OPENING CEREMONIES: Commander Doty called the meeting to order at 1000 hours, 10 August. Opening ceremonies were held according to VFW Ritual. Fifteen Post 11447 members were present. 

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: The Roll Call was taken by Adjutant Burnett.  Nine Officers were present, four officers were absent one was excused and one office is vacant.

NEW RECRUITS:Two new recruits. Charles Martin submitted an application for life membership. Currently station aboard the USS Frank Cable.  Noel Aquilino, retired US Army, submitted an application as annual member.  Both applicants are fully qualified for membership. Adjutant made a motion for the membership to approve both applicants seconded by Comrade Mike Best. Memberships approved. 

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: Carmen Hendricks

MINUTES: Commander asked if the minutes from the previous meeting had been posted.  The adjutant said that a copy of the minutes were posted on the bulletin board and sent to members via email. The minutes are also available on the website www.vfw11447.org.  One change was made, under Good of the Order the date for the POW/MIA Ceremony was entered as Sep 7. Correct date is Friday 16 Sep.  The Adjutant made the motion to accept the minutes as written and changed, seconded by Comrade Best, motion carried.

QUARTERMASTER REPORT: Commander called for the report of the Quartermaster: QM Burnett presented the report and made the motion to accept the report as presented, seconded by Comrade Middleton, motion carried. The audit was conducted on 10 Aug.  The report is on file, if anyone wants to see the entire report, contact the QM.

SERVICE OFFICER REPORT: Service Officer could not attend as he is busy at the RAO.

SURGEON'S REPORT: NTR

COMRADE OR FAMILY MEMBER IN DISTRESS: Jose Alvarez is still in San Antonio, TX undergoing therapy, he emailed the Adjutant a few days ago and doesn't know when he will be back.

COMMANDER CALLED FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS:

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: QM Burnett gave the report. National has not published the new memstats for 2011-2012 so the number of life members is an estimate. 

We lost 15 members during the VFW year 1 Jul 2010-30 Jun 2011. 14 of them were life members and it may be hard to get 100% this year.

CofA: Commander said that he has been coordinating with Wild Orchid for the upcoming convention in June of 2012.  Preparations will begin in earnest after the CofA in December. 

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Carmen Hendricks, the Scholarship Program Chairwoman was invited to bring the members up-to-date on the Program.  The Post is currently sponsoring 50 students, besides these students 12 others are in the Program but sponsored by members.  The Post provided her with P18000 for school supplies as she asked, but it fell short as the cost came to P19908. Tom Myers (owner of Mangos Resort) donated the remaining P1908. Thank you Tom.  Estimated cost for school enrollment is P17000.  A list of students will be given to the Commander at the end of the meeting. The students had a field trip to Mt. Samat and a resort where they had a picnic and went swimming. Pics are on the website.

BUDDY POPPY CHAIRMAN: P260 was collected at the meeting.  

WEBSITE: Site is 90% updated. Adjutant currently working on the Post History.

BUILDING COMMITTEE: NTR

BEACH BASH COMMITTEE: NTR

PUP TENT 11: Seam Squirrel Best said that they had a good Scratch. Application to become a Cootie for Ron Middleton was approved.  Election for Hide Gimlet (same as Junior Vice) was held and Cootie Jerry Rowe was elected, he was also appointed the Provost Marshall.

POST HOUSE COMMITTEE: Comrade Mike Best gave the report. The Commander and QM along with PHC members had a meeting on the 8th.  The Canteen Profit and Loss Statement was reviewed and changes made.  Statement final monthly profit was P56096 which includes the inventory.  The members reviewed two applicants for Canteen Manager.  One was rejected because of no qualifications in the business field.  The second was approved and the PHC will conduct an interview.

VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN: Commander asked the Chaplain to say a prayer for our National Home for Children.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

The Commander asked if there were any new nominations for Junior Vice Commander, currently there was one nominee from last month, Ron Middleton.  No other nominations were made and Comrade Middleton was elected into the Office of Junior Vice Commander. Commander asked for nominations for Trustee Third Year, no new nominations were made. Comrade Chris Schrauben who was nominated last month was elected as Trustee. Commander asked for nominations for Surgeon, no nominations were made last month.  Comrade Dave Houle was nominated and accepted. Nominations were closed and Comrade Houle was elected as Post Surgeon. Congratulations to all three.

NEW BUSINESS

Commander said that the annual rent is due on the 15th of Aug (30 days in advance) for the year 15 Sep 2011-14 Sep 2012.  Currently the QM does not have enough funds put aside for the rent as we were only open for business since late January.  QM  presented a summary of funds available and funds required.  Currently we have $2554 in the rent fund. The maximum cost for the rent is $4571; however there will be some deductions from the rent total due to unpaid water and electric bills that were not paid for by the previous renter and the owner told us that all bills were paid up to date.  The total amount needed beyond the $2554 is $2017.  The QM is asking for the Post membership to approve a loan from the Building Fund for $1800 as the remaining $217 can come from Canteen Funds.  During the last two months, the QM was able to put aside $600 per month for rent and with the way business is going should be able to continue the rest of the year at that rate. QM made a motion for the Post to approve a loan of $1800 from the Building Fund, seconded by Comrade Best. Motion carried.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

CDR said the FRA Post 367 will be holding its 2 Sep meeting here. Meeting begins at 11AM.

Comrade Schrauben reminded members of the POW/MIA Ceremony on Sep 16th at Post 4. Also they have raffle tickets on sale.  Cost is P250 per book.  First Prize 40% of total sales; 2nd 25% of total sales. Each book contains 5 tickets.

Commander said that besides the American Legion raffle tickets the Post has received tickets from VFW Dept of the Pacific.  The cost is $10 for one ticket (P500):

• First Prize $5000
• Second Prize $2500
• Third Prize $1000
• Fourth Prize (5 winners) $500
• Fifth Prize (10 winners) $250
• Consolation Prize (25 winners) $100

Raffle Tickets for the 20th Annual Chili-Cook Off to be held in Nov at Post 9892 in La Union are on sale cost is P300 per book and prizes are First Place P15,000; second P8,000; third P4,000; forth P2,000 and fifth P1,000.  Drawing is on the 26 of Nov, winners will be listed on website www.vfw9892.com.

Bob Wright won the 50/50 raffle.  P1500 was collected. Bob donated his winnings toward the purchase of raffle tickets for the Post.  Thank you Bob.

CLOSING CEREMONIES: Closing Ceremonies were held according to Ritual and the meeting was adjourned at 1045 hours.  The next GMM will be held on 14 Sep at 1000 hours at the Post Home.

Official:
/S/ Dennis L Doty
Commander

/S/ Tom Burnett
Adjutant
August 13, 2011