Ashby, Minn., American Legion Auxiliary Unit 357 had a tough decision on their hands: Fold the unit or change their structure to continue.
 
Though they still had the love and drive to serve their local veterans and military families, and their community, they were struggling with membership and their identity.
 
Sheri Anderson, unit president at the time the decision was made, called a meeting to discuss what could be done.
 
To help fix the situation, the unit decided to change its structure to focus more on the mission outreach side of the ALA by forming groups focused on Youth, Community Service, National Security, and Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation activities. The unit refers to these groups as pillars. Members commit to one instead of spreading themselves thin and trying to do everything. 
 
Along with committing unit members to a singular focus to become more productive with members’ time, the unit cut down from meeting monthly to quarterly.  
 
To maintain the overall focus, the unit has an executive committee made up of chairs/co-chairs of each outreach mission. There are also executive positions, such as unit president/executive lead. 
 
“We were in a situation that we either needed to change our structure or fold,” Anderson said. “Our intent was to circulate through — have members hold a three-year term in a pillar just to kind of spread that out.” 
 
Currently, the unit is in the process of changing for the community.
 
“We really tried to reinvent ourselves,” Anderson said. “I’m not sure we’re totally there because our executive committee a couple years ago said, ‘If we went away, who would miss us?’ I think that’s kind of a sobering question to ask of our unit.”
 
With that serious question motivating them, the unit now hosts free, public events throughout the year. 
 
Turkey Bingo and Wheels, Tracks, and Wings are two examples of events that fall under the unit’s youth mission outreach events that attract a large attendance. Wheels, Tracks, and Wings — a Month of the Military Child event that youth can learn about airplanes and military vehicles — brings in around 600 attendees.  
The annual events have helped the community and surrounding areas build a relationship with the unit.
 
“People are starting to recognize it and expect it. I think that part of the evolution of the identity is, if they think of Wheels, Tracks, and Wings … then there’s that connection to our Auxiliary unit,” Anderson said. “When you create that awareness and excitement for that event, that’s where you really grow it.” 
 
Melissa Johnson, unit president/executive lead, is a newer member to the unit who joined when the pillar structure was started. 
 
“Being able to split into pillars meant that you were not a volunteer who was expected to volunteer for everything,” Johnson said.
 
Joyce Lacey, unit chaplain, has been a member of the ALA for over 45 years. When the conversation came up of the unit submitting its charter for cancellation, Lacey was determined to keep the Auxiliary going, not only because of her dedication to service but also to the ALA’s legacy — one that Anderson also feels. Both Auxiliary members have strong family ties in The American Legion Family. Anderson hopes the legacy of the ALA continues with her granddaughter. 
 
As the Ashby unit forges a new path, they’re maintaining ALA traditions while welcoming new ideas. They hope to continue serving their community. 
 
“We’ve been very fortunate to have very dedicated, committed members who support this and are willing to do whatever to keep things going,” Lacey said. 
 
For other ALA units facing similar issues or hoping to host annual events, the unit has advice: Follow through.
 
“It’s a vision, and a lot of hard work to put it together, and a lot of hard work to keep it going,” Anderson said.