Corvallis Post #91, The American Legion, Department of
Montana, Inc.
Type
of Meeting: Regular Membership Meeting
Date
of Meeting: 20 June 2023
Location
of Meeting: Corvallis Rural
Fire Department – Corvallis, MT
Opening
Time: 1900 by Commander Harris
Himes
Attendance:
Post Officers - 6
Post Members - 6 Guests - 1
Minutes
from May 16, 2023 Meeting – Minutes
were submitted. Jack Berman motioned to
accept minutes as submitted. Marc Sabin seconded. Motion passed by voice vote.
Guests
and New Members – Missoula
County Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator Richard Reed.
·
Program – Richard Reed, retired
USMC Gunnery Sergeant has experience in leading and caring for troops and was
the key motivator to become a MSW for the state. Advocacy is a key function of
his position. Eligibles are mainly vets with chemical dependency. He works in Missoula County and helps out in
Lake and Flathead Counties. There is no
Veterans Treatment Court in Ravalli County, but some foundational work has
started.
Membership – 2023 new
members and renewals to date are 208. Annual
District goal is 185.
Committee Reports:
·
Bitterroot Valley
Military Program: See attached report from Sean Smothers.
·
Law Enforcement
Liaison – No formal report.
Our candidate for State Law Enforcement Officer of the year, Jason
Liechty, did not win the state award.
·
ALERT - Harris
talked about the importance and scope of the ALERT program working with the
Sheriff. Discussed current teams and concepts for future teams in other areas.
He then went into some details re the need for preparing for man-made and
natural cataclysmic events that may be in our future.
·
Radio Club – No report
·
Scholarships – Sabin
gave a summary of Student Activities and successes over the past 6 months. It has been a successful
school year.
·
Bitterroot
Marksmanship Club – No formal report.
David Naber has made a request for a Post banner to be hung in their
indoor range. Pat Clover will investigate
getting one made.
·
Fishing Club – Chair Chris Haxton reported that the club will be meeting at Riverside
Park during the summer months.
·
Auxiliary – No report
·
Memorial Day
Parade – A
full AAR for the Memorial Day Parade was not given as Jack was not present.
Comments by Sabin mentioned the positive feedback and ideas for new elements
for next year from CSD#1 at the latest monthly meeting on 16 June re the parade
effort next year. He also mentioned the
potential for a contingent of Corvette owners from Missoula participating next
year.
·
House and
Entertainment – The
picnic is set for 18 July. The Auxiliary
and Don Helmbrecht are coordinating on bringing food. Pat Clover is handling
the beverages. The casting clinic will begin at 1600. Food at 1700 and meeting at 1800.
Harris
brought up the weekly lunch meeting at Fins to enhance camaraderie among the
members. We will start the meetings once they are promulgated via robocall.
·
Commander’s Report – In
the Commander’s report Harris, noted that he would be the sole Post 91 rep at
the MT Department convention next week.
He highlighted the opportunity for interaction with Legionnaires from
throughout the state. He brought up the enhanced collaboration among District 5
posts that has been a major initiative for Post 91. He also brought up the 7/22
event that is being planned for the Fairgrounds Event Center. The Governor
apparently cannot be there, but the MT congressional delegation may attend. Sen.
Tester has expressed strong interest. Doug Mason is the recommended Master of Ceremonies
for the event. Harris described his
views on how the various District 5 Posts would participate. Randi is preparing
a video on Post Activities to be shown at the event.
Old
Business:
·
Social
Media – No report.
·
Executive
Committee Election Changes - Pat related that given the need for
Chris Haxton to withdraw from the Adjutant Position, Pat will remain in the
position and Jim McHugh will remain as Finance Officer. To help out, Jim and Pat will work together
on budget management, and Marc Sabin will take back up meeting minutes.
New
Business
·
Women’s
Pistol Course – Ike reported
that they are waiting for Vern’s work schedule to be solidified before scheduling
the course.
·
Women’s
Emergency Preparedness Training –
There has been some interest in developing such a course. More info to follow.
·
CSD#1 Donation – The Executive Committee has recommended a donation of
$300 be made to CSD#1, without stipulation of how to use the funds, as a
recognition for their excellent support of the district 5 meeting. Marc Sabin motioned to make the
donation. Brian Wrede seconded. The motion was approved by voice vote.
·
50 Mile Yard Sale - Pat
reiterated his offer to host a Post table at his home as fund raising event
during the 50 Mile Yard Sale the weekend of 23-24 June. A robo call was requested to get the word out
to members who might have things to donate for the sale. Member Tom Pedersen said he would help as
well.
Good
of The American Legion:
·
Monthly
Pot of Gold Drawing – Member Frank
Mason’s name was drawn. He was not present
to win the $500 Frontier Guns and Ammo gift certificate.
·
VFW Meeting Place -It was mentioned that Stevensville/Victor
VFW Post has opened a bar and meeting place in downtown Victor, and that Post
91 should consider supporting it.
·
Fundraising - Fundraising
was a key topic. A 5K check was recently
received from a donor. Ike talked about
the need for all members to identify potential donors to enable a broad range
of active programs by the post. Each member should consider themselves and
advocate for the programs that the Post conducts. Awareness of such activities is a selling
point for raising funds.
·
Veteran’s Computer Classes – Member Jon
Swallow talked about his work at Bitterroot Valley Community College in support
of veterans integrating back into civil society. He is talking to Randi about this. John teaches computer applications and use at
the College. MSU is a financial
supporter providing a grant for John’s work at the College.
·
Post
Member’s History – Member Patrick
Nolan spoke about his time in the Navy during the years 1953 to 1958. He served as an “underwater swimmer”. This was the precursor to Scuba diving.
Sick
Call and Memorials
Upcoming Events:
1.
Sunday July
2 to Saturday July 8 – AL Boys State
and ALA Girls State - Helena
2.
Monday July
3 - Radio Club Monthly Meeting – 1800 @ BJ’s
3.
Monday July
3 - Fishing Club – Hamilton
Masonic Temple, 115 S. 3rd St @1830.
Contact Chris Haxton
(406-531-2184)
4.
Tuesday July
4 - Legion Riders Meeting – 1830 @ BJ’s. (Possible
postponement)
5.
Tuesday
July 11 – Bitterroot Youth
Marksmanship Club information event; 1100 @ Darby City Park
6.
Monday July
12 – Executive Committee Meeting
– 1900 @ Jack’s Place
7.
Saturday
July 15 – Patriotic Pin Up Inc.,
Montana Car Wash Fundraiser for Post 91.
11am-3 pm; Comfort Solutions, 856 US Hwy North – Victor. Veterans get free washes.
13. Monday July 17 - Fishing Club – Hamilton Masonic Temple, 115 S. 3rd St
@1830. Contact Chris Haxton (406-531-2184) (now at Riverside Park
for summer months)
14. Tuesday July 18 – Annual Picnic @
Victor Park – 1600 Casting Clinic; 1700 Potluck dinner; 1800 Meeting and
Officer Installation.
Closing
Time: Commander Harris adjourned
the meeting at 2115
