American Legion Post 501
Post Membership Meeting, 28 May 2020
Conference Call, 7:00P
Members Present:Bob Dolan, Tom Grezek, Bob Halter, Dale Johnson, Paul Lindahl, Bob Wuggazer
Meeting called to order at 7:05PM
Meeting Minutes -- Minutes of previous post membership meeting were reviewed. With motion by Dale Johnson, seconded by Bob Halter, the minutes were approved, as submitted.
Financial Report -- Report presented detailed revenue and expenses. The report, reflected $ 9,661.57 in checking account, $ 5,102.73 in Certificate of Deposit, resulting in total financial balance of $ 14,764.30. Following motion by Bob Dolan, seconded by Bob Halter, to accept the report, the report was discussed, approved and entered into record for audit.
Membership Bob Dolan reported that Post 501 has met membership goal for the year. Membership is currently 142 members, exceeding goal of 141.
Communications -- The Woodbury Bulletin has ceased operations, due to negative business impact associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Woodbury Connection is a magazine, distributed “free” to residents of Woodbury. Bob Dolan will be contacting the Woodbury Connection to determine if they are willing to include information, articles, stories, etc., that were previously published in the Woodbury Bulletin.
Service Officer Limited items to report, as COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in suspension/cancellation of several programs and activities. -- Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC) has ceased operations. The Board of Directors has been discussing process, procedure, and policies regarding potential re-opening in summer or fall, pending state mandated orders regarding gatherings of people.
-- Memorial Day Program has been cancelled. Participants and invited guests have been notified of the cancellation.
-- Decision will be made in June, regarding our VFW Post 9024/American Legion Post 501 Joint Picnic scheduled in August. Paul Lindahl is checking with City of Woodbury regarding cancellation policy, relative to our registration and damage deposit fees.
Donation Committee -- Committee reviewed requests from “Muskies for Veterans” and Flags for Ft Snelling”, with neither request brought forward to the post membership.
Old Business -- Post 501 is currently unable to conduct “in person” interviews with students, regarding our Stafford Scholarship, due to COVID-19. Commander Grezek has talked to the Woodbury JROTC and offered to use an alternate “more virtual” process, however, students/parents have not indicated any interest in pursuing interviews, and therefore, we do not have any candidate for the scholarship. Bob Dolan was going to advertise in the Post E-newsletter to see if we can generate any interest in the scholarships.
-- Poppy Distribution, scheduled for April, was suspended and, pending Governor’s Stay Healthy Orders and merchant polices/processes, we will determine if distribution can be rescheduled in summer or fall.
– Commander Grezek, Dale Johnson, and Bob Dolan placed flags on the graves of fallen veterans in the 3 Woodbury cemeteries on 22 May 20.
New Business
-- Commander Grezek is checking with the Department Office, regarding “membership packet pick up” as we approach the new membership year. Previously, packets were distributed via a District 3 Meeting/Membership Rally at the Apple Valley Post, however, such gathering cannot be held this year, therefore, packets may need to be “picked up” on individual post basis, at the Department Office.
– Dale Johnson moved and Bob Halter seconded motion to donate $ 500.00 to the Woodbury Emergency Christian Cupboard Food Shelf. Motion discussed and approved.
Good of the Legion
-- Commander Grezek reported that the Post Consolidated Report has been submitted.
-- Commander Grezek reported that City Hall is scheduled to be closed through September, or possibly December.
-- Received a thank you from Hastings Veterans Home for our $ 500.00 donation.
-- Since we cannot resume meetings at City Hall and fact that Governor’s Stay Healthy Orders relax some restrictions on number of people that can gather, with required social distancing, Bob Dolan suggested that we conduct our June meeting “in his back yard.” He will issue information to members to determine interest level in such a meeting and in case of weather issues, we would return to conference call format for June meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55PM
