AMERICAN LEGION POST 1919

Meeting Minutes

08Mar2022

Opening

The regular meeting of the AMERICAN LEGION POST 1919 was called to order at 1900 on 08Mar2021 at the 1919 Post by Commander Sarah Campbell.

Present

15 members present. 1 guest Pam Smith – Beech Grove Post 276.

 

ROLL CALL:

 

Commander Sarah Campbell – present                      1^st Vice Dexter Albright – excused

2^nd Vice Kip Blake – present                                      Chaplain Scott Emmett - present

Sgt At Arms Jeff Emerson – excused                         Adjutant Mary Blake – present

Finance Officer Mike Tomes - present                                  

 

 

Approval of Minutes

Previous meeting minutes passed out and reviewed by members.

Motion to accept minutes: Dave Everett, Second by Jay Collars.

The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved as distributed.

 

Committee Reports

 

Finance Committee – Mike Tomes reported that our account is approximately $6,400.  Post 1919 paid out $300 times 3 for Boys State.

Post 1919 brought in $1,000 revenue for poker nights.  We will pay out (vote to come) $50 donation to the Legions Auxiliary for support of the PTSD speaker coming in April.

Motion to accept report: Gary Totty, Second by Michael Roderick.

 

Membership Committee – Post membership is above 110%.  We have four new members this month.  Steve Summers, Ken Seal, John Hadley, and

 

Boys State Committee – Jay Collars reported that we have three definite boys qualified and paid (by Post 1919).  It would be great to get at least one more, possibly two.  If you know anyone that knows a 11^th grader that would be interested, please let Jay Collars know as soon as possible.  The deadline is 1^st of May.  The committee would like to use some of the money that is tagged for Boys State to offset some expenses for the participants at the event.  The event is a one-week training on the Governmental processes.  Each student will run for an office (Local, State, Federal).  The student that is ‘elected’ Governor of Boys State will get a trip to the White House.

 

By-Laws Committee – Dave Everett reported that the committee reviewed the By-laws since the last meeting due to the need to ensure that the By-laws are up to date and inclusive.  The proposed By-laws were emailed to all members.  One of the key additions to the By-laws was the Nominating Committee for Post Officer elections.  The committee will be comprised of the Past Commander as Chair and two other active members to be appointed by the current Commander.  Please consider volunteering for this opportunity.  Let the Commander or another Officer know of your interest as we need these members now.  If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the By-laws feel free to reach out to any Post Officer. 

 

Sick Call and Relief

Keep in Prayers:

Don LaFontaine

Bobby Jennett

Ken Hall

Ed Dunham – past Legion member

 

Unfinished Business

None

 

New Business

Mike Tomes would like to suggest using some of the poker revenue to commit to paying one of the water bills (fire hydrant) that the VFW currently pays.  The poker can maintain $200 per month profit.  This particular water bill is $135 consistently except for one or two times a year when the hydrant is tested. 

Mike Tomes made a Motion to commit to paying this water bill every month, up to $200.

Jay Collars seconded the motion.

No more discussion.  Motion passed.

 

The E-board approved the spending of $50 to the Legions Auxiliary to a donation being made to the PTSD speaker.

Motion was made by Mike Tomes, Second by Phil Martinez.

No discussion.  Motion passed.

 

Karen Emmett asked for clarification for whether the funds for the water bill and the PTSD speaker are member donations or coming from Post 1919.  The funds will come from funds in the American Legion Post 1919 account and will not require donations from members.

 

Phil Martinez reminded the members of their work on Americanism.  They are presenting to churches currently but hope to expand down the road.  They present pieces of the 11 virtues from the Founding Fathers.  The connection between God and Country are extremely important and are not being taught to youth.  Phil would like to ask for moral support from the American Legion. 

Dave Everett spoke to membership that if any funding might be helpful in the future for things like flyers that Phil or Scott should let the Legion know and that this kind of support would also be available. 

Phil Martinez made a Motion for support of this endeavor, Second by Scott Emmett.  Motion passed.

 

Good of Legion

The 7^th District Meeting will be held at the Martinsville Post on 2Apr2022.  Please attend if possible.  The show of support from Post 1919 would be greatly appreciated.  This meeting will include the 4 Chaplains - The Four Chaplains, also referred to as the "Immortal Chaplains" or the "Dorchester Chaplains", were four World War II chaplains who died rescuing civilian and military personnel as the American troop ship SS Dorchester sank on February 3, 1943.

Dave Everett has recommended that Post 1919 host the upcoming New Members training.  More to come on this.

Our District is 8/9^th in membership.  Although we are over 100% others are not as fortunate. 

New By-laws.  Voting on the new By-laws will take place at the April regular meeting.  It requires a 2/3 vote to pass.  As part of these requirements the new By-laws are to be submitted to all members (which has occurred via email) and that the By-laws are read aloud.

Mike Tomes made a Motion to dispense with the reading of the By-laws for time purposes and that all members have received a copy of the By-laws.  The Second was made by Steve Milbourn.  No further discussion.  Motion passes.

The new officer elections will take place on Tuesday 14Jun2022 at the regular scheduled meeting.  Nominations are being accepted by the nominating committee and at the May meeting there will be open floor nominations. 

Michael Roderick shared with members that a Train show will take place in August (see flyers for details).  He would like to see 10-15 volunteers from this location as a whole. 

Guest, Pam Smith, shared with the members that the Honor Flight will take place three times this year.  Please consider signing up as it is an experience of a lifetime.  The first one will happen in April and Mike Delaney will be on this one.

Reminders:

Blood Drive April 2, 2022, at the Greenwood Library.  You can RSVP by email.

Think about volunteering to be a Post Officer.

50/50 – The total was $40.  Winner was Michael Harris and he donated back winnings to the Legion.  $40 was delivered to Finance Officer Mike Tomes.

Pass the Hat - Gary Totty asked to Pass the Hat – Collected $39 and was delivered to Finance Officer Mike Tomes.

Gary Totty requested more information on how the Post tracks community service.  Dave Everett informed the members that there are IRS requirements for tracking and reporting.  If anyone would like to know more reach out to him.

Closing ceremonies performed.

Meeting was adjourned at 1955 by Commander Sarah Campbell. The next general meeting will be at 1900 on April 12, 2022, at Post 1919.