C. L. Elms Post 9951

Department of Pacific Areas

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

7 South Sathorn Road

Bangkok 10120 Thailand


October 11, 2008


  1. Call to Order: CMDR Owens opened C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:04 on this date in the Conference Room of JUSMAGTHAI located at 7 South Sathorn Road in Bangkok, Thailand.

  2. Roll call of Officers: There was a roll call of officers and all were present or properly excused. There were 15 members attending. Two guests attended; District V’s Commander B.K. Hubbard and Korat Post 10217’s Commander David Miller.

  3. Review of New Membership: There were no new applications for membership.

  4. Reading of minutes: We gave copies of the September’s meeting to those in attendance. Advocate Nestle made a motion to approve September’s minutes, subject to correction, JVC Key seconded it. The motion carried.

  5. Quartermaster Report: Due to the excused absent of Quartermaster/Adjutant Oden, Trustee Harrison gave the QM Report for the period 1 through 30 September 2008. Post Commander Owens appointed Chaplain Lake to take minutes of this meeting.

SVC Brose motion to accept the Quartermaster report, subject to audit. Advocate Nestle seconded this, and the motion carried.

  1. Reading of Bills: There were no bills presented at this meeting.

  2. Service Officer’s Report: RAO Officer Dyste gave the monthly SO Report.

  3. Comrades in distress: Comrade Sprague’s cancer conditions remain unchanged. Trustee Hudson is recovering from strep throat, and attended this meeting.

  4. Committee Reports: Committee reports are: (a) Membership: Our goal for this year is 261. We’re now standing at 226 members for 86.59%. 221 Life and 40 Annual members. Membership Chairman Brose, again discussed the need for recruitment, as SO Harrison informed the members that a large numbers of Marines will be at JUSMAG during the first week in November, which will present great opportunities for recruitment. (b) Bingo: No Report, (c) Buddy Poppies: We have $21.43 from JPAC’S POW/MIA Recognition day thanks, to QM/Adj Jim Oden. (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Jim Picha reminded us that JPAC is celebrating their 3rd anniversary; JPAC provides great efforts searching for POW/MIA. (e) Community Activities: JVC Keys has been busy and will be looking to work with the webmaster on enlarging the community activities report form for easier reading. (f) Independence Day: No activity. (g) Webmaster: Comrade Kurt posted several more pictures on the webpage, as well as information about the upcoming Christmas party, meeting minutes, news flash, updated honor roll; he will be working with Comrade Harrison to update Post’s History page, and they will report the status at November’s meeting.

  5. Remembrance of our National Home: By Chaplain Lake at 11:37.

  6. Old Business: (a) Commander Owens reminded comrades who are planning to attend the next District’s V meeting in Chiang Mai to RSVP now, and/or send updated status to Commander Owens e-mail or send information to David France’s Chiang Mai e-mail address directly. Chaplain Lake (District V’s QM) regrets he will not be able to attend the District’s meeting due to obligations at work. (b) Commander Owens will be attending the Department’s mid-term C of A, which will be held in Barrio Barratta, Olongapo, Philippines 6-8 December, 2008. The DPA is paying for Commander Owens’ travel and hotel expense for this event. (c) Entertainment Chairman Hudson reported 33 tickets for the Christmas Party were sold, so far. Tickets are on sale for 1,000 Baht per adult. The party is on the 6th of December 2008, at the Tara Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 26. Check out the flyers on the post’s webpage. (d) Commander Owens thanked all Comrades for the great support at the POW/MIA ceremony at the US Embassy on 19 September, 2008. (e) Commander Owens reminded all Comrades to please read and understand VFW Post 9951’s Officers Duties and Responsibilities to become familiar with what is required of each officer; these are listed in the VFW Ritual, and on Post 9951 webpage.

  7. New Business: (a) Commander Owens proposed that post consider putting together a “Sweetheart Ball” as a fund raiser sometime during the Valentines week; Comrade Bear and other comrades will further report the possibilities of this event for a vote during November’s meeting. Comrade Lake will assist with Thai communications for this event. All funds from this event after expenses would go to Post General Funds. (b) Commander Owens proposed a donation to the Clark Cemetery for maintenance. District’s V Commander B.K. Hubbard gave some back ground about Clark Cemetery where he used to work, and confirmed that the cemetery really needed help. Comrade Jim Picha proposed a motion of a $50.00 donation, Comrade Brose seconded the motion, and the motion passed. (c) Commander Owens stated that recruiting needed to be focused on for the Life Time membership award given at the C of A in December 2008. After some discussion it was decided that we should go after all unpaid members and get them to renew their membership and at the same time sign up new members (d) Commander Owens presented a request for support from 1SGT Perez Kalep charity in IRAQ. 1SGT Perez Kalep is with a unit from Fort Hood, Texas, deployed. He is looking for support from VFW Posts for coloring Books, Crayon, color chocks for the side walk, and small toys. Post collectively agreed that more information was needed about this project and to reconsider this request during the November’s meeting. (e) Commander Owens presented the AMCHAM Community Projects of matching funds, to the Post members he said because of the status of our General Funds that he felt that the Post could not donate more than the “English Tool Kit” the donation would be 5,750baht. There were some members who did not like the idea and some were not sure. The subject was tabled for more discussion in November’s meeting. Commander Owens explained the post recognition would be the AMCHAM’s Community Project plus a marker, i.e.; “Presented by C.L. Elms VFW Post 9951, Bangkok, Cmdr Robert Owens 2008.” The deadline for submission to project is April 2009; post will need a point of contact for this project. (f) Commander Owens solicits Volunteers for the following positions; I Day Chairman, and Public Affairs Chairman. Commander Owens stated that the following events are scheduled for Nov 2008, 7 Nov 08 Veterans Day Ceremony at the US Embassy, 9 Nov 08 British Remembrance Day event at the British Embassy, and 11 Nov 08 Thai Veteran’s Wreath Laying ceremony at Sanam Luang.

  8. Good of the Order: (a) District’s V Commander B.K. Hubbard provided 20 District’s Pin for the post; with the total cost is yet to be determined. Commander Hubbard mentioned that we live & die with membership status, which a couple of our posts are struggling. Commander Hubbard further stated that the District Commander has the authority to request for waivers of the VOD/PP requirements, but Post Commanders should ask District Commander for this action. Finally, Commander Hubbard spoke of the importance of the Buddy Poppies, and the reporting of Community Activities. (b) Comrade William Hillgartner won the Post Raffle of 1000 Baht cash and generously donated it back to the Prosthesis Charity.

  9. CMDR Owens closed the meeting at 12:47 IAW the VFW ritual. The next regular meeting of C.L. Elms Post 9951 will be at 11:00 on November 8, 2008 in the JUSMAGTHAI Conference Room.



FOR THE COMMANDER:



Adjutant Pro Tempore



Nuttaporn Ooppapan

Nuttaporn Ooppapan, Chaplain