February 2010

Commander's Comments -

Here's hoping everyone had a happy holiday!

Bill Steinauer, Commander

1^ST Vice Commander's Report -

As you know your dues are past due, and you need to be able to show a 2010 card to be served in the Club. This is an ABC rule and as membership chairman, there is nothing I can do about it. So please don't give your server a lot of trouble, just pull out your check book and pay your dues.

And of course that would also help me make my next goal. Dept. and National are always on the membership chairman to make goal because they need all the members they can get, this gives them leverage when the National Commander is fighting for the veterans benefits.

We need you so please send in your dues. If you are a long time member and need a little help with your dues, please call me we can work something out.

Shirley Reeves, 1st Vice Commander

2^nd Vice Commander's Report -

Open Mic Nite will be held ONLY on the 1^st Friday of every month

Tuesday Music Nite has been cancelled

Drink prices will increase on Feb 1^st due to increases in vendor prices

Bartenders will continue to ask for current membership cards in February

Special Notice

During the Roundtable meeting on Jan. 12^th, we discussed the Post�s outstanding debt of $6,000.00. This is a debt incurred by previous administrations. As a family of members, Post, Auxiliary, SAL, we thought one big fundraiser to erase this debt would be appropriate for all concerned. No raffles or drawings will be held. We�re just asking for donations from concerned members to make it easier for us to concentrate on our real goals, our Veterans. Donations can be large or small � if everyone does a little, a lot can be accomplished. We propose to put up a big thermometer to keep members informed about the progress of donations. As soon as the debt is gone, we will have a volunteer-produced party to celebrate.

Please notice that, despite our budget woes, the Post is being cared for. Many improvements and repairs have been made to make our surroundings pleasant for all veterans and their families.

Support Your Local Cooks

Feb 6 � John Noonan & wife � Mexican Dinner

7 � Bill & Cris � Breakfast

7 � Super Bowl Party � Potluck

13 � SALS � Open-faced roast beef sandwiches

14 � Mac & Bill � Breakfast

16 � Fat Tuesday � Mardi Gras Party

20 � Roxene � Beef Stew Dinner

21 � SALS � Breakfast

Special Bingo by Post 146

27 � Maria � Chicken Marsala Dinner

28 � Julie & Roger � Breakfast

Room Reservations

Remember that the Clubroom, Dining room, and Meeting room are available to for private parties and get-togethers. Contact me for a Special Event Application.

Bill Hicks, 2^nd Vice Commander

Chaplain's Report -

It�s time to pray� for our wounded troops and all troops fighting in foreign lands; may god protect them and bring them home safely to their families and loved ones; for all our members ill and suffering difficult times; for those unfortunate and poor people in Haiti.

Perry Comeau, Chaplain

Adjutant's Report -

06JAN10
E-Board Meeting of Post 416 6:32PM

Meeting called to order. Quorum present
Commander received from district a letter writing campaign request to place a voluntary �Veterans Home Fund� donation line on state tax form. Letters should be sent to Assembly Chairmen, Commander has more information if needed.
Commander also received a solicitation for branch banners for purchase. WWII veteran R. Amber created and sell banners for $5.45 each or $62 per dozen.
Commander was contacted by a rep from USAA bank . She requested to visit regular meeting to address general membership about available services offered by the bank. Motion carried to allow this
Finance Officer to present report at regular meeting.
2nd Vice introduced the new price increases for beverages at bar. Final decision to accept to be made at general meeting.
2nd Vice informed E-Board that the Auxiliary has only been making payments of $400 for �housekeeping� instead of $500 amount agreed upon.
Chaplin gave Bingo report for Nov/Dec. a total of $2071 was given to finance officer.
Chaplin made a motion to nominate Bill Hicks as Legionnaire of the year. Motion carried.
E-Board member Darrell Hill asked for an update on rekeying of post. Rekeying has been completed. He also asked the outstanding balance owed by the post to the bookkeeper.

Meeting adjourned 7:17PM

13JAN10
General Member Meeting of Post 416 6:34PM

A quorum of members was present.
Motion to approve minutes of last meeting as written was carried
Mira a rep from USAA bank presented all members present with information about services available to all veterans from USAA.
Commander recognized District E-Board member Frank Zugaj.
1st Vice reported 4 new member requests, Lenny Davis-USN, Pete Springer-USA, Thomas Bell-USMC. Chuck Commarodo-USMC. Motion was carried.
2nd Vice told members of the desire to increase bar price. Motion carried
2nd Vice presented a new form draft to be filled out by persons wishing to use post facilities.
Post debt reduction was discussed at Round Table meeting held on 1/12. It was decided to place a donation box and �goal� thermometer in bar. $6000 is goal
A new �Post hours/ In case of Emergency �sign is to be obtained and installed on front doors.
Commander is obtaining insurance bids (2 to date). He informed members of possibility of significant saving.
Commander received a letter from Mr. Husky regarding the possibility of our participation in an online bingo program. Chaplain is to look into it.
Bob Wilson gave a report on the status of the SALs. A current roster of officers is to be submitted to Post Commander
Good of the Legion- Frank Zugaj informed post of upcoming events. Among these events are Legion Day at the Hospital on Feb.13,2010, a Naturalization Ceremony being held at Golden Hall on Feb. 17, 2010

Meeting adjourned 7:20PM

Documents presented to members included:
Post financial statement as of Jan. 1, 2010
Application for Post facilities Usage, draft

John Noonan, Adjutant

SAL NEWS

SAL Commander's Report -

No Report.

Tate Sanderson, Commander

AUXILIARY NEWS

President's Report -

A short meeting was held before our Christmas party on December 19, 2009.

I read a few letters from the Incarcerated Female Veteran in Chowchilla, California. Our "Make a Difference Day" donations of stationary and other items made a difference in the lives of the inmates over the holidays. The 512 Honor Dorm of 14 Vet. are still helping to support our troops. They made crochet hats, scarves, throw blanket for the Fresno homeless shelter. Then they started a project to make cross-stitched cards. The first batch went to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan with boxes from Blue Star Moms. Thanks again for thinking of us. We want to do our part wherever we are.

The memorial service was given for Marjorie Humphlett, 88, on Jan 4th, a long time member of the auxiliary. Her mother pearl Porter was chaplain for many years and our past president Jane Shoemaker honored her one year by calling our unit "Pearl's Angels". Marjorie brought her mother to meetings faithfully and took part in everything. We that knew her will miss her.

Our Girl State interviews will be held on January 28th and Feb 11, 2010 at 6:30pm. All those that are going to help Betsy will love interviewing the girls. They are the cream of the crop of their schools and are delightful.

At our February meeting we will have a program in tribute to the Four Chaplains. And what great service they gave their lives for. Post members are invited. February is also our AEF month and we have our annual raffle basket ready to purchase tickets for the whole month of February.

I also want to report in a Chaplains place that Mom Louise is laid up with cracked ribs and Merry is going into surgery the 29th of January. Dolly, Opal, and Encarnita are still not doing that well, so say a prayer for all these ladies.

Ladies we need volunteers badly for Monday night snack bar at bingo time and for a few Saturday night dinners.

Connielou Caldwell, President

1st Vice President's Report -

To all those that haven't paid their 2010 dues yet, you really need to get your checks in for the $15 so I can send you your new card. Mail to me or drop off in an envelope at the Post. I understand cards will be checked in the club room any day now, and if you don't have a 2010 card, oh well. Please keep your membership up to date. We only get to keep $3 out of the $15 and we need every dollar to help with the programs we have to do during the year. Our fundraisers also help us tremendously. We are getting very close to our 100% goal. (JUST A NOTE; IF YOU DIDN'T PAY YOUR DUES LAST YEAR FOR 2009, YOU NEED TO SEND ME $30 -THE DISTRICT WILL NOT ACCEPT 2010 DUES UNLESS THE 2009 ARE PAID UP TO DATE -IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO PAY THE 2009, BUT STILL WANT TO STAY AS A MEMBER, A NEW APPLICATION NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED AND YOU START OVER AND LOSE THE YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP YOU HAVE HAD) -QUESTIONS? CALL ME.

If any of you get a late notice/reminder from "National", please make sure you send me your check and not to send it directly to them or we don't get any of the money. A couple of our members have called me and said they got a reminder notice from "National" telling them to send their dues to them. My name and address should be on these notices, but isn't. Dues come to our Unit only. Let me know if you get any such notices, so I can deal with it. Thank you. Remember, after March 1, if your dues aren't paid, the new membership roster that comes out in late summer, will not show you as being current. This is their cut-off date to re-print their rosters. so we really need ALL dues paid by the end of January. You are considered delinquent this past December 31,2009. We still accept new members through June for the 2010 year (membership term is 7/1/09 to 6/30/10). Renewal dues for new members are due again mid summer when the 2011 cards come out. Please keep this in mind.

Hope all of you join me on my dinner, February 20th (3rd Saturday of the month) - I am cooking a mass of homemade beef stew, loaded salad, rolls, and dessert - only $7.00. Great meal for this chilly weather. Please come in and support us. Thank you and don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions.(858-481-9518).

Roxene McGrory, 1st Vice and Membership

2nd Vice President's Report -

No Report.

Nancy Kiesel, 2nd Vice President

Auxiliary Chaplain's Report -

Toni Moore, Chaplain

MISCELLANEOUS

Bingo

Supporting our Troops and their families and the Boys and Girls State Programs� That�s what you are doing when you come to your American Legion Post and play bingo. The public is welcome, so pass the word to everyone you know.

MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR� Sunday, 21 February @ 1:00 PM. The Oceanside Ladies 8 & 40 Salon has requested the use of our Bingo apparatus for a fund raiser; it should be lots of fun and you would be contributing to a worthy cause. PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND! Cash prizes will be awarded.

Perry Comeau & Shirley Reeves

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The basket in front of the Clubroom is for the yearly AEF Drawing. (Auxiliary Emergency Fund) One half of the money donated stays here at the Post and the other Half goes to the Department Fund. These times are tough for some, so as a Community Service we are trying to do our part. Tickets can be purchased at the Bar. The basket contains Trader Joe Chocolates a tea set a few other items. Thank you in advance. If you have any Community ideas you would like to present please contact me.

Thanks to all who have helped with various projects. Our Get well list is getting longer so keep those people in mind. Volunteering is very important in our organization--so keep that in mind also.

Merry Culhane, Community Service

Mardi Gras Party, Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16^th � members & friends

The Auxiliary�s Mardi Gras Party is on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16^th. This Event will raise money to fill backpacks for kids, whose parent is being deployed overseas. It costs about $50 to fill a backpack with things like cameras, writing materials, etc. Betsy Schreiber is our �pro� shopper, who scouts San Diego for the best bargains. We have pledged 5 backpacks per month for 2010.

Make a donation and receive �thank you� Mardi Gras beads personally from Amy, and enjoy Cajun food cooked by Kent Moser. This will not be a raffle event, just a �Donation to the Backpack Event� with food, beads, music, and fun! The 2010 campaign has already started with generous donations of $200.

The Fun starts at 6:00 pm. Dress up in feathers if you like; bring a donation, collect from friends, and come on down!

Amy Moser, Auxiliary Social Chair Person

A Special Thank You:

Thanks, everybody for your caring, your cards, your prayers, and your phone calls.

Lots of love and HUGS to all!

�Mom� Louise Wetzell

February 2010 Calendar