, volunteer, and donor, thus affecting the impact on those we serve. 

This free, professionally developed online training program is designed for both new and seasoned ALA members. 
 
ALA Academy now has two options for learning:

• Self-paced courses you can take any time from any device. These are designed for you take whenever you have time with no need to pre-register.
• Live virtual webinars. These courses are free but offered live, so you will need to register in advance.

Options for self-paced courses: 

• ALA 101
• ALA Communication Methods 201
• ALA Leadership: Living our Motto of Service Not Self
• Establishing an ALA Culture of Goodwill
• ALA Branding and Why it Matters to Me
• ALA Juniors eLearning Course
• ALA Fundraising Course
• How to Deal with Conflict 

The second option for learning is live virtual webinars. These course topics are updated regularly and are offered a few times to accommodate different schedules and time zones. Did you miss a previously offered live course? The video recordings, along with all handouts, are in the ALA Academy. Recordings of live courses and their accompanying materials are available within a few days after a live course airs. 

Recordings of previous webinars offered:

• Mission Delivery: Basic Training
• Mission Delivery: Veteran Service
• American Legion Auxiliary Foundation Grants Panel
• Getting Started with Juniors

The next live webinar will be on the ALA Junior Activities Patch Program. This course is geared toward Junior mentors. The same course will be offered at different times and will last approximately 45 minutes. Pick the date that works best with your schedule:

• Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 9 p.m. ET 

Register today.
 
Also, another upcoming live webinar will be a National Veterans Creative Arts Festival panel. Watch ALA National Headquarters’ social media channels @ALAforVeterans for the most up-to-date course registration information.

Click here to get started on your first ALA Academy course or to take another. Don’t see a topic offered and would like to suggest one? Contact us using the form below.