Monthly Post 501 Meeting, Poplar Conference Room, Woodbury City Hall
Meeting Minutes February 27, 2020
Present (8) Bob Dolan, Tom Grezek, Bob Halter, Dale Johnson, Dave Lombardi, Mike Zerr, Dave Mielke
Opening Ceremonies
Salute Flag, Prayer, Placement of POW-MIA Flag, Pledge of Allegiance, Recite Preamble.
Previous Meeting’s Minutes
January 23, 2019 Meeting Minutes were read by the members present and approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report
Financial report was read by the Commander and approved. The annual audit of the Posts financial records were conducted on 27 Jan 2020 by Dale Johnson. The financials were found to be in accordance with general accounting practices.
Membership
139 members have renewed for 2020. The post is currently at 99% of goal. The Post had a number of transfers in over the last month. As part of the new transfers were 5 members from the Hmong community. Mr. Mike Zerr, present at the meeting, was the latest transfer into post 501.
Communications
An article was published in the Woodbury Bulletin in the 26 Feb 20 edition. The article was on the 71st annual Boys State program and the search for Woodbury candidates. In the Feb edition of the Minnesota Legionnaire there was an article on the recent Wall of Thanks campaign and a picture of the Post attendees at the movie 1917 at the Woodbury 10 Theater.
Service Officer
The Service Officer was not present at the meeting, but his report was submitted and read at the meeting. The highlights of the Service Officer report are:
· VFW/American Legion Joint Awards Program and Banquet: The Awards Program and Banquet was conducted at Green Mill on 20 February. The event was attended by ninety (90) individuals, including post members, guests, and award winners. Awards were presented to community volunteer, students, teachers, and first responders. Raffle drawings, throughout the program, distributed over $ 2,500.00 in gift cards/certificates and other raffle items. Attendee feedback very positive.
· Veterans Day on the Hill: Veterans Day on the Hill is scheduled for 20 April 2020. Attendees will meet at the St Paul Armory (10:00AM) for Pre Rally and lunch, transition to State Veterans service Building (12:45PM), followed by March to Capitol. Rally at capitol (1:30PM – 2:30PM). Roseville VFW Post/DAV will provide coach bus ride, at no cost, to event and back to Roseville Post, eliminating need to drive and/or park at the Capitol. Interested individuals should be at Roseville Post, for coffee and donuts, at 9:00AM.
· Memorial Day Program: The Memorial Day Program planning committee has started the planning process and is conducting meetings following monthly VFW Officers Meeting, at 4:00PM, on the first Wednesday of each month. Anyone interested in helping with planning process is welcome to attend meeting, held at Birdis Golf in the Valley Creek Mall.
Donation Committee
There were no donations requests to consider this month.
Old Business
· Mr. Mike Zerr volunteered for the vacant Post Chaplain position.
· Candidates are still needed for the Adjutant position. All interested in this Post officers position should see the Commander Mr. Tom Grezek.
· An additional $1200 has been received from 3 American Legion Posts for donation for the new flags at the Armed Forces Services Center.
· The coordination for the 2020 Poppy Days is well underway. Poppy Days will be on 24-26 Apr and the retailers that we used last year have been secured. Dale Johnson passed around the schedule with volunteers signed up to date. There are still a few slots open on Sat and Sun. Mr. Mike Zerr signed up for one of the open slots at the meeting.
New Business
· Boys State Program: The roll out for the annual Boys State recruitment has begun. Mr. Tom Grezek and Bob Dolan went around to the 4 Woodbury High Schools to discuss the program and applicable candidates that they have recruited. Woodbury High School has a couple of potential candidates that they will be holding a following round of interviews. There appears to be some confusion with the Woodbury High School since the St Paul Park Post was at the high school recruiting for Boys State. The counselor at the school will resolve the conflict and get back to us. The Post currently has 2 potential candidates that contacted the Post directly. Post interviews will be held later on in March.
· Stafford Scholarships: The Post will continue to fund the 2 $1000 scholarships that are given to deserving seniors with the AFJROTC program in Woodbury.
· Consolidated Post Report: Mr. Tom Grezek and Dave Mielke will get together next week to put together the Posts information for the annual consolidated report
Announcements
· Commander Tom Grezek, Vice Commander Bob Dolan, Mike Zerr and Dale Johnson will be representing the Post at the 3rd District annual convention at the Faribault Post on 16 May.
· The Post was informed that Dean Shepersky is the newest Paid Up For Life Post member.
· A thank you note was sent from the South St Paul HS Packer Trap team for the Post donation last month.
Closing Ceremonies
Prayer, remove POW-MIA Flag, adjournment at 8:03 p.m.
