C. L. Elms Post 9951
Department of Pacific Areas
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
7 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
17 March, 2009
CDR Owens opened a C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:05 on 14 March, 2009 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, Surgeon Rhodes absent. There were 18 members attending and one guest.
There was one application for Annual Membership to our Post, Comrade Kevin A. Owens, Army. After committee report and discussion SVC Brose’ motioned that we approve the applications and QM Oden seconded, the motion carried. We welcomed Comrade Owens to the post.
Copies of the minutes of the last meeting were distributed to those in attendance. JVC Key made a motion to approve the minutes, subject to correction, and Service Officer Harrison seconded it. The motion carried.
Quartermaster Oden gave the QM Report for the period 1 through 28 February 2009. SVC Brose’ moved to approve the report, subject to audit. JVC Key seconded and the motion carried.
There were two bills presented. Cdr Owens had Baht 900 expense for Hotel to attend District V meeting in Pattaya. Webmaster Petersen had update of bills and additional expenses of Baht 510. Advocate Nestle motioned to pay the bills and SVC Brose’ seconded, motion carried.
Service Officer Harrison gave short report on status of the work being done at the school in Chaiyaphum and what additional work will be done in the next couple of months. RAO Officer Dyste gave report on COLA and changes in Tricare for widows. Also postage will increase to $0.44 on May 11th, 2009 and he needs stamps. Times to prepare your yearly taxes, forms are available at the RAO Office.
Comrades in Distress: Comrade Sprague is still in the hospital at Ratchaburi and is stable but his hearing is deteriorating. Donald Johnson is recovering from broken ankle, Leroy Johnson is in BNH with pneumonia, and Peter Evers is recovering from back surgery. Jim George is holding on but down to 36 kgs in weight, wife of Robert Caron suffered broken pelvis (two places) in a bus accident returning from Ubon.
Committee reports are: (a) Membership: Our goal for this year is 261. We now stand at 255 members for 97.7%. (b) Bingo: No additional funds. (c) Buddy Poppies: Donations from the February meeting totaled $6.86, the donation can and Poppies were available for donations. (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Picha gave short report on Russian gulags where American prisoners from WWII and Korea may have been held. (e) Community Activities: JVC Key listed some of the post activities. The Post will make donation to Prostheses Foundation on 24 March 2009 at the Thai Tekka Chinese Temple in Nonthaburi, just across the river from Bangkok. (f) Independence Day: Comrade Lake is Chairman, no definitive action; next meeting is 27 March 2009. (g) Webmaster: Comrade Petersen asks for any information to update and prepare History report for District V, Comrade Harrison advised all available data has been input. (h) Safety Officer: Cdr. Owens reminded everyone to drive carefully and now that school is out to be extra careful of children and young adults playing and running into the street.
Remembrance of our National Home was at 11:55.
Old Business: (a) Cdr Owens reminded webmaster/historian that we need a group or action photo to give District for the Convention Book. (b) Prostheses Chairman Nicholls reported on the status of our donation, it is arranged for Tuesday, 24 March. We will assemble at Jusmag by noon and proceed to Nonthaburi site where the prostheses are being fitted to handicapped. We debated and a motion to donate Baht 20,000 was made by Chairman Nicholls, seconded by QM Oden, motion carried. Anyone interested in joining the presentation should advise the QM so enough transportation can be arranged. (c) Entertainment Chairman Hudson was not available but sent an e-mail update on proposed VFW sponsored Happy Hour for JUSMAG; it is delayed due to conflicts in April. All members of JUSMAG have been very supportive of the initiative. (d) A sheet for Booster Ads was circulated and additional 3 signatures were collected for a total of 27, we need to reach 30 signatures before the rebates kick in.
New Business: (a) There was a request by Cdr. Owens to move the April meeting to 04 April to avoid conflict with Song Kran celebrations. Chaplain Lake moved to change the date and SVC Brose’ seconded. Discussion was made; motion voted and defeated. The April 2009 meeting will be held the second Saturday, 11 April 2009. (b) District V Convention will be held in Bangkok hosted by Post 9951, convening at 09:30 on Saturday, 16 May 2009. This year it will be a one day event with business and nomination of Officers in the morning, election and installation in the afternoon. All Post members are encouraged to attend. Tentative arrangements have been made to hold the Convention at the Tara Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 26, and QM Oden asks for budget approval of Baht 10,000. Comrade Nicholls motioned and Advocate Nestle seconded, motion carried. (c) Cootie Scratch will be held 17:00 hours Friday, 15 May at the Tara Hotel in a room just off the Lobby Coffee Shop. (c) Post 9951 will arrange a bus and wreath for laying at the ceremonies on April 25th in Kanchanaburi. No firm pricing has been received from Bus companies, it was discussed that the charges for the trip would be the same as last year. Baht 300 each for VFW member and spouse; Baht 300 each for AVWCT members and spouse. Guests would be Baht 500, children under 12 free. Price includes roundtrip bus and lunch after the ceremonies. SVC Brose’ motioned to allocate Baht 20,000 to handle excess charges for the bus, lunch and wreath for ANZAC Day ceremony, seconded by Comrade Nicholls, motion carried. (d) Due to the continued absence of Surgeon Rhodes and having 3 more meetings this year it was recommended by Adj Oden to elect a Surgeon for the remaining term. Nominations for Surgeon were opened; Comrade Picha was nominated and accepted. There being no further nominations, SVC Brose’ motioned that the Adjutant cast one unanimous vote, JVC Key seconded, motioned carried. Adj. Oden cast one unanimous vote for Comrade Picha as Post Surgeon to fill the remaining term of Comrade Rhodes. (e) Cdr Owens mentioned that nominations for District V officers were opened at the meeting in Pattaya and members of Post 9951 were nominated as follows: SVC Hudson, JVC Owens, Adv Oden, QM Lake and three year trustee Nestle. Final nominations will be held at the District V Convention in May. (f) Nominations for Post 9951 officers were opened for the 2009-2010 year. Following comrades were nominated and accepted: Cdr. Lake, SVC Brose’, JVC Key, QM Neutzler, Adv Nestle, Surgeon Dyste/Picha, Chaplain Owens, Trustee 3-year Hudson/Shotwell. A later reading of the Manual of Procedure indicates that the nominations of Neutzler, Hudson and Shotwell were not legal as there was no Letter of Acceptance on file with Adjutant before nominations opened. Final nominations and election will be held at the April 11th Post meeting.
Good of the Order: (a) Comrade Quinton won the raffle of Baht 900.00 cash and donated it back to the Post for whatever use necessary. (b) Commander Owens asks for donations for Buddy Poppies and the Post Relief Fund, Baht 138 was donated and will be reported in the QM financial for March.
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 1 April, 2009 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.
James Oden
James Oden, Adjutant
C. L. Elms Post 9951
Department of Pacific Areas
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
7 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
17 March, 2009
CDR Owens opened a C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:05 on 14 March, 2009 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, Surgeon Rhodes absent. There were 18 members attending and one guest.
There was one application for Annual Membership to our Post, Comrade Kevin A. Owens, Army. After committee report and discussion SVC Brose’ motioned that we approve the applications and QM Oden seconded, the motion carried. We welcomed Comrade Owens to the post.
Copies of the minutes of the last meeting were distributed to those in attendance. JVC Key made a motion to approve the minutes, subject to correction, and Service Officer Harrison seconded it. The motion carried.
Quartermaster Oden gave the QM Report for the period 1 through 28 February 2009. SVC Brose’ moved to approve the report, subject to audit. JVC Key seconded and the motion carried.
There were two bills presented. Cdr Owens had Baht 900 expense for Hotel to attend District V meeting in Pattaya. Webmaster Petersen had update of bills and additional expenses of Baht 510. Advocate Nestle motioned to pay the bills and SVC Brose’ seconded, motion carried.
Service Officer Harrison gave short report on status of the work being done at the school in Chaiyaphum and what additional work will be done in the next couple of months. RAO Officer Dyste gave report on COLA and changes in Tricare for widows. Also postage will increase to $0.44 on May 11th, 2009 and he needs stamps. Times to prepare your yearly taxes, forms are available at the RAO Office.
Comrades in Distress: Comrade Sprague is still in the hospital at Ratchaburi and is stable but his hearing is deteriorating. Donald Johnson is recovering from broken ankle, Leroy Johnson is in BNH with pneumonia, and Peter Evers is recovering from back surgery. Jim George is holding on but down to 36 kgs in weight, wife of Robert Caron suffered broken pelvis (two places) in a bus accident returning from Ubon.
Committee reports are: (a) Membership: Our goal for this year is 261. We now stand at 255 members for 97.7%. (b) Bingo: No additional funds. (c) Buddy Poppies: Donations from the February meeting totaled $6.86, the donation can and Poppies were available for donations. (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Picha gave short report on Russian gulags where American prisoners from WWII and Korea may have been held. (e) Community Activities: JVC Key listed some of the post activities. The Post will make donation to Prostheses Foundation on 24 March 2009 at the Thai Tekka Chinese Temple in Nonthaburi, just across the river from Bangkok. (f) Independence Day: Comrade Lake is Chairman, no definitive action; next meeting is 27 March 2009. (g) Webmaster: Comrade Petersen asks for any information to update and prepare History report for District V, Comrade Harrison advised all available data has been input. (h) Safety Officer: Cdr. Owens reminded everyone to drive carefully and now that school is out to be extra careful of children and young adults playing and running into the street.
Remembrance of our National Home was at 11:55.
Old Business: (a) Cdr Owens reminded webmaster/historian that we need a group or action photo to give District for the Convention Book. (b) Prostheses Chairman Nicholls reported on the status of our donation, it is arranged for Tuesday, 24 March. We will assemble at Jusmag by noon and proceed to Nonthaburi site where the prostheses are being fitted to handicapped. We debated and a motion to donate Baht 20,000 was made by Chairman Nicholls, seconded by QM Oden, motion carried. Anyone interested in joining the presentation should advise the QM so enough transportation can be arranged. (c) Entertainment Chairman Hudson was not available but sent an e-mail update on proposed VFW sponsored Happy Hour for JUSMAG; it is delayed due to conflicts in April. All members of JUSMAG have been very supportive of the initiative. (d) A sheet for Booster Ads was circulated and additional 3 signatures were collected for a total of 27, we need to reach 30 signatures before the rebates kick in.
New Business: (a) There was a request by Cdr. Owens to move the April meeting to 04 April to avoid conflict with Song Kran celebrations. Chaplain Lake moved to change the date and SVC Brose’ seconded. Discussion was made; motion voted and defeated. The April 2009 meeting will be held the second Saturday, 11 April 2009. (b) District V Convention will be held in Bangkok hosted by Post 9951, convening at 09:30 on Saturday, 16 May 2009. This year it will be a one day event with business and nomination of Officers in the morning, election and installation in the afternoon. All Post members are encouraged to attend. Tentative arrangements have been made to hold the Convention at the Tara Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 26, and QM Oden asks for budget approval of Baht 10,000. Comrade Nicholls motioned and Advocate Nestle seconded, motion carried. (c) Cootie Scratch will be held 17:00 hours Friday, 15 May at the Tara Hotel in a room just off the Lobby Coffee Shop. (c) Post 9951 will arrange a bus and wreath for laying at the ceremonies on April 25th in Kanchanaburi. No firm pricing has been received from Bus companies, it was discussed that the charges for the trip would be the same as last year. Baht 300 each for VFW member and spouse; Baht 300 each for AVWCT members and spouse. Guests would be Baht 500, children under 12 free. Price includes roundtrip bus and lunch after the ceremonies. SVC Brose’ motioned to allocate Baht 20,000 to handle excess charges for the bus, lunch and wreath for ANZAC Day ceremony, seconded by Comrade Nicholls, motion carried. (d) Due to the continued absence of Surgeon Rhodes and having 3 more meetings this year it was recommended by Adj Oden to elect a Surgeon for the remaining term. Nominations for Surgeon were opened; Comrade Picha was nominated and accepted. There being no further nominations, SVC Brose’ motioned that the Adjutant cast one unanimous vote, JVC Key seconded, motioned carried. Adj. Oden cast one unanimous vote for Comrade Picha as Post Surgeon to fill the remaining term of Comrade Rhodes. (e) Cdr Owens mentioned that nominations for District V officers were opened at the meeting in Pattaya and members of Post 9951 were nominated as follows: SVC Hudson, JVC Owens, Adv Oden, QM Lake and three year trustee Nestle. Final nominations will be held at the District V Convention in May. (f) Nominations for Post 9951 officers were opened for the 2009-2010 year. Following comrades were nominated and accepted: Cdr. Lake, SVC Brose’, JVC Key, QM Neutzler, Adv Nestle, Surgeon Dyste/Picha, Chaplain Owens, Trustee 3-year Hudson/Shotwell. A later reading of the Manual of Procedure indicates that the nominations of Neutzler, Hudson and Shotwell were not legal as there was no Letter of Acceptance on file with Adjutant before nominations opened. Final nominations and election will be held at the April 11th Post meeting.
Good of the Order: (a) Comrade Quinton won the raffle of Baht 900.00 cash and donated it back to the Post for whatever use necessary. (b) Commander Owens asks for donations for Buddy Poppies and the Post Relief Fund, Baht 138 was donated and will be reported in the QM financial for March.
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 1 April, 2009 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.
James Oden
James Oden, Adjutant