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MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF
19 October 2009

Opening Ceremony: Commander Abney called the meeting to order in proper form at 19:30 hrs on Monday, 19 October 2009, at the Post home with the POW-MIA flag being in place.

Roll Call of Officers: The roll call produced a quorum. 11 Officers and 2 Executive Committee Members (ECM) answered the Roll Call. ECM Martin is absent and Adjutant is vacant.

Reading of the Minutes: Commander Abney called for a reading of the Membership Meeting Minutes of 05 OCT 09. Historian Rein moved for suspension of the reading of the minutes and to accept them as published. Chaplain Kelly made the second and the motion carried. Judge Advocate (JA) Whiting [Acting Adjutant] reports that he has published the correction of the 05 OCT 09 minutes.

Introduction of Guests: None

Reports of Officers:

1st Vice Commander: 1st Vice Commander Stennis said National has sent out dues renewal letters, but if you have paid just ignore them. If you sent another check, he will return it to you. As of today the membership is at 68% and 217 members have paid. He has two people to vote on for membership: Past member Kenneth Dille, Viet Nam Vet from Willoughby and Kathleen Gornichec, Navy-Dessert Storm from Painesville. 1st Vice Commander Stennis moved to accept the two candidates for membership and, with a second from Chaplain Kelly, the motion carried. JA Whiting moved to accept 1st Vice Commander Stennis’s report and, with a second from 2nd Vice Morgan, the motion carried.

2nd Vice Commander: 2nd Vice Commander Morgan reported that Saturdays’ dinner they had $xx go out and $xx come in with a profit of $x. The Veterans’ Dinner is on November 11th and would appreciate anyone who could come down and give him a hand. JA Whiting moved to accept 2nd Vice Commander Morgan’s report. ECM Kapes made the second. Under discussion JA Whiting asked for times that 2nd Vice would need help and the number of folks he would need. Commander Abney informs that at 11:11 Veterans Day Colonel David Coleman, Air Force, will speak. 2nd Vice Morgan states that he will get together with Trustee Gladen regarding prior year planning. Veterans and spouses are free and friends will be charged $5.00. Ken Kapes mentioned that this should be publicized and Commander Abney explained that we perform at the County Court House. The motion to accept carried.

3rd Vice Commander: 3rd Vice Commander Loomis met again with the Painesville Fire Chief who now prefers the recognition of firefighters during a City Council Meeting because of the press coverage. Commander reminds that November is when we introduce our A & G Testing Program in local high schools. He asked if the Color Guard had a report. Without such, he mentioned the upcoming Fall Fest and Winter Fest. 2nd Vice Morgan moved to approve 3rd Vice Commander Loomis’ Report. With a second from ECM Evans, the motion carried.

Finance Officer: Finance Officer (FO) Rodecker reports that the inflow was $x,xxx and the outflow was $x,xxx.17 with a profit of $x,xxx. He made the final loan payment of $4.65. The report was distributed to the members. JA Whiting moved to approve Finance Officer Rodecker’s report. Historian Rein gave a second. JA Whiting submitted a bill from Mrs. DeWolf for $xx for transcription of the 22 SEPT and 05 OCT minutes. Past Commander (PC) Erb thanked everyone for their support in being able to improve the post and FO Rodecker for keeping us on track over the last 24 months. Paying off the 2nd mortgage with money still available is a great accomplishment for us, as a group and as individuals. (Applause) The motion carried.

Trustees: No report.

Historian: Historian Rein said that he continues work on the Freedom Award for Past Commander Frank Smolinski. 2nd Vice Morgan moved to accept Historian Rein’s report. ECM Evans seconds and the motion carries.

Service Officer: Service Officer (SO) Chebra had no illnesses to report, but tells of the death of 9th District Past Commander Dean’s wife on 15 OCT 09. PC Erb moved to approve the SO Chebra’s report. JA Whiting seconds and the motion carries.

Judge Advocate: JA Whiting had no report.

Chaplain: Chaplain Kelly has no report.

Old Business: J A Whiting reminds that the Membership passed legislation on 08 SEP to give a $xxx Homecoming gift to District Commander Minadio and pay $xx to buy a full page ad in his dinner program. The money never went out. He asked that the FO write a check and that 1st Vice Stennis send the $xxx gift under his pen.

New Business: JA Whiting moved that the Executive Committee encourage the Trustees to verify that the Men’s Room towel dispenser is repaired and the broken, deteriorated meeting room podium be repaired. Al Rein seconded. The motion carried.

Charity Committee: 1st Vice Commander Stennis said we have about three requests and the Committee should meet after the meeting. JA Whiting moved to approve the report with a second from ECM Kapes. The motion carried.

The Commander returns to New Business: JA Whiting moved that 3rd Vice Commander direct the Color Guard Commander to repair the damaged flag holders. ECM Evans made the second. Despite questions about funding this repair, the motion carried. JA Whiting moved that the 3rd Vice Commander report the cost of new flag staffs, top ornaments and new post colors to the Executive Committee on the 16 NOV. Al Rein seconded. Under discussion JA Whiting said that the flags Matt Dillon had referred to were for the exterior flag pole and that it would cost a ton of money for new display colors. The Judge only wants the prices to be presented at the 16 NOV meeting to provide for an informed discussion. The motion carried.

Budget and Finance Committee: No report requested.

SAL Advisor: No report requested.

Good of the Legion: Commander Abney stated that, if you are an officer and an incident occurs in your presence, you are to give your best effort to identify the problem and be a part of the solution. Commander Abney said the Browns Party brought a lot of people to the Post Home and that community folks are talking about how crowded the parking lot is and why are we so busy every weekend. He appreciates the broad based support of our activities. 1st Vice Stennis mentioned that there will be a Job Fair in Stow, Ohio on 21 OCT 09. It will be sponsored by the 145th Armored Regiment. Also, on 14th & 15th NOV the Army National Guard will have a site where veterans or active military members can go and shop. If you want more information, he has flyers to hand out. Trustee Gladen had his son clean the carpet twice in the Post’s Dining/Meeting Room. Commander Abney told him to thank his son on behalf of the post. JA Whiting mentioned that the estate of his father, Mike Whiting, member of the Sons Squadron 336, had donated a PA system to be used for events such as parades, Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The JA and Det 1st Vice Rex Buchs have placed the system in the Sons’ Computer Room for safe keeping.

Chaplain Kelly moves for adjournment, Al Rein made the second and the motion carried. Commander Abney adjourned the Executive Committee Meeting at 20:13 hrs. The Commander led the ritual.

Transcribed and respectfully submitted for approval by the Membership of Painesville’s Brakeman-King Post 336, Lake County, The Dynamic Ninth District, American Legion of Ohio.


Ronald K Whiting
Judge Advocate and Acting Adjutant

29 October 2009