General Membership Meeting Minutes

                                                    9 October 2005

 

Post Commander Ray Jones convened the meeting at 10:05 A.M.

 

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

 

A motion was passed to accept the minutes of the 11 September 2005 General Membership Meeting subject to corrections.

 

Introduction of Guests and Prospective New Members: Sergeant-at-Arms Butler introduced Mrs. James L. Hubbard and party of seven as guests. There were no prospective new members present.

 

A Post Memorial(Post Everlasting) was performed for departed Post Life Members John R. Ford and James L. Hubbard.

 

Finance Report: Finance Officer Howard read the American Legion Post 123 Financial Report for September 2005. A motion was made and seconded to accept the Financial Report. A question was raised concerning customer credit limitations. It was suggested that the question be brought up under New Business. The motion was voted upon and the Financial Report was approved subject to audit.

 

Membership Report: Membership Chairperson Drazkowski reported that for Legion Year 2006 we have 130 Post Life Members, 33 Annual Members, and 17 Paid-up-for-Life Members for a total of 180 Paid-up Members(77% of Legion Year 2005 total of 234). We should have 18 Paid-up-for-Life Members. Legionnaire Charles L. Morgan(Paid-up-for-Life Member) transferred in to our Post on December 11, 2004. His transfer(Member Data Form 30-001) was sent to Department on December 20, 2004. It included National Headquarters copy, Department copy, and Losing Post copy. However, his name did not appear on our Legion Year 2006 Membership Register. Departrment was contacted on October 8, 2005 and they will follow-up with National Headquarters.

We transmitted fifty-one(51) Paid-up Members along with their dues(P900 each=P45,900) to Department on October 8. As of October 9, we have one hundred twelve(112) Paid-up Members along with their dues(P900 each=P100,800) yet to transmit.

 

Balloting on Applications: Leo L. Murphy was balloted. A motion was made and seconded to accept him into the Post. No discussion. The motion was voted upon and approved.

 

Sick Call, Relief and Employment: Adjutant Wade reported that Legionnaire Richard Jones is in Philippine International Hospital(PIH – Room 212). He was admitted on September 11, 2005. Legionnaire John Tatum is at home and is not very well. He has cancer. Legionnaire Jim Frisby is in Angeles University Foundation(AUF) Hospital(Room 207) and is not very well either. Cancer has been found on his brain. These three Legionnaires are long-time members of Post 123. Let’s keep them in our thoughts.

 

Post Service Officer’s Report: PSO Jones reported that on September 22, 2005 VFW Post 2485 Military Order of the Cooties(Pup Tent 15) performed a Memorial Service for John Ford at VFW Post 2485 at 10:00 A.M.  A.L. Post 123 performed their Memorial Service immediately following the Cooties Memorial Service. A.L. Post 123 representation: Commander Jones, Chaplain Welsh, Sergeant-at-Arms Butler, Adjutant Wade, and General Manager McHale. On September 30, VFW Post 2485 performed the graveside service at Clark Cemetery at 10:00 A.M.

 

Unfinished Business:

1. Post Constitution and By-Laws, Post House Rules: Judge Advocate Hardy read the recommended changes. The changes will be typed up and posted on the bulletin board for thirty(30) days. The changes will also be made available to any member requesting a copy. At the next General Membership Meeting(November 13, 2005), the Post Constitution and By-Laws & the Post House Rules along with the changes will be voted upon for approval.

 

2. Labor Board: Commander Jones advised the Membership that the status is unchanged; a follow-up meeting at the Labor Board is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at which time we will submit our rejoinder(rebuttal response to the Complaintant).

 

3. Comelec: Two Members(Legionnaires William Brown and Ronald Woodson) volunteered to assist Comelec Chairman Lafayette Donaldson.

 

New Business:

 1. Nominations: Comelec Chairman Donaldson opened First Nominations for Post Officers for the upcoming year(2006) with the following results:

 

Post Commander – Raymond Jones(accepted), Dennis Drazkowski(declined). No other nominees.

 

Post First Vice Commander – David Butler(declined), Dennis Drazkowski(declined), John Welsh III(declined). No other nominees.

 

Post Second Vice Commander – David Butler(declined). No other nominees.

 

Post Finance Officer – Lafayette Donaldson(declined), Walt Howard(accepted). No other nominees.

 

Post Chaplain – John Welsh III(accepted). No other nominees.

 

Post Judge Advocate – H.J. Hardy(accepted). No other nominees.

 

Post Sergeant-at-Arms – David Butler(accepted), William Brown(declined). No other nominees.

 

 

Five-Year Board of Trustee(BOT – American Position) – Eugene Flantroy(accepted), William Brown(accepted). No other Nominees.

 

Five-Year Board of Trustee(BOT – Filipino Position) – Antonio Abuy(accepted). No other Nominees.

 

Second Nominations will be held at the General Membership Meeting on Sunday, November 13, 2005.

 

 

2. National Commander’s Visit: The American Legion National Commander Thomas L. Bock and Party is scheduled to visit the Philippines from December 2 to December 5, 2005. We do not know yet if he will be coming to Angeles City.

 

3. Customer Credit Accountability: General Manager McHale explained the customer credit situation for the Membership. The current and approved Post House Rules dated August 25, 2003 state that credit is available for Paid-up Members and Ladies Auxiliary. Credit must be paid by the tenth of the month. Credit limit will be P5,000.

The Post House Rules with changes that will come up for a vote at the next General Membership Meeting on November 13 state that the Post Commander, Canteen Manager or Post Adjutant can only approve credit on a case-by-case basis, and only for paid-up members. If credit is granted, the amount of credit will not exceed P2,000.00 and must be paid by the 10th of the following month. Members failing to pay credit for a three-month period will have this privilege permanently revoked.

NOTE: Post Employees should not receive cash advances from the Post.

 

Good of the Legion:

1. A special Barbeque Pork Rib Dinner for P185 follows the meeting today.

 

2. The Sunday Jam Session is scheduled from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.

 

3. The Post has a weekly “You Pick Them” NFL Football Pool and also a Football and World Series Squares Pool. Help support the cause by buying a few.

 

4. Raffle tickets are available for the “AA” Annual Round-up which is next weekend(14-16 October). Tickets are P500 per book or P50 per individual ticket. This is very important since this money goes to help our “Santa for the Children” event on Saturday, December 3, 2005. Note: Chaplain Welsh donated $100.00 toward this event. Thank You, John!

 

5. VA Accredited American Legion Philippine Department Service Officers Town Hall Forum: Date = 25 October 2005 from 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.  Location: American Legion Post 123 Social Hall in Angeles City, Pampanga.

 

6. Legionnaire Norman Simonsen praised the officers and members of Post 123 for the outstanding job they are doing. Legionnaire Simonsen would like us to have more Socials or Members Appreciation Nights. This possibility will be discussed.

 

Commander Jones closed the meeting at 11:04 A.M.

 

 

Compiled by: Larry Wade                    Attested to: Raymond Jones

                       Post Adjutant                                     Post Commander    

  

 

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