C. L. Elms Post 9951
Department of Pacific Areas
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
7 South Sathorn Road
Bangkok 10120 Thailand
August 11, 2007
CMDR Owens opened a C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:00 on August 11, 2007 in the Conference Room of JUSMAGTHAI located at 7 South Sathorn Road in Bangkok, Thailand.
There was a roll call of officers and all were present or properly excused except Trustee Nicholls. There were 19 members attending.
There were four applications for annual memberships. These are from Taro Arai, Jerry Owens, Michael Caldwell and Pecharat Owens Caldwell. After a brief discussion, we voted to admit these new Comrades and warmly welcomed them into the Post.
We gave copies of the minutes of the last meeting to those in attendance. Comrade Nestle made a motion to approve the minutes, subject to correction, and Trustee Hudson seconded it. The motion carried.
Quartermaster Neutzler gave the QM Report for the period 1 through 31 July 2007. Comrade Riopel moved to approve the report, subject to audit. Comrade McCarthy seconded and the motion carried.
There was one bill presented for collection. Comrade Riopel requested 240 baht for expenses associated with the Post Newsletter. QM Neutzler motioned we approve this, Trustee Hudson seconded and the motion carried.
Service Officer Dyste gave the SO Report.
We discussed at length the medical condition of Comrades Gaines and Underwood and Trustee Vajo.
Committee reports are: (a) Membership: Our goal for this year is 244 but other figures are not now available. (b) Bingo: There were no receipts this period. There was a lengthy conversation about our Post’s continuing sponsorship of a bingo game. The QM noted that for the year we have received nothing, but have instead lost 1,200 baht. Comrade Nestle advised that bingo had long been a primary source of revenue for us. This is, however, obviously no longer the case. There were no conclusions reached and we decided to table the issue and await further developments, if any. (c) Buddy Poppies: Advocate Oden informed us that he is the DPA Buddy Poppy Chairman and gave us some new details of the program at Department and National levels. There ensued a lengthy dialogue on how to sell more Buddy Poppies as a source of funds for our Post. We developed two areas for investigation. The first is that Comrade Arai said he would investigate the possibility of selling these items somewhere in the Embassy. He will report his results at the next meeting. Secondly, the QM agreed to try to put them into the JUSMAG cafeteria during May for Memorial Day and November for Veterans’ Day. Also, Advocate Oden said he would get background material for display alongside the poppies where we are trying to sell them. Finally, the QM reported that he sells them each year at the I- Day function but more and more Americans do not know what a Buddy Poppy is or why we have them for sale. (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Picha gave some thoughtful insights as to the current status of various initiatives. (e) Community Activities: None. (f) Independence Day: Nothing new.
Remembrance of our National Home was at 11:40.
Old Business: (a) There was a District V Meeting July 20 and 21 at the Tara Hotel. Both the reception on Friday and the meeting itself on Saturday were poorly attended. Regarding the reception, it was expensive but only a few people participated, about six or so Comrades. It was, therefore, a waste of our money. There were so few attending because most people from posts outside Bangkok come here only for the meeting. For example, those from Pattaya drove up on the day of the event. Further, Bangkok Comrades mostly do not attend. Therefore the District Commander advised at the meeting that, to save the posts money, there should be a reception only for the District Convention, which is a two day event. There should not be any at the meetings. Nevertheless, the gathering was enjoyable, productive and worthwhile. (b) Our Annual Christmas Party will be on December 15 at the Tara Hotel on Soi 26. QM Neutzler will take the lead in organizing the event. Put this on your calendars
New Business: (a) The CMDR wants to have a book containing the picture and other particulars of Comrades who regularly attend our meetings. The SVC and the Historian agreed to undertake a project to see if our members want to participate in this endeavor. They will tell us of their progress next month. (b) The SVC advised he would take as a project the task of trying to keep up with the current addresses of all our Comrades. It is the Adjutant’s job to report known changes to National as a routine matter. (c) Comrade Riopel reminded us that JUSMAG is a good friend of ours and we get numerous benefits from this relationship. Consequently, we should give a Certificate of Appreciation to all departing Chiefs of JUSMAG. Comrade Picha said he would advise when a Chief is about to leave and then we will arrange to give the certificate. (d) The next District V Meeting is in Pattaya on October 20. (e) We are looking for a replacement for the SO as his age precludes him from being both the Post SO and the RAO. Please volunteer for this vital responsibility. (f) We need someone to keep the board of deceased members current and there are also vacancies for several other needed jobs.
Good of the Order: (a) Chaplain Worsham was recognized and applauded for all the volunteer time he spends helping in the RAO Office. (b) Comrade Arai won the raffle of a polo shirt (donated by Trustee Hudson) and some cash. Comrade Arai then generously gave the money back to the Post. (c) SO Dyste reminded us of the Days of Remembrance which will occur before our next meeting.
CMDR Owens closed the meeting at 12:35 IAW the VFW ritual. The next regular meeting of C.L. Elms Post 9951 will be at 11:00 on September 8, 2007 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.
David E. Neutzler, Adjutant
C. L. Elms Post 9951
Department of Pacific Areas
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
7 South Sathorn Road
Bangkok 10120 Thailand
August 11, 2007
CMDR Owens opened a C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:00 on August 11, 2007 in the Conference Room of JUSMAGTHAI located at 7 South Sathorn Road in Bangkok, Thailand.
There was a roll call of officers and all were present or properly excused except Trustee Nicholls. There were 19 members attending.
There were four applications for annual memberships. These are from Taro Arai, Jerry Owens, Michael Caldwell and Pecharat Owens Caldwell. After a brief discussion, we voted to admit these new Comrades and warmly welcomed them into the Post.
We gave copies of the minutes of the last meeting to those in attendance. Comrade Nestle made a motion to approve the minutes, subject to correction, and Trustee Hudson seconded it. The motion carried.
Quartermaster Neutzler gave the QM Report for the period 1 through 31 July 2007. Comrade Riopel moved to approve the report, subject to audit. Comrade McCarthy seconded and the motion carried.
There was one bill presented for collection. Comrade Riopel requested 240 baht for expenses associated with the Post Newsletter. QM Neutzler motioned we approve this, Trustee Hudson seconded and the motion carried.
Service Officer Dyste gave the SO Report.
We discussed at length the medical condition of Comrades Gaines and Underwood and Trustee Vajo.
Committee reports are: (a) Membership: Our goal for this year is 244 but other figures are not now available. (b) Bingo: There were no receipts this period. There was a lengthy conversation about our Post’s continuing sponsorship of a bingo game. The QM noted that for the year we have received nothing, but have instead lost 1,200 baht. Comrade Nestle advised that bingo had long been a primary source of revenue for us. This is, however, obviously no longer the case. There were no conclusions reached and we decided to table the issue and await further developments, if any. (c) Buddy Poppies: Advocate Oden informed us that he is the DPA Buddy Poppy Chairman and gave us some new details of the program at Department and National levels. There ensued a lengthy dialogue on how to sell more Buddy Poppies as a source of funds for our Post. We developed two areas for investigation. The first is that Comrade Arai said he would investigate the possibility of selling these items somewhere in the Embassy. He will report his results at the next meeting. Secondly, the QM agreed to try to put them into the JUSMAG cafeteria during May for Memorial Day and November for Veterans’ Day. Also, Advocate Oden said he would get background material for display alongside the poppies where we are trying to sell them. Finally, the QM reported that he sells them each year at the I- Day function but more and more Americans do not know what a Buddy Poppy is or why we have them for sale. (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Picha gave some thoughtful insights as to the current status of various initiatives. (e) Community Activities: None. (f) Independence Day: Nothing new.
Remembrance of our National Home was at 11:40.
Old Business: (a) There was a District V Meeting July 20 and 21 at the Tara Hotel. Both the reception on Friday and the meeting itself on Saturday were poorly attended. Regarding the reception, it was expensive but only a few people participated, about six or so Comrades. It was, therefore, a waste of our money. There were so few attending because most people from posts outside Bangkok come here only for the meeting. For example, those from Pattaya drove up on the day of the event. Further, Bangkok Comrades mostly do not attend. Therefore the District Commander advised at the meeting that, to save the posts money, there should be a reception only for the District Convention, which is a two day event. There should not be any at the meetings. Nevertheless, the gathering was enjoyable, productive and worthwhile. (b) Our Annual Christmas Party will be on December 15 at the Tara Hotel on Soi 26. QM Neutzler will take the lead in organizing the event. Put this on your calendars
New Business: (a) The CMDR wants to have a book containing the picture and other particulars of Comrades who regularly attend our meetings. The SVC and the Historian agreed to undertake a project to see if our members want to participate in this endeavor. They will tell us of their progress next month. (b) The SVC advised he would take as a project the task of trying to keep up with the current addresses of all our Comrades. It is the Adjutant’s job to report known changes to National as a routine matter. (c) Comrade Riopel reminded us that JUSMAG is a good friend of ours and we get numerous benefits from this relationship. Consequently, we should give a Certificate of Appreciation to all departing Chiefs of JUSMAG. Comrade Picha said he would advise when a Chief is about to leave and then we will arrange to give the certificate. (d) The next District V Meeting is in Pattaya on October 20. (e) We are looking for a replacement for the SO as his age precludes him from being both the Post SO and the RAO. Please volunteer for this vital responsibility. (f) We need someone to keep the board of deceased members current and there are also vacancies for several other needed jobs.
Good of the Order: (a) Chaplain Worsham was recognized and applauded for all the volunteer time he spends helping in the RAO Office. (b) Comrade Arai won the raffle of a polo shirt (donated by Trustee Hudson) and some cash. Comrade Arai then generously gave the money back to the Post. (c) SO Dyste reminded us of the Days of Remembrance which will occur before our next meeting.
CMDR Owens closed the meeting at 12:35 IAW the VFW ritual. The next regular meeting of C.L. Elms Post 9951 will be at 11:00 on September 8, 2007 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.
David E. Neutzler, Adjutant