DISTRICT 9 MEETING MINUTES Post 36, Fort Lauderdale, FL 26 October 2008
Meeting called to order by Cmdr Joe Motes at 4:05 PM .
VCmdr George Rafajko draped POW/MIA Flag over chair in Remembrance.
Chaplain Jay Walrond gave opening prayer.
Cmdr Joe Motes let the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLLCALL: 9 Members present, Dept Vice Cmdr Phil Hearlson and Dept Vice Cmdr candidate Al Porter and their wives guests and 4 Auxiliary members.
Minutes of last month's District meeting were handed out. Motion to accept the minutes by Ray Blanchette, 2 nd by Jay Walrond, motion carried.
FINANCE REPORT: FO Ray Blanchette gave finance report. Finances are very good. Motion to accept, subject to audit by Helen Gaekle, 2 nd by John Vazquez, motion carried.
REPORT MEMBERSHIP: So far, 11 posts are above 65%, 6 posts are marginal between 60-44% and 4 posts are below 60%. The District is at 67.4% in the Department.
VICE CMDR REPORT INTERTAINMENT: We are working on the Spring Picnic, hope to have a date soon. The District Ball is now set and planned.
CHAPLAIN REPORT: Jaw Walrond mentioned that we are not getting Legion participation at JROTC functions. There will be an SOS Breakfast on Veterans Day at the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale.
LEGION RIDERS: The ALR donated an electric scooter to a child in Oakland Park with cerebral palsy. They also held a Stand Down House clothing drive. The ALR also needed and got a self propeller lawn mower. Next month the ALR plan to do something special for Thanksgiving Day.
SICK and DISTRESS:
Mark Davis and Robert Hammes passed away this week. No other report Sick or Distress.
POST REPORTS:
Post 142 – They have held two blood drives so far for a total of 46 pts. The next drive will be a M*A*S*H Bash blood drive scheduled for Jan 17 th . Pompano Beach High ROTC will have a flag retirement and Veterans Day ceremonies on Nov 11 th . George Rafajko also mention that the Fisher House in Miami is still in need of $600,000, this house will be serving family members living outside the 25 mile radius of the VA Hospital.
Post 304 – They just held their annual OktoberFest. The parade in West Palm Beach say they are not in need of any money this year.
OLD BUSINESS:
Service Officer Floyd White will be offering starting November the 3 rd Saturday of each month at 10am at Post 180. Individual Posts will be called to see how many S.O. are interested.
Post visitations have been set for Friday & Saturday Nov 14 th & 15 th . On Friday Posts to be visited are 36, 304, 157, 162, 142 & 287. On Saturday Posts visited will be 180, 321, 310 & 92.
On Sunday we will have a visit with the Department Commander and Legionnaires of the Nininger Veterans Home. We will try to schedule a Christmas Party on Saturday December 6 th.
I need all newsletter articles right after the Fall Conference.
Discussion was made on naming the Symphonic Band the American Legion 9 th District Symphonic Band. Several Posts, Districts and Department in America sponsor bands. National By-Laws says that 10% of the members have to be Legionnaires to compete. Our band has over 50%. Motion was made by Richard Davitt and 2 nd by Bill Gemayel, motion carried. The only obligation the band would have to the 9 th District is to carry the 9 th District name.
NEW BUSINESS:
Wreaths Across America will be held Saturday December 13 th and the new VA South Florida Cemetery. Wreaths are $15.00 each.
Ray Blanchette made a motion to add Cmdr. Joseph Motes as a second signature to our bank account. 2 nd by Richard Davitt, motion passed.
There being no further business before this meeting, Chaplain Jay Walrond gave final prayer. MEETING ADJOURNED at 4:05 PM
Recorded and Submitted by:
Joe Motes, Commander
District 9 Meeting Minutes, Post 142, Pompano Beach, FL 20 September 2008
1. Meeting called to order by Cmdr Joe Motes at 3:15 PM .
VCmdr George Rafajko draped POW/MIA Flag over chair in Remembrance
Chaplain Jay Walrond gave opening prayer.
Cmdr Joe Motes let the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. ROLLCALL: 15 Members present, 1 guests and 9 Auxiliary
3. Minutes of District Constitutional were handed out for corrections.
5. FINANCE REPORT: FO Ray Blanchette gave finance report. Finances are very good. Motion to accept, APPROVED subject to audit.
6. VICE CMDR REPORT MEMBERSHIP: Post 220 is the first post to reach 100%. So far, 14 posts are above 55%, 3 posts are marginal between 50-54% and 3 posts are below 50%. The District is at 61% in the Department.
7. VICE CMDR REPORT INTERTAINMENT: George Rafajko mentioned that he is working on scheduling the Spring District picnic at Snyder Park, we checked other locations but they were all too expensive.
8. CHAPLAIN REPORT :
9: POST 142 BAND: John Vazquez, Cmdr Post 304 requested the 9 th District adopt the Post 142 Band as our own. Jay Walrond made the motion to accept, Bill Gemayel seconded. Discussion ensued, no American Legion logo should be worn, Pete Nepa expressed concern on legal matters and if all the members are Legionnaires. Jay Walrond asked to table his motion until more information can become available.
10: LEGION RIDERS:
11: SICK and DISTRESS: Steve Newman, Cmdr Post 222 in the Miami VA Hospital with a blood clot in his leg. Chuck Moreland is not well, Mark Davis has a few months to live, his wife is also sick.
12: POST REPORTS:
Post 142: Cmdr George Rafajko reported that his post is now hosting the Pompano Beach Band. They will also be sponsoring a blood drive and food will be served to those who donate. They will also be hosting a Veteran's Day activities Sunday November 9 th at 10:45am .
Post 157: No report
Post 222: Homeless need food; they are holding a food drive.
Post 304: Their annual Oktoberfest is October 18, 2-6pm , Pig Roast, Live Band, German Beer.
Post 308:
Post 365: BCVC Luncheon honoring Loretta Young and two others, cost is $25 for veterans, to be held at Colony West in Tamarac ; Sunday October 5 th at 11:30am to 1:30pm.
13. NEW BUSINESS: Cmdr Joe Motes mentioned that District Service Officer Floyd White will be starting training once of a month at Post 180 for all service officers interested, anyone can attend.
We are also in need of an Oratorical Chairman.
John Vazquez was introduced as our new District Public Relations Officer.
Dept Cmdr Paul Martel will be making Post Visitations November 14-15, he will also be attending our District Ball and the Christmas Party at Nininger VA Home. The Department has asked that the District donate $1000 for Clarence Hill. Department has sent us 20 tickets for a Commemorative Rifle drawing, tickets are $20 each.
Articles for the newsletter are now being accepted, would like to go to print last week of October.
The official opening ceremonies for the VA Clinic in Sunrise is October 13 th , by invitation only, you must RSVP for you Official Invitation.
There being no further business before this meeting, Chaplain Jay Walrond gave final prayer. MEETING ADJOURNED at 5:30 PM
Recorded and Submitted by:
Joe Motes, Commander
District 9 Meeting Minutes, Post 222, Oakland Park, FL 29 May 2008
1. Meeting called to order by CDR Billy Gemayel at 7:40 PM, thanking Commander of Post for hosting meeting.
VCmdr Pat Renneisen draped POW/MIA Flag over chair in Remembrance
Chaplain Gary Garofalo gave opening prayer.
Preamble was recited.
2. ROLLCALL: 9 Members present, 6 guests and 5 Auxiliary
3. Minutes of April 23, 2008 waived. Approved and seconded.
4. GUEST: William C. Hoppner II, 10 th District Commander running for Southern District unopposed. Talked about getting info to all vets and for all Posts to get out and push for membership.
Scott Worobey, ALR Director of Bikers for all District 9 Posts talked about the support from Bikers for all events. Three active ALR Post in District 9 and two others are starting Riders in their posts. Looking for a Liaison position for Bikers as overall Director of ALR . Commander Gemayel recommended we include Bikers in our program. VCmdr. Motes has set up a Link for Bikers. Scott Worobey accepted 9 th District representative. National By-laws OK to bring in ALR . Bikers need to be registered owners.
5. FINANCE REPORT: FO Ray Blanchette gave finance report. Finances are very good. Motion to accept, APPROVED subject to audit. Post 209 owes $70 and another Post gave tickets away free. $100 coming from Post 304. FO Blanchette disappointed in not making money on Picnic.
6. SERVICE OFFICE REPORT: Heather Cherniack one of the reasons I joined AL in 2005 was because of their work with veterans and claims. I offered to go to Service Officer School to be able help to veterans in any way possible because of the help received when I returned from Iraq and I wanted to give back by serving. Lots of posts are without service officer and since I'm one of the new young vets, “what can we do to make Vets come into the AL ?”
7. MEMBERSHIP: 99.7% of posts have met membership. Still #1 for our area. Pat Renneisen enjoyed serving as VCmdr for CDR Gemayel and will continue to help make us #1.
8. CHAPLAINS REPORT: Chaplain from Post 304 gave report on Memorial Services…Service at Post then to the ocean with wreaths, Cemetery later for Veterans ceremony. Gave talk at Hunter's Cemetery to veterans. Most people do not really know what the significance of Memorial Day is except that it is a holiday. A report said that only 28% of Americans have any idea of its importance. . Navy and BSO held National Event at 3PM – everything stopped to recognize vets.
Memorial service for Fred Archer at Fred Hunters Funeral Home; Taft Street , May 31 st at 12 PM. Navy will be there.
Lists of deceased comrades were requested and as of today only 10-11 have been received and will be presented for Convention Conference in Post Everlasting. Repeated request were made to Posts.
9. POST REPORTS:
92 Not making 100%. 27 members died. Last 4 years 120 members mostly WWII and Korea . We need new members.
142 Voted to sponsor Riders. Held 3 blood drives. Memorial Day Rifle Squad / VFW 81-82 at cemeteries and parade, laid wreaths, Father's Day BBQ, Flag retirement Ceremony by Boy Scouts on Flag Day.
Paul Renneisen is running House of Representatives in District 22. Get out the word to vote. Independents not allowed to vote in the primary. Convince veterans to register and vote.
162 Membership pretty high. Memorial Day Services Monday. Chamber of Commerce donated property and is selling names on bricks to be dedicated to veterans.
178 Coral Springs acquired 16 new members, new hall available in 2 weeks with grand opening invitations. City property NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED. Eighteen baseball teams, 2 Division, 570 kids using wood bats. Co-host for State Tournament in Fort Pierce . We need to raise $15,000 and hope our district will remain State Champions. Adding 3 rd Division in fall. Possibly 30 teams in the fall in Broward County.
304 Chairman for School medals program, got a middle school to join us, gave medals to both male and female students chosen by school will be recipient of a Medallion Certificate, and $25 check. We are involved in 4 Boys State Troops. 105 votes…approved without objection. Competition for every post except Chaplain. Post votes for new president… Kenneth host, Joe, Carol and Pat supervised elections. Kevin lost by 3 votes and will not challenge.
308 Awarded to 2 ROTC unites Miramar and Dillard. 9 Certificates and Scholarships, 2 School Medallions, Scholarship program $1600, Boys State $580, 2 scopes for Miramar Rifle Team, ROTC pass in review (would like more members to come to review). Sold Legion Hall.
385 ROTC presentations..2 ROTC Scholastic Medals to 9 high schools both in our county and out or our area. 6 Posts asked for support from us. One Post Commander had 2 schools in his area and he was more interested in the Bar than schools. Finally, permission was granted by WAL-MART to sell POPPIES and on Memorial Day we made $678.
10. DISTRICT YEAR END REPORTS: The following Posts have not submitted their reports: 36, 170, 178, 265, 180, 209, 222, 265, 304, 308, 310, 321. Voting strength for Constitution 71. Following Posts 170 and 222 cannot vote. Will follow-up for eligibility.
11. Several dates for installation of 2009 officers have been received from Post 36,142,180 and 222; 304 submitted 2 dates. One installation per day and dates will be reserved on a first-come basis.
12. Flannigan HS ROTC Commander is looking to raise funds $1500 for a memorial to servicemen who have died from Broward County . Reason – 2 of their cadets have since died in Iraq . E-mail to everybody in district and also Marine Corp. E-mail has contact name.
School in Coral Springs has already done a memorial.
13. There being no further business before this meeting, Chaplain Garofalo gave final prayer. CDR Gemayel thanked everyone for their support during his tenure. MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:05 PM
RECORDED AND SUBMITTED BY:
Carol A Fraser, Adjutant
District 9 Meeting Minutes, Post 92, Oakland Park, FL 23 April 2008
1. Meeting called to order by CDR Billy Gemayel at 7:30 PM thanking Oakland Park Post Commander for hosting meeting.
VCmdr Pat Renneisen draped POW/MIA Flag of chair in Remembrance
Salute to Flag & Pledge of Allegiance
Chaplain Gary Garofalo gave opening prayer
2. ROLLCALL: Cdr Billy Gemayel; VCmdr Joe Motes; VCmdr Pat Renneisen; Adj Carol Fraser; Fin Off Ray Blanchette; Hist. Richard Davitt; Svc Off Heather Cherniack; Asst Sgt-at-Arms, George Rafajko; Chaplain Gary Garofalo plus 8 others present.
3. GUEST: Robert Myers, So Area Cdr presented an Achievement Award for 100% membership to George Rafajko of Post 142 and Ronald LaDuke of Post 178. Post 310 will receive their award at a later date. We are 1 week late in hitting 95% for Southern Area; need 559 members for the area. Thank you all for your efforts you have put forth thus far. BOYS STATE tickets need to be turned in…DEADLINE May 15 th.
4. Minutes of March April 23, 2008 passed; and subject to corrections and approval. MOTION was accepted.
5. FINANCE REPORT: FO Ray Blanchette gave report, our finances are very good, MOTION was accepted
6. SERVICE OFFICER REPORT: Heather Cherniack making 2-3 Home visits, numerous office visits per month. Family membership groups looking for money to help families and boxes for shipping overseas to troops. Announced she is getting married in December. 724th Mil Police Bat Ball on Dec 6 th , hoping the unit will return by then; however, it will still be held.
7. MEMBERSHIP: VCmdr Pat Renneisen advised that 7 Posts are 100%; we are 7 th in the State and leading the Southern Area.
8. CHAPLAIN REPORT: Chaplain Garofalo proffered meetings should be held with Post and Auxiliary Chaplains to determine how to deal with the Historic Dates celebrated locally and/or by District for the year.
Chaplain Garofalo advised he is Education Medals Chairman for Post 304 and 6 Boys and Girls were presented with medals. Post 304 now has 6 schools in the program. THIS IS A VERY REWARDING PROGRAM!
9. SICK CALL: Chaplain Bob Hammas is still having health problems. Discussed possible help financially for Chaplain & Mrs. Hammas instead of flowers. TABLED until after picnic to see what funds are available.
10. NEW BUSINESS: Chaplain Garofalo advised that the 4 Chaplains would like a donation after the picnic. The 4 Chaplains will get together to deal with how holidays are shared with District.
11. BOYS STATE : Helen Gaekle said there are now 30 boys instead of 27 and 3 alternates on standby. I am Dept School Medals Chairman and I am making a recommendation to Post doing School Medals, even the poorest post can do medals, because it is least expensive and takes little time.
12. ROTC: Loretta Young advised some posts are not responding. 1 Post did not sponsor anyone. Several Award Ceremonies sponsored by Post 385
13. BASEBALL TEAMS: Ron LaDuke baseball teams are starting on Memorial Weekend. Last year there were 12 teams, now 18. Thank all post who sponsored teams this year especially with the increase in insurance, umpires and additional funds for the teams. Thanks to District 9, Post 178 and we hope that we will make it to the World Series.
14. POST REPORTS: Due to length of meeting post reports were overlooked.
15. VCmdr Joe Motes advised starting July 1 st this year the American Legion is doing away with DMS as it cost more money than it takes in. Everyone should be more thorough in checking DD214 in admitting new members. Post 400 will be creating CYBER POST and transferring memberships to them.
JUNE 1 st is the DISTRICT CONSTITUTION. This past Monday, the Contest Packages were mailed to EVERY POST COMMANDER with paperwork for the awards; they are due on MAY 12 ST.
16. NEW BUSINESS: VCmdr Joe Motes advised tickets are available for Picnic and reason for Snyder Park because the Elks Lodge wanted to raise price and forbid us to bring own food. Thank Helen for getting Snyder Park for $75.
Cdr Billy Gemayel noted that a 5 Piece Band will play at picnic from 1-5PM cost $250. Discussion ensued regarding supplies and prizes for drawings at picnic.
17. There being no further business before this meeting, Chaplain Garofalo gave final prayer. MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:10 PM.
RECORDED AND SUBMITTED BY:
Carol A Fraser, Adjutant
NEXT MEETING: 28 MAY 2008 … 7:30 PM …POST 92
District 9 Meeting Minutes, Post 162, Deerfield Beach, FL 26 March 2008
1. Meeting was called to order by CDR Billy Gemayel at 7:30 PM thanking Deerfield Beach Post Cmdr for hosting meeting.
? VCdr Joe Motes draped POW/MIA Flag over chair in Remembrance
? Salute to Flag and Pledge of Allegiance
? Commander George Rafajko gave opening prayer
2. ROLLCALL: CDR Billy Gemayel, VCdr Joe Motes, VCdr Pat Renneisen, Fin Off Ray Blanchette, SvcOff Vito Rao, Hist Richard Davitt plus 13 other members.
3. GUEST: Robert Myers, So Area Cmdr, stated it was a pleasure to be here in South Florida . Trying to get 50-50 tickets for Boy's State transportation sold and returned ASAP as it benefits all posts who are sending boys to the program and eliminate any future problems with funds.
Also; Vince Cacciatore, from the Ninninger Veteran Home, talked about the veteran's home.
4. MINUTES of 27 February 2008 passed subject to corrections and approval.
CORRECTION: SEE ORIGINAL MINUTES
Motion made to approve Rick Davitt, seconded by George Rafajko. MOTION WAS ACCEPTED.
5. FINANCE REPORT: FO Ray Blanchette gave report, our finances are very good, motion made to approve by Pat Renneisen, seconded by George Rafajko. MOTION WAS ACCEPTED.
6. Svc Off Vito Rao spoke about certain benefits due veterans.
7. POST REPORTS:
142 Blood Dive was held, 24 donors. Fashion Show on 4/4/08 , Benefit Fund Drive on 4/6/08 , next blood drive is 5/17. Also, Chaplain Bob Hammas not well. Tickets for a car raffle are still available.
162 Blood Drive on 4/15 11am-3pm , and participation in the Memorial Day Parade.
178 NO REPORT
180 Picnic at Duck Pond on 3/30
308 Will be presenting JROTC to two schools (Miramar & Boyd Anderson). Having problems getting to high schools to talk about Boys State .
321 Howe Down on 3/29 and Founder's Day on 4/26
385 We will be present JROTC awards to 3 schools next month, Flanagan, Cypress Bay and Everglades . *NEWSLETTER – need articles for scheduled April newsletter for District.
Bill McIntyre concerning Boys State , he mentioned we need to sell more tickets and we are below the number of sponsors from last year. We need gifts from Posts such as liquor.
8. MEMBERSHIP REPORT:
*PICNIC: VCdr Pat Renneisen reported there are 6 Post from District 9 at 100% and we are leading Southern Area in membership.
9. SICK CALL: Chaplain Bob Hammas is still sick
10. There being no further business before this meeting, George Rafajko gave final prayer. Meeting adjourned at: 8:45 PM
RECORDED & SUBMITTED BY:
Carol A Fraser, Adj and Joe Motes, VCmdr
26 March 2008
NEXT MEETING: 23 APRIL 2008 at 7:30 PM at Post 222