Feb 13 Minutes

1. CDR Oden opened the C.L. Elms Post 9951 regular monthly meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:05 on this date in the Conference Room of JUSMAGTHAI located at 7 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok, Thailand.

2. There was a roll call of officers and all were present or properly excused, SVC Ooppapan, JVC Key, and Trustee Hudson were absent. There were 19 members and 3 guests (Mike Taylor from New Jersey, Soter Libaris from Illinois and Al Serrato from Pattaya) attending.

3. There was one application for transfer membership to our post, William Leone from Japan. Membership approved his application for transfer.

4. Minutes of the previous meeting were distributed by the Commander to those in attendance. Chaplain Owens made a motion to accept the minutes subject to correction and Quartermaster Neutzler seconded it. The motion carried.

5. QM Neutzler delivered the Quartermaster’s Report for the period 1 to 31 January 2010. Trustee Harrison moved to approve the report subject to audit. Advocate Nestle seconded and the motion carried.

6. There was one bill presented for collection. Trustee Harrison (webmaster) presented a bill for our website domain name for the coming year in the amount of $15.15. The post also made a donation to Post 727 in Taiwan to support the VOD/PP/Teacher Award program for the 2009-2010 year in the amount of $50. It was motioned by Advocate Nestle to approve and pay both charges, seconded by Chaplain Owens. The motion carried.

7. Service Officer Harrison gave update on status in RAO while Bruce Postel is on holiday. Also an update on the passing of Comrade Allison, in regards to widow benefits and eligibility. At this point Commander Oden read a letter from Comrade Andy Cobbs returning Baht 15,000 of the Baht 19.100 he claimed from the post for helping the widow of Allison. After much discussion it was motioned by Comrade Stewart to return the money, seconded by Comrade Rose. Motion carried.

8. Comrades in distress: Comrade Bob White is moving slowly with his back and leg problem, using a walker. Comrade Leroy Johnson health is declining, confined to bed losing ability to walk. Both members live out of Bangkok and have not attended a meeting for several months.

9. Committee Reports: (a) Membership: goal 265 and we now stand at 270 members for 101.89%. (b) Bingo: $101.82 received. (c) Buddy Poppies: no receipts. (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Picha gave a report on current searches and finds. (e) Community Activities: Commander Oden gave the report on post activities for January 10. (f) Safety Report: Safety Officer Owens gave a report on being cautious going near where the Red Shirts plan to stage demonstrations later this month. (g) Independence Day: Comrade Stan Rose advised that the first I-Day meeting would be 26 February. Comrade Rose will be in the USA at that time attending a conference. He will clarify with AmCham on getting the notes or required to send a replacement.

10. Remembrance of our National Home was at 11:59.

11. Old Business: (a) Convention Chairman Jon Brazee reported on the selection of the Karnmanee Palace Hotel on Pradiphat Road in Sapan Kwai for the Convention. The facilities are very good on ground floor level and room rates are in the $40-43 range. The dates of the Convention will be Monday, 21 June thru Thursday, 24 June 2010. Comrade Rose has volunteered to seek out various establishments in the area that our veterans can attend for food and drink during the convention. Hopefully getting some discounts or convention support from the local establishments. (b) The post will also be responsible for the Convention Book; Comrade Gale has volunteered to do the layout of the book as the ads come in. We have already received ads for the book. Rate sheets for selling advertising we passed out, we need to start selling locally. Advertising deadline is 15 May and any post member who sells an Ad gets a commission. The Post needs to support by inserting an Ad, we usually insert a full page color advertisement. Advocate Nestle motioned and Quartermaster Neutzler seconded to place a full page color Ad this year, motion carried. (c) We had a small attendance at the Christian Service for Thai Veterans on 30 January at Lady of Fetuma Church in Din Dang. Then on February 03 we have a good turnout for the wreath lying at Victory monument. The Ladies Group also laid a wreath, the first time for them to participate. The afternoon unit parade at 11^th Infantry Regiment on Phaholyothin Road only had two of us in attendance. It was a good review and comfortable seating for us.

12. New Business: (a) District V meeting will be in Phnom Penh this coming weekend, 19-20 February 2010. Location is at the Lux Hotel at #1 Street 136, close to the river. There will be a Cootie Scratch on Friday evening 19 February at 18:00 hours at Sharkey’s Bar at #126 on 130 street. Comrade Ray Papp was appointed Post Delegate for the District meeting.

13. For the Good of the Order: The Post raffle of Baht 1,700, a key chain was won by Comrade Harrison.

14. CDR Oden closed the meeting at 12:06 IAW with the VFW ritual. The next regular meeting of C.L. Elms Post 9951 will be at 11:00 on March 13, 2010 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

Bill Riopel

William (Bill) Riopel, Acting Adjutant