2026 National Convention Breakouts - 2026 National Convention Breakouts

Date/Time: Monday 8/31/2026 at 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Room L015-L019, Kentucky International Convention Center

Presenters: Amber Caron - Director of Communications, Wreaths Across America; Julie Bright - Director of Locations and Groups, Wreaths Across America; Chrystal Daulton - Director of Programs; Lisa Williamson - Past National President

Wreaths Across America provides American Legion Auxiliary members with a meaningful opportunity to honor veterans, strengthen community partnerships, and connect members to visible mission-focused service. This session will explore how units and departments can participate in Wreaths Across America efforts in a way that supports the ALA mission, engages members, and builds stronger relationships with veterans, families, cemeteries, schools, civic groups, and community partners.

Attendees will learn more about the purpose and impact of Wreaths Across America, hear practical ideas for involvement at the local and department levels, and discuss ways to make participation manageable, meaningful, and sustainable. The session will also highlight how remembrance-based projects can create opportunities for storytelling, public awareness, and member engagement.

Objectives:

Explain the mission and purpose of Wreaths Across America and how it aligns with ALA service.
Identify ways units and departments can participate in or support Wreaths Across America efforts.
Explore partnership opportunities with local veterans groups, cemeteries, schools, and community organizations.
Discuss how remembrance projects can increase member engagement and public awareness.
Develop one idea for implementing or expanding a Wreaths Across America effort in a unit or department.

Date/Time: Monday 8/31/2026 at 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Room L010-L014, Kentucky International Convention Center

Presenters: Carley Schutz - Director of Development; Cathleen MacInnes - ALA Foundation President

The ALA Foundation expanded the grant criteria for the Veteran Projects Fund Grant, making this an ideal time for members to learn how to build stronger, more mission focused grant applications. This interactive session will walk attendees through the purpose of the Veteran Projects Fund Grant, what makes a project mission-aligned, and how to tell the story of local impact in a clear and compelling way.

Attendees will learn practical tips for developing a project idea, connecting the project to veterans and military, preparing a basic budget, and avoiding common application mistakes. Whether attendees are new to grant writing or have applied before, this session will provide tools and guidance to help strengthen future Veteran Projects Fund Grant applications.

Objectives:

Explain the purpose of the Veteran Projects Fund Grant and how it supports mission-focused work.
Review key elements of the new Veteran Projects Fund Grant application.
Identify what makes a project strong, fundable, and connected to ALA mission impact.
Discuss common mistakes or missing information that can weaken an application.
Begin outlining a project idea, impact statement, or budget framework that could support a future grant request.

Registration is limited to the first 120 registrants.

Date/Time: Monday 8/31/2026 at 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Room M100-M103, Kentucky International Convention Center

Presenters: Chris Dickey - Registered Parliamentarian; Tamara Shumate - Deputy Executive Director

Constitution & Bylaws questions are often most challenging when leaders must apply governing documents to real situations. This session will move beyond a basic overview and focus on practical case scenarios that may arise at the unit, district/county, or department level. Attendees will work through realistic examples involving bylaws, standing rules, elections, meeting authority, officer responsibilities, and proper process.

The session is designed to help leaders think through issues carefully, understand the importance of following governing documents, and recognize when additional guidance may be needed. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of how to approach C&B questions with consistency, fairness, and confidence.

Objectives:

Apply Constitution & Bylaws principles to realistic ALA scenarios.
Identify common governance issues that create confusion or conflict.
Discuss how leaders can use governing documents to support fair and consistent decision-making.
Clarify when questions should be resolved locally and when additional guidance may be needed.
Strengthen confidence in reviewing and applying bylaws, standing rules, and related procedures.

Registration is limited to the first 175 registrants.

Date/Time: Monday 8/31/2026 at 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Room M107, Kentucky International Convention Center

Presenters: Donna Dillard - Leadership National Chair; Dr. Lisa Chaplin - VA&R National Chair; Amanda Washburn - Leadership Northwestern Division Chair

Strong leadership is not just about holding a title — it is about helping others feel prepared, supported, and ready to serve. This panel discussion will bring together leaders with different experiences and perspectives to discuss mentorship, leadership development, and how to encourage more members to step forward.

Through guided questions and audience discussion, attendees will explore how experienced leaders can support emerging leaders, how newer leaders can build confidence, and how departments and units can create a healthier leadership pipeline. This session will focus on practical, real-life leadership lessons rather than theory, giving attendees ideas they can take back and use in their own units and departments.

Objectives:

Discuss how mentorship can strengthen leadership development at all levels of the organization.
Identify ways experienced leaders can support and encourage emerging leaders.
Explore common barriers that prevent members from stepping into leadership roles.
Recognize how different leadership styles and experiences can strengthen a team.
Develop one action step to support leadership growth within a unit or department.

Registration is limited to the first 96 registrants.

Date/Time: Monday 8/31/2026 at 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Room M104, Kentucky International Convention Center

Presenter: Kelly Harrier - Director of Membership

With the launch of the new ALAMIS/iMIS system, department leaders and membership users will have an opportunity to better understand what is changing, what is staying the same, and where to go for support. This session will provide a practical overview of the new system from the department user perspective, with time for guided questions and discussion.

Rather than serving as a full technical training for every possible user, this session will focus on key changes, common questions, and the areas most likely to affect department workflow during the transition. The session is intended for department-level users who process membership, manage member records, or support department membership operations.

Objectives:

Review key changes in the new ALAMIS/iMIS system that affect department-level membership work.
Identify common processes, terminology, or workflows that may look different in the new system.
Discuss questions and concerns from department users in a guided, constructive format.
Clarify where departments should go for help, troubleshooting, and future system updates.
Help department leaders prepare to support users during the transition.

Audience: This session is intended for department-level users who directly work with membership processing, member records, or department database support. It is not intended as a general member training or open forum.

This breakout will be offered twice as two separate 50-minute sessions. Attendees should register for only one session.

Session 1 Date/Time: Monday 8/31/2026 at 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM

Session 2 Date/Time: Monday 8/31/2026 at 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM

Location: Room L005-L009, Kentucky International Convention Center

Presenter: Trevor Meyer - Warrior Beat

Warrior Beat uses professionally facilitated group drumming to create opportunities for connection, creative expression, fellowship, and reflection for military veterans and the communities that support them. This interactive breakout will introduce ALA members to the Warrior Beat experience through a facilitated healing drum circle designed to demonstrate the power of rhythm, participation, and shared connection.

National President Pam Ray saw Warrior Beat at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival and felt their message would resonate deeply with ALA members. During this session, attendees will experience how a drum circle can create a safe, welcoming space for participation while learning more about Warrior Beat's mission and its work with veterans, VA medical centers, and community veteran groups.

This session is designed to be experiential, rather than lecture-based. Participants do not need musical experience to attend - only a willingness to participate, listen, and engage in a meaningful mission-centered experience.

Objectives:

Introduce attendees to Warrior Beat's mission and its use of professionally facilitated group drumming for veterans.
Demonstrate how rhythm, creative expression, and shared participation can support connection and fellowship.
Provide attendees with an interactive drum circle experience in a safe, facilitated environment.
Explore how mission-centered experiences like Warrior Beat may resonate with veterans, military families, caregivers, and ALA members.
Encourage attendees to think about creative ways to support veteran connection, wellness, and community engagement.

Registration Note: This is an interactive session with limited capacity. Attendees should register for only one of the two Warrior Beat sessions. *Please note - you may only register for this session and no other breakout to avoid disruption of early departures or late arrivals to other breakouts.*

Registration is limited to the first 35 registrants for each session.

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