· Regular Meeting November 1, 2017
o Commander Don Dillman called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn gave the opening prayer. A quorum was established with 12 members present.
o Guest Present: Visitor- Gene Schmutzler, brother to Jerry Schmutzler, and an American Legion member from Portland, Oregon.
o Membership = 195 (82%)
o Un-finished Business: Resolution to “No Longer Support Professional Sports Who Do Not Respect the Flag” was read. After discussion, a motion was made by Jerry Kretzer to accept the resolution as read. Motion was seconded by Tim Williams. Resolution passed and will be forwarded to the 4th District.
o New Business: Boy Scout Sponsorship by the American Legion. Legionnaire Brian Stackhouse briefed the membership on the Boy Scouts of America allowing girls to now join the organization. A motion was made by Barb Ebersole for Post 287 to continue our sponsorship of Pack & Troop 60 with the inclusion of girls being allowed to join and participate with the Boy Scouts of America. The motion was seconded by Edner Rudolph. After discussion the motion passed unanimously.
o For the Good of the American Legion: Legionnaire Edner Rudolph shared that the American Legion and all of the branches of military were represented at the Andrew County Museum Trunk-n-Treat.
o Correspondence: Two “Thank You” certificates from the Missouri Boys State program recognizing Dick Munkres Post 287 sponsorship of two citizen candidates.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1940 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be November 15th, 1900 hours.
· Regular Meeting November 15, 2017
o Adjutant Terry Beasley called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn gave the opening prayer. A quorum was established with 9 members present.
o Committee Reports:
§ Finance Report was provided by Timmy Williams
§ American Legion Riders (Director Danny Simon):
· Rides have decreased with the change in weather, but not the spirit.
· Safety Officer Dave Hehn’s briefing at the monthly Legion Rider meeting was on the topic of the differences in riding a two-wheeled motorcycle versus the trikes. The briefing also included riding with different groups versus riding with the same group of people over long periods of time.
· Riders will meet at the Cameron Veterans Home on December 6th to distribute gifts.
· Chapter 287 earned the Runner-Up Chapter of the Year at this year’s Department Convention. The will receive the plague at the next 4th District meeting.
· The Legion Riders have information on sponsoring donor bricks at the World War I Memorial in Kansas City. Once someone orders a brick, the bricks are placed on the sidewalk twice per year. Memorial Day and Veterans Day there are ceremonies recognizing the sponsors and the dedication of the bricks to be placed
· Missouri Boys State sent a thank you certificate for their sponsorship of a student this year.
· The Legion Riders have also received a copy of the Post 287 resolution supporting the Department’s resolution on respecting the flag and national anthem at professional sports venues. The resolution has been forwarded to the 4th District.
§ Membership= 207 (87%)
§ SAL Squadron 287 (SAL Commander Terry Beasley):
· Current Budget Balance: $4,517.19
· Membership = 44 (97%)
· SAL Standing Committees/Old Business:
o Veterans Day of Honor
§ SAL Steve Crockett is working on a skeet shoot to raise money for the Veteran’s Day of Honor
§ Looking at doing one in Saint Joseph at Grace Evangelical Church, but need to build up our budget in order to afford all the certificates and other supplied needed to conduct this program before a large crowd
o Legion Family Breakfast- SAL continues to provide volunteers for the monthly breakfast
o SAL Member of the Year- new honor at the Detachment level. Squad 287 will submit our current SAL Member of the Year Ron Raines as soon as we receive the guidelines
o “American Legion Day-” Western Vice Commander Mark Brock is working on having this event next summer. The Savannah City Council is greatly interested as well.
o Spring Fish Fry- the consensus of the Squad is to not have this event next year, because of the lower turnout and amount of work/expense to put the event on.
o Constitution & Bylaws revision, draft #1
· New Business:
o Fall Conference Report- still working on inviting the SAL National Commander to the next 4th District meeting, as well as the Detachment Spring Conference
· Detachment of Missouri:
o Missouri placed 2nd place in the development of new Squadrons
o Missouri placed 1 in membership for National Category III
o Detachment’s donation to Children and Youth programs totaled $460,000
§ Sick Call: Don Dillman, Rodney Shell, Hugh Sheffield, and Paul Menard
§ Post Everlasting: George Noble
§ Un-finished Business: Legionnaire Barb Ebersole designed a “Thank You” certificate for the Savannah High School Student Council for sponsoring a Veteran’s Day dinner for the members of the Post. The certificate will be delivered to the school by Commander Dillman.
§ New Business: Finance Management Issues and Ideas:
· These last few months have come with some sizeable expenditures. The checking account is now below $10,000.
· The November Breakfast proceeds were going to be donated to the Andrew County Ministries. The proceeds totaled $621. For now, the donation will be postponed, until we see how well the December breakfast does. Normally the breakfast proceeds are divide 4-ways between the Auxiliary, Riders, Son’s, and the Legion.
· The Legion building/facility will continue to need maintenance and upgrades.
· Possible ideas:
o Divide the breakfast proceeds 5-ways between the 4 Legion Family entities and the fifth cut devoted to building maintenance.
o Make less of a donation to the Andrew County Ministries compared to last year. The Auxiliary has already made a clothing donation. The SAL will make a monetary donation this year. The Legion Riders will consider making a contribution.
o Ear mark Military Funeral Honor money received for Post expenses as needed.
o Be flexible when devoting the budget towards big expenses.
o Do a 5 or 10-year budget plan.
o Consider forming a Budget Committee
o Possible fund raiser could have individuals and/or groups donate money towards chair, tables, etc. and have a plaque with their name(s) on the item sponsored.
§ For the Good of the American Legion: SAL Senior Vice Commander Mike Walter shared that the two families who last had military honors rendered where very complimentary of the Post 287 Honor Guard Team.
§ Correspondence: “Thank You” letter from Hosanna School student for our Veteran’s Day flag ceremony at their school.
§ Adjutant Beasley adjourned the meeting at 1950 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be December 6th at 1900 hours.
· Regular Meeting December 6, 2017
o Commander Don Dillman called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn gave the opening prayer. A quorum was established with 11 members present.
o Committee Reports:
§ Membership= 211 (89%) plus one possible transfer (Richard Trice)
o Sick Call: Stan Stubblefield
o Post Everlasting: Charles E. Anctil
o Un-finished Business:
§ Finance Management Issues and Ideas:
· Legionnaire Billy Kretzer suggested the consideration of having monthly withdrawals from the dividends/interest of the long-term investments at Gertsema Wealth Services. These funds could be used for a building fund or other Post needs.
· SAL Mike Walter suggested the use of the Military Funeral Honors monies received be dedicated to a building fund.
· Commander Dillman stated the Post needs to be proactive. He requested the Adjutant to form a Finance Committee. The committee can be charged with:
o Collecting ideas and formulating plans of actions.
o Having others becoming more involved in learning the roles and responsibilities of the Finance Officer, so the Post is not totally dependent on just one person making all of the financial decisions.
o Re-address “what are our tax obligations and responsibilities in being a non-profit and filling out the IRS 990 form each year.
o Determine what the Post should maintain as a “Reserve or minimum limit” of our funds on hand at any given point in time. What will be our “comfort level?”
o New Business: Annual car giveaway at Collision Repair in Saint Joseph- a motion was made, seconded, and approved to make the annual donation of $50 to cover the licensing fees for the vehicle to be given away to a qualifying veteran or veteran family.
o For the Good of the American Legion: SAL Senior Vice Commander Mike Walter shared comments of appreciation from the William Hill family for the Post 287 Military Honors rendered at Mr. Hill’s funeral. The Hill family also sent a Letter of Thanks, and a $50 donation to the Post.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1945 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be December 20th at 1900 hours.
· Regular Meeting December 20, 2017
o Adjutant Terry Beasley called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn gave the opening prayer. A quorum was established with 10 members present.
o Committee Reports:
§ Finance Report- was provided by Timmy Williams. A Finance Committee has formed and will provide reports after their future meetings.
§ American Legion Riders (Director Danny Simon)-
· Legacy Scholarship donations are currently at $415.17
· This month’s Safety Briefing from Dave Hehn included the “Incredible Mirror” and “Staggering Distances” on group rides.
· December 6th- went to the Cameron Missouri Veteran’s Home
· December 17th – went to Roy Wedlow’s fundraiser dinner. Officer Wedlow was medically retired from the Saint Joseph Police Department after suffering a stroke.
· 2017 Department Chapter of the Year - Runner Up. This award was presented by Director Simon to Past Director Mike Grimm.
· Working on getting the 2018 membership up to par. Right now, Chapter 287 is in the Medium-size category.
· Legion Rider Chapter is developing a financial budget for 2018
· Camp Quality- the group is considering participating again in 2018. Last year the Riders donated money, provided an escort for 2 busses of children traveling camp, and gave the kids motorcycle rides. Fun was had by all.
· Future Ride Plans include trips to: Springfield, Topeka, occasional local dinner ride, and a Winter “Cage” Ride.
§ Sons of the American Legion (SAL Commander Terry Beasley)-
· “Over-the-Top” membership at 45
· Current Finances are at $4,872. The Squadron has put together a proposed 2018 Charity Donation Budget of $2,825 for both local and national charities.
· Ron Raines is our candidate for the Detachment’s Sons of the American Legion Member of the Year Award. Winner will be announced at the July Detachment Convention.
· The Detachment will have the 2018 Spring Conference in February. Members are encouraged to attend, since the event will also be hosting the visit of the National SAL Commander Danny Smith of Papillion, Nebraska.
· Veterans Day of Honor update provided by SAL Adjutant Mark Brock: The committee is planning on a future event in Saint Joseph at Grace Evangelical Church. The committee is trying to increase its budget before setting a date. A “Go Fund Me” internet account is going to be established to see what the donation response could be.
· 2018 Legion Membership= 214 (90%)
o Sick Call: Kenneth Diggs- now in an Assisted Living Facility & Everette Powell- had a fall at home and is recovering
o Post Everlasting: David D. Duty & Robert D. Simpson
o Un-finished Business:
§ World War I Sponsorship Brick- a motion was made and seconded to donate $50 along with the other Legion Family entities to sponsor a brick at the World War I museum in Kansas City. Motion passed. The proposed wording which is limited to 3 lines of text and 15 spaces/line:
LEGION FAMILY
POST 287
SAVANNAH, MO
§ Resolution on boycotting professional sports whose athletes disrespect the flag. This resolution that had passed at the Post, but failed at the December 10th 4th District meeting. Concerns at the District meeting for the failure included:
· This resolution states what Post 287 is doing, but does not state what it recommends the District, Department, and/or Legion as a whole is to do.
· The action is too broad, in thinking this country is going to boycott all professional sports.
§ “Next Big Thing 5” - Collision Repair has given away one vehicle, but will have a second one to donate this year as well. The Legion Post sponsored the second vehicle’s titling fee of $50 too. Total donation to Collision Repair = $100.
· For the Good of the American Legion: Andrew County Museum Monthly Veteran’s Coffee- Edner Rudolph stated there was a good turnout today.
o Adjutant Beasley adjourned the meeting at 1940 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be January 3rd, at 1900 hours.
