American Legion Post 501
Post Membership Meeting, 24 September 2020
Conference Call, 7:00PM
Meeting called to order at 7:05PM, with eight officers and members on the conference call for opening ceremonies and prayer given by Comrade Zerr.
Minutes of August membership meeting approved with one correction.
Financial Report
-- Report presented detailed revenue and expenses. The report, reflected $ 16,984.30 in Checking Account, $ 5,102.73 in Certificate of Deposit, resulting in total financial balance of $ 22,087.03.
Membership
-- Our 2020-2021 goal is 147 members and to date, 102 members (69%) have renewed their membership for the current year.
Communications
-- Commander Dolan mentioned Woodbury Connection, a monthly publication, as an alternate means to distribute post information, with the Woodbury Bulletin no longer available. He stated that he had submitted an article on our poppy program to the Legionnaire Magazine and that he continues to use “next door” a community face book page and has had success in promoting the post, specifically in membership recruitment.
Donation Committee
-- Based on recommendations of the donation committee, motions made by Dale Johnson, seconded by Bob Halter, were discussed and approved to donate $ 500.00 to Hastings Veterans Home (Christmas gifts), $ 500.00 to Veterans Camp on Big Marine, and $ 500.00 to the District Commanders Project.
Service Officer
Poppy distribution successfully conducted on 18, 19, 20 September, with VFW Post 9024, distributing all three days at Cub Foods Jerry’s Foods, Walmart, Total Wine and Hy-Vee and at the Tap Room(4:00PM-6:00PM) on Friday and Saturday. Resources were limited, with some volunteers reducing their shifts or deciding to not participate in distribution. We were able to staff all locations with help of VFW Auxiliary members and couple of Commander Dolan’s neighbors. We received a thank you letter from Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC) for our donation (with Post 9024) of new flags, poles, and bases. The Center is scheduled to re-open on 9 November, within COVID-19 restriction requirements. Russ Barrett, Chairman of the Oakdale/Lake Elmo Prayer Breakfast and Veterans Recognition, has asked if the Woodbury VFW/American Legion Color Guard would be willing to participate in opening ceremonies (posting colors) prior to breakfast, as we did last year. Breakfast is scheduled on 10 November. Contacts with Woodbury High School, East Ridge High School , Yellow Ribbon Network and City of Woodbury indicate there are currently no plans for Veterans Day Programs this year due to COVIF-19 Pandemic.
Unfinished Business -- Lions Club has indicated that they are in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Woodbury to address Lions Club projects located on city property, which would include the Veterans Memorial. The MOU would eliminate the Veterans Memorial Council, transitioning responsibility for maintenance and improvements associated with the Memorial to the Lions Club, administered via a Veterans Memorial Committee, similar to the Veterans Memorial Council.
-- Poppy distribution yielded over $ 14,000 in donations, which will be divided between Post 501 and VFW Post 9024.
New Business
-- Post 501 selected Harry Toms, post member and Vietnam Veteran, to receive Memorial paver made available to the post via a previous Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament sponsorship. Comrade Nettleton has notified us that four (4) pavers have been recently installed, including Harry’s paver, with two pavers purchased at full $ 300.00 price, therefore, we will not be responsible for the $ 120.00 trip charge for engraver to complete and install the pavers.
– Regarding Veterans day Program, it was mentioned that the Yellow Ribbon Network has been transitioned into the Woodbury Foundation and, therefore, inquires relative to Veterans Day Program at the City of Woodbury should be addressed to the Foundation.
-- Commander Dolan suggested that the post evaluate an Eagle Scout of the Year Award which could be incorporated into the Post 9024/Post 501 awards Program and Banquet in February. It was agreed that the Post would sponsor a $250 1st place prize for the selectee.
Good of the Legion
-- Portions of Woodbury City Hall remains closed to the public (COVID-19 and renovation) and appears conference rooms will not be available for public meeting, for the foreseeable future. Therefore, meeting locations were discussed, specifically in terms of returning to in-person meetings. It was decided that Commander Dolan will contact Birdi Golf to determine if we could meet in their conference room. VFW Post 9024 has been using the conference room for their officers meetings, since July and has found the room to work well, for attendance less than ten individuals.
-- Commander Dolan mentioned Hastings Veterans Home “Adopt a Veteran” for Christmas Program, in which a veteran’s needs/interests (sex, age, hobbies, etc.) are identified and a sponsor would provide Christmas gifts to the veteran. It was noted that Post 501 has donated $ 500.00 to the Veterans Home for Christmas gifts (see above) and the Adopt a Veteran Program is available for individual members to participate, if interested.
-- Department Fall Convention is scheduled in October, at Breezy Point.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25PM
Next meeting (likely at Birdi Golf) scheduled at 7:00PM, on 22 October.
