Electing leaders we stand united ...

With the winter season now drawing to a close and a hint of warmer days ahead, we now begin attending our state conventions and one of our most important responsibilities, the excitement of electing new officers for the coming year. To be elected at the Unit, State, or National level of the DAV Auxiliary is an honor and a privilege, imparting great responsibility.

Our Auxiliary is committed to assisting disabled veterans and their families. To do so, we must elect Auxiliary leaders who can assemble unified learns of members to fulfill the necessary needs and accomplish our goals. Without good leaders, we too often become individuals working on individual tasks without the strength to accomplish larger goals.

Leaders are responsible for understanding the mission of the DAV Auxiliary and illustrating knowledge and understanding of the commitment to their elected position. This includes a commitment to organization and sharing knowledge with other members, as well as listening to them. Good leaders must also make it their responsibility to know and understand the organization's constitution and by-laws; be able to prepare a meeting agenda, and record meeting minutes. They must see to it that action items are fulfilled and motivate the membership to fulfill the organization's charter. In short. a good leader is also a good manager.

New officers should also be the Mentors of their Units, coaching members to attend Unit meetings, participate in volunteer programs, and increase membership. By their example, good leaders inspire the best in those they lead. They inspire teamwork and are confident anything can he accomplished working together as a team.

Just a5 important as good leaders, are you, the Auxiliary members. Without members there is no one to lead, no one to accomplish all we do for disabled veterans and their families, or all we accomplish for each other. That's why all Auxiliary members must work together to build a larger, stronger membership committed to the support of the DAV Auxiliary. A larger more active membership can increase the level of service we provide disabled veterans and their families--service they truly need.

Leaders and managers do not operate alone on a one-way street. They travel along a busy, multi-lane super highway with many entrances and exits. Leaders and members alike share this super highway moving from task to task assisting disabled veterans and their families. and accomplishing their Auxiliary goals. There may be fender-benders along the way, but, good leaders make sure everyone is soon hack on the road accomplishing our Auxiliary goals.

Just as we stand united 111 support of disabled veterans and their families, we must stand united in our efforts to elect officers and leaders who we are confident will strive for the excellence the DAV Auxiliary represents. Do this, at every level, and you are building a brighter future for the DAV Auxiliary-do this at every level and you are building a better life for disabled veterans and their families.