The IRS requires updated letters of representation for each local and state organization.  Please complete Form 2848 Sections 1 and 7 and mail to the national treasurer.  This enables us to include you in the Group Exemption Number and allows the national treasurer to assist you with matters regarding the IRS.  http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2848.pdf

You will not need a PIN number.

This file is a pre-filled form for your use.  Prefilled 284

Time for ACTION

Strategically moving forward

By Kathy Danek, President

The Executive Board of this Auxiliary met in Richmond VA to create and implement a plan of action for the next two years. The direction was defined in large part by the actions of you, the delegates at the 2012 National Convention in Los Angeles, CA. We are excited about the prospects of working with our local and state auxiliaries and members at large in order to attain these goals. Two goals emerged as the focus for the following term and are retroactive to the 2012 National Convention.

INCREASING MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITY

The Auxiliary will work to activate one local auxiliary per district and general officer per year. That’s a total of 22 new Auxiliaries over the next two years. That doesn’t mean we won’t work on increasing membership and activity in our established auxiliaries. It means we want to inspire and empower our locals without leaders and our new and emerging members to organize and get to work. Do able? YES – but how you might ask. Action steps were devised as follows:

• ASK for members – seems elementary, but people won’t join if you don’t make that initial plea. State and local dues vary by location so contact your state treasurer or national treasurer Trisa Mannion (970) 245-3912 if you need that information. National dues (also called per capita) must be sent to the national treasurer. Please make sure you get the following information for your members (both current and new): Name, address, city, state, zip, telephone #, cell phone #, the name of the local APWU they represent (not the city – but the name). That list should accompany the dues to Treasurer Mannion.
• HANDOUT INFORMATION. It can be obtained from national secretary Pat Lewis or from your district coordinator. The officers of the National Auxiliary are listed on the back cover of this issue of News and Views. Things you will need: flyers, membership envelopes, a National Auxiliary Constitution and Bylaws, contact information for your state and local. Make sure you give them a calendar of future meetings.
• Meet with interested members to organize. “Each one will reach one”.
• Invite them to meetings – and pick them up to introduce them to other interested Auxiliary members.
• Ask them to get involved in your activities – or to help set up and work on projects and activities.
• RECOGNIZE their efforts. – more on this later. Bottom line, keep track of what you do as a local and state Auxiliary member or as a member at large. The Auxiliary has adopted the Awards of Achievement Program. Every Auxiliary member can receive recognition for their work on local, state and national levels. They will be recognized at the 2014 (and each subsequent) National Convention.

HUMAN RELATIONS – REACHING OUT ON A NATIONAL PLAYING FIELD:

WOUNDED WARRIORS AMPUTEE SOFTBALL TEAM.

A goal to raise $20,000 to donate to the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team. Yes – that is $20,000 over the next 15 months. Think about it, if you break the task down into small bites it’s not only achievable, but seems to be the way to go. Here is an example – as an organization, if we raise $1500 a month for the next 15 months that would be $22,500. Breaking it down even further would mean each state and local Auxiliary could raise a minimum of $240 to achieve this goal. Basically the question is, How do you eat an elephant? - Answer- One Bite at a time. We can all work together and achieve this goal to honor the service of these heroes. It’s not about a softball team – but rather their heroic efforts to overcome unimaginable odds while inspiring others to do the same. Just think about it. We’ve all had the experience of playing catch with a small child. Now, imagine having to relive the simplest of tasks because you sacrificed a limb in the service of our nation. These Wounded Warriors and their heroic efforts far surpass their service to our nation because they empower people, both young and old to work to solve problems and challenges. HOW? Here are a few steps that will help

• Again – it starts with asking for help. Human relations has always been a large focus of our Auxiliary. This doesn’t mean to replace the current successful projects you are working on. It means finding the time and passion to add a little focus on our organization as a whole.
• Get informed on the project. District Coordinators Joyce Tanguay, Bonnie Sevre and Terri Mahan have a plethora of information. But you can get it yourself at the following website: www.woundedwarrioramputeesoftball team.org  Information on the members of the team, the obstacles they overcame, their efforts to share their stories through the simplicity of a softball game, and the heroism of their efforts. Overcoming the loss of a limb (let alone both legs, an arm or combinations of them) is an act of great courage. But sharing that story of heroism and courage in overcoming great challenges is a true message of inspiration.
• Set up a couple of fund raisers. Make sure you check the rules in your state governing raffles or games of chance. Some states require them to be called drawings. But you can also collect donations, sell desserts at meetings or many more little activities.
• SAY THANK YOU – both individually and collectively.
• Send Donations in to the National Auxiliary Treasurer and share the story of your successful venture. We are recognizing the efforts at the state or local levels. We can’t raise this kind of money on our own. We need to do it together. Send your stories to Legislative Aide Editor Barb Maciejewski. Deadline for the paper is the 20^th of each month. (April newsletter deadline is March 20).

SPEAKING OF RECOGNITION:  The Richmond VA local Auxiliary made the first local donation, to the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST), by raising $600 through a winner takes all raffle. The story will be shared in it’s entirety in News and Views. Local President Arline Holmes and her entire Auxiliary worked tirelessly to raise these funds. And the bonus for the activity – their Auxiliary continues to grow in number and activity. GREAT JOB RICHMOND.

You see, by setting a plan of action for your local, state or national auxiliary you can experience success. Not just in the projects you undertake, but also in the membership and activity of your auxiliary.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.