Good Luck on Your Run!

To everyone running, supporting a runner, or watching the Boston Marathon online—good luck to all the participants! While many of us may not run marathons, some days can feel just as challenging, right? On those days when it seems impossible to get everything done, when the finish line feels miles away, or when we are unsure which way the course goes, it is important to remember that we have the support of one another. Keep faith in yourself and your sisters, who are there to help guide you through.

We have Bylaws and Administrative Procedures to help keep you on track. Plus, you have a wealth of resources, from enclosures to Committee Chairpersons, your Divisions’ Vice Presidents, the Department and Unit Board of Trustees—people you can reach out to if you find yourself struggling or off course. We are all here to support each other, strengthening our bonds within the auxiliary, the Marine Corps, and the Marine Corps League.

I recently encountered a challenge when contacted about a Division Conference hosted by a detachment without an auxiliary. As you may know, sometimes when a conference is being planned by the MCL, a couple of rooms at a hotel might be offered at no charge—often given to the MCL Division Vice Commandant and the MCLA Division Vice President. However, that is not always the case. Some hosting detachments pay for the Division Vice Commandant’s room, and hosting auxiliaries cover the cost for the Division Vice President. In areas without an active auxiliary, the Division Vice President can sometimes be on her own to manage things.

Unfortunately, this situation occurs frequently, even at the Department level, when there is no active auxiliary. It is up to us to advocate for ourselves. In these cases, the Division or Department should reach out to all auxiliary members in that area to ensure they know when the Division/Department Conference will take place and try to find out how many members plan to attend. This ensures a good plan for the necessary school of instruction and participation in officer elections.

If your unit is helping host a conference, make sure to be involved from the planning stages. Communicate with the League about meeting space and agendas so you do not feel left out. If you have contacted your membership, you will be able to discuss your agenda and how much room you need for your business meetings. Also, look at the registration list or sit at the registration table and help to greet everyone. This is an exciting time to invite those ladies who are not members to join you. Remember, we all want to feel invited and have a little fun, even when getting down to business.

We cannot always expect the League to remember our needs and purpose. Each conference offers a valuable opportunity to recruit more women into the auxiliary and keep growing stronger. Let us continue to run this course together.

Dotty Sanning

[email protected]