The meeting, held on Thursday at 7 PM, was called to order by Cmdr Helsel, followed by proper opening ceremonies. This was then followed by Adjutant Dust's reading of the previous minutes, then a reveiw of the Finance Report by the members due to the Finance Officer being on vacation. It showed a net decrease of $581 since last month. Then, Adjutant Dust read the Breakfast Report, due to Jr-Vice Bob Isaia also on vacation. It showed 319 total served at November's breakfast, with 299 adults, 6 children and 14 workers. The Bar Report was then given my mgr Mike Ratliffe.There was no V.A.C. report by Service Officer Aeschleman due to our meeting being on the 1st day of December and report was probably in the mail. (Editor's Note: It has since been received showing 4 veterans or their families were help in November with $663 and there were 12 in-office and 1 out-of-office Veteran visits.) It was also reported the County Legion meeting will be at the Roanoke Post, hosted by the El Paso Legion, on Wednesday, December 14th, at 7:00 PM.
Sick Call report included Richard Burton, Gerald Gerardi. Willard Reiner and Frank Schirer. Under the Membership Report, Adjutant Dust reported 163 total members, down one with long time sick call member Ralph Wagner passing away since the last meeting. There are 149 paid, including 58 PUFL members, leaving 14 with their dues still unpaid. The Post is currently at 89.8% of Dept of Illinois goal of 166 paid by end of fiscal 2012. Advisor Mike Ratliffe had no report on the SAL but Adjutant Dust did notify the membership he had been able to make contact with the SAL Squadron Commander and delivered the notification from the Legion members to him when no one showed up at the Executive Committee meeting as requested and promised.
Under Commander's Report & Correspondence, Helsel read a thank you card from the local food pantry, and reported on the Membership Banquet (held November 5th) and the Veterans Day program at the R-B High (held Nov. 11th).
Under Old Business, our Gifts To The Yanks chairman Harley Aeschleman reported the final, final figure collected was $2,319.05, with the addition of a late $50 check. The funds will be turned over to the GTTY 4th Division chairman at the County Legion meeting. The monthly Donation List for 2012 was put up for discussion and after various suggestions, was passed by the membership.
Under New Business, it was moved and passed to change the locks on the Post building to make sure it is known who all has a key to the building. A motion was also made and passed to send out the Post lawn mower for a full maintenance check & tune up since it was now about five years old. It was also discussed about blowing insulation into the back area of the Post where the bathrooms and store room is located and more information will be obtained. A suggestion in regards to the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) was postponed until next meeting after Adjutant Dust can find out more information from the Dept of Illinois.
At the Executive Committee's suggestion, a committee was formed consisting of bar manager Mike Ratliffe, Cmdr Al Helsel, previous Cmdr Joe Mecagni and Joe Amigoni, to look at ways to remodel the bar area and report back to the membership at the January meeting. After that, it was announced that Cmdr Helsel will be in charge of the luncheon next month, the Pot of Gold was won by Joe Mecagni, and a motion to adjourn was given. After proper closing ceremony, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM, followed by pizza and refreshments, handled by Tom Fehr.
