General Membership Meeting Minutes January 11, 2012 Commander Gordon Grubb Jr. convened the meeting at 10:10 A.M. Roll Call of Officers: Commander Grubb (present), First Vice Commander Richard Hodges (present), Second Vice Commander/Public Relations Officer Dennis Drazkowski (present), Finance Officer Lafayette Donaldson (present), Chaplain Raymond Jones (present), Judge Advocate A.D. Davis Jr. (excused), Sergeant-at-Arms John Rappel Jr. (present), Service Officer William Brown (present), Adjutant Lawrence Wade (present), Historian Robert Hawes (absent), IT Manager David Butler (present), and Assistant IT Manager Verne Grant (excused). The following individuals were recognized: Joseph Carsley – American Legion Department of the Philippines Commander, Rhett Webber – American Legion Department of the Philippines First Vice Commander, Lafayette Donaldson – Past Post 123 Commander, Dennis Drazkowski – Past Post 123 Commander, Raymond Jones – Past Post 123 Commander, and William Brown – Past Post 123 Commander. The minutes from the December 14, 2011 General Membership Meeting: A motion was made and seconded to approve these minutes subject to corrections. No discussion. The motion was voted upon and approved. Introduction of Guests and Prospective New Members: There were no guests or prospective new members present. Finance Report: Finance Officer Donaldson read the American Legion Post 123 Financial Report for the month of December 2011 (Post). A motion was made and seconded to accept the Report subject to audit. Discussion: Legionnaire Carsley requested clarification on the Peso Cash on Hand at the Post which was given by Finance Officer Donaldson. No further discussion. The motion was voted upon and approved. Finance Officer Donaldson read the American Legion Post 123 Financial Report for the month of December 2011 and the American Legion Post 123 Financial Report for the year of 2011 (Canteen) (A footnote accompanied these two Reports: Profit for 7 months prior to the installation of the air-conditioner and profit for 5 months after the installation of the air-conditioner). A motion was made and seconded to accept the Reports subject to audit. No discussion. The motion was voted upon and approved. Membership Report: Adjutant Wade reported that the Post has 123 paid-up members for Legion Year (LY) 2012 (27 Paid-up-for-Life (PUFL) Members, 78 Renewal Members, and 18 New Members). 123 paid-up members represents 109.8% of LY2011’s total at this time (112). We need 29 more paid-up members for 100% of LY2011’s final total (152). We’re at 80.9% now. Note: Forty-two (42) LY2011 paid-up members have not paid their LY2012 dues, thus their membership dues are expired. Please remember, dues become payable each year on June 1. Balloting on Applications: There were no applications to ballot. Post 123 Support Group Membership remains at Ten (10). Sick Call, Relief, and Employment: The Sick Call List includes: Donald Cayton, Allen Coates, Clyde Dunlap, and Herbert Gage. Post 123 Support Group Member Vernon Hill is having cataract surgery in Korea. Post Service Officer’s Report: Service Officer Brown reported that Veteran Philip Lagac Calilan passed away on Friday, December 16, 2011. On Monday, December 19, 2011, Post 123 issued a U.S. Burial Flag to the next of kin. Post 123 was notified on Monday, January 9, 2012 that Post 123 Member Nicolas L. Lubo had passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2011 in Negros Oriental. Service Officer Brown will follow up and ascertain if any VA Benefits (other than a U.S. Burial Flag) are warranted. Service Officer Brown briefed the Membership on claim cases he is working on. He said he’d like to see Veterans Organizations budgeted by Higher Headquarters to defray the cost of the Service Officer’s duties. Legionnaire Donaldson informed the Membership that if there is anyone who has records in the Service Officer’s office at VFW Post 2485, they should pick them up as Service Officer Peter Scalzo is moving his office to the VA Regional Office in Pasay City. Unfinished Business: Commander Grubb said there was nothing to report regarding Ms. Venus Maribel and the Labor Board. Legionnaire Brown briefed the Membership on the proposed two-year extension to our current Rental Agreement. He had received a telephonic message from Mr. Reggie Hallare stating that a two-year extension was okay. The Post Executive Committee approved of the two-year extension at today’s Post Executive Committee Meeting. A motion was made and seconded that we accept the two-year extension with monthly rental being no more than P22,000.00. Discussion: Legionnaire Carsley mentioned the possibility that maybe the Post 10/Post 123 Consolidation could be resurrected and that the Post 10 Home could be utilized (backup plan). Second Vice Commander Drazkowski wants to see our efforts employed toward purchasing our own building. No further discussion. The motion was voted upon and approved. Commander Grubb informed the Membership of the following: Post 123 paid P18,500.00 to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (late filing) and P7,300 for 2012 Business License. Legionnaire Melvin Cole is still encouraging utilization of our pool table (team, tournament, etc.). New Business: Second Vice Commander Drazkowski stated that his focus is on raising money for the Post vice asking for donations. Examples of events that we could participate in include: Returned Services League (RSL) Street Party on Sunday, January 29, 2012; Barrio Barretto Beach Bash (February 9-12, 2012); Hot Air Balloon Festival on Clark (February 2012). The Nominating Committee for the upcoming Nominations/Election will be appointed at the next General Membership Meeting (Wednesday, February 8, 2012). Good of the American Legion: 1. American Legion Post 123 Memorial Day Annual Raffle Tickets: On sale for P250 per ticket. Ten tickets were issued to each Post Officer present (sell or buy). 2. Super Bowl 46 Squares Pool: P500 per square. Plenty squares left. Get yours today! 3. RSL Street Party: Reference New Business item, Second Vice Commander Drazkowski will attend RSL’s Meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 and find out the particulars. 4. Post 123 Monthly Social: Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Cherry’s Bar (2-4 P.M.). The December 8, 2011 Social at Lost in Asia Bar was highly successful. Social Director Butler is encouraging inputs for the Socials. 5. Legionnaire Webber informed the Membership that action being taken to move the grave of a World War II Medal of Honor winner that was discovered near La Union is still ongoing. He also said that the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fort McKinley Chapter Manila Philippine Islands is sponsoring the 28th National Annual Reunion from April 7 – 10, 2012 at Hotel Stotsenburg, Clark Field, Pampanga, Philippines. American Legion attendance is encouraged. 6. VFW Post 2485 Senior Vice Commander/Clark Veterans Cemetery Chairman John Gilbert will supply data on the Military Working Dog Cemetery that is on Clark. 7. Barrio Barretto Beach Bash (February 9 – 12, 2012): Booth = P1,500. A Vietnam Veterans of America/American Legion Combination Booth is a possibility. 8. American Legion Post 123 Thirty-Fifth Anniversary (March 2012) Shirt: This project will be combined with our Memorial Day 2012 Celebration. 9. Kudos: A hearty round of applause was given to Commander Grubb for the outstanding job he has done since becoming Commander. Well Done!!! 10. Fifty-Fifty Raffle: Winner = Lafayette Donaldson (P950). P950 to the Post. Commander Grubb closed the meeting at 11:00 A.M. Compiled by: Lawrence Wade Attested to: Gordon Grubb Jr. Post Adjutant Post Commander