May 2011
Commander's Comments -
The post is still doing pretty well. The Street Fair was a lot of fun and the club was busy most of the day. The SALs had a good week-end selling BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs. The Far West band played music for us April 9th and brought in their new CD that was recorded here a few months ago. If you want one, we have them for sale at the bar for $10.00. There are some nice photos of the post on it.
We will be doing a Memorial Day ceremony at Cottonwood Creek Park at 11:30 and having a potluck afterward at the post. This year it would be nice to see everyone there.
Come down and sign up for our golf tournament. It will be at Lake San Marcos on June 12th.
The 2nd round of nominations took place on April 13th and the elections will take place at the next general meeting on May 11th.
Bill Hicks, Commander
1ST Vice Commander's Report -
It's getting late but I can still use your renewals for 2010-2011 year.
If you have not sent it, please do we can use your support to help with our Veterans programs, they do take money and your dues help.
Thanks for your continued support
We are now taking your application for the golf tournament. Remember this year you must pay when you pick your T-Time. That will give us a better idea how many plan on playing, rather than waiting until we get to the Golf Course on the day of the tournament. The rules and signup sheets are on the door into the kitchen at the American Legion Post 416.
Shirley Reeves, 1st Vice Commander
2nd Vice Commander's Report -
My last newsletter before Officer Installation on June 4th. We are planning a busy May. May 7th, I’m cooking steaks for $9 (a bargain). Next day will be a special Mothers’ Day Brunch.
Anyone who has come out for the non-dinner Saturdays knows what great meals have been cooked. Kimberly, Steve, Merry etc. should be congratulated!!
Our web site is the best in the District, so check it out.
Kent Moser, 2nd Vice Commander
Chaplain's Report -
Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to salute our Troops, past and present. Don’t forget to fly your flag with pride.
Perry Comeau, Chaplain
Adjutant's Report -
04/04/11
E-Board Meeting of Post 416 6:32PM
A quorum of members was present.
Commander presented a letter of reprimand addressed to member Jimmy Arms concerning his conduct. The letter informs him of the possible loss of post privileges. A motion was made and carried to send letter.
Guest Scott Brennan reported on the SAL’s website and discussed the potential for a website that would serve all three Post organizations. He and Bill Steinauer are to work together on developing a calendar for the site.
April 4, 2011 the Street Faire will be held. SAL’s cooking burgers and dogs for event. No breakfast will be held on Sunday of the 5th.
Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at Cottonwood Creek Park. Ceremony begins at 11:30.
April 19, 2011 the helicopter squadron will be holding a party at the post.
June 12, 2011 the golf tournament will be held at Lake San Marcos. More details to follow.
Meeting adjourned 7:2PM
Documents presented to members included:
Letter of reprimand to member Jimmy Arms.
04 APR 11
General Member Meeting of Post 416 6:32PM
A quorum of members was present.
Motion to approve minutes of last meeting as written was carried.
A motion was made to accept finance report as presented. Motion carried.
1st Vice reported six new member applications. Motion was made and carried. The Post is now at 318 members or 87.6% of membership goal.
Fischer House project almost $500 collected so far. This will conclude at the end of June.
Golf Tournament to be held June 12th at Lake San Marcos. Fee is $55 per player and first tee time is set for 7:56 am.
Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Cottonwood Creek Park at 11:30. Attendees should plan on parking at City Hall, commuter lot or Denny’s parking lot.
The post was represented at the funerals of several fallen comrades recently.
Boy’s State orientation luncheon will be held on May 14th.
Good of the Legion included the next District meeting is June 5th in La Mesa. Flap Jack Breakfast to be held on June 4th. Stand down will be July 15th, workers needed for event. The Post should appoint a blood donor chairman to track all donations. May 18th the Naturalization Ceremony will be held.
A motion was made and carried to write a letter of support for Chuck Camarado who is going for a District level position. Adjutant to draft letter.
Currently Post By-Laws contradict National policy regarding write in candidate at Post level elections. This is to be corrected next time our By- Laws are updated.
Nominations of officers for the 2011/2012 year were made and are as follows:
Post Commander: Bill Hicks Finance Officer: Steve Schofield
1st Vice: Shirley Reeves 2nd Vice: Danny Mitchell
Election to be held on May 11th, ALL voting and further nominations will be conducted at Post Meeting.
Meeting adjourned 7:24PM
John Noonan, Adjutant
Service Officer's Report -
PLAN Ahead. Pre-planning alleviates a major burden for your family at the most difficult time, your death. Pre-planning allows YOU to make some choices i.e burial or cremation, service or not service, want a service at the post?, whatever. Each of these preferences are important and if you do not make them will cost your family in money and lots of time. Other decisions should be made also that need your time. By making these decision in advance your family can be assured that your wishes are carried out. If you need help on these or other issues, as Your service officer I can help and your wishes will be carried out.
On May 11, prior to the General Meeting we will be recognizing two Marines from Camp Pendleton. These two have recently returned from Afghan and will talk about their units; the Gunfighters of HMLA 369 and a grunt from the 1st Recon. Starts at 6 sharp, come hear about the War on Terror and our efforts working with NATO forces, the Afghan military and local population.
Reminder, Memorial Day is on May 30th, 11:30 at Cottonwood Creek Park, come early, bring lawn chairs. We will have a potluck at the post following the service.
Lowell Grimaud, Service Officer
SAL NEWS
SAL Adjutant's Report -
We, the Sons of The American Legion at Squadron 416 had another eventful month in April. We have begun our officer selection process and have successfully filled all positions with prospective group leaders. Participation is outstanding with a meeting room full of members.
The Encinitas Street Fair 2-day event was a success. We had ample participation, beautiful weather, took in some profits and are in the process of reviewing the logistical and financial results in an effort to strengthen our efficiency.
The following weekend was another busy one as we provided Saturday night’s roast beef dinner and Sunday morning’s corned beef hash brunch. If it weren’t for those delicious Brad-burgers on Tuesday evenings, the following week would have been a great opportunity for a diet. Oh well, it’s one of those things we love put off.
The next Sons meeting is Friday, May 6th at 6p.m. prompt. We will continue our officer candidate selection process and plan events.
The Sons have met with the Legion E-Board and will continue the web related projects as a combined effort of Post and Squadron.
We will gratefully continue our efforts to Preserve and Promote.
Scott Bernin, Acting Adjutant
AUXILIARY NEWS
President's Report -
April Activities: Our last monthly meeting was well-attended with a special guest speaker, Kent MacNEILL, former Nuclear Submarine Commander and member of our Post. He presented a riveting speech describing the subs that patrol American waters 24/7 to keep our country safe. Following our meeting, everyone pitched in to stuff poppies for our donation letters. Betsy Schreiber kept us organized to get this task done for hundreds of letters and poppies. This is our big money raiser for our Veterans projects throughout the year.
Jo Maus was nominated by our Past President, Connielou Caldwell, as Member of the Year for her many past contributions and current efforts to get our name out there in the press to get more people to our meetings and projects like Bingo. Countless food coupons have been clipped and shipped over seas.
As usual, the Auxiliary dinner in April was a hit with Kimberly cooking cat fish. Her casual dinner netted about as much as a regular dinner and those proceeds will be donated to our blanket drive for Veteran’s Village. Remember our goal of a 1,000 blankets this year?
May Activities: Next month’s meeting will be our final nominations for Officers for next year and followed by voting. It’s important who we elect to help “make a difference”. Also, Kimberly will be planning our participation in the Post’s Memorial Day Ceremony & pot luck at the Post. The ceremony will start at 11:30 am, so bring your dish early. Also, come down for Mother’s Day brunch which will be served free to all moms out there.
June Plans: Besides our installation dinner for new Officers, we will celebrate Flag Day. Let Merry Culhane know if you’d like to help distribute flags to stores in Encinitas.
Amy Moser, President
1st Vice President's Report -
I would like to introduce three new Auxiliary members to our Unit. Please welcome Lula West, Colleen Collazo, and Jane Coulter. Our members hope the three of you can become very involved with our Unit - although this membership year is winding down, we will have lots to plan and lots to do starting this summer. Please join us at our next Auxiliary meeting on May 3rd at 7:00 PM.
Just a reminder about our renewal dues this summer: Renewal Senior dues will be $25 and Junior dues will be $10. NEW Senior dues will be $30 and Junior dues will be $15. If you have any questions, please call me at 858-481-9518. Renewal dues notices should be sent out mid-summer after the convention (could be earlier but don't expect them until July/August sometime).
If any of you have changed your address, please call me with that information also so you can continue to receive your newsletters. You can also get the newsletter on-line at: CALegionPost416.org
Two more reminders: All of you that are Chairpersons on one of our Auxiliary programs - at this date, if you needed to complete a "report", it should have already been done and sent to your respective Chairperson -District. And, if any of you are holding a 2010 membership card, you need to send me your $15 dues NOW to receive your 2011 card - the new card this summer will be for 2012. If you have a 2010 card still, you are considered delinquent and have lost all privileges in the club room. (12/31/10 was the delinquency date). I would love to send out those last cards for 2011. Thank you.
Roxene McGrory, 1st Vice and Membership
2nd Vice President's Report -
April showers bring May flowers. Hopefully, this will make you smile, it sure does me. April was a great month for the Legion - The Street Fair - Far West CD Release Party - Poker Run, Marine Parties and Easter! Loved to see all of you participate in the celebrations.
Just an FYI any Saturday night appetizers/all u can eat - etc. - meals are strictly on a donation basis. What this means as I'm sure all of you already know, the profits of the dinners go to the chefs charity of choice. The individual or individuals doing the cooking get to pick where they would like the profits to go - to the Post, Sal's, Auxiliary or anywhere else that benefits our needy veterans and their families. An example would be that my cabbage rolls dinner made a great profit of $75.00 and I've decided to donate the proceeds to the Veterans Village Blanket Program. I contacted the Goodwill Corporate Offices and they were kind enough to offer me $1.00 a blanket - I'm waiting for the certificates to make this happen. So if you decide to cook, you can make a difference and the difference is your choice. Let's think about this, we need more volunteers to do the off the Saturday meals and how fun to do it for a cause that you choose and believe in.
These are delicious meals, they take a lot of time and effort to prepare, cook and serve - each and every meal prepared at the American Legion is made with love. We really need volunteers for many of the following months on Saturdays. Everyone's participation in all areas is needed and appreciated.
On Memorial Day we are having a Pot Luck! Please participate and bring down a dish and have some fun. There will be a sign up sheet @ the bar for your convenience. We'd love to everyone there, so come on down and enjoy some great food and amazing company.
I would like to give my gratitude to Louise who has helped me unconditionally and has weathered all the changes. XOXO
Kimberly St. John, 2nd Vice President
MISCELLANEOUS
Bingo -
There will be NO BINGO on Memorial Day, May 30.
Perry Comeau
