Does your unit have or need a budget? Every unit should be working with a budget. This is a “estimate” of what your unit’s income and expenses will be for the coming year. Once a budget is approved by the members, the treasurer can write checks according to the budget expenses without approval of the members. This is helpful when a quorum is not met, and bills can be paid.

 

What is your income? Each unit sets the dollar amount of dues for their senior and junior members. Senior membership dues sent to the department are $30 per member. These dues are allocated as follows:

• National organization - $18

• Minnesota - $12 which is allocated as follows:

  • American Legion Family Hospital Association - $0.25​

  • Department National Leadership Fund - $0.20

  • Department Junior Conference Fund - $0.10

  • Auxiliary program support and Department staff expenses - $11.45

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Junior membership dues sent to Department are $6.00. These des are allocated as follows:

• National organization - $2.50

• Minnesota - $3.50

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Other Fundraising – is your unit planning any other ways to raise funds for the year? If so, this would make up the balance of your unit’s income.

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What expenses does your unit have?

The amount of membership dues that are sent to the department. The unit is also obliged to send a per capita amount to the District Treasurer. (Check with your district treasurer to find out the amount of the assessment.)

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Donations – Please consider donating to our Auxiliary programs first. The approved programs are listed in the unit guide by programs.

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The Department President’s project and the Honorary Department Junior President’s project should be considered when making your budget. Please consider including the District President’s project and the Honorary District Junior President’s project. The Department and District Presidents projects that were brought before the Department Executive Committee were approved.

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Any other expenses that your unit has should be listed in your budget. Don’t forget to include the unit bonding fee. (This is due every three years, and this year is the year.) Hopefully your income is greater than your expenses.

 

Any expenses not listed in the budget need to be approved at a unit meeting prior to the treasurer paying the bill.

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Best practice is to have two signatures on each check.

The General Funds and Poppy funds need to be separated. The monies do not need to be in separate accounts, but you must have separate ledgers to keep the funds and expenditures in the correct places.

 

Poppy funds must be spent in accordance with The American Legion Poppy Program and Poppy Fund Rules, as revised in 2013 and 2014 by The American Legion National Executive Committee. Poppy Funds may only be used for:

• The rehabilitation of veterans honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces after April 6, 1917.

• The welfare of the families of veterans of the above-names period.

• The rehabilitation of hospitalized military service personnel returning home and awaiting discharge who require treatment in service hospitals.

• The welfare of veterans, active military personnel, and the families of veterans and active military personnel of the above-named period where financial and medical need is evident.

• For the purpose of poppy kits and supplies used to make symbolic poppies and poppy items that will be distributed for donations to the Poppy Fund.

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The information can be found on the national website – legion-aux.org – programs – poppy. Member log-in is necessary. (Your membership number is required.)

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Donations

To donate to our Auxiliary Programs, please use the donation form that will be in the first unit mailing. The forms can be found in the resources section below.

 

Make a separate check for the programs where poppy funds are allowed and another check for all other donations. A separate check is NOT NEEDED for each program donation.

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Make checks payable to: "American Legion Auxiliary"

Send checks to:

American Legion Auxiliary

Department of Minnesota

State Veterans Service Building Room #314

20 West 12th Street, St Paul, MN 55155

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Your district donations need to be sent to the district treasurer. Check with you district treasurer or president for the correct address.

 

Membership needs to be sent into the Department office with a separate check and transmittal sheet. Some units are using ALAMIS to do membership online. If your unit is interested in submitting your membership online, contact your district or department membership chairman.

 

Every unit and district is required by law to file Form 990 each year with the IRS. If you need assistance with this, please contact the risk and compliance chairman or your District President.

 

This year we will be “Promoting our Mission by Working our Programs”. We will work together to support our programs financially. Every dollar counts – no amount is too small to make a difference. It is up to all of us to further the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary. Thank you for all the donations.

 

The Finance Committee is here to assist you if needed.