Trish Ward

• Trish Ward’s eligibility for the American Legion Auxiliary is derived from the military service of her father, a United States Army veteran, and her grandfather, a United States Navy Seabee, both of whom served in World War II. She also honors her father-in-law and many great uncles who served in the name of freedom. She is a paid-up-for-life member of John P. Hand, Unit #250, in Louisburg, Kansas, and has been an active member since 1999.

• The Ward family is a proud American Legion Family that shares a passion for engaging in activities that support the mission of the organization. Trish’s husband, Steve, is currently National Executive Committeeman for the Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Kansas. Together Trish and Steve bring two daughters, a son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the American Legion Family experience. 

MISSION ADVOCACY:

Serving on behalf of veterans, active-duty service members and their families is Trish’s life’s work and passion. Whether helping veterans in her small community of Louisburg, Kansas, or advocating for all veterans in Washington, D.C., Trish’s focus is on improving the conditions of veterans and bringing awareness to  relevant issues that will improve and enhance their lives. As a strong believer in the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary, she is passionate about the opportunity to communicate  about the American Legion Family and strives to articulate the importance of building a strong, inclusive, and diverse membership experience for all members.

SOLUTION FOCUSED:

Trish seeks to understand the challenges that face our organization, with a commitment to drive solutions that will create membership growth and enhanced awareness. Focusing on the importance of expanding communication about the Legion Family and its volunteer outreach, she seeks to find creative opportunities that will engage a wider array of eligible members and encourage their participation. 

RESPECT TRADITION:

Traditions are important. Trish believes finding a fit with our many traditions as part of the modern volunteer experience is key to future growth. Ensuring that all members have an opportunity to contribute while feeling valued, and appreciated while playing a role in successful outcomes is a primary goal and priority.

BUILD UNIT FOUNDATIONAL STRENGTH:

The foundation of our American Legion Auxiliary experience begins at the unit level. Understanding the complexities that face units and helping them respond positively is a focus for Trish. The American Legion Auxiliary’s future growth depends on preserving the integrity of units, understanding their role in the community landscape, and assisting them with growing their teams to enable greater participation and engagement in mission-focused activities. Reaffirming the importance of our units and recognizing their contributions to defined goals is part of Trish’s leadership strategy and identified focus.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION :

 2018 Inductee - Post 13, Pasadena, California

 SAL Hall of Fame 2018 ALA Illini Girls State Citizen (Honorarily Bestowed)

2018 Kansas Sunflower Son (Honorarily Bestowed)

2010-2011 ALA National President’s Award for Excellence (Kansas)

2009 National Press Book: Elizabeth Lainson Award (Kansas)

2008 National Pres Book: Elizabeth Lainson Award  (Kansas)

2008  ALA National Recognition: Best Department Website (Kansas)

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS & SKILLS:

Commemorative Honor Button Project (2011-present)

National Association of Parliamentarians, Member (2012-present)

Ensuring the work of the American Legion Auxiliary remains relevant in today’s ever-changing volunteer landscape is a key component of Trish’s focus and priorities.

 Enhancing the volunteer experience, providing opportunities for greater outreach and communicating about our good work via a variety of channels is integral to moving the organization forward.  

Pride, Passion, and Purpose define the promise of service Trish brings to her commitment to the American Legion Auxiliary. She carries deep pride for our country, its values, its opportunity for all citizens, its pledge of freedom, and its belief that anything is possible with dedication and hard work. She retains a passion for the volunteer spirit and to support and serve others through the organization’s mission and defined goals. Her purpose is to recognize America’s heroes, support their families, and ensure that all veterans are remembered and respected for their commitment and sacrifice. 

As an organization of dedicated volunteers, we collectively speak to pride, passion, purpose, and promise through our spirit of activism, pride for country, and a responsibility to give back to those who have given so much. We share a passion, for respecting and holding close that through activism and a volunteer spirit, we can improve the lives of our veterans, one heart, one soul, and one smile at a time.

Today and every day, we live with purpose to assure our veterans-our heroes-our soldiers-will never be forgotten. Together, we bring our pride and our promise to support the mission, elevate our American Legion Family to new height and support members to rededicate themselves to building a membership that is focused, energized and empowered to accomplish great things.

As a leader and an American Legion Auxiliary volunteer, Trish Ward embodies these core principles. She pledges to dedicate commitment, determination and focus to the organization’s mission and  vision to create a greater volunteer experience for our members and an improved life journey for our veterans.