Alberta Looks To Military Families

After years of shrinking membership and tighter budgets, of downsizing and changing structure, Alberta–Northwest Territories Command intends to move forward by building membership—focusing on members of Canada’s Armed Forces and their families.

Canadian Forces personnel are aware of the Legion’s staunch support, thanks to the RCL Troop Morale Fund, Christmas gifts for deployed troops, support for the Nijmegen Marches, the Canadian Navy’s centennial celebrations and provision of folding chairs to troops in Kandahar, Dominion Command Vice-President Paulette Cook said in her opening remarks to the 46th Alberta–Northwest Territories Command convention June 7-10 in Camrose.

But “attitudes have changed” among the 85,000 people in uniform today. “We also have to be seen to be there for their families as well,” she said. Delegates agreed, approving several measures intended to serve military families. One calls for adding Military Family Resource Centres to the list of approved recipients of poppy funds.

“Although the Department of National Defence picks up salaries in the 40 Military Family Resource Centres, programs must be supported by donations and fundraising,” said Calgary MFRC Director Colleen Rowe. The centres, civilian-run and non-profit, gear programs to needs of their particular communities. For instance, military families transferred to Calgary, where the base closed in 1997, often feel isolated. The MFRC offers child care, parent and tots programs, youth programs, family functions and subsidized passes to local family-friendly attractions. The centre arranges pre- and post-deployment briefings and video conferences for families with loved ones overseas.

Delegates also unanimously voted to support the Building Bridges program, meant to introduce the Legion to today’s military personnel and their families. It encourages each branch to “adopt” a Canadian Forces member or military family. Command Secretary Tammy Wheeler said branches could extend a friendly hand by inviting families to branch functions or in for coffee, inviting military mothers and wives to Remembrance Day ceremonies or sending hobby kits and playing cards to members on deployment. Command has prepared a presentation, available online or by contacting the office, explaining how to organize a Building Bridges team. “It’s not meant to cost a lot of money,” said Wheeler.

The number of conference delegates has been curtailed by cost-conscious branches. This year there were 275 delegates and 275 proxies. In order to keep conventions representative, delegates voted to compress conventions by having opening ceremonies Saturday morning, followed by business sessions that would wrap up Monday. Delegates also approved speeding up elections by filling the three vice-president positions with the three candidates who receive the most votes on the first ballot.

“Veterans gave us our freedom and the structure of this great organization,” said President Darrel Jones. “It’s up to the younger generation to ensure this organization is going to survive.”

Making the Legion more inclusive is one strategy, said Cook, bringing delegates up to date on the national Veterans Unity Initiative. “Our veterans community today is more fragmented than when the Great War Veterans Association first held the unity conference in 1925 that led to formation of the Legion. A number of groups recruit from the same—and much smaller—military pool and the Legion is working to gather them under one banner—that of The Royal Canadian Legion.”

That banner flew proudly during parade Sunday, during the march of Legionnaires and members of the Ladies Auxiliary, who held their convention at the same time. Past President Harvey Shevalier, Dominion Vice-President Cook and Ladies Auxiliary President Muriel Heselwood took the salute. After Command Chairman Gordon McDonald read the Act of Remembrance, wreaths were placed on behalf of the three levels of government, the Aboriginal Veterans Society of Alberta, Veterans Affairs Canada, Camrose Branch, Alberta–N.W.T. Ladies Auxiliary and Dominion Command.

Delegates were glad to come in out of the cold into the Camrose Regional Exhibition Centre, where they enjoyed a musical interlude by the Camrose Community Band before opening ceremonies. It was just a taste of the excellent entertainment and transportation services organized by the Local Arrangements Committee, headed by Bill Hart. Delegates particularly enjoyed a welcoming steak barbeque and Pig ‘n’ Whistle comedy evening at the branch.

The Legion was thanked by Alberta Member of Legislative Assembly Verlyn Olson and Member of Parliament Kevin Sorenson both for its work helping the country remember the service and sacrifice of its armed forces, and for its work supporting local communities.

During opening ceremonies, L.A. President Heselwood was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for her stalwart service in many positions over many years.

Then it was down to serious business.  Proper budgeting and control of spending have allowed the command to operate in the black despite declining revenues and a gloomy economy, reported Treasurer Doug Yeoman. The financial advisory committee revisits the budget mid-year to make adjustments to ensure a balanced bottom line. Although revenue was down, so were expenses, leaving a net surplus of $24,597 in the operating fund and $463,048 in the reserve fund for 2008.

Although requests for service bureau help are increasing (along with costs), donations from the Poppy Fund, which supports it, have declined. If the decline continues, Yeoman warned, a provincial assessment may be necessary to support service bureau work.

Delegates reversed one cost-cutting measure by voting to resume picking up past presidents’ convention costs. “Many of us have put in many years of dedicated service, and continue to provide advice and guidance,” said former president Bob Hannah. Yet “in the past few years I feel we’ve been set aside and ignored.”  A spirited debate followed.  Mack Torrie, president of Kingsway Branch in Edmonton seemed to sum up delegates’ feelings. “It’s only money,” he said. “We raise money for everything else. Let’s recognize our past presidents.”

Elections ran smoothly. No opponent was nominated to run against Darrel Jones, who assumed the presidency on short notice when Don Orr resigned due to poor health. Jones hails from Three Sisters Branch in Canmore. “I strongly believe in our future,” he told delegates, promising an aggressive membership campaign and emphasis on training.

Vice-Presidents Reid Morris of Stony Plain Branch near Edmonton and Dave Horrocks of Centennial Branch in Calgary, vied for the position of First Vice, with Morris winning. District Commanders Bobbi McCoy of Red Deer, Wayne Donner of Medicine Hat and incumbent Horrocks were elected to the three vice-president positions. Ron Charlet of McMurray Branch in Fort McMurray, Chairman Gordon McDonald of Sangudo Branch, Dino Michaud of Airdrie Branch and Jenny Tryhorn of Patricia Branch had also been nominated.

Doug Yeoman of Innisfail Branch was uncontested for position of treasurer. Elected chairman was Bill Fecteau of Kingsway Branch in Edmonton, who ran against incumbent Gordon McDonald and Wayne Freestone of Field Marshall Alexander Branch in Vermilion.

Delegates approved resolutions requesting Dominion Command to:

• Reconsider at dominion convention in 2010 a resolution passed at the 2008 convention stipulating the Canadian flag remain upright during anthems. Delegates support dipping of all colours during the Last Post. In an emotional debate, it was argued that dipping shows respect and gratitude to those who fought under those flags, that it had long been Legion tradition, and that veterans are disappointed with the change.

• Review policy so that provincial first vice-presidents may attend pre- and post-dominion convention meetings in order to make a smooth transition.

• Change bylaws to allow branches to use poppy trust funds for automatic door-opening devices.

• Amend general bylaws to end confusion about when the poppy campaign begins by stipulating that First Poppy presentations to lieutenant-governors and territorial commissioners follow that of the Governor General as soon as possible, and that general distribution begin immediately afterwards.

• Amend general bylaws to allow boy scouts and girl guides assisting in poppy campaigns to be rewarded in the same way as members of cadet corps.

• Review policy to recognize verified accumulated years of unbroken service of voting members who were previously fraternal affiliates, honorary or meritorious life members; and recognize verified continuous service of L.A. members transferring to branches following surrender of an L.A. charter.

Delegates also approved resolutions calling on the Alberta government to:

• Inaugurate a compulsory Canadian high school history program.

• Implement Affordable Housing Task Force recommendations and take leadership in building affordable housing for veterans and handicapped seniors, who are hard hit by rent increases and the current housing shortage.

A resolution was also approved to request that the Minister of Veterans Affairs to appoint a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police member to sit on or advise the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, especially when active or former RCMP members appear for a hearing.

During convention branches and delegates raised donations for the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League totaling $8,431.95 and $2,766.95 for the Troop Morale Fund.

The 2011 convention will run June 11-13 in Edson, 200 kilometres west of Edmonton.