OPENING CEREMONIES: Commander Doty called the meeting to order at 1000 hours, 11 Jan. 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: Adjutant introduced Jule J. Drossart. Jule is a Vietnam veteran and his application has been approved by the membership committee. Adjutant made a motion that Jule be voted in by the membership. Seconded by the SVC. Motion approved. Comrade Drossart is visiting the Philippines and from Carbonado, Washington. Welcome aboard Jule.

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: Commander acknowledged the presence of American Legion Post 4 Commander Chris Schrauben.

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. Comrade Wright had informed the Adjutant that in the minutes under Guests there is an error, minutes as posted stated that Post member Olen Crowe who lives in Guam was here for a visit. Minutes have been corrected to read that "Olen Crowe a Post Charter member has moved back to the Philippines from Guam and is now living in Kalayaan". The Adjutant made the motion to accept the minutes as corrected, 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 JVC Middleton, motion carried. The audit was conducted on 11 Jan. The report is on file, if anyone wants to see the entire report, contact the QM.

Notes from the report:  Pup Tent 11 Cootie, Orville Humfleet, who is also the Commander of Post 727 and District IV Commander, donated $900 to the Post. Three hundred dollars went to the Pup Tent, $300 to the Scholarship Fund and $300 to the General Fund. Thank you Orville. The employees were paid their 13th month at their Christmas party on 18 Dec, total of $500.

SERVICE OFFICER REPORT: Service Officer who was present prior to the start of the meeting had to leave to assist a widow at the RAO. However he asked the Commander to announce the following "the American Embassy Outreach visit has been cancelled/postponed due to lack of funding. No date has been set for resumption of the program".

SURGEON'S REPORT: Adjutant gave the Surgeon Certificates of Appreciation to be given to the five Dentists and 14 assistants who participated in the Dental Outreach

COMRADE OR FAMILY MEMBER IN DISTRESS: The Commander read an email from the SVC of Post 1054 in Japan asking for help in assisting a member deeply in medical debt due to illness of his wife and himself. The members agreed for $100 to be taken from the Relief Fund and that donations would be accepted from the members. A total of $288 was collected which included the Relief Fund donation. Additional donations from the half and half and a $70 donation from a Post 1509 member brought the total up to $355.

COMMANDER CALLED FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS:

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: QM Burnett gave the report. National has published the new memstats for 2011-2012.

Need 24 new or annual members to renew to reach 100%

CofA: Commander said that the preparations for the Convention are on track and doing okay.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Christmas break is over and the students are back in school.

BUDDY POPPY CHAIRMAN: Comrade Spears reported that P630 ($14.65) was collected at the meeting for the Relief Fund.

WEBSITE: NTR

BUILDING COMMITTEE: Commander said that if anyone did not notice the new sign has been installed and looks good especially at night when the lights are on. There was an increase in cost by P2000 because when the face of the sign was removed many lights were burned out and other problems. All bulbs replaced and some ballast and starters. Hopefully they will last several years as the sign would have to be taken down to replace bulbs.

BEACH BASH COMMITTEE: Participation of members and others at the Beach Bash meetings has been disappointing. Still need volunteers. Comrade Rowe reported that the parade route has been approved by local official, but not by the Mayor. The stage obtained through the efforts of PHC Chairman Best will be set up prior to the start of the event.

PUP TENT 11: Seam Squirrel Best said that they had a good Scratch on 5 Jan. Lot of fun and some business accomplished.

POST HOUSE COMMITTEE: Comrade Mike Best gave the report. The Commander, QM and PHC members had a meeting on 9 Jan. The Canteen Profit and Loss Statement were reviewed. Statement showed a monthly profit of P40,118 which includes the inventory. Canteen on hand cash balance was P6022 on 31 Dec. The contract for the temporary employee filling the position of Manager was not renewed. She was hired to fill the new position of Manager to see if a manager was needed. The PHC decided that the position, which was put in place with her hiring, was not needed as most of the work could and was being done by the current staff. There is no longer an opening for that position.

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

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

The tent covers voted on for purchase at the last meeting have been ordered. The members approved P20,000 for purchase and repairs. The cost for the material is P39,600 another P9,600 required but will wait until the Beach Bash is over for the remainder. Most of the frames are okay with some minor repairs needed (cutting off part of the poles that are rusted away and new portions welded on). Comrade Jim Correll and Commander Doty have donated P5050 each to cover the cost at this time. Comrade Best donated P1000. Commander said that we need to purchase at least one new tent each year to replace the current tents as they deteriorate over the next few years.

NEW BUSINESS

The Commander said that there are many members who are still not satisfied with the way the draws are being run. Comrade Mike Gallant made a motion for members to be able to sign up in advance for one week for the draws. Seconded by Comrade Ron Chesley. Discussion. Some members live outside the immediate area and cannot make it here daily to sign up for the draws or may leave the area for short periods. It was suggested that a member could sign up the maximum of 7 days for the draws. If he signs up on Monday and someone wins on Wednesday his payment will still be paid daily for the remainder of the week, even if there is no or a low balance available. Comrade Best said that the reason for the members signing up daily was to bring business into the canteen; however we know that many members come in and sign up without purchasing anything. A vote was taken and motion approved.

Comrade Gallant made a motion for a new draw be made available to everyone, VFW members and local residents. Motion seconded by Comrade Spears. After lengthy discussion a vote was taken and the motion was defeated.

Comrade Schaeffer made the motion that a new air conditioner be purchase to replace the current unit. Seconded by SVC Haulet. The Commander said that there is nothing wrong with the current unit, most of the problem comes from low voltage being available. Comrade Schaeffer said that a new unit would be more economical and reduce the electric bill even if it runs 8am to closing. Also suggested was the purchase of additional fans. It was estimated that P50,000-P60,000 would be required for a new aircon, also the old aircon recently got a new compressor which cost the Post P20, 000. A vote was taken and the motion was defeated with 9 for and 10 against the purchase. A member said that there should be a revote because a few members did not understand the Commander remarks concerning the vote whether they were voting to keep the aircon or replace it. A second vote was taken and 9 voted for the purchase and 8 against with 3 abstentions. Motion approved.

JVC Haulet made a motion for the aircon to be turned on at 8am vice 10am as currently being done. Motion was seconded. After a short discussion a vote was taken and approved for the turning on the aircon at 8am by a vote of 9 to 5 with 7 abstentions.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Comrade Rowe said that the next meeting falls on the 8th of Feb which is also the day that members will be setting up the Beach Bash area he suggested that the meeting date be changed. Commander said that the stage, tents and booths will be in place prior to the 8th so there is no need for changing the date. He also said that a meeting with the VA Director has scheduled for the afternoon of the 8th at American Legion Post 4 and encourage all members to attend.

Comrade Marshall read an item he found on the internet that beside wine, beer is for your good health if drank in moderation. Drinking a few beers a day may give you stronger bones and heart, a healthier kidney, boost brain health, guard against stroke, boost vitamin levels, reduce cancer risk, lower blood pressure and reduce risk of diabetes leading to a longer life. So drink up.

Comrade Callahan said that he will be getting cataract surgery next week at Lourdes hospital in Barretto. The cost is P50,000 per eye, the hospital will let the patient pay P10,000 per month if he doesn't have the money at the time of surgery.

Fifty/fifty: Commander Doty won the 50/50 raffle. P1600 was collected with P800 to the winner. Commander Doty donated his share to the Post Relief fund to be included in the donation for Mike Mayo.

CLOSING CEREMONIES: Closing Ceremonies were held according to Ritual and the meeting was adjourned at 11:13 hours. The next GMM will be held 8 Feb 2012 at 1000 hours at the Post Home.

Official:
/S/ Dennis L Doty
Commander

/S/ Tom Burnett
Adjutant
January 15, 2012