Wellington County Legions welcome unprecedented membership boost

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Royal Canadian Legion’s centennial free membership drive has attracted hundreds of new members to Wellington County’s eight Legion branches.

The increase is unprecedented in recent history, especially at Fergus Branch 275, where about 300 new members have signed up, growing the branch’s roster from around 500 members to over 800, according to branch president Bob Stubbings.

“Nobody knew where it was going to go. I’d have to say that even Dominion Command, they had no idea of how well the public would embrace and pick up on this,” Stubbings said, referring to the Legion’s national-level executive.

Stubbings said membership peaked after each World War before falling as veterans died. There was a decline in the 1950s and an ongoing drift downward in the past 20 years, he said, making this the third time the Legion has embarked on a mission to grow its membership – “the biggest that has ever occurred.”

In response to the free membership drive to commemorate the Legion's 100th anniversary, membership increased across the country by 100,000 people by the end of June – to a total of at least 300,000 members – according to the Royal Canadian Legion.

It’s a welcome boon and sign of optimism amid a long-running recruitment slump, local membership chairs told the Advertiser.

While some branches like Fergus were caught off-guard by the response, others are reporting enrolment in line with expectations.

Branches in the county’s north are seeing anywhere from a handful of new members to around 60, depending on the branch. Elora is reporting 110 new members and Erin, 120.

Who will pay to stay?

But how many will stay when fees to remain in the fold are due next year?

It’s a question growing louder in the minds of membership chairs as January approaches, when free members will be faced with renewing for 2027.

“We’ve only had about 20 or 27 that have paid for 2027,” said Erin membership chair Pat Burns of new members.

The dues vary branch to branch, but average around $50 for the year. To sweeten the deal, new members across the country that renew by Dec. 19 will be entered to win a Ford F-150 STX.

Palmerston Legion president John Grobbo said the branch is pairing around 17 new members with current ones to get them involved and integrated into the group of around 80.

“They’re inheriting the Legion … It’s been built by our predecessors and we’re looking for somebody to hand it on to,” Grobbo said.

“One of the tenets of our organization is to do the work that they (veterans) would have done had they lived, and that’s an important thing.”

Most branches are welcoming new members by phone and inviting them out to local events.

“I look at it: this is great. Let’s engage these people. Let’s welcome them into the fold and see if we can keep them,” Stubbings said.

At the Mount Forest branch, first vice president Karen Rave said if just 10 of 60 new members remain it’ll help bolster what the Legion brings to the community.

New members are being welcomed there with a swearing-in ceremony ahead of Legion Week, from Sept. 20 to 26.

“I’ll be presenting those people with pins and it’s just to meet the executive and a social time to hopefully get them interested in staying with the Legion,” Rave said, adding, “maybe they will help bring in new ideas.”

Community benefit

Although veterans come first, Arthur Legion membership chair Heather Israel said local branches offer social gatherings and contribute financially to community organizations and events. The membership campaign, Israel said, is “very important” to the Legion’s future.

“If there’s no volunteers and no members, then there’s no organization,” she said.

Elora membership chair Trish Kieswetter said an older generation has spent “countless hours, sweat and tears into making our Legion what it is today.” 

“Whether it is volunteering at an event, helping with a committee, or simply showing up to support our Legion, every contribution matters,” Kieswetter said, adding she hopes the membership campaign will encourage younger people to join.

“Their participation is essential to keeping our organization strong, carrying on our traditions and ensuring that our legacy continues for many years to come.”

“This year we did so much more than we did last year; we had more volunteers that are willing to participate,” said Burns.

Grobbo said local branches need dedicated members who can be counted on to chip in and lend a hand to make light work.

It tends to be the same core group of volunteers carrying the majority of the work for social events and branch fundraising efforts, he added.

Few of the dollars from membership dues stay at local branches. The majority goes to the national level, so branches are left to fundraise through dinners, meat drives, facility rentals and gaming nights.

That money is funnelled into the Legion’s veterans’ programming, but it’s also distributed to hospices, fire departments, hospitals, sports teams, cadet groups, and community recreation infrastructure projects.

“We’re looking after Remembrance Day … and we’re looking after the community,” Grobbo said. 

“Every little town is part of the country, and we’re trying to hold ours up."