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Membership and renewal cards 2010 -2011

Membership and Incentive

Welcome

Today the Legion is one of the largest community service organizations in Canada with more than 360,000 members and approximately 1,500 branches in Canada, the USA and Europe.

As well as service to veterans and the community, the Legion has a strong and continuing commitment in promoting Canada's contribution to world peace, the protection of Canadian sovereignty and the preservation of national unity.

As the years take their toll on Canada's veteran population, the Legion needs the infusion of new blood in order to maintain the many services provided by The Royal Canadian Legion to communities across Canada.

Membership was originally restricted to those who had served in Canada's Armed Forces and Merchant Navy. The Royal Canadian Legion is proud of its military heritage and still maintains close ties with the Armed Forces today; however, over the years, categories of membership have evolved to include other members of the community. Find out how you can join!

Why should I Join?

By joining The Royal Canadian Legion you will have the opportunity to make new friends, become involved with your community and to develop and share your leadership skills. You will help to perpetuate the Remembrance of those who gave so much for the freedom and prosperity we enjoy today. The proud heritage of this great Canadian organization will be enriched by the enthusiasm, energy and new ideas that you bring to it.

Here are just some of the many benefits membership in The Royal Canadian Legion brings:

• Social Activities - Most branches have recreational facilities and may have licensed lounges.
• Members can enjoy a wide variety of social events such as dances, barbeques, entertainment
•  and a host of other special events.
• Member Sports - The Legion has sporting events such as darts, curling, cribbage and golf, with competitions ranging from local, provincial to national levels.
• Member Benefits Package - The Legion has developed a relationship with a number of corporate partners to provide products and services to its members. Some of the partners include a home and auto insurance company, health care services, a credit card company, and an auto club to name a few. Only Legion members are entitled to the benefits offered.
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• Community Service - You can serve your community by assisting with the many Legion programs in support of youth, seniors, the disabled and others. The Legion also provides bursaries and scholarships to students from Secondary School to the University level and is the largest single supporter of Scouts and Guides in Canada. It is also a major supporter of sea, army and air cadets.
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• Leadership - You will have the opportunity to grow within this great organization. The Legion needs members who can take on the Leadership challenge. If this is where your interest lies you can become involved by serving on the branch executive. You may even wish to go to higher levels such as zone, district or provincial. You may even aspire to the national level. Every Dominion President who has served in this capacity started out as a branch member. You, too, could one day be President of the largest community service organization in Canada.



• Service - As Canada's largest volunteer organization, tremendous intangible benefits are gained through the commitment of members to fulfill the mandate of remembrance, service to the community and our country. Our fallen comrades served in battle, you have "another way to serve" by joining The Royal Canadian Legion.
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• Legion Magazine
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• Your membership includes a subscription to the Legion Magazine which is published six times a year. It contains articles on various topics including history, current events and general interest stories, as well as keeping members up-to-date on the many and varied Legion activities. It also contains a section dedicated to the recognition of those who served their countryes a year. It contains articles on various topics including history, current events and general interest stories, as well as keeping members up-to-date on the many and varied Legion activities. It also contains a section dedicated to the recognition of those who served their country.

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Who is eligible?

Ordinary Membership

You may be eligible for Ordinary membership if you have served or are serving in:

• The Canadian Forces or Her Majesty's Forces (including regular force or reserve force under class "C" service); or
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• the Forces or underground forces of any of Her Majesty's allies in any war, conflict or police action in which Canada was involved; or
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• the Merchant Navy or non-military services in an actual theatre of war in which Canada was involved; or
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• Her Majesty's reserve forces including Cadet Instructors on the Cadet Cadre for not less than one year; or
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• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police or The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for not less than one year; or
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• the Forces of a country while that country was a member of NATO or NORAD in alliance with Canada; or
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• the Forces of the United States; or
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• the Vietnam War with the Armed Forces of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea or South Vietnam, and were a Canadian citizen or Commonwealth subject at the time of service; or
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• the Canadian Coast Guard as an officer or crew member who has two or more years active service on the high seas or inland waterways; or
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• a city, municipal or provincial police force as a police officer for not less than one year.

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Associate Membership

If you do not qualify for Ordinary membership you may be eligible for Associate membership if you:

• are the child, stepchild, adopted child, grandchild, sibling, niece/nephew, widow/er, parent or spouse of someone who is or was eligible for Ordinary membership; or
• are the child of an Associate member; or
• have served in The Royal Canadian Sea, Army or Air Cadets for not less than 3 years; or
• have served as a cadet civilian instructor for not less than 3 years; or
• have served as an officer in the Navy League of Canada for not less than 2 years; or
• have served in the Polish Armed Forces after WW II below the rank of officer; or
• have served in a City, Municipal, Volunteer, Un-organized Territories or Federal Fire Service for not less than one year
• are the spouse, parent or sibling of an associate member who qualified subject to the above criteria.

Affiliate Voting Membership 

If you do not qualify for Ordinary or Associate membership but support the aims and objects of The Royal Canadian Legion you may apply for Affiliate Voting membership.

Affiliate Non-Voting Membership

If you are a non-Canadian citizen or a non-Commonwealth subject from an Allied nation and support the aims and objects of The Royal Canadian Legion, you may apply for Affiliate Non-Voting membership. These members shall have the same rights as all other members except the rights to vote and hold office. A member admitted under this Section is not permitted to apply for voting status unless otherwise qualified.

For further information, please contact your nearest Legion Branch.

How can I join?

Membership in The Royal Canadian Legion originates at the local branch level. There are branches in most communities across Canada and these can be found listed in the white pages of your local telephone directory under the heading "Royal Canadian Legion". With more than 1500 branches across Canada, the USA and Europe there are many choices and you are sure to find one that meets your needs.

You should apply for membership by contacting the branch most convenient to you. They will assist you in completing your application form and can advise you on your eligibility status and what documentation may be required. Each branch enjoys a measure of autonomy so activities, programs and membership dues may vary from branch to branch.

For information pertaining to the Military Member at Large Program (application form) you should contact our National office or for branches and posts in specific areas you may contact the following Command or State offices.

Ladies Auxiliaries and Youth

The Royal Canadian Legion Ladies' Auxiliary is comprised of mothers, wives, daughters, stepdaughters, nieces, sisters, granddaughters, great granddaughters and widows of Legion members. In some Commands, membership is also open to women in the community.

Most, but not all, branches have Ladies and/or Junior Auxiliaries which come under the jurisdiction of the Branch. Major contributors to the day to day life of the branch, auxiliaries provide financial and volunteer support to Legion programs.

Any woman who is eligible for membership in the Legion may choose to become a member of the ladies Auxiliary only, or a member of both.

Members of the Ladies' Auxiliary support the aims and objects of The Royal Canadian Legion and their dedicated service enriches the programs and activities of the branch.