American Legion Auxiliary Unit 288 Cedarburg
Executive Board Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2023
Meeting called to order by President Carol Grotkiewicz
Opening Prayer offered by Chaplain Mary Jaeger
Pledge of Allegiance recited
Roll call of Officers Present 9 Absent 1 Excused 0
Treasurer’s Report given by Barb Tenpenny
Checking
Poppy Fund
Money Market
Motion by Shirley Krier to accept Treasurer’s report. Second by Nancy Wallock.
Treasurer’s report approved.
Membership Report given by Chris Skidmore
Goal 165 Paid Seniors 126 Paid Juniors 16
Old Business
Barb Tenpenny asked about the gift cards that were donated at the general meeting. Shirley Krier said that she has them but forgot to give them to the guy that came to pick up the donations for Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative. She will take them down personally this week along with some other items she has.
The troops that we packed the boxes for did receive them and they sent a picture that was in the recent newsletter. We also received ½ the cost of the postage to mail the boxes from the Legion as promised.
New Business
We received a request from the Cedarburg Cultural Center asking if we would like our events posted in their calendar. We provided the following dates:
Kentucky Derby Party – May 6, 2023
Sweat for Vets – May 20, 2023
Vendor Fair/ Car Show – June 10, 2023
National Poppy Day is Friday May 26, 2023. Shirley Krier will talk with Piggly Wiggly, Otto’s and Speedway about handing out poppies that weekend. She will also check with Kwik Trip, Casey’s and Walgreens to see if they will allow us to put cans on the counters since they will not let us stand at the doors.
March 15, 2023 is the date of the Legion’s Birthday. Talked with Commander Dennis Jaeger and he will check with Jim Lee to see if the hall is available for a party on March 18, 2023. Unit will discuss party at General Unit meeting on February 6, 2023. Will need to decide if we want to cater or do pot luck. Also, do we want to charge $5 to offset the cost some? Free Beer and Soda for the evening? Shirley will check with Dave Salkowski to see if he is available should we decide to cater.
Advocates of Ozaukee sent letter asking us to consider donation this year. We will discuss at General Unit Meeting.
Sandy Mack advised we will need to write up a testimonial for Maggie Geiger that will be presented at the Department Convention. Will need it by 6/19/23
Barb Frank updated unit on progress with Vendor Fair. She has already sent out 20 applications and has applied for the Park Permit. Price of booth was increased to $35 and value of door prize to be offered by each vendor was increased to $20. This increase was previously approved by the unit. Barb also updated the Terms of Agreement to allow limited access to grass areas.
Barb Frank also presented 6 pairs of slippers that were handmade by a friend to be donated to Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative.
Nancy Wallock asked if she should check with the schools to see if they would want to create Valentines for the veterans at Zablocki VA. Board agreed that was a great idea. She will check to see if they will be accepted and then contact the schools.
REMEMBER- hours for 4/1/22 thru 3/31/23 are due in by March Meeting.
Sandy Mack advised if all goes well with the elections that Unit 288 will be proudly representing Ozaukee County (Carol Szudrowitz), the Mighty Second District (Sandy Mack) and the Department of Wisconsin (Maggie Geiger) for 2023.
Closing Prayer offered by Mary Jaeger
Meeting adjourned
November 21, 2022
Meeting called to order by Vice President Chris Skidmore, with ringing of the bell by Barb Frank)
Opening prayer by Mary Jaeger, Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call of Officers: Members present 8, excused 1
Treasurers report was read, Motion to accept by Sandy Mack, seconded by Mary Garner.
Membership Goal: 165 Paid Seniors 104 Paid Juniors 12
Chris Skidmore mentioned she will call after Thanksgiving for unpaid dues.
President Carol Grotkiewicz took over meeting after her arrival to the Post
Chris is asking our Auxiliary to have her $10.00 fee paid for access for ALAMIS, (Auxiliary membership information system). Mary Garner also will be included for an additional $10.00
Sandy Mack made a motion that we spend $20.00 total for Chris Skidmore and Mary Garner; Seconded by Mary Jaeger. Motion carried.
Veteran’s Day Lunch – November 11, 2022. Not that many Veterans came through the drive through luncheon. Partially because the information was advertised only twice. We had approximately 30 luncheons left over. Some lunches were taken to Vets at our local assisted living locations. Nine subs were taken for Honor Guard after a funeral.
Sandy Mack brought up the October 15th County Council meeting held in Cedarburg. There were some glitches, confusion, and we pulled through. We did what we had to do. Thank you everyone who contributed, and also for getting a quick raffle prize together. Sandy wishes she could have been here, and we did a great job. Also mentioned the caterer was late, but food turned out to be fantastic. We all know how to pull together.
Barb Tenpenny reminded that we should wear our Auxiliary pin for meetings. Sandy suggested buying just the patch, and then purchasing magnets from Amazon. It’s a lot cheaper. Mary Garner said she has extra magnets and gave some to Donna Kison as she crocheted poppy pins. Directions were from Shirley Krier. Nancy will ask Donna to make poppy for Shirley.
New Business:
Pot Luck Dinner December 6th. Mary Garner emailed a signup sheet to members to sign up for the dinner, and what dish they will bring. Barb Tenpenny will be making pulled pork sliders, and Shirley Krier will pick up the small rolls.
Sue Grosskopf’s son-in-law is in Iraq along with 9 deployed soldiers who are in dire need of things. Mary Garner has a list of things needed for men and three women. Mary Garner will go shopping for individual things requested on the list. (For example – sweat pants, gummy bears) Sue Handrick will get this out so they hopefully get by Christmas. Mary can purchase these things for $200.00. Mary will print out notes for the packages. Shipping charges already done through Wisconsin Women for Troops. Denny Jaeger also offered for Legion to pay for half the shipping charge. By laws says Auxiliary has authority to spend up to $250.00 with not needing approval. Shirley Krier made motion, Sandy Mack seconded that we spend up to $250.00.
Mary Garner will talk with Sue’s Grosskopf’s daughter about coming to December meeting. We could have gifts for grandchildren from Auxiliary. Mary Garner will check with Sue.
Chris Skidmore talked about a new boxed printer in the Auxiliary office in basement. Instead of buying ink for her home printer, she would like to use this printer in basement for her membership items. All agreed Chris should take it. (Note: after meeting Nancy brought up the printer for Chris. Nancy found white bag with laptop). Chris has taken the printer and laptop home.
No Board meeting in December
No Auxiliary Unit meeting in January
Correspondence was read by Carol G., and Nancy read one thank you letter from St. Francis for school supplies we gave the grade school.
Nancy Wallock, Barb Frank, and Chris Skidmore were at the Milwaukee War Memorial for a Volunteer Luncheon November 3. During the luncheon door prizes were given out. We did not win a door prize, but a gentleman sitting at our table won a stadium seat, and offered it to us. Nancy showed the seat. We will put in the basement till craft show.
Our attention was brought to the ladies window in the hall. It has a beautiful runner sewn by Barb Frank on the shelf. It’s very pretty and patriotic.
Sandy Mack informed that our Constitution and Bylaws are completed and approved by Jan Pulvermacher-Ryan , Department of Wisconsin, C & B Chairman. In our Preamble the correct words are (in all wars) not during all wars. Sandy sent out new documents with this correction. Once we redo our documents, and then make changes. (This is not an error on our part). Jan was going to turn it over to Dept. of Wisconsin, and complimented us on a nice job done.
Meeting adjourned with a closing prayer by Mary Jaeger.
October 17, 2022
Meeting was called to order by President Carol.
An opening prayer was read, pledge of allegiance was recited.
Roll Call of officers, 9 present, 1 excused.
Treasurers report was read,
Motion to accept , seconded and approved.
Membership report: 88 paid seniors and 8 paid juniors.
Commander Dennis Jaeger presented a check for $5000 to the auxiliary for the work done at fish frys.
County Council meeting from October 15th was discussed. We had 8 attending from our auxiliary and a total of 31 in all. We had a breakfast meeting with food supplied by the Prime Minister. They were a little late but the food was delicious and all enjoyed it. It was discussed that a committee chairman should send an email or notify all who signed up to work a couple days ahead of time to remind everyone of the event. If anyone cannot make it, be it last minute or whatever, they should let the chairman know. We had a couple no shows which stressed those working.
The Packer Party for November 13th has been cancelled due to not enough time to prepare and also no budget was set up for food or advertising.
Veterans Day Drive Thru will be November 11th. Mary Garner will check with Subway on the sandwiches and the chips. It will be from 11:00 to 1:00 P.M.
Chris Skidmore commented that we need a budget for the Kentucky Derby Party and for the Car Show.
It was recommended that we should raise the vendor rental to $30. This will be discussed the general meeting for approval.
December 6th meeting will be a pot luck dinner.
Chris Skidmore discussed Wreaths Across America. We will donate $300 to this. December 17th is the day that the wreaths will be placed on the graves. Chris is looking for volunteers to go down to Union Grove and do this.
Discussion on donation to Joy Booth who lost her house and everything in a recent house fire. The benevelent committee will be contacted.
Meeting was adjourned with a closing prayer.
Respectfully submitted by Donna Kison
Minutes - August 15, 2022
Meeting was called to order by President Carol Grotkiewicz at 6:00pm
Opening prayer offered by Barb Tenpenny
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call of Officers by Sandy Mack
8 Present 2 Absent
Treasurers Report – Barb Tenpenny
Checking Account Balance - $
Poppy Fund Balance - $
Money Market Balance - $
Have not received money from Fish Fry yet ($5000)
No additions or corrections.
Motion to accept Treasurer’s report as written by Donna Kison. Seconded by Barb Frank.
Membership Report – Chris Skidmore
Paid Seniors – 19
Paid Juniors – 5
OLD BUSINESS
Wine and Harvest Fest Parking at VIP– September 17th & 18th
Carol G. will check with Sue Grosskoph and Jeanne Paprocki to see if they still want to chair this event. Will suggest they have sign up sheet at the next meeting.
ALA In the Know – Deadline for Sign up is September 1, 2022. Closest one is in Grafton on October 22, 2022. Barb Tenpenny will send in payment for those who have submitted registration forms.
Ozaukee County Council Meeting – October 15, 2022.
Event will be held at the Cedarburg American Legion Post.
Invitations to all units have gone out requesting response to Amy Luft with number attending by 10/3/22. Average is usually around 55.
Post has been reserved with Jim Lee.
Carol G. will check with Rick Siefert to see if we can have a bartender for Mimosas and Bloody Marys.
Sign up book for the meeting is in the Auxiliary Drawer with some raffle tickets. Will need to look for name tags and purchase them if not found.
Registration – 9:00am
Breakfast – 9:30am
Meeting begins – 10:00am
Menu suggestions: Egg bakes and Homemade breads – Shirley Krier, Nancy Wallock, Barb Tenpenny, Donna Kison
Cheesy Potatoes – Barb Tenpenny
Cinnamon Rolls – Sandy Mack
Fruit - Barb Frank
Breakfast Egg Muffins – Chris Skidmore
Orange juice & Apple Juice – Shirley Krier
Coffee already on hand
Day of the Event: *Need a volunteer to collect $2 at the door and hand out name tags and raffle tickets for table decorations to each guest. ($2 at the door comes back to the Unit)
(Mary Lewandowski will put together the table decorations for us. About $5 each for 12 tables)
*Need Volunteer to sell basket raffle tickets and keep an eye on the baskets. Will have 7 baskets – 1 from each unit.
*Need volunteer to sell 60/40 raffle tickets (Raffle ticket income goes back to the county )
Will also request volunteers to bake, etc at the regular meeting. Sandy will have sign up sheet.
Constitution/ By-Laws/Standing Rules – Maggie Geiger, Sandy Mack and Barb Tenpenny
Members asked to review their most current copy and contact anyone of the 3 on the committee to make a suggestion for changes/updates.
Chris Skidmore- Membership Chair recommended that the wording regarding Junior dues payments be changed to reflect that we keep 75 cents – not 50 cents. Sandy believes that change has already been made.
Barb Tenpenny – questioning joint meeting 2 x per year. They are not mandatory. Opinion is not to do them any longer. Don’t believe the Legion is interested in them anymore either. Can discuss at regular meeting.
Banner – Suggestion was made by a friend to the post that we have signs made for events that would be put downtown pointing the way to the Legion. One for Spring Street and one on the corner of Columbia …at least. Many people shopping downtown see the signs but don’t know that the post is only 2 blocks away. Carol Suds got a quote from CKC Graphics for a banner to be made to show directions to the post for events. She has spoken with the jeweler in the Pagoda and they would be happy to put up a yard sign at her place for all of our events. She has not spoken with anyone at Spring Street yet.
Quote 1: 16” x 5.5 Ft, one-sided, outdoor banner, grommets = $295.
Quote 2: 18” x 5.5 Ft, one sided, outdoor banner, grommets = $295.
Discussion- too expensive and too big. Would be better to just have the smaller yard signs. Will discuss more at regular meeting.
School Supplies for Elementary Schools – Chris Skidmore, Nancy Wallock
Chris reached out to the Grafton President - Ria Marien and Treasurer/ Jr Program chair -Sue Turowski to see if they would like to collaborate with our unit to collect school supplies at Pyramid Bank in Grafton. No response to her email. Will continue to try to reach them. Nancy said that school starts on 9/1/22 but the schools are more than happy to take supplies at any time so it’s not a problem if we don’t get this done by that date.
NEW BUSINESS
*Sandy will need a list of post events that the unit has planned for October, November and December.
List needed by 8/8/22
*Barb T. sent in the paperwork and fee to be bonded as treasurer. It was due by 9/1/22.
*Chris asked about registering for ALAMIS (membership program) for 2023. Sandy advised new form will come in Oct / Nov.
*Sandy needs information on 2 previous events hosted by the Auxiliary this year along with pictures.
Chris S. will send her the information and pictures for Kentucky Derby and the Car Show/ Craft Fair.
Things coming up that we will need to keep in mind:
*Wisconsin Women 4 Our Troops – Maggie Geiger and Sue Handrick were going to work together on this.
*November – lunch on Veterans Day. Will have sign up sheet for bakers, etc.
*December – Christmas for the lady veterans at the Domiciliary.
*Beergarden – end of September. (24th??)
*Wreath Sale – will Mary Garner still be in charge ?
Nancy Wallock offered the Closing Prayer.
Meeting adjourned