General Membership Meeting Minutes

10 July 2005

 

Post First Vice Commander Dennis Drazkowski(Acting Commander) convened the meeting at 10:15 A.M. He immediately turned the meeting over to Former Post Commander Lafayette Donaldson.

 

Roll Call of Officers: First Vice Commander/Public Relations Officer Dennis Drazkowski, Second Vice Commander(Vacant), Finance Officer(Vacant), Chaplain John Welsh, Judge Advocate H.J. Hardy, Sergeant-at-Arms David Butler, Service Officer Ray Jones, Adjutant Larry Wade, Fil-Am Officer Ernesto Sabado(Absent), Historian Thomas Anderson(Absent), Canteen Managers Sean McHale and Jerry Bristle, and Communications Officer(Vacant).

 

A motion was passed to accept the minutes of the 12 June 2005 General Membership Meeting subject to corrections.

 

Introduction of Guests and Prospective New Members: The following guests were introduced: Mrs. Rosalie O. Herrin, Gigi R. Herrin, Precila Antonio, Gerlie Gabatino, Liberty Webster, and April Webster. There were no prospective new members present.

 

A Post Memorial (Post Everlasting) was performed for departed Paid-up-for-Life member Walter W. Gorr and for Post Life Members Kenneth L. Culbertson, Elbert A. “Ace” Herrin, and Robert C. Webster.

 

Finance Report: The figures for June 2005 need to be compiled before an accurate report on the canteen can be given. Adjutant Wade gave the report on the Post for the month of June 2005 (The Landbank accounts: Government Securities, Peso Checking, and Dollar Savings, the BPI Peso Checking account). The report on the Post was approved subject to audit.

 

Balloting on Applications: Bill Brown, Challen Jay Kelker, and Kenneth L. Roberts were balloted. A motion was made and seconded to accept them into the Post. No discussion. The motion was approved. In a separate balloting, a motion was made and seconded to reinstate Ken Cook as a member of the Post. After a discussion, a vote was taken: 15 for reinstatement and 1 against reinstatement.

 

Membership Report: Adjutant Wade reported that the LY2006 membership cards for Post 123 have not been received at Department. We currently have fifteen(15) members for LY2006 to transmit(9 Annual Renewals, 5 New Annuals, and 1 New Life) plus 133 Post Life Members. Wade encouraged members to carry a membership application with them and recruit new members.

 

Sick Call, Relief and Employment: Legionnaire and Post 123 Member Richard Jones is in Dee Hwa Liong Foundation Medical Center in Magalang.

 

Post Service Officer’s Report: Post Service Officer Jones reported that Post Life Member Elbert Aaron “Ace” Herrin passed away at his residence on 9 May 2005. He lay in state at Galang Funeral Home from 9 May – 12 May 2005. On 11 May at 1:00 P.M., A.L. Post 123 held their service at the Funeral Home. In attendance: Acting Commander Ray Jones, Chaplain John Welsh, Adjutant Larry Wade, and Canteen Manager(at the time) Joe Carsley. Graveside Service and Burial: VFW Post 2485 performed the service on 12 May at 10:00 A.M. at Clark Cemetery. A.L. Post 123 representation: Acting Commander Ray Jones and Adjutant Larry Wade. Note: This report on Legionnaire Herrin was omitted as part of the Post Service Officer’s Report at the General Membership Meeting on 12 June 2005.

Post Service Officer Jones went on to report that Legionnaire Leo Y. Stewart, Jr. passed away 23 June 2005. He lay in state at Post 123(small room) from 23-29 June. A.L. Post 123 Service: 28 June at 2:00 P.M. In Attendance: Acting Commander Ray Jones, Chaplain John Welsh, Adjutant Larry Wade, Jerry Bristle, Walt Howard, Sean McHale, and Lafayette Donaldson. Service at the gravesite was performed by VFW Post 2485 on 29 June at 10:00 A.M. at Clark Cemetery. A.L. Post 123 representation: Commander Jones, Adjutant Wade, and Legionnaire Walt Howard. Note: There was a 9:00 A.M. Mass for Leo at Post 123 prior to going to the cemetery.

Veteran Leland Francis Hunter, Jr. was cremated and the gravesite service was performed by VFW Post 2485 on 28 June 2005 at 10:00 A.M. at Clark Cemetery. A.L. Post 123 was represented by Adjutant Larry Wade.

 

Unfinished Business:

1. Post Home Move: Board of Trustees member Juan Molina briefed the Membership on the situation with the building on Malabanas Road. The attorney has contacted the owner and the owner has accepted that the lease agreement is invalid. She is willing to return the P38,000.00 to the Post. However, she wants to meet with Mr. Joe Carsley first. On Monday 11 July at 3:30 P.M., Commander Jones, B.O.T. Chairperson Carpenter or Vice Chairperson Charito Jones, and Juan Molina will meet with the attorney.

      Mr. Carsley made a proposal to the Membership. He would have the owner remove A.L. Post 123’s name from the lease and put Mrs. Carsley’s name on it.     He would give the Post P27,000.00.  He was told that the B.O.T. decided not to take any offer from him. He then withdrew his proposal.

 

New Business:

1.      Out of Cycle Nominations/Elections: Prior to the nominations/elections, First Vice Commander Dennis Drazkowski (Acting Commander) verbally resigned    making Ray Jones the Post Commander.

      Nominations/Elections were opened with the following results:

             Post First Vice Commander – Dennis Drazkowski was nominated and he accepted. No additional nominees. Post Adjutant Wade cast one unanimous vote                        for Dennis Drazkowski for Post First Vice Commander.

 

             Post Second Vice Commander – Jerry Bristle was nominated and he accepted.  Don Cayton was nominated and he declined. No additional nominees. Post                      Adjutant Wade cast one unanimous vote for Jerry Bristle for Post Second Vice Commander.

 

             Post Finance Officer – Walt Howard was nominated. He was not present but his  letter of acceptance was read. No additional nominees. Post Adjutant Wade cast                      one unanimous vote for Walt Howard for Post Finance Officer.

 

             Mr. Donaldson handed the gavel over to Commander Jones so he could conduct the rest of the meeting.

 

2.  Commander Jones advised the Membership that a motion made at the 5 July 2005 Post Executive Committee Meeting to make the two appointed Canteen Manager positions permanent was approved. The General Manager is Sean McHale and he         is responsible for the management of the Bar, building maintenance, and janitor supervision. The Kitchen Manager is Jerry Bristle and he is responsible for the   management of the Kitchen to include menu preparation.

 

3.   A Part-time Kitchen Helper (temporary/probationary basis – no more than 30 hours per week) is needed and is being sought.

 

4.   Mrs. Consuelo Gomez (owner of the property we currently occupy) is in the states        and won’t be back until September/October this year. Her son called on 23 June 2005 and stated that Mrs. Gomez would allow us to remain here until at least 31 December 2005. No buyer for the property has been found yet and we would receive a six(6) month notice once the property is sold. Once Mrs. Gomez returns from the states, we will request that this information be put in writing. We need to          keep her informed by sending her items like paid land tax receipts, projects completed, maintenance upkeep of the building, etc.

 

5.   Post Constitution and By-Laws, Post House Rules: These are posted on the Bulletin Board for the review of the Membership. At the next General    Membership Meeting (14 August), they will be voted upon for approval.

 

6. Member Discipline: A question was asked regarding the discipline administered to the individual responsible for the damage to the air-conditioner in the small dining room of the Post Home. The individual paid for the repair of the air-conditioner and for the cleaning of the air-conditioner. He was verbally reprimanded. He also apologized for his action due to intoxication.

 

 

       Good of the Legion:

1.      There will be a Special BBQ Pork Rib Dinner today(Sun. 10 July) starting at 11:00 A.M. The Jam Session with the Alvin Judas Band begins at 2:00 P.M.

 

2.      There are still some squares left for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Pool (P20 per square).

 

3.      There will be a Turkey Dinner Special (P175) on Sunday, 31 July 2005 beginning at 10:00 A.M. until it’s gone. The Jam Session with the Alvin Judas Band begins at 2:00 P.M.

 

4.      Commander Jones presented First Vice Commander Drazkowski with the American Legion Silver Brigade Membership Award (2004) Certificate along with two Silver Brigade Pins and two Silver Brigade Patches. This Award is presented for the recruitment of not more than 49 new members.  

 

5.      James “Harry the Horse” Dale got up and spoke of getting rid of the animosity in this Post and start working as a team. It will benefit us all.

 

          The Commander closed the meeting at 11:36 A.M.

 

 

           Compiled by: Larry Wade                     Attested to: Raymond Jones

                                  Post Adjutant                                      Post Commander