Wednesday, May 25, 2011

ALR 136 Newsletter - May 2011

Meeting called to order at 3:00 PM:  Total present:  64 (62 members and 2 guests)
New Members:  Jim Carroll, David Miller, Cathy Montgomery, Robert Baldwin, Eric Evans
Minutes:  No corrections or additions to April minutes.
Financial ReportDiana Nelson read the financial report; accepted as read.
Veteran’s Coordinator (Dennis Joynt) Corner by Co-Director
  • Next Banana Run is 7 August, 2011.
  • Troop Care packages shipping this Tuesday or Wednesday.
  • Homeless Veterans funeral 19 May. Details to follow in email.
  • Updated membership on deployed list, clarified individuals and their relationship to Post.
Co-Director’s (Ron Vangas) Corner:
·          Read thank you card.
Commander’s (Art Beale) Corner:
·          Read and Presented Certificate of Appreciation from the Family Assistance Center of the U. S. Army Garrison at Ft Riley, for the Turkey donations last November.
  • Volunteers needed for Memorial Day Services at the Cemetery. Various workdays required to prepare. Watch for email detailing dates and times.
o        Need 5 Rifle Squad, 5 Color Guard, 3 for reading Names, and 2 for Flanders Field Poem
o        May 27, 5:30 PM – Place crosses and flags on grave sites.
o        Memorial Day - meet at the post at 5:30 AM; proceed to the cemetery to put up flags.
o        Return to the post for breakfast when finished.
o        Ceremony begins at 10 AM.
S.A.L Commander’s (Jerry Armstrong) Corner
·          Greg Bauer advised the SAL drawing for a shotgun will be at June 12 Meeting.
Ladies Auxiliary (Pat Johnston) Corner
·          Nothing to report at this time.
Fundraising Chairperson (Asonjia Stewart) Corner
  • Doug Lehman thanked all who assisted in successful Poker Run.
  • Asonjia advised no further fundraisers required this year due to Poker Run Success.
Director’s (Jerry Berry) Corner
  • Director’s responsibility to address members not abiding by policies, procedures or by-laws. If a member observes another member in violation, make report to the Director. Do not address another member directly, unless the circumstances indicate immediate threat of serious injury or death.
  • Ride in for Memorial Services at the Mulvane cemetery 30 May.
o        Volunteers already established. Watch email for additional details.
o         Riders wear vests, white shirt, and black (or dark) pants.
  • 10th Anniversary Event – June 18th
o        Volunteers needed for Registration, Food, Card Draw, Parking, Patch Sales, Floaters
o        Email Director if available
  • Volunteers to man 136 for Post 90 poker run on 25 June.
o        Phil Giovanni, Mark Bush, Claire Bush
Unfinished Business
·        Vote on new members.
o        Doug Lehman - Committee recommends no changes to current by-laws at this time.
·        Donate 10% to Canteen – Tabled indefinitely. Will readdress after BOG investigates pricing issues.
·        OFM Paver has been ordered.
·        Doug Lehman – Metal Art
o        Taking orders until 31 May.
o        Cost is $45 for non-personalized
·        Legacy Fund Committee – Questions forwarded to state/national level.
o        Are there any demographics that show the approximate number of children impacted and projected year of college eligibility?
o        What are the rules, regulations, and guidelines for selection and award of scholarships as established by the National Americanism Commission?
o        How many scholarships applications were submitted in 2008, 2009, and 2010? (We understand that approvals in 2008 were valued at $35,970 = 11scholarships @ $3,270 each; 2009, $36,000 = 16 scholarships @ $2,250 each; 2010, $46,000 = 13 scholarships, 10 @ $4,000 and 3 @ $2,000 each)
o        Are there statistics available to show which states received scholarship approvals and how many by year?
o        What percentage in administrative fees/expenses is paid to administer the Legacy Scholarship Fund?
o        Is a financial statement available for our review?
o        How the money invested and what is the rate of return?
o        Do we (The American Legion) provide scholarship information to each Service branch for their Casualty Assistance Offices?
o        Where will any unused monies go if not needed in the future?
New Business/Discussion Items:
·        Donation to RCIC for Veterans welding scholarship.
o        Made $795 on items donated to Poker Run.
o        Suggested donation is $100, which pays the course costs for one veteran.
o        Motion by Jerry Ward, seconded by Rick Johnson, to donate $500. Approved.
·        Rich Hula made presentation on Camp Patriot, a program to assist disabled veterans accomplish various physically challenging endeavors.
o        Suggested donation of $500.
o        Discussion resulted in request for Rich to investigate program being developed in Kansas.
·        Dennis Scuffham thanked everyone who participated in the Keller Williams’ Red Day event at the VA.
·         Accepting orders for Memorial Bricks to be placed by Patriot Guard stone in front of the post. Contact Director for forms. Cost is $20 per brick.
Tuesday Rides:  (Meet at post at 5:30, depart for restaurant at 6:00 PM – maintain same times, no change)  
  • 17 May  – MadRocks, 1821 East Madison, Derby – Rob Brown
  • 24 May –  O'Brien's Irish Pub (5205 E Kellogg Dr Wichita – Josh Decker
  • 31 May – Hero’s Sports Bar, 117 N. Mosley, Wichita – John Crone
  • 7 June –    Post 10, Winfield – Steak Dinner with Shrimp per Tom Stoy – Terri Lehman
  • 14 June  – Larry Buds Bar & Grill, 2120 N Woodlawn Suite 300, Wichita – Pat Thacker
50/50:  Collected $101.00 - half ($50.50) won by Doug Lehman (Donated to the Legion)
Meeting adjourned:  5:06 PM - Motion by Ben Roloff, 2nd by half the membership.
Next Meeting:  Sunday, 12 June, 3:00 PM     

Jerry (Hawkeye) Berry