Dane R. Balcon Post 2008Falcon, COMeeting Minutes August 2015

Call to Order

Al Bendure, Commander, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on 26 August 2015, at Patriot Learning Center 11990 Swingline Rd., Falcon, CO 80831.

Roll Call

The following Post Officers were present:

Al Bendure, Commander Chip Kossow, Sr. Vice Commander

Don Glucksman, Jr. Vice CommanderJohn Sonny Sonnichsen, Adjutant

Jim Williams, Finance OfficerCJ Baker, Historian

Bob Deck, Chaplain Frank Serrano, Committeeman

Joseph Lima, Service Officer

Members & Guests Were in Attendance

The following members and guest were welcomed: Cecil Baker, Alex Browmen, G. Marshall Brown, Dinah Carney, Ian Carney, Ed Gavagan, Scott Gray, Marty Hall, Bob Hamillton, Jeff Houchin, Michele Houchin, Troy Hutchison, Norman Ifert, Adam Jackson, David Jefcoat, Steve Krech, Jeff Kohr, Lori Lee, Kenneth Lewis, Martha Madsen, Donovan Martinez, Eric Noble, Bonnie Norbeck, Dale Norbeck, Andy Peterson, Tony Phelps, Greg Prestgard, Jason Serrano, Mike Shuster, Bob Sanders, Jeff Starr, Karen Starr, Mike Watkins, Anthony Wentz, Matt Wentz, Neil Wickliff, and Sharon Wickliff.

Opening Ceremonies and Other General Discussion

Chaplain Bob Deck gave the opening prayer and the Sr. Vice Commander Chip Kossow conducted the POW/MIA ceremony. The general membership recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Constitution of The American Legion.

The July 2015 General Membership meeting minutes were sent out by e-mail and a motion was made and accepted to waive the reading of the minutes.

Jason Serrrano and Anthony Wentz reviewed their Boy State experience. Both young men expressed a new appreciation of what the veterans have sacrificed on behalf this country. They also learned more about flag etiquette and how the political system works. Anthony Wentz was also elected as the major of the top ten (10) cities. Both young men were presented with Certificates of Appreciation from Post 2008 for their participation in the Boys State Program.

Committee & Officer Reports:

1. Sr. Vice Commander

The county has approved Post 2008 for the Adopt-a-Road Program. Marty Hall will be coordinating the cleanup dates and times once the county puts up the signs. We will need enough volunteers for two teams.The post will be responsible for cleanup of Eastonville from Meridian Rd. to Meridian Ranch Blvd once a quarter.

Volunteers are need to move the American Legion Post 2008 sign to in front of the Patriot Learning Center on September 1, 2015 @ 1800 hrs. Anyone interested please contact Chip Kossow.

2. Jr. Vice Commander

Good turnout of people and volunteers to man the booth.

43 veterans inquired about additional information regarding the American Legion and the post.

14 members of the ALR participated in the parade.

Raised an additional $71.35 for veterans programs.

(CLOSED)

3. Finance Officer:

Operating Account - $8611.72

Savings - $9466.44

Total as of 22 July 2015: $18078.16

The proposed Post 2008 2016 Calendar year Operating Budget (see attachment #1) was presented to the members in attendance.

A motion was presented, discussed, seconded and unanimously approved by the membership for the post to pay Dane R. Balcons mothers (Carla Sizer) membership for the next five years under the CAMP program.

A motion was presented, discussed, seconded and unanimously approved by the membership for Post 2008 to become part of the Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce.

The motion was presented and discussed to allocate twenty percent of this years golf tournament proceeds towards the post building fund. An amendment to the original motion was presented, discussed and unanimously approved by the membership to increase the allocation from the golf tournament for the building fund.to twenty-five percent of the proceeds generated

Please bring any recommendations to the proposed 2016 Post Operating Budget (attachment #1) to the September meeting. If no other changes are proposed the budget will be voted on for approval from the general membership.

4. Adjutant:

Post membership is currently 162 total members with 4 new members joining at tonights meeting.

An initiation of new members will be performed during the September general membership meeting by the District Officers in attendance.

5. Service Officer/Boys State:

The AmazonSmile Foundation (see attachment #2) has partnered with the American Legion to support the Boys State Program.

If you purchase anything through Amazon please consider using amazonsmile When you do Amazon will donate .5% of the purchase price to the American Legion Colorado Boys State Program.

Please share this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/84-1096602 and ask your friends to bookmark so that all their eligible purchase will benefit the Colorado Boys State Program.

A survey was conducted at the conclusion of Boys State with an overwhelming amount of the respondents rating their experience as high.

6. Historian Officer:

August 7, 2015 the Post Social was held at Chip Kossows home with Carla Sizer and her family as our special guest. Over sixty members of the post attended this function honoring Carla Sizers son.

August 8, 2015 the Post 2008 Golf Tournament was help to raise funds for veteran program in our community. The post raised $4667 for it efforts.

August 15, 2015 Post 2008 participated in the Black Forest Festival and Parade.

August 23, 2015 Members of the Post, Auxiliary and Riders Chapter participated in the breakfast festivities with the veterans that reside at the Bonaventure assisted living center. The staff of Bonaventure expressed their gratitude for the continued support of the veterans by Post 2008

If anyone does take photos at any of the post events, please forward them to the Post Historian so he can keep an accurate account of the Post Events.

7. Committeeman/American Legion Riders President

Checking as of 26 August 2015

$5005.58

$346 Emergency Fund

Riders Appreciation - Frank Serrano thanked the members for all their involvement in raising awareness and funds for veterans programs.

July 25, 2015 McCandless Veterans Home BBQ Sixty riders from the various post and other veterans riders groups participated in the event.

Sturgis Approximately twelve of the riders chapter drove to Sturgis for this years event.

Scavenger Hunt -Ten members of the Riders participated in the Poker Run to help raise funds for the M.O.M.Y.(Mothers of Murdered Youth) Organization.

Black Forest Festival Fourteen members of the Riders Chapter participated in this years parade.

Riders Milestone On August 29. 2015 the Riders Chapter held a celebration at JAKs Brewing Company in Falcon commemorating their first anniversary as a chapter. Fifty members of the post and the various ALR Chapters in town were in attendance.

8. Boy Scout Committee

Cub Scouts

We are the Chartrer Organization for Cub Scout Pack 231.

The Chairman of the scouting committee Jeff Houchin briefed the membership on the upcoming events for Pack 231.

The Cub Scouts will be starting their popcorn sales in September with several show & sale date at the Safeway in Falcon. The dated are September 21, 23, & 25. Please visit them to get your annual supply of popcorn from Pack 231.

Venturing Crew

The post was asked to be the Charter Organization for Troop 149s Venturing Crew. Unlike the Boy Scouts this scouting program is open to both boys and girls from ages 14 to 21.

The goals of the Venturing Crew is service and adventure.

There is no financial obligation on the part of the Post to be the Charter Organization.

New member Troy L Hutchison has volunteered to be the Post chairperson for this scouting program.

The motion was presented to the post membership to be the charter organization for the Venturing Crew, discussed,, seconded and unanimously approved by the membership in attendance.

9. Building Committee:

Nothing new to report.

The following individuals have volunteered to be spearhead the building committee; Ed Gavagan, Marty Hall and Kenneth Lewis.

The Auxiliary donated $50.00 towards the post building fund.

Old Business

1. ALR Snowmen Fund Raiser

John Sonny Sonnichsen makes Sports and Military snowmen for Christmas and is willing to participate with ALR in a fundraiser. The ALR P.O.C is Misti Baker. Effort will start up this sometime in September. (OPEN)

1. Deployed Soldier Family Assistance Program

Frank Serrano was appointed as the chairperson to research the particular involved in supporting a program to help the local families of deployed active duty members or veterans and their families. The membership was informed that there is a program with the Legion that serves a similar function as the Falcon Home Front. It was discussed by the membership and decided to get further information before pursuing. (OPEN)

1. Young Guns Shooting Program.

The Chairperson for this program Jeff Houchin briefed membership on the status of this program.

We need at least two NRA certified instructors to start the program.

Jeff Kohr is contacting District 49 for permission to use any part of the Patriot Learning Center for the program.

Will need to apply for the NRA grant to purchase equipment.

Since we currently have enough NRA trained instructors; a motion was presented discussed, seconded and unanimously approved by the membership to start a Young Guns Shooting Program in Calendar year 2017

(OPEN)

1. Raffle Status

Jim Williams briefed the membership that we still have 51 raffle tickets that have not been signed out. Please see Jim to sign out tickets so we can make this raffle a successful one. The raffle for the 55 Smart TV will be held during the October 2015 General Membership Meeting. (OPEN)

1. Black Forest Festival Report

Good turnout of people and volunteers to man the booth.

43 veterans inquired about additional information regarding the American Legion and the post.

14 members of the ALR participated in the parade.

Raised an additional $71.35 for veterans programs.

(CLOSED)

1. Vehicle Donation

The membership were briefed of the expenses required to accept the generous donation of the vehicle to the post. However; at this time the membership unanimously voted to decline the generous offer from the donor, due to the initial cost of the donors stipulation to complete a graphics wrap ($2495) and to insure ($1162) the vehicle. (CLOSED)

1. Legion Riders Charter

The Post Commander received the Post 2008 American Legion Riders charter from the Department Headquarters and presented the ALR President Frank Serrano the Charter. (CLOSED)

1. Convention Report

The Post 2008 Auxiliary received their Unit Charter

Tom Flores was elected as the Department Commander

Jay Bowen was elected as the Senior Vice Commander

Expected dues increase of $5.00 to go into effect on January 20, 2016. We need to have as many members renew prior to December 31, 2015 to avoid increase of dues for 2016 membership year (CLOSED)

New Business

a) Fundraising (see attachment #3)

Ken Lewis brought the details of a fund raising opportunity to the membership. The Broadmoor World Arena uses non-profit organizations to staff their concession stands during events.

The World arena provides the merchandise and pays the non-profit $42.00 per individual who works the concession stand. No monetary cost to the post other than man hours.

We would be required to work 8-10 events per year at the World Arena.

The concession stand require 8-10 people to properly staff the stand and work a 5-6 hours shift per event.

We would also be required to have 2 people trained to work as managers of the stand.

This would require the membership to commit to working the 8-10 events the post selects from the schedule provided by the Broadmoor World Arena.

A motion was presented to the post membership to commit in participating in this fund raising endeavor to support additional veterans programs. The motion was discussed, seconded and unanimously approved by the membership in attendance.

b) Membership Drive

The next membership drive the Post 2008 will be holding is on October 10, 2015 from 0800 -1300 hours at the Walmart in Falcon.

Ent Federal Credit Union is sponsoring a shred-it truck to the post.

Walmart will place signs at it door a few days prior to the event to raise community awareness of our membership drive and fundraising efforts.

The post will be placing tables at both entrances of Walmart and will need members to volunteer to work a two hour shift at the booth.

c) Old Guys Get Together (OGGT)

The next get together will be held at Carls JR. here in Falcon on September 4, 2015 at 0900. We welcome and encourage all post members that can attend to join us there.

Good of the Legion

Adjournment

Chaplain gave closing prayer and Commander adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m. Next Membership Meeting: 22 September 2015, 7:00 p.m., Patriot Learning Center., with a pre-social planned at 6:00pm

Minutes submitted by: Sonny Sonnichsen, Post Adjutant

Minutes approved by: Al Bendure, Post Commander

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