Minutes of Meeting Conducted by
Corvallis Post #91, The American Legion,
Department of Montana, Inc.
Type
of Meeting: Regular Membership Meeting
Date
of Meeting: 21 February 2023
Location
of Meeting: Corvallis High
School
Opening
Time: 1900 by Commander Himes
Attendance:
Post Officers - 6
Post Members - 11 Guests - 3
Minutes
from January 17, 2023– Minutes
were submitted. Doug Mason moved that
the past meeting’s minutes be accepted as submitted. John Mowat seconded the motion. Motion passed by voice vote.
Program
–
1.
Corvallis Middle School Ski Club members gave
their thanks to the Post for our $6000 donation last October. There are 130 students in the program with
each getting to ski five times during the season. In past years they would only ski once per
season.
2.
Corvallis School
District #1 Superintendent Pete Joseph gave the Post a presentation about the state
of the Corvallis School District and explained the need for an upcoming levy on
the ballot. He also thanked the Post for
being so involved with the Corvallis schools and community. Doug Mason motioned that the Post go on
record that it supports the school levy.
Don Helmbrecht seconded the motion.
Motion passed by voice vote.
Guests
and New Members – New member
John Swallow introduced himself.
Commander’s
Report –
Commander Harris expressed
his gratitude for the Post being able to work with the Corvallis Schools and to
be more of a part of the Community. He
cited the examples of the Oratorical Contest, Constitutional Essay Contest,
Boys and Girls State and the Bitterroot Valley Military Program. He said it is part of our mission to
inculcate patriotism which he feels we are doing with these programs. He would like to develop opportunities for
the youth in the SAL and Legion Auxiliary as time goes on.
Committee Reports:
- House and Entertainment: Upcoming District 5 Meeting on 30 April. It will be held at Corvallis High School, and we will be catering two of the meals for the group.
- Radio Club – Doug Mason gave an update on the activities. The Club supported the Darby Dog Derby on January 14 & 15. They held their Winter Field Days on January 28 & 29. They will be conducting a EM-Com training on March 2 at the CHS library at 1900, and on successive first Thursdays. Their HF repeater has been received. They are holding Radio Nights every Wednesday at Jack’s Place open to anyone who wants to learn more. There will be a Fox Hunt held on April 15.
- Scholarships – Marc Sabin was ill and not in attendance.
- Shooting Club – No report
- Fishing Club – Chris Haxton sent a report prior to the meeting. The group has decided to join forces with Project Healing Waters, which is another group working with veterans. They will now meet at the Hamilton Masonic Temple, 115 S. 3rd St, Hamilton on the 3rd Monday of the month at 1830 hrs.
- Auxiliary – No report
- Bitterroot Valley Military Program – Coordinators Sean Smothers and Kevin Holyfield gave an update on the program. With the second reading and approval of the Constitution at tonight’s meeting, they will become a part of the Post 91 affiliated activities. They will begin activities in March. They want to highlight the value of service in the community. They have good ties with the Corvallis schools and want to celebrate unity.
- Law Enforcement Liaison – Post Liaison Randy Baird spoke about the ALERT (American Legion Emergency Response Team) program being developed by four of the Bitterroot Valley Legion Posts. The group will be a volunteer support force for the Sheriff’s Office during emergencies centered around the Emergency Operations Center. There will be two training sessions in May for committed volunteers.
- Memorial Day Parade – Parade Chair Jack Berman said that he will start planning meetings in March.
Membership:
· New/Renewed
membership to date is 193. Goal is 185. Commander Himes and Historian Mason were each
awarded the 2022-2023 Membership Excellence “BE THE ONE” incentive pin. Ike Slaughter also was awarded one but was
not present. The award is for recruiting
at least 3 new members during the July 2022-June2023 time period.
Old Business:
- Active Duty Reconnect – Adjutant Clover reported that the group of 5 will arriving Friday afternoon 2/24, with a welcome dinner at the Victor Steakhouse. The group will be skiing three days and participate in four dinners with Post members. They will depart Tuesday morning 2/28.
- Social Media – No report as Media Coordinator Randi Thorson was not in attendance.
- School Programs – No formal report as Chair Marc Sabin was not in attendance.
- Doug Mason reported that the Oratorical speech contest was held earlier in the day with two participants.
- Bylaws and Constitutional Changes – Historian Mason held the second reading of the changes to the By Laws and Post Constitution:
- By-Law Resolution #1 Post Executive Quorum - Increase the amount of committee members to achieve a quorum to conduct business from the existing 3 to 6. After the second reading Don Helmbrecht motioned to approve the resolution. Jack Berman seconded the motion. Motion carried by voice vote.
- By-Law Resolution #2 Post Budget Proposal and Approval - Establish requirements that the Post have an annual fiscal year budget that is approved by the membership at the April Meeting. After the second reading John Mowat motioned to approve the resolution. Jack Berman seconded the motion. Motion carried by voice vote.
- By-Law Resolution #3 Changes to Approved Budget - There will be limits on the amount the Executive Committee can exceed the established budget ($500) without the approval of the general membership. After the second reading Keith Graves motioned to approve the resolution. Bobby Tucker seconded the motion. Motion carried by voice vote.
- Constitution Resolution #1 Bitterroot Valley Military Program -The Post constitution be changed to recognize the Bitterroot Valley Military Program be an official youth program of Post 91. After the second reading Don Helmbrecht motioned to approve the resolution. Jack Berman seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.
- February 1 – June 30 Operating Budget – Adjutant Clover presented the budget for the remainder of the 2023 Fiscal Year. It will be updated monthly at the end of the month when the checkbook is reconciled. He said the Finance Committee will begin work on the 2024 Fiscal Year budget in March.
New Business
- Social Media User Agreement – Doug performed the first reading of a proposed By-Laws change to add social media oversight to the Public Relations Committee. Proposed changes are attached.
- Boys and Girls State – Doug reported that we have one candidate so far for Boys State.
Good
of The American Legion:
·
Monthly
Pot of Gold Drawing – Member Richard
Lockhart’s name was drawn. He was not present
to win the $500 Frontier Guns and Ammo gift certificate.
Sick
Call and Memorials
Doug spoke about the recent
death of member Steve Hansen.
Upcoming Events:
1.
Friday-Tuesday February 24-28 – Winter Active Duty Reconnect.
2. Thursday March 2– Emergency Communications and Response Training –
1900 @ CHS Library.
3.Saturday March 4 – BVMP Orientation – CHS Mini Theater at 0900.
4. Monday March 6 – Radio Club Monthly Meeting – 1800 @ BJ’s
5. Tuesday March 7 - Legion Riders
Meeting – 1830 @ BJ’s
6. Monday March 13- Monthly Executive
Committee Meeting – 0900 @ Jack’s Place.
7. Wednesday March 15 – American Legion
Birthday
8. Monday March 20 - Fishing Club Meeting – Hamilton Masonic Temple, 115
S. 3rd St, Hamilton @1830
9. Tuesday March 21 – Monthly
Membership Meeting – CRFD@ 1900.
Closing
Time: Commander Himes adjourned
the meeting at 2120 hrs.
