Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Post 91 Regular October Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Meeting Conducted by              Corvallis Post #91, The American Legion, Department of Montana, Inc.

Type of Meeting: Regular Membership Meeting

Date of Meeting: 18 October 2022

Location of Meeting: Corvallis Fire Department – Corvallis MT

Opening Time: 1910 by Commander Himes

Attendance: Post Officers - 9     Post Members - 15          Guests - 8

Minutes from Sept 2022 – Minutes were submitted.  Doug Mason motioned to accept minutes as submitted.  Edna Nasca seconded.  Motion carried by voice vote.

Program –

·         Guests Michelle Nelon and Nate Bellinger gave a presentation about the Montana Youth Challenge program.  It is a government funded program at the UM Western Campus in Dillon.  She is looking for local mentors for any youth in the program from Missoula or the Bitterroot.

·         Guests Jamie Smothers and Kristin Gyford spoke about the services available from the Ravalli County Veterans Service Center. Jamie also talked about the new PACT act and the expanded categories of service-connected disabilities.

Commander’s Report - Commander Harris gave a quick bio of US Army General (ret) Paul Vallely, our guest speaker at the upcoming Veteran’s Day dinner on November 11. 

Committee Reports:

·         Radio Club – Doug Mason gave an update on the activities.  They held a successful “Fox Hunt” and plan on holding it quarterly.  October is American Radio Emergency Services Training month.  Earthquake Response training will be on October 20.  Winter Field Day is scheduled for January.  Motorola emergency band radios are available to anyone who wants one.

·         Scholarships – No report

·         Shooting Club – David Naber reported that they are still looking for an insulation contractor to perform a spray on application in the club’s Quonset hut range.  He also corrected last month’s report that they had actually received their 501(c)3 non-profit designation last March.  The Darby Rodeo Association has also offered the club storage space in a new building they are planning.  The Association is presently fund raising for the approximately $75,000 cost.  The Shooting Club has pledged $10,000 towards that campaign.

·         Fishing Club – No Report

·         Auxiliary – Linda Niezgodzki spoke about the upcoming American Legion Boys State and the AL Auxiliary Girls State programs.  Parts will be consolidated to help lower overall costs.  The event this year will be held at Fort Harrison in Helena.  Doug Mason also added that the Auxiliary has been planting trees at Corvallis Cemetery for both Auxiliary and Post members.  The latest planting cost over $800 and he motioned that the Post help cover those costs with a $800 donation to the Auxiliary.  John Mowat seconded the motion.  Motion passed with a voice vote.

 

Membership:

·         2022 final membership was 201.  – New/Renewed membership to date is 146.

House and Entertainment:  Dinner Chair Jack Berman said he needed reservations from those who want to attend by Nov 8th.  Doug will send a robocall out with that info and Adjutant Clover will send out an email to those with addresses.

Old Business:

·         Active Duty Reconnect – 1 family member has applied for the program by the Oct 1 deadline.  Co-Chair Chris Kurinec was meeting with the Stevensville Post this same night to determine if they plan on participating with us.  Tentative date is either the end of January or February.

·         Jack’s Place – Flooring has been purchased and awaiting installation.  The 20’ storage container was delivered today.  There will be a work party on Friday 10/21 to frame out half of the container to accommodate the Radio Club equipment.  Items will be transferred to from our existing rented storage unit to the container by November 1.

·         Social Media – No update

·          School Programs – Adjutant Clover reported that the Post has been asked to coordinate an Armed Forces Day at CHS on December 7th.  He and Stacy Cortes will contact the branch recruiters.  CHS has also requested we coordinate a Career Day in January, day yet to be determined.  Marc Sabin will be coordinating the other school programs and spoke about the need to help re-establish the formal teaching of American Civics in the schools.  Our programs will help do that.   

New Business:

·         Corvallis Middle School Ski Program – Member Stacy Cortes gave an overview of the program the school is trying to start up.  They are speaking to groups to raise the estimated $15,000 for this year’s program. She and Coach Josh McCroffin had given a similar presentation to the Executive Committee at their October 17 meeting.  Commander Harris explained that the Executive Committee had moved to place the request before the general membership with a suggested donation of $6,000 for this year’s program.  John Mowat motioned the Post donate $6,000 to the Corvallis Middle School ski program.  Brian Wrede seconded the motion.  Motion carried by voice vote.

·         District 5 Meeting, March 2023 – Commander Harris reported that the District 5 Commander, Terry Wahl, has asked Post 91 to host the March meeting.  There will be future planning in the new year.

·         Corvallis Trunk or Treat, October 31- Commander Harris said that a coordinator of the Trunk or Treat on Halloween has asked the Post to participate in the event held on Main Street 1630 to 1800 on the 31st..  Marc Sabin motioned that the Post participate in the event.  Keith Graves seconded the motion.  Motion carried by voice vote.  Doug Mason motioned that the Post purchase candy for the event with a cost not to exceed $200.  Brian Wrede seconded the motion.  Motion carried by voice vote. Finance Officer Jim McHugh said he would coordinate the candy purchase.

·         HEARTism Community Center – Doug Mason mentioned the center as a place that the Post could somehow support.  Chaplain Wrede said he would pay them a visit.

Good of The American Legion: 

·         Monthly Pot of Gold Drawing – Member Chris Kurinec name was drawn.  He was not present to win the $500 Frontier Guns and Ammo gift certificate.

·         Chaplain Wrede spoke about the Operation Christmas Child, operated by Samaritan’s Purse.  He also reinforced that we as individuals and as an organization need to encourage participation in American Civics activities.

 

Sick Call and Memorials

 Upcoming Events:

1.      Tuesday Nov 1 - Legion Riders Monthly Meeting – BJ’s @ 1830.

2.      Thursday Nov 3 – Fishing Club – Contact Chris Haxton

3.      Monday Nov 8 – Radio Club Monthly Meeting – BJ’s @ 1800.

4.      Friday November 11 – Veterans Day Parade (11:11 hrs); Dinner at Victor Steak House - 1800

5.      Monday November 14 - Monthly Executive Committee Meeting – Jack’s Place @ 0900.

6.      Tuesday November 15 – Monthly Membership Meeting – 1900 CRFD

 

 

Closing Time: Commander Himes adjourned the meeting at 2110 hrs

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