Guest blog by Cathleen MacInnes, ALA Foundation Board of Directors member 

I’ve been asked that question many times in the last few years. While I can’t tell you why you should apply, I can tell you why I did. I belong to and have been an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary for more than 40 years. I know I won’t be around for all of our next 100 years of service, but I do want to play a part in making sure that what we do for veterans, military, and their families continues.

I want to be confident that our programs and benefits to our communities remain, evolve, and flourish. I joined because I hoped that participation in the ALA Foundation Board of Directors would provide me with that confidence in our future.

What I found was that the board is composed of directors who are focused on the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary, dedicated to improving that mission through ALA Foundation grants, and committed to growing the ALA Foundation’s Mission Endowment Fund to underwrite our next 100 years.

This amazing group of women and men is welcoming of new members, works together as a team, stays on task, and is remarkably supportive of each other. It’s a privilege to work with a group so intent on the achievement of the ALA Foundation goals.

Each board member has a responsibility to encourage and solicit donations, personally thank our donors, and review and evaluate grant applications. The meetings are well-organized and efficiently conducted; agendas, meeting materials, grant applications, and supporting documents are distributed well in advance of the meeting, so there is time to review them fully and identify any questions.

The majority of meetings are held by conference call, with only the annual meeting in the fall held in Indianapolis. As a volunteer, I very much appreciate the time I have committed is spent on the work of the ALA Foundation.

For me, one of the most interesting aspects of board membership is the personal thank you calls we make to our donors – most are pleased (and a bit surprised) to hear from us. It’s a wonderful opportunity to “meet” donors and spread the word about the ALA Foundation.

I believe the American Legion Auxiliary can thrive and grow only if people are aware of who we are and what we do, and the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation can help.

If you want to join us and be part of growing the organization over the next 100 years, learn more about applying for an ALA Foundation Board of director position at www.ALAFoundation.org.