The American Legion Brakeman-King Post #336, Painesville, Ohio

MINUTES OF THE MEMBERSHIP MEETING OF
05 January 2009

Opening Ceremony: Acting Commander, 1^st Vice Stennis, called the meeting to order in proper form at 19:30 hrs on Monday 05 January 2009, at the Post home with the POW-MIA flag being in place.

Roll Call of Officers: The roll call produced a quorum. 8 Officers and 2 Executive Committee Members (ECM) answered the Roll Call. Sergeant-at-Arms Denes was excused, but arrived after roll call. Commander Abney was excused. 1 Executive Committee Member (ECM) position and the 3^rd Vice Commander are vacant. 3 Trustees and 4 Post Members attended the meeting.

Reading of the minutes: The Commander called for a motion to suspend the reading of the minutes of the prior meeting. Chaplain Morgan made the motion for acceptance of the minutes as published. Judge Whiting reminds that Commander Abney had appointed John Howard as the Post Adjutant during the 01 DEC 08 Membership Meeting. With a 2^nd from Trustee Babic, the motion passes.

Introduction of Guests: Rex Buchs, Rick Duruttya and Keith Bell of Squadron 336 are guests.

Reports of officers:

1^st Vice Commander: 1^st Vice Stennis reports 95% of quota. He the Auxiliary and the Sons have turned off the fobs of their delinquent members. He moves to accept 4 people for Post membership who are Delbert Abrahamson, Richard Gundilack, Zack Corby and Harry Burr. Judge Whiting adds a second and the body votes to adopt the motion. Historian Rein moves to accept the 1^st Vice report. ECM Mike Evans adds a second and the body votes to affirm.

2^nd Vice Commander: 2^nd Vice Gladen reports that the lip-syncing contest is rescheduled for February due to a death in his family. Chaplain Morgan moves to accept the 2^nd Vice report which gains a second from Historian Rein and acceptance from the Membership.

3^rd Vice Commander: The office is vacant. The Acting Commander reports that the A&G Winners banquet will be held 08 FEB 09 at Post 678. We have a County winner from Riverside High’s Senior class. Boys’ State selections will begin in February this year and Orientation will occur on Sunday, 03 MAY 09. Color Guard Commander Babic reports on recent activities and thanks Keith Bell for his leadership during the fund raiser meal. The 3^rd Vice report is informational and thus no motion to accept is proposed.

Finance Officer: Brian Rodecker reports for the month of DEC that we took in $xxxx.23 with $xxxx.60 of outflows that netted $xxx.63. We got more than $xxxx for our bingo sales and Canteen Sales profit of $xxxx. The month ahead will be tight. Trustee Babic moved and Trustee Dillon seconded for approval of the report. Motion carried.

Historian: Al Rein has no report.

Trustees: Trustee Dillon indicates that the Trustee Report is published. Judge Whiting moves to suspend the reading of the report and accept it as published. ECM Evans seconds and the membership passes the motion.

Judge Advocate: Judge Whiting reports the continuance of two hearings from the Special Executive Committee meetings resulted in no appeals. He reports the foyer at the back door has become a smoking room for many people. We have been challenged by the Health District in the past and could well be challenged again if this blatant violation is not remedied. 1^st Vice Stennis ask if penalties accumulate over the years. The Judge Advocate responds, “yes”. Comrade Foresh suggests that we develop a smoking area similar to that of Wade Park. Trustee Dillon moved and Trustee Smith made the second to approve the report. Motion carried.

Service Officer: John Chebra reports the deaths of James Ondo (US Army) and Michael Nelson (USAF) and the illness of Dianna Celsius. Comrade Smolinski moved and 2^nd Vice Gladden added the second to approve the report. Motion carried.

Chaplain: Chaplain John Morgan has no report.

Pavilion Committee: Chairman Gladen had no reported

Charity Committee: 1^st Vice Stennis reports $xxxxx.22 in the Charities checking account. We have 6 requests for college student financial aid. He further informs that Rob Moore is not the Charity Chair because 1^st Vice Stennis has succeeded Rob. FO Rodecker warns that $xxxxx in checking is not a lot because it will go quickly as we move into the spring of 2009. ECM Evans moved and Chaplain Morgan added the second to approve the report. Motion carried.

Old Business: Judge Advocate Whiting reviews the vacancies in the Post 336 leadership and urges interested persons to run for these offices.

New Business: Judge Whiting moves to donate up to $xxx to the SAL Hospitality room at the 16-18 JAN 09 Mid-winter Conference. With a second by ECM Martin and no discussion, the motion passes.

Good of the Legion: Comrade Foresh, a new member, gives his background and explains his military accomplishments. Welcoming applause follows. Carl Lubeking, American Legion representative to the Veterans Service Commission, reports that this past year of 2008 that they paid out over $749,000 in grants and interviewed over 20,000 vets. Judge Advocate Whiting suggests that the Service Commission ask for Charities support for their work with vets. Ken Kapes informs that he is pleased with the Post’s Web Site and urges members to take a look at it. He recommends that the Newsletter deadline be adjusted to allow time to get the current issue onto the site. Acting Commander Stennis appoints Comrade Kapes as the Chair for a Computer Training function. 1^st Vice Stennis asks Legionnaires’ assistance with the 2009 Veterans Appreciation Day. Judge Whiting moves for adjournment which is seconded by FO Rodecker and passed by the body.

Acting Commander Stennis closes the meeting following proper ritual at 20:27 hrs.

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

Ronald K Whiting
Judge Advocate

19 January 2009