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MINUTES OF THE MEMBERSHIP MEETING OF
02 November 2009

Opening Ceremony: Commander Abney called the meeting to order in proper form at 19:31 hrs on Monday, 02 November 2009, at the Post home with the POW-MIA flag being in place.

Roll Call of Officers: 10 Officers, 2 Executive Committee Members (ECM) and 3 Trustees answered the roll call. Past Commander Erb and ECM Evans are excused. 2nd Vice Commander Morgan is absent. The Adjutant is vacant.

Introduction of Guests: The record shows that SAL Ohio Detachment 1st Vice Rex Buchs, SAL 9th District Adjutant Keith Bell and Shirley & Bob Loomis were guests.

Reading of the Minutes: Commander Abney called for a reading of the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of 19 OCT 09. Historian Rein moved for suspension of the reading of the minutes and to accept them as published. Chaplain Kelly seconded the motion. The motion carried.

1st Vice Commander: 1st Vice Commander Stennis stated that the Post has 238 members which is 75%. The SAL, Ladies and the Legionnaires will be putting together a membership date planned around the Ohio State-Michigan Football Game. They will be serving hot dogs and hamburgers and a few other surprises. We have three members to vote on: Garry Patla, a Viet Nam Vet and a Painesville native; Rachael Buchs is a new member of the U. S. Navy and Brandon Steanis. Buchs and Stennis are on active duty. Judge Advocate (JA) Whiting moved to accept all three for membership into Post 336, with a second from Trustee Babic, the motion carried. Historian Rein moved to accept the 1st Vice Commander Stennis’ report, with a second from Carl Lubeking, the motion carried.

2nd Vice Commander: 2nd Vice Morgan is absent. No report. Commander Abney asked Trustee Gladen to speak about

Veterans’ Day since there is no meeting until after that day. Trustee Gladen said a committee had been formed and the day should follow the same as last year. All help is appreciated. Commander Abney said the guest speaker will be Retired Lt. Colonel David Coleman of the U. S. Army and is a replay official for the NFL. The News Herald gave a deadline of November 6th to get his bio to them to advertise before Veterans Day. He will arrive about 9:00 a.m. that morning. Commander Abney thanked JA Whiting for the ceremony script and donation of the PA system from his father’s estate. JA Whiting said all they needed was ground power and he believes the Courthouse has an outlet.

3rd Vice Commander: 3rd Vice Commander Loomis said he met with the Sheriff and he is very interested in the certificates for his Deputies. The Sheriff mentioned that every so often citizens help in the situation such as a bad car accident and would like to see those persons honored also. He liked the idea of the certificates being given out at the Commissioners Meeting which is advertised in two newspapers and on TV. 3rd Vice Commander Loomis said he would like a sign mentioning what Post 336 is doing. Commander Abney said that the A & G Testing will be taken effect next week. There is a Lake County Council Meeting on 19 NOV at the post and would like to form a committee to go over the A&G essays before the meeting. The Color Guard reported that they will support Winter Fest held on 05 DEC. Carl Lubeking moved to accept the 3rd Vice Commander’s Report and, with a second by Bob Moore, the motion carried.

Finance Officer: Finance Officer (FO) Rodecker reports for the month of October and a few days in November our outflow was $x,xxx.78 with an inflow of $x,xxx leaving us in the red $x,xxx. The balance in the check book is $x,xxx.67. The report was distributed to the members. There will be a ticket split tonight which is where we get most of our money. The ticket split was down a little last month. Post insurance of about $x,xxx will be due the end of this month and in January taxes will be due in the amount of $x,xxx. (FO) Rodecker compared sales using Friday 16th & Saturday 17th OCT 09, we took in $xxx FRI and $xxx.75 SAT. Going back 1 ½ to 2 years we would have taken in $x,xxx. He said there has been talk about putting in new bathrooms, etc and right now we need to maintain to get through the economy. Matt Dillon moved to accept Finance Officer’s report and Historian Rein gave a second. 3rd Vice Commander Loomis said other American Legions have sold candy to raise money. Commander Abney said the 3rd vice should discuss this with FO Rodecker after the meeting. The motion carried.

Historian: Historian Rein is still working on the award for Past Commander Smolinski and it is going very well. He was given pictures of Frank. Commander Abney said that they are having a difficult time finding a picture of Frank alone. Matt Dillon moved to accept the Historian’s report and, with a second by Chaplain Kelly, the motion carried.

Service Officer: Comrade Chebra said there are deaths to report. There is one illness of Cathy Guyaux. Stan Babic moved to accept the Service Officer’s report and, with a second from ECM Martin, the motion carried.

Judge Advocate: JA Whiting mentioned that the same day as the DEC 09 membership meeting (07 DEC) there is a very important and historic program being conducted at Helreigel’s Inn, The Pearl Harbor Remembrance. He will be attending and hoped others will be supporting the efforts of those who do this remembrance each year. Election Day is tomorrow. He will be working the polls and wanted to remind everyone that there are several important issues. First is the Veterans’ Bonus. The second is the well being of live stock in Ohio and the third is the authorization to form casinos and do gambling in the State of Ohio. (JA) Whiting urged all registered voters to cast their ballots. Chaplain Kelly moved to accept the JA report and with a second from Trustee Gladen, the motion carried.

Charity Committee: Chairman Stennis reported that he has been working with Corky to get organized for the bingo license submission due at the end of NOV 09. The state sent out literature listing everything required. He will be contacting the Lottery Office in Brooklyn with a few questions. We have about $x,xxx in the Charity account. Judge Advocate Whiting moved to accept the Charity Committee’s report and Stan Babic gave a second. Al Rein asked for the cost of the bingo license. Chairman Stennis said it was about $x,xxx.

Trustees: JA Whiting moved to accept the Trustees Report as published and FO Rodecker made the second. The report was distributed. (JA) Whiting thanked Larry Gladen for repairing the men’s towel dispenser in the restroom. The motion carried.

SAL Advisor: Rex Buchs said he went to a National Conference and it was a great experience. He and Mike Perry are planning a benefit dinner for Lance Corp. Baker who died in battle. Al Rein asked if this was for the Baker family because he talked to her and she is in dire need of money. Commander Abney said, as standard policy, they sent a check for $xxx to the family and offered them food, beverages and ice on Tuesday. They did not need the food. He said they delivered a bible and coffee. The family will be going to Arlington and needs a break. (FO) Rodecker mentioned that Serviceman’s Group Life will pay his parents around $400,000 since Marine Baker wasn’t married.

Old Business: JA Whiting asked if the $xxx gift was sent to 9th District Commander Minadio. 1st Vice Stennis said he received an e-mail thanking the post for their generosity. (JA) Whiting said he knows that, following motion to repair the podium and replace the colors that the 3rd Vice Commander had started work on repair of the Flag holders and it was appreciated.

New Business: 3rd Vice Commander Loomis asked if he should present a certificate to the Baker family. Commander Abney said the post has done their part, they are receiving cards and letters from all over the country but it was up to the 3rd Vice on the certificate. Sergeant-at Arms Denes moved to use paper covered straws at the bar. Mat Dillon made the second. FO Rodecker said he feels this is being blown out of proportion. The motion was deadlocked at 7 to 7. The Commander made a deciding ballot for the motion and it carried.

Chaplain: Chaplain Kelly has no report.

Good of the Legion: Carl Lipkin mentioned that Applebee’s is having free meals for vets on 11 NOV and Lakeland Community College is having a Career Expo from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on 11 NOV 09. Ken Kapes mentioned that the Applebee free meals will be from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Stan Babic asked if anyone has an American Legion (Emblem Sales) Catalogue. There was one yes. JA Whiting said the Sunshine Fund is now $xx.00 richer and turned over the 19th OCT funds. 1st Vice Stennis, our Lake County Council Commander said that their meeting will be held on 19 November at 19:00 hrs and that A & G Tests will be graded after that meeting. Also, the 9th District Meeting will be held on Sunday 13 DEC at 09:00 hrs and their Executive Meeting will precede it. Commander Abney mentioned he was interviewed for TV at the Baker Funeral and a lot of the good that the Legion does came to light.

With a motion from FO Rodecker to adjourn and a second from, Matt Dillon which carried by voice vote, the Commander closed the meeting at 20:28 hrs. The Commander proceeds with the observance of the ritual.

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 and Acting Adjutant

15 NOV 09