Post Minutes
C. L. Elms Post 9951
Department of Pacific Areas
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
7 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
22 December, 2008
CDR Owens opened a C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:10 on 13 December, 2008 in the Teak Room of JUSMAGTHAI located at 7 South Sathorn Road in Bangkok, Thailand.
Drape Charter: Prior to official start of meeting the Post Charter was draped in memory of the passing of members; Leroy Austin, Herbert Stetson and Richard Gibson.
There was a roll call of officers and all were present or properly excused, Surgeon Rhodes absent. There were 20 members attending and three guests.
There were 2 applications for annual Membership to our Post; Comrade James Dawes and Comrade John Wendzonka. After some discussion Quartermaster Oden motioned that we approve the request and Comrade Riopel seconded, the motion carried. We welcomed Comrades Dawes and Wendzonka to Post 9951.
We gave copies of the minutes of the last meeting to those in attendance. Advocate Nestle made a motion to approve the minutes, subject to correction, and Comrade Riopel seconded it. The motion carried. It was noted that the minutes are also posted to the Post website.
Quartermaster Oden gave the QM Report for the period 1 through 30 November 2008. Advocate Nestle moved to approve the report, subject to audit. Trustee Hudson seconded and the motion carried.
There was a bill presented for: (1) Commander Owens trip to the District V meeting in Chiang Mai, total bill was Baht 5,480.00. The amount of Baht 5,000.00 was approved as per limit on Commanders District expenses. SVC Brose’ made a motion to approve and JVC Key seconded, the motion carried.
RAO Officer Dyste gave the SO Report. Widows over 65 are in danger of losing Tricare benefits.
Comrades in Distress: Comrade Sprague is still in the hospital at Ratchaburi and is stable but not expect to get any better. Commander Udon Post, Sal Arcado is out of hospital and home. Recovery from his head injury is slow.
Committee reports are: (a) Membership: Our goal for this year is 261. We now stand at 239 members for 91.6%. (b) Bingo: No report, QM will follow up with Bingo Fred. (c) Buddy Poppies: Donations of $47.73 were collected during Veterans Day activities. (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Picha is in USA, no report. (e) Community Activities: JVC Key remarked that many members attended the Veterans Day ceremony at the US Embassy, Remembrance Day at the British Embassy and WWI Remembrance Day at Sunam Luang with the Thai War Veterans Organization. Cdr Owens expressed his thanks to the many members that attended and supported the noted Veterans Ceremonies. (f) Independence Day: No Chairman, no report. Webmaster: Updated page almost ready, also the yearly fee expires soon, will need to discuss and approve support at next meeting when Webmaster is in attendance.
Remembrance of our National Home was at 11:45.
Old Business: (a) District V meeting in Chiang Mai was successful and well attended by Post 9951 members. (b) The Christmas Party was a success in part thanks to the energy and assistance of the Ladies Group. Chairman Hudson expects a small profit when all the small bills are settled. A full financial report will be given next meeting.
New Business: (a) It has been proposed to have a Valentines Party, the Ladies Group will take responsibility and they propose holding it at the Thai Army Club on Vibhavidi Rangsit Road at a date to be advised in February. (b) Post 9951 received a free Life Membership at a drawing held during the C of A in Olongapo, the post considered to match the free membership with another and hold a drawing at the January 2009 meeting to award the free memberships. Eligible members for the drawing would be all paid up Annual and New members as of 09 January 2009. This was motioned by SVC Brose’ and seconded by Advocate Nestle, motion carried. (c) QM Oden stated that in a previous meeting it had been discussed to donate $50 to the Clark Cemetery Fund. However, it does not appear in any of the Post minutes, therefore QM Oden motioned that the Post donate $50 to the Clark Cemetery Fund, seconded by JVC Key, motion carried. (d) QM Oden stated that for the post to be considered for All-State we needed to donate to the National Military Service (NMS) fund. QM Oden motioned that the post donate $100, Comrade Riopel seconded, motion passed. (e) QM Oden advised the post on the shortfall in budget revenue to fund the Department Service Officer (DSO). National requires $1.50 per member to receive National DSO grants. In the current 2008-2009 budget only $0.93 was set aside; therefore Department is asking a donation from each post of $0.50 per member as of 30 June 2008 to fund the budget shortfall. This to be a onetime levy, as the next budget will have the full $1.50 allocated to the DSO. After discussion QM Oden made the motion to donate $130.50 from Post Relief fund to DSO activity, seconded by Comrade Handlin, motion carried.
Good of the Order: (a) Comrade James Handlin won the raffle of a VFW baseball cap and Baht 1,500.00 cash. (b) Comrade Hudson briefed the members on a proposed VFW Happy Hour here at the Teak Room sometime in March to recruit VFW members from Jusmag and Cobra Gold members that will be in country at that time. Although nothing is finalized Comrade Hudson made a motion to allocate not more than $750 to host a VFW Happy Hour at the Teak Room in March, second by Comrade Handlin, motion carried. (c) Deputy Department Inspector Miller who had inspected the Post books prior to the meeting complimented the post on the availability and accuracy of the documents and said the post passed with flying colors. (d) Commander Owens wished everyone to have a safe and Happy Holiday season and he would see them next meeting, next year.
CDR Owens closed the meeting at 12:45 IAW with the VFW ritual. The next regular meeting of C.L. Elms Post 9951 will be at 11:00 on 10 January, 2009 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.
James Oden
James Oden, Adjutant