Post Membership Meeting, 22 October 2020 Birdi Golf
Meeting called to order at 7:05PM, with opening ceremony and prayer.
Minutes of 24 September membership meeting, with two corrections (Harry Thoms name spelling, Thoms to Toms and adding approval of $ 250.00 funding to support a Boy Scout Eagle Scout of the Year Award, to be presented at Annual Awards Program and Banquet, in February) were approved.
Financial Report
-- Report presented detailed revenue and expenses. The report, reflected checking account balance of$ 15,319.67, certificate of deposit balance of$ 5,102.73, resulting in total financial balance of $ 20,422.40.
Membership
-- Our 2020-2021 goal is 147 members and to date, 111 members (75.5%) have renewed their membership for the current year.
Communications
-- Commander Dolan mentioned that the Woodbury Connection, a monthly publication, is apparently distributed in specific areas of Woodbury, therefore, a viable means to distribute post information, but the publication does not reach the entire Woodbury community.
Donation Committee
-- Based on recommendations of donation committee, two requests (Breeze Lodge and Veterans on the Lake Resort) membership did not move forward on donation to either of the requests. Boys State was discussed and, in light of the cancellation of the event this year, membership approved funding to support 1, 2, or 3 boys (no more than 3) to Boys State in 2021, if event resumes next year. Membership also approved donation of $ 500.00 to Boys State, as no event this year has created financial need for fixed expenses associated with the program.
Service Officer Report
-- Poppy distribution, in conjunction with VFW Post 9024 was very successful, although challenging with COVID-19 restrictions and limited volunteer resources. Armed Forces Service Center re-opening, with limitations to service, pursuant to COVID-19 restrictions, is scheduled on 9 November. Oakdale/Lake Elmo Prayer Breakfast and Veterans Recognition, scheduled on 10 November, has been cancelled for this year, due the pandemic. Woodbury High School, East Ridge High School and the City of Woodbury have all cancelled their planned Veterans Day events due to COVID-19 restrictions. The high schools have indicated they may prepare a virtual program, in some manner, but no definitive decisions made at this time.. VFW Post 9024 has decided they will “gather” at the Memorial at 11:00AM on Veterans Day with color guard present to raise flags, play service hymns, taps, etc. Mayor Burt has been invited and has agreed to be present and speak briefly, on behalf of the City, however, no invitation to the public. Post 9024 has invited Post 501 to participate in the gathering.
Unfinished Business
-- Lions Club has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Woodbury to address Lions Club projects located on City property. Article IV of the Memorandum addresses the Veterans Memorial. In accordance with the Memorandum, Lions Club will be responsible for improvements and maintenance of the Memorial, via a Lions Club Veterans Memorial Committee, similar to the Veterans Memorial Council (VMC),. The VMC has been dissolved, by an agreement between the Lions Club and the Veterans Memorial Council Chairman, Dick Krumm. Don Adou, Lions Club Treasurer, has been identified as Interim Chairman of the Lions Club Veterans Memorial Committee and he has scheduled an initial meeting to discuss path forward of the committee. Post 9024 Commander Lindahl and Post 501 Commander Dolan have been invited to attend the meeting, on 23 October.
New Business
– Veterans Day “informal gathering” at 11:00AM on 11 November. No invitation to public.
-- Notwithstanding cancellation of Woodbury High School Veterans Day Program, post membership discussed, and approved, continuation of annual donation of a paver ($ 300.00) to a deserving teacher who is a veteran.
-- Post 501 2021 Annual Budget, presented by Tom Grezek, Post Finance Officer. Concurring with Comrade Grezek recommendation, motion made, seconded, discussed and approved that we adopt 2020 budget for 2021.
-- Wall of Thanks will again be conducted this year on the weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Comrade Johnson is coordinating volunteer shift schedules with no more than two volunteers per shift. In determining recipients, for the program this year, discussion resulted in identifying Post 501, Hastings Veterans Home, Christian Cupboard, and Veterans on the Lake Resort. Each recipient will receive 25% of the proceeds. Post 501 was identified due to reduced poppy distribution revenue this year, given the distribution was conducted with VFW Post 9024 and proceeds divided between the posts.
Good of the Legion
-- Harry Toms paver at the Veterans Memorial is in place.
-- Department Fall Conference, scheduled this month at Breezy Pointe, was cancelled.
-- Reservation has been made at Green Mill for Annual Awards Program and Banquet on 25 February, such that we have a room to conduct the program, pending COVID-19 restrictions that may be in place at that time.
– Post received thank you letters from Hastings Veterans Home and Veterans Camp on Big Marine, for our recent donations to their organizations.
-- Commander Dolan mentioned that Big Frog, in Woodbury, has reasonable prices on shirts, etc., embroidered with Post 501 logo. Meeting adjourned at 8:15PM Next meeting at Birdi Golf, 7:00PM, on 19 November .
