C. L. Elms Post 9951

Department of Pacific Areas

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

1.      SVC Harry Brose opened a C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:05 on 13 June, 2009 in the Conference Room of JUSMAGTHAI located at 7 South Sathorn Road in Bangkok , Thailand .

2.      There was a roll call of officers and all were present or properly excused. There were 11 members attending.

3.      There were two (2) applications for transferring Membership to our Post.  Two committees of three comrades each were formed up for discussions, and motions were made by Advocate Burt Nestle that we approve both requests and Service Officer Wayne Harrison seconded, the motion carried.  We welcome Comrade John Patrick Archuleta and Comrade Stanley Rose.

4.      Copies of the minutes of the last meeting were distributed to those in attendance. Advocate Burt Nestle made a motion to approve the minutes, subject to correction, and Service Officer Wayne Harrison seconded it. The motion carried.

5.      Service Officer Wayne Harrison on behalf of Quartermaster Oden gave the QM Report for the period 1 through 31 May 2009. Advocate Burt Nestle moved to approve the report, subject to audit. Comrade Officer of the Day Lee Shotwell seconded and the motion carried.

6.      There was one bill presented by Comrade Webmaster Kurt Petersen for Post’s web page Private Registration Service fee of $6.87. Advocate Burt Nestle made a motion to pay the bill, and Service Officer Wayne Harrison seconded it. The motion carried.

7.      Service Officer Harrison gave short SO report.  RAO Dyste gave reports; the dollar is just above 34 Baht to one rate.  COLA, half way through the year down 3.4%.  However the negative COLA will not lower SSA, DVA, and DOD etc.  Federal Annuities.  Finally, as of July 2009, RAO Dyste will no longer be the RAO Director.  Bruce H. Postel, Lt Col , USAF Ret. Will take over as the new RAO Director, but RAO Dyste will still be around.

8.      Comrades in Distress: Comrades Leroy John son and Jim George are still confined to home care.

9.      Committee reports are: (a) Membership: No report, same as May’s meeting our goal for this year is 261. We now stand at 265 members for 101.53%. (b) Bingo: No report. (c) Buddy Poppies: No report. (d) POW/MIA: No report. (e) Community Activities: Advocate Burt Nestle reported on District V’s convention, which was held in Bangkok , May 16. (f) Independence Day: SVC Harry Brose attended AMCHAM’s I-Day Committee. I-Day picnic will be take place at the American School of Bangkok (ASB), Sukhumvit 49/7.  Shuttle provided from Phrom Phong BTS Exit 3, with volunteers escorting people from the streets at the base of exit 3 to the buses.  VFW is committed for Flag Details, booth selling hamburger and beer and we expect to volunteer the wives group to handle Bingo. There were some discussions on expenses to provide cooks and laborers for I-Day, Comrade Lee Shotwell made a motion to pay no more than 2,500 Baht for this purpose, and Advocate Burt Nestle seconded it.  The motion carried.  (g) Webmaster: Comrade Petersen is updating Post’s website regularly, and opened up a discussion on the subject a monthly fee of less than $5.00 per month to get rid of advertising banners that pop up on the web page.  It was proposed that members carry this discussion over to the next meeting. (h) Safety Officer: SVC Harry Brose read the Safety Officer’s report sent in by Cdr. Owens: Please slow down at school zones and watch out for illegal crossing of the street by parents, children and motorcycles.  Avoid areas where people are sneezing and coughing a lot of the swine flu could be present.  When walking, take care at street crossing zones, sidewalk vendors, and motorcycles that ride on the sidewalk as means of short cut.  Always pass situation status ie, people protesting, parades etc; to fellow comrades who may be traveling in those areas.  Any Comrades present are encouraged to add any safety information at Post’s meetings.

10.  Remembrance of our National Home was at 11:56.

11.  Old Business: (a) SVC Harry Brose encouraged a discussion on purchasing a “Past Post Commander’s Pin” for Cdr. Owens.  After some discussions, a motion was made by Advocate Burt Nestle to purchase the $80.00 Past Post Commander’s Pin for Cdr Owens, and Service Officer Wayne Harrison seconded it.  The motion carried.

12.  New Business: (a) Comrade Tom Tom suggested that the post should send out a standard “Thank You” letters to those who donated top cans to the prostheses foundations and other charities on behalf of the Post.  (b) There will be a birthday party tonight at the Lone Star for Comrade Roger, Post members are welcome

13.  Good of the Order: (a) Comrade Lake won the 50/50 raffle of Baht 1,2000Baht cash, and he donated back to the Post’s General Funds.

14.  SVC Harry Brose closed the meeting at 12:22 IAW with the VFW ritual. The next regular meeting of C.L. Elms Post 9951 will be at 11:00 on 11 July, 2009 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

NuttapornOoppapan

Nuttaporn Ooppapan, Acting Adjutant