Minutes

Location: American Legion Post 400, 2 Old Gravois Rd., Fenton, MO 63026

Sr. Vice Cdr. Nick Brooks called meeting to order at 1400

Chaplain, Robert Gay gave the opening prayer

Sr. Vice Cdr. Brooks led pledge

Roll call of Officers, absent or excused: Cdr James Kelly, Finance Officer Wilford Johnson, Sgt at Arms Ray LeMoine

Reading of the minutes from the last meeting was suspended.

No Finance Report, Finance Officer Johnson had a death in the family (brother)

Membership Report: Headquarters sent report, 4 life & 1 annual members.

New Applications: Stanley Steinhoff, Larry Bagley, Darren Kopf, Francis Schaeffer, Michael Kinnan, Virgil Boyer, Carl Lammers (also Mrs. Lammers for LAMOPH). As of 07/11/2008 166 members, 161 life members.

Some new members a result of the OIF/OEF Welcome Home. Some new members through the web site. (a round of applause to Bill Ball for all his work on the web site)

Welfare Committee: Burle Cason’s nephew (Keith Cason) was killed in a car accident and Wilford Johnson’s brother died; cards to be sent by the Chaplain. Tony DeBello suggests membership throw in $5.00 a month for a flower fund for deaths in the Chapter. (After discussion it was agreed that a can would be placed at each meeting and members could donate if they wished to do so in any amount) Money will be donated to a Veterans’ Home in memory of the deceased. Motion made, seconded and passed.

Americanism: July 2-Birthday of the US Army Air Corps, July 4- Independence Day, July 27-Korean War ended in 1953, July 28-WW1 began 1917

Old Business: Fund Raising: Frank Casson reports that American Legion Post 2007 donated $40 for a plaque. An Ugly Bartender contest earned $40. for a plaque. Applebee’s wants $200 tickets presold before they will go forward with a fundraiser.

In Oct., 2008, Belleville has a Chili Cook-Off: $350 for a booth plus supplies, maybe go 50/50 with American Legion Post 2007. Frank requested $100 for plaques from his Masonic Lodge. It was suggested that a picture of the plaque without name or picture be made available for fundraising purposes.

Frank spoke to a friend about his motorcycle group doing a poker run for MOPH. Bill Ball mentioned that a separate accounting for funds raised and spent on plaques must be maintained.

Fund Raising

(Ref: MOPH Bylaws, Article XII, Section 4, Paragraph e)

Fund raising by Departments or Chapters is an extremely sensitive matter, and careful accounting as well as close scrutiny is required. Particular care must be given to adherence with state and local laws and regulations. Records of fund raising activities should be available for inspection by state and local officials, as well as by the membership.

Care must be taken to ensure that contributed or solicited funds are spent only for the purpose for which the solicitation or contribution is made. Simply stated, funds accepted for a specific purpose or project must be spent only for that stated purpose.

Frank requested thank you letters for Geo’s Wings and American Legion Post 2007. Aug. 2, 2008 the O’Fallon, IL Schnuck’s is the site of a Poppy sale.

Mel Everding and Charley Foley donated funds for a plaque. Then $120 more came for plaques. Question from the floor: How far is the Chapter reaching to honor fallen service people with plaques? Answer: Missouri only – beginning with the immediate area. Missouri has 90+ KIA Iraq and Afghanistan, Sid has a list. Suggestion from floor: Invite other MO chapters to join Chapter 125 in honoring the KIA with plaques. Bill will address this on the web site. Illinois has their own plaque program. Families of the fallen should be contacted to see if they want a plaque, some may not and family wishes shall be honored.

Orders & Communication: Sid announced that the National Adjutant’s newsletter is available on the National MOPH website, also the procedure manual and membership information.

Unfinished Business: Tony DeBello broke the roster down into a Phone List divided by area and gave a list to officers who had agreed to make calls. 17 members had not listed their phone numbers, Tony will send postcards week of 07/21/08 to those with no phone number listed. Also, mention will be made of the 08/24/08 2 pm BBQ for fallen OIF/OEF soldiers’ families. RSVP phone calls to Frank Casson, Tony DeBello and Nick Brooks.

New Business: Tony DeBello had donated the postcards and postage for the contact project. It was suggested that callers invite others to be “Phone Tree Captains” and make calls to assigned members.

Absence from Meetings: Bill Ball suggested that officers who must be absent for long periods be asked to step down and replaced by members able to attend meetings on a regular basis. Not about personalities, only the good of the Order. Must define Chapter by-laws to avoid arbitrary decisions. Motion made, seconded and passed for Nick Brooks to contact James Kelly.

Verbal Elections vs. Secret Ballot: discussion that Secret ballot allows anonymity and verbal ballot may skew elections. Motion made, seconded and passed. Secret ballot method will be used in future elections.

Discussion: There are 166 members but members must be present to vote. Notify members of up-coming elections by phone tree and postcards. Motion made, seconded and passed, one dissenting vote, Sid Staton.

Good of the Order: BBQ Picnic 08/24/08 at 2 pm RSVP by 08/15/08. Sid must arrange for hotdogs, hamburgers and brats (also veggie burgers BOKA Burgers) and beverages through American Legion Post.

08/07/08 is Purple Heart Day.

A Parachute Jump is to be held at Jefferson Barracks on 08/12/08 at 11 am.

Bob Gay read the benediction.

Hand salute to the flag and the meeting was adjourned at 1535.

Cannon Challenge

Fund Raising

Members Present