OPENING CEREMONIES: Commander Doty called the meeting to order at 1007 hours, 14 Dec. Opening ceremonies were held according to VFW Ritual. Twenty one Post 11447 members were present.
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: The Roll Call was taken by Adjutant Burnett. Thirteen Officers were present; two officers were absent both excused.
NEW RECRUITS: None
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: While not guests two members of the Post were acknowledge, Morris Sons who recently transferred to our Post and Olen Crowe who was living in Guam but now residing here.
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. No changes were made. The Adjutant made the motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by JVC Middleton, 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 Best, motion carried. The audit was conducted on 14 Dec. 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.
Commander said that Comrade Dave Culotta, life member, died at approximately 11pm 12 Dec. Burial on Thursday, 22 Dec at Clark Veterans Cemetery, Angeles City.
SURGEON'S REPORT: Dental Outreach will be held in August next year vice normal Sep-Nov timeframe due to expiration dates of some medication in Sept 2012.
COMRADE OR FAMILY MEMBER IN DISTRESS: Marvin Smith is in Makati Heart Center. Ron James who lives on Jolo St., house number not known, has been seen on the street and probably would like someone to say hello if they see him. There is a former Marine at the Medical Cent IMUS, Cavite, Philippines. His name is Scott Widmayer, 28 years old, served in Iraq. Scott has a tumor on his pancreas and the hospitals in the area cannot help him. He needs transportation back to the States. Looking for donations. The email is attached. (Note: Marvin Smith is out of the hospital since the meeting)
COMMANDER CALLED FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS:
MEMBERSHIP REPORT: QM Burnett gave the report. National has published the new memstats for 2011-2012.
| LIFE |
NEW |
ANNUAL |
REINSTATED |
LAST YEAR |
TOTAL |
% |
| 357 |
2 |
18 |
4 |
410 |
381 |
92.93 |
CofA: Commander said that the dates for the Convention are 11-14 June. The venue for the convention wants a deposit of $6000. Commander contacted the Department but they did not have the funds available. Commander Doty paid the deposit and will be reimbursed when the members pay for their rooms etc after the Convention. The deposit includes the use of the "Fish Bone Cafe" for the Hospitality Room and a free Convention Room. Entertainment for the Installation Dinner will be the "Exodus Tribe Dancers" who participated at the CofA a few years ago. The venue this year is Wild Orchid Resort on Baloy Beach.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: A sign up sheet for Christmas present donations has been put up on the door at the VFW. Money can be given to the Canteen cashier. Christmas Party is scheduled for 18 Dec at Mango's. The QM said that P5,500 has been donated for the party refreshments however they need another P3,000. QM said that he will bring this up at New Business.
BUDDY POPPY CHAIRMAN: P357 was collected at the meeting.
WEBSITE: Will have an item on the home page concerning Comrade Culotta.
BEACH BASH COMMITTEE: Participation of members and others at the Beach Bash meetings has been disappointing. Still need volunteers. Comrade Rowe has the parade route identified and waiting for approval of the Mayor and Barangay Officials. A stage has been obtained through the efforts of PHC Chairman "Big Mike" Best; use of the stage was donated by Shriner and Marilyn's owner Noli. (Local shirt and costume maker).
PUP TENT 11: Seam Squirrel Best said that they had a good Scratch on 1 DEC.
POST HOUSE/BUILDING COMMITTEE: Comrade Mike Best gave the report. The Commander, QM and PHC members had a meeting on 12 DEC. The Canteen Profit and Loss Statement was reviewed. Statement showed a monthly profit of P93,564 which includes the inventory. Canteen on hand cash balance was P8652 ($201) on 31 NOV. A new foot rail has been installed around the bar, cost to the Canteen was P6000 for labor and materials. Some of the left over material will be used to make a wheelchair ramp at the entrance.
VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN: Commander asked the Chaplain to say a prayer for our National Home for Children.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
The bugle has arrived and was used recently for a burial of a veteran (not a Post member). SVC Haulet played the bugle at the burial from a position above burial site, it was impressive. The estimated cost of the bugle has increased as the person carrying it into the country was stopped by customs and had to pay a high customs fee of $150.00. That brings the total cost to $685.00
Donations received so far are Post 11447 $150; FRA Branch 367 $150; SVC Haulet $50.
Comrade Schrauben, Commander of American Legion Post 4 gave the QM their donation of $150. Thank you Post 4 the FRA and SVC Haulet.
The Post purchased the 6 left over raffle tickets for the Post 9892 Chili Cook-off Raffle for P1800. The Post won 3rd place and received P4000.
NEW BUSINESS
The Adjutant said that the Post is budgeted to donate $50 to the VFW National Home For Children. This year's donation has already been sent. The Adjutant read part of the letter he received recently from the Home, they are looking for donations for road repairs ($30,000) and water treatment plant overhaul ($40,000). The streets at the Home are in bad shape with potholes and cracks, last time they were repaired was 10 years ago (10 years of harsh Michigan winters has taken its toll). Adjutant Burnett made a motion that an additional $50 be donated from the Relief Fund. According to VFW By-laws the relief fund can be used for NHFC repairs. Motion was seconded by Comrade Gallant. Motion carried.
Comrade Tom Mishenko President of FRA Branch 367 said that repairs are ongoing at the Branch home. He said that the storage area where the Post and FRA tents were stored has been destroyed. It was notice that many of the tents need to be repaired and some replaced due to age, rust and rips in fabric, most of this damage was not because of the storm, but through age and use. The 12x12 tents were purchased in 1997 and the 12x16 in 2001. A new storage area is available at the FRA. Comrade Gallant made a motion for the Post to approve P20,000 repair of a few of the tents, seconded by Comrade Best. The tents are needed during the upcoming Beach Bash in Feb, less then two months away; the FRA is not financially capable of helping at this time but will do so in the future. Vote was taken and motion carried.
Three thousand pesos is needed for the Christmas Party for the kids, P5500 has been raised so far. The Adjutant made the motion for the funds to come from the Scholarship Fund and seconded by Comrade Best. Approved.
The Commander said that there are many members who were not satisfied with the way the draws are being run, there was discontent from many about the local residents coming in just to sign up for the Super Daily, did not stay and buy anything. Sometimes 3 or 4 coming in at the same time. It was mostly the VFW members who initially paid into the draw which they built up to over 30 thousand peso, when the local residents heard about the size of the draw they started to sign up. One of them won the draw. The Commander asked if someone would make a motion for the rules to be changed, Comrade Gallant made the motion, seconded by Comrade Schrauben. After lengthy discussion it was recommended that only VFW members and their family or girlfriend could sign up. This new rule will come into play after each current draw is won. For example if the Daily Draw is won next week, then only members, their family and girlfriends can sign up for the daily the next day. A vote was taken and passed by a vote of 9-7 with 4 abstentions.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
VFW Dept of the Pacific Raffle Tickets still available. 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 will be held at the Dept CofA in December being held in Angeles City.
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 ($348); second P8,000; third P4,000; forth P2,000 and fifth P1,000.
Post 4 American Legion meeting on Sunday 13 Nov will be held at 1300 vice 10am. Post dues will increase from P1500 to P1700, however if you pay your 2012 dues before 1 Jan 2012 you can pay the early bird price of P1500.
Fifty/fifty: Comrade Bristle won the 50/50 raffle. P1500 was collected with P750 to the winner. Com
CLOSING CEREMONIES: Closing Ceremonies were held according to Ritual and the meeting was adjourned at 1110 hours. The next GMM will be held 11 Jan 2012 at 1000 hours at the Post Home.
Official:
/S/ Dennis L Doty
Commander
/S/ Tom Burnett
Adjutant
December 20, 2011 |
