The Royal Canadian Legion in Sechelt is well known for its camaraderie and the many friendships that are formed in this branch. The members enjoy this along with many social events, programs and facilities available at Branch 140.

Today the Legion is the largest service organization in Canada with 500,000members. Approximately 800 of these members belong to Branch 140. As well as service to veterans and the community, the Legion has a strong commitment in promoting national unity, sovereignty and Canada's role in world peace. Branch 140 aspires to these same aims and goals.

Originally membership into the Legion was restricted to those who served in Canada's Armed Forces or the Merchant Navy. However, this no longer is true. Over the years new categories of membership have evolved to include the members of the family and then members of the community and now, even without a military connection, one can become a Legion member.

Find out how you can join the Legion!

Who Can Join The Legion?

You may be eligible for membership in The Royal Canadian Legion if you are a Canadian Citizen or Commonwealth subject and are of Federal Voting age.

All applicants for membership are subject to:

1. the General By-laws of the Legion,
2. approval by the general membership,
3. and initiation.

There are four membership categories, each requiring different qualifications.
The following is the criteria for each category.

Ordinary Membership is open to any Canadian citizen or Commonwealth subject whose service was terminated under conditions other than dishonorable and who has served or is serving in:

• The Canadian Armed Forces or Her Majesty's Forces, including Regular or Reserve Forces under class "C" service; or
• The Forces or Underground Forces of any of Her Majesty's allies in any war, conflict or police action in which Canada was involved; or
• Her Majesty's Reserve Forces including Cadet Instructors on the Cadet Cadre, for not less than one year; or
• The RCMP or The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, for not less than one year; or
• The Forces of a country while that country was a member of NATO or NORAD in alliance with Canada; or
• The Forces of the United States; or
• The Vietnam War in the Forces of the USA, Australia, the Republic of Korea or South Vietnam and who was a Canadian citizen or Commonwealth subject at time of service; or
• The Canadian Coast Guard as an officer or crew member with two or more years of active service on the high seas or inland waterways; or
• A city, municipal or provincial police force for not less than one year.

• are a blood relative, a stepchild, a spouse (as defined in the by-laws), or a widow/er of a person who was or is eligible to be an ordinary member; or
• served as a Cadet civilian instructor for not less than three years; or
• served in The Royal Canadian Sea, Army or Air Cadets for not less than three years; or
• served as an officer in the Navy League of Canada for not less than two years; or
• served below the rank of officer, in the Polish Forces after WWII; or
• are the spouse, parent or sibling of an Associate member who qualifies subject to the above criteria.

Affiliate Non-Voting Membership - If you do not qualify for Ordinary or Associate membership but support the aims and objects of The Royal Canadian Legion, you may apply for Affiliate Non-Voting membership.

After 24 months or more of continuous service you may apply to become an Affiliate Voting Member.

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Why Should I Join?

There are many reasons for joining the Sechelt Legion. As a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, you will have the opportunity to make new friends, to be involved in your community and to develop and share your many skills. You will help perpetuate the aims and goals of the Legion and participate in the largest service organization in Canada.

As a member of the Sechelt Legion, you can take full advantage of enjoying:

• all of the facilities. (see About Br 140)
• a variety of social activities. (see Calendar of Events)
• the Legion sponsors sporting events (see About Br 140)

• Serving your community. The Sechelt Legion is very involved in supporting other segments of the Sunshine Coast whether it is uniforms for youth soccer or a scholarship for post secondary education.
• Self-development. As a volunteer you have an opportunity to develop and share your personal self, your many skills and your leadership qualities.
• Legion Magazine. Your membership includes a subscription to the Legion Magazine which is published five times a year.
• The RCL Member Benefits Package. For more information concerning this go to http://www.legion.ca/english/webinfo.html These benefits are constantly being added to; keep your eye on the Legion Magazine for further information.

The Process of Joining.

1. The first step towards joining the Legion is filling out an application form. If you prefer, you can pick up an application form at the Sechelt Legion. Someone will be glad to assist you if you have a difficulties in filling out this form. Just phone the Legion, (604 885-2526) to arrange a mutually convenient time to get together with someone from the mebership committee.
2. Hand in or mail your completed form. Remember to complete it fully and to supply any proof of eligibility if required.
3. Pay your 'new member' dues when you hand in your form. Failure to do this slows down the processing of your form.
4. The Membership Committee reviews your form and may phone you concerning some aspect of your application.
5. Your application is then presented to the general membership at the next General Meeting. Br. 140 holds its General Meeting on the third Sunday of the month (except during the months of July and August). You are not expected to go to that meeting.
6. A few days after the General Meeting, you will receive a phone call from the Membership Committee making arrangements to initiate you and to give you a membership card. Should your application have been rejected by the general membership, your dues will be refunded. Once you are initiated you are considered a Legion member.

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Membership Dues.

New Members' Dues are set by the individual branches and are due when you hand in your application form. These are considered your dues for the year your join; if you join in the latter part of the year, you may be asked to only pay half of the New Members' Dues for that first year.

Members pay annual membership fees. These are due by Dec. 31st of the preceding year; e.g. 2002 dues are due by December 31st, 2001. The annual "Early Bird Campaign" runs from September to November to give extra incentive to pay your dues on time.

Membership dues can be paid in person by giving your money to the bar tender or can be mailed in. You will be given a receipt. If mailing in your dues, please clearly mark "membership" on the cheque. Cheques are to be made out to "RCL - Br. 140". Sechelt Legion has an Interact Terminal which may be helpful if you want to pay your dues in person.

Presently the Membership Dues are:(Subject to change.)
      Annual dues for Seniors (65 or older)…………..$30.00
      Annual dues for all others (under 65)…………...$40.00
      New Members' Dues (regardless of age)……….$47.50

The membership dues help keep The Royal Canadian Legion running on all levels of command. The dues are divided this way:
     Dominion Command………………………$6.15
     Legion Magazine…………………………..$5.35
     Pacific/Yukon Command………………….$11.00
     Sunshine Coast Zone Command…………..$4.00
Branch 140 gets to keep the remainder to help cover costs.

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Membership Application Form.

This form can be downloaded and printed out for your use by clicking on the link above.

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