ERIC V. DICKSON

AMERICAN LEGION POST #1980

April 22, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes

Colors Posted

Opening prayer observed

POW-MIA empty chair observed

Pledge and preamble recited

Meeting called to order at 1915

Previous meeting minutes and finance report approved as written with the addition of Bruce Cummings being added to the list of attendees at the last meeting.

1. New Member(s): None

2. Introduction of Guests:      Woodland Park AM Legion Baseball Coach & player 

            The Commander presented Coach Chris and team representatives with a check for $380.00 to cover their registration. The team’s schedule is posted on our website

3. Committee Reports:

            Boys State: Post Historian, Dave Turley, stated that this year’s selectee, Steven Fitzwater, will attend the USAFA in the fall.  Dave went into a brief history and explanation of the Boy’s State program, what it does, and what it did for him.  Andy will present a check and certificate to Steven Fitzwater at the WP High School Awards Banquet on 21 May. Our next candidate is Treavor Arias who is a junior at WPHS maintaining a 3.9 gpa, participating in JROTC, and his dad is a former Marine. The post will pay $275 for his tuition to Boy’s State, and once he is accepted at an accredited school of higher education $250 for his scholarship for higher learning.

            Scholarship: Jr. Vice Commander Sooy had received the applications and needed to review them prior to making a decision. Regardless, it will be a senior from WPHS.

            Garage Sale: It was discussed that the Post had taken on a bit too much with the impending Pig Roast and other activities, so that participation in the Community Garage Sale was postponed. Post Chaplain Robert Mericle is POC. 

            Pig Roast: A sign up sheet for the fire watch was passed around; flyers will be printed by Paul James; all members were encourage to send the Commander a list of items donated for the raffle, silent and active auctions NLT 01 May 08; Dave Turley donated $100 towards the price of the pigs; Bruce Cummings will check with TCSO on a fire permit as backup to the letter from GMFFD; Nick Sooy stated the price for the pigs would be around $0.65 per pound. All members were reminded about set up and clean up participation as well as providing side dishes; mass mailings to the membership without email will be conducted to coordinate efforts; the last note was another wood run with a link up at the Crystola at 0700 on Saturday.

            Memorial Day: The local VFW Post (#6051) and Legion Post 1980 will coordinate efforts to distribute graveside flags throughout Teller County. There are two ceremonies, 0900 24 May at the Cemetery and a more formal event at 1000 on 26 May. “Dual hatted” members will deconflict efforts with Mr. Kenney from VFW 6051. Rod Herk and Andy Tyler will assist with coordination efforts.

            Other Old Business: All members agreed that the flow of information has vastly improved with the advent of 21^st Century technologies. It was decided that leveraging the information superhighway, while still informing members through “snail mail”, was a good thing but to cull the membership roster to current members in order to cut bulk mailing costs. An adjusted membership roster has been sent out to the Post Leadership.

4. SERVICE OFFICER: Service Officer Marty McKenna was unable to attend the meeting. No new information was provided concerning the Mobile Home Park.

5. POST ADJUTANT: There were no new members and a few renewals came by mail. Annual Post Reports to the Colorado District will go out ASAP. As of the meeting, the Adjutant had not been able to get to the Post Office box due to his recovery from surgery. The location of the membership’s DD214s is still in question. They are required to validate membership in the Legion. Copies continue to trickle in. The mass mailing list was trimmed down to reflect those members who were paid up.

6. POST CHAPLAIN: Denise DeNomme’s dad passed away. He was 95 years young and a decorated WWII Vet. A sympathy card from the post will be sent.

7. NEW BUSINESS:

            Nominating Committee: Post elections are imminent. New Post Officers will be nominated/elected at the next meeting. The Nomination Committee was selected with members Hank DeNomme, Paul James, and Robby Cox.

            Motorcycle Rally: Dave Turley brought up that there will be a motorcycle rally at Kavanaugh Field on 23 August and could be another money maker for the Post.  Dave was nominated as the chair of the committee and to report back at the next meeting.

            Post Liability Insurance: The Post Adjutant presented two proposals that would cover the post. The first from the Post Insurance Program would cost $$665.00 annually and provide $100k coverage. The second from Tallman Insurance Agency would be $173.00 annually for the same amount of coverage. It was moved and seconded to go with the Tallman Ins. proposal with a cap of $200.00 to cover the purchase.

            NEW MEETING PLACE: All present had no arguments over sharing the WP Grange Hall with the VFW and liked the new location. The stipulation by the VFW was to split the cost of Propane for the furnace. No arguments and the motion was seconded. It was also brought up about placing AM Legion symbols on the building and to move framed Post documents into the hall alongside the VFW and the former Grange. Bruce Cummings would propose that to the VFW membership for discussion alongside chipping in for a new flag for the flag pole.

            Correspondence: Correspondence was briefed and circulated to the membership.

7. GOOD OF THE LEGION: No issues were presented.

Meeting adjourned at 2104

Bill Fisher

Commander

Attendees:

Nick Sooy        Don Schneider              Don Parlier       Andy Tyler       Bill Fisher

Rod Herk         Paul James       Sherman LeMaster       Bruce Cummings          Steve Myers

Art Jeane          Dave Turley      Jerry Paul