New Brunswick Command of the Royal Canadian Legion

How can I Join?

Membership in The Royal Canadian Legion originates at the local branch level. There are branches in most communities across Canada and these can be found listed in the white pages of your local telephone directory under the heading "Royal Canadian Legion". With approximately 1600 branches across Canada, the USA and Europe there are many choices and you are sure to find one that meets your needs.

You should apply for membership by contacting the branch most convenient to you. They will assist you in completing your application form and can advise you on your eligibility status and what documentation may be required. Each branch enjoys a measure of autonomy so activities, programs and membership dues may vary from branch to branch.

For information pertaining to the Military Member at Large Program you should contact our National office or for branches and posts in specific areas you may contact the Provincial Command or State offices.

Eastern US Zone		Western US Zone		Europe Zone
Zone Adjutant The Royal Canadian Legion 2620 Cleveland Blvd Lorain, OH 44052-2408 USA		Zone Secretary The Royal Canadian Legion 43030 Manchester Court Temecula, CA 92592 USA		Zone Commander The Royal Canadian Legion Westendstr 15 77933 Lahr, Germany

Why Should I Join?

By joining The Royal Canadian Legion you will have the opportunity to make new friends, become involved with your community and to develop and share your leadership skills. You will help to perpetuate the Remembrance of those who gave so much for the freedom and prosperity we enjoy today and the proud heritage of this great Canadian organization will be enriched by the enthusiasm, energy and new ideas that you bring to it.

Here are just some of the many benefits membership in The Royal Canadian Legion brings:

Social Activities - Most branches have recreational facilities and may have licensed lounges. Members can enjoy a wide variety of social events such as dances, barbeques, entertainment and a host of other special events.

Member Sports - The Legion has sporting events such as darts, curling, cribbage and golf, with competitions ranging from local, provincial to national levels.

Member Benefits Package - The Legion has developed a relationship with a number of corporate partners to provide products and services to its members. Some of the partners include a home and auto insurance company, health care services, a credit card company, and an auto club to name a few. Only Legion members are entitled to the benefits offered.

Community Service -You can serve your community by assisting with the many Legion programs in support of youth, seniors, the disabled and others. The Legion also provides bursaries and scholarships to students from Secondary School to the University level and is the largest single supporter of Scouts and Guides in Canada. It is also a major supporter of sea, army and air cadets.

Leadership - You will have the opportunity to grow within this great organization. The Legion needs members who can take on the Leadership challenge. If this is where your interest lies you can become involved by serving on the branch executive. You may even wish to go to higher levels such as zone, district or provincial. You may even aspire to the national level. Every Dominion President who has served in this capacity started out as a branch member. You, too, could one day be President of the largest community service organization in Canada.

Service - As Canada's largest volunteer organization, tremendous intangible benefits are gained through the commitment of members to fulfill the mandate of remembrance, service to the community and our country. Our fallen comrades served in battle, you have "another way to serve" by joining The Royal Canadian Legion.

Legion Magazine - Your membership includes a subscription to the Legion Magazine which is published six times a year. It contains articles on various topics including history, current events and general interest stories, as well as keeping members up-to-date on the many and varied Legion activities. It also contains a section dedicated to the recognition of those who served their country.

The many opportunities and programs offered by The Royal Canadian Legion are identified throughout our web site or you may wish to contact your local Legion Branch or Post for more information.

Who Can Join?

Canadian Branches

You may be eligible for membership in a Canadian or German branch of The Royal Canadian Legion if you are a Canadian citizen or Commonwealth subject and are of federal voting age. All applications for membership are subject to the General By-Laws of The Royal Canadian Legion and approval by the local branch to which the application is made. Application forms are available to be printed at the bottom of this page.

There are four (4) membership categories for Royal Canadian Legion, each with different qualifications. These include Ordinary Member, Associate Member, Affiliate Non-Voting Member, Affiliate Voting Member. The criteria for each category of membership is as follows:

Ordinary Member - You may be eligible for Ordinary membership if you have served or are serving in:

The Canadian Forces or Her Majesty's Forces( Regular force or Reserve force with class "C" service)
Forces or Underground Forces of any of Her Majesty's allies in any war, conflict or police action in which Canada was involved
Merchant Navy or Non-military services in an actual theatre of war in which Canada was involved
Her Majesty's Reserve Force including Cadet Instructors on the Cadet Cadre, for not less than one (1) year
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police or The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for not less than one (1) year
The Forces of a country while that country was a member of NATO or NORAD; or in alliance with Canada
The United States Forces
The Vietnam War with the Forces of the United States, Australia, the Republic of Korea or South Vietnam, and were a Canadian citizen or Commonwealth subject at the time of service.
The Canadian Coast Guard as an officer or crew member, and who has two (2) or more years of active service on the high seas or inland waterways
A city, municipal or provincial police force for not less than one (1) year

Associate Membership - If you do not qualify for Ordinary membership you may be eligible for Associate membership if you:

Are the child, stepchild, adopted child, grandchild, sibling, niece/nephew, widow/er, parent or spouse of person who is or was eligible for Ordinary membership
Are the child of an Associate member
Served in The Royal Canadian Sea, Army or Air Cadets for not less than three (3) years
Have been a cadet civilian instructor for not less than three (3) years
Have served as an officer in the Navy League of Canada for not less than two (2) years
Served below the rank of officer, in the Polish Forces after WWll
Have served in a City, Municipal, Volunteer, Un-organized Territories, or Federal Fire Service for not less then one (1) year
Are the spouse, parent or sibling of an associate member who qualified subject to the above criteria

Affiliate 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 voting membership.

Affiliate Non-Voting Membership - If you are a non-Canadian citizen or a non-Commonwealth subject from an Allied nation and support the aims and objects of the Royal Canadian Legion, you may apply for Affiliate Non-Voting membership. These members shall have the same rights as all other members except the rights to vote and hold office. A member admitted under this Section is not permitted to apply for voting status unless otherwise qualified.

USA Posts / Branches

You may be eligible for membership in a USA post of The Royal Canadian Legion if you are a Canadian citizen, Commonwealth subject, or an American citizen and are of federal voting age.

There are three membership categories in USA posts/branches, each with different qualifications. The criteria for each category or membership is as follows:

Ordinary Membership (USA Branch / Post)- If you have served or are serving in:

Her Majesty's Forces in conflict in which Canada was involved
The Forces or underground forces of any of Her Majesty's allies in a conflict in which Canada was involved
The United Nations or Commonwealth police action in Congo, Gaza, Cyprus
The USA forces and are a parent, spouse or child of a person who is or was eligible to be an Ordinary member
A theatre of war as a member of the forces of the United States under the command of a Commonwealth Navel, Military, or Air Force Commander for not less then three (3) months

Associate Membership (USA Branch/ Post)- If you do not qualify for Ordinary membership, you may be eligible for Associate membership in a USA Post / branch if you:

Are the child, stepchild, adopted child, grandchild, sibling, niece/nephew, widow/er, parent or spouse of someone who is or was eligible for Ordinary membership in a USA Post / Branch
Are the child of an Associate member in a USA post
Are the sibling, parent or spouse of an Associate member who qualified subject to the above criteria

ffiliate Voting Membership (USA Branch / Post) - If you do not qualify for Ordinary of Associate membership, but support the aims and objects of The Royal Canadian legion you may apply for Affiliate Voting Membership

For further information, please contact your nearest Legion Branch or USA Post.

Membership Privileges by Catagory

Privileges		Category
Vote & hold office at all levels		Life, Ordinary, Associate, Affiliate Voting
Vote at branch level only		Meritorious Life
Sports at all levels		Life, Ordinary, Associate, Affiliate Voting, & Affiliate Non-voting
Sports at branch level only		Meritorious Life
Wear Legion dress		All Categories
Attend branch meetings		All Categories
Chair branch committees		All Categories, except Affiliate Non-Voting & Meritorious Life
Serve on committees		All Categories, except Affiliate Non-Voting & Meritorious Life
Transfer		All Categories except Meritorious Life
Pre-Pay (up to 5 yrs) & Pay arrears (2 yrs)		All Categories
New members pay half year dues (after June 30) or one third years dues(after Aug 31)		All Categories

Note: A member does not have the automatic privilege to attend another branch; however, may do so as a guest at the discretion of that branch.