Monthly Post 501 Meeting, Held as a teleconference
Meeting Minutes July 23, 2020
Present (7) Bob Dolan, Tom Grezek, Bob Halter, Mike Zerr, Dale Johnson, Russ Bentley, and Dean Shepersky
Opening Ceremonies
Post Chaplain Mike Zerr led us in an opening prayer.
Previous Meeting’s Minutes
June 25, 2020 Meeting Minutes were read by the members present and approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report
Financial report was read by the Post Treasurer Tom Grezek. Report presented detailed revenue and expenses. The report, reflected $9,952.39 in checking account, $5,102.73 in Certificate of Deposit, resulting in total financial balance of $15,055.12. The financial report as approved as presented.
Membership
Commander Dolan reported that Post 501 has had 75 renewals for 2021 membership. We are almost at a 50% renewal rate based on our current membership of 151. Hopefully in the next few months we will receive our 2021 membership goal.
Communications
There was no Communications report this month.
Service Officer
COVID-19 continues to limit our post activities.
Donation Committee
There were no requests for donations this month.
Old Business
- 2020 Poppy Days Reschedule: Decision has been made, in coordination with VFW Post 9024, to reschedule poppy distribution on 18, 19, 20 September, with the two organizations distributing poppies the same weekend. Distribution has been discussed with merchants and process will include masks and social distancing. We will need volunteers to support this activity, as poppy distribution is our primary annual revenue source, yet we need to be mindful of safety for our members. Commander Dolan reported that he has 12 volunteers from the Post. Awaiting the number of VFW volunteers to develop a firm roster & schedule. For uniformity it was suggested that Legion members volunteering for Poppy Days wear a white polo shirt, with Post inscription, black pants and dark blue jacket.
- Boys State Compromise: Tom Grezek reported at the June meeting there were no applications submitted from the Woodbury cadets. Since the Post will not be awarding scholarships in 2020 it was suggested by Commander Dolan that we might provide some of that money to our 2020 Boys State candidates. Since Boys State was cancelled, due to COVID 19, it would be a great gesture for the Post to give a award to each of the Boys State candidates to highlight their achievements. Due to the uncertainty of Poppy Days funds it was decided to restrict spending for the year and to not award the Boys State candidates any funding.
- Joint VFW/American Legion Picnic: The VFW Post 9024/American Legion Post 501 Annual Picnic, scheduled on 11 August has been officially cancelled for this year.
- Rifle Squad Stipend: At the June meeting Tom Grezek mentioned that the VFW applied for a $50 stipend from Minnesota State government for the rifle squad. Tom Grezek took for action to follow up on this and also see if the Legion Post can apply for their own stipend. Through his research he found out that our Post could not apply separately for this stipend. The $50 received will be used jointly to support the combined Rifle Squad. VFW Post 9024 will put the funding on their books and track it separately.
New Business
- Woodbury 10th Annual Stafford Golf Tournament: The Golf tournament will be held on 10 August at the Eagle Valley Golf Course. The Lion's Club has asked if any of our members are interested in volunteering to help with registration on morning of the event. At the meeting Dale Johnson, Mike Zerr, Russ Bentley, and Commander Dolan volunteered to work at this event. The Post also decided not to sponsor a hole at the tournament this year due to the uncertainty of Post income for this year.
- Future Meeting Locations: It was discussed, during this meeting, what we would do for meeting venues for the rest of the year. Tom Grezek had informed us that our conference room reservations in City Hall have been cancelled for the remainder of the year. Commander Dolan suggested that we consider having our monthly meetings at either the Green Mill restaurant or over at Birdie Golf in the Valley Creek Mall. After much discussion it was decided to continue to use the teleconference calls for our meetings with the concern of COVID-19 and having indoor events.
Announcements
- One of the measures that the Posts get recognized each year is the amount of volunteer hours our members serve throughout the year. We normally collect this information from the members that attend our monthly meetings on a manual form. Commander Dolan mentioned that since we will be during teleconferences for our meetings that we still need to collect this information on a monthly basis. If you volunteer at an organization such as, a local charity, youth programs, VA home, etc., Commander Dolan suggested that you send him your hours at the end of each month to dolanrp@verizon.net or call 703-851-5416. At which time he will add them to the spreadsheet that he developed to collect this information.
- The Post received a $100 from Ms. Bjorlin who was the wife of a former Post member.
- Tom Grezek mentioned that Post 501 member Larry Lawery is hospitalized at a Assistance Living facility. He sent Larry a card sending his thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery.
For The Good of the Legion:
- Dale Johnson suggested that since we will be conducting monthly meetings over a teleconference that we should start reciting the Pledge of Alliance and Legion Preamble at the start of each meeting. This way the meeting has a feeling that our in person meeting would have. We are all in agreement to that proposal.
- Tom Grezek offered to furnish Mike Zerr a prayer list each month until he gets his feet on the ground as our new chaplain.
Closing Ceremonies
Prayer, adjournment at 7:55 p.m.
