THE AMERICAN LEGION PETER WOLLNER POST 288
Regular Monthly Meeting 08 August 2023
The meeting of this post was called to order by Commander Kristin Burkart at 1900 hours followed by the appropriate opening ceremonies.
Roll call of officers was taken with 11 present and 2 absent.
Introduction of Guests: Wendy Cooper, Legion member transferring to Cedarburg Post.
The Adjutant presented the minutes of the 11 July 2023 Regular Monthly Meeting. There was a motion and second to approve those minutes as presented. The motion was carried.
The Adjutant presented the minutes of the 25 July 2023 Executive Board Meeting. There was a motion and second to approve those minutes as presented. The motion carried.
Legion Notables: PDC and current NEC Bob Shappell, PDC and current Adjutant Bob Batty, PDVC and current 1st Vice Commander Jim Lee, 2nd District Adjutant/Finance Officer Dennis Jaeger.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1st Vice Jim Lee: Jim mentioned 2024 dues are now due. He also spoke about Buddy Check. He needs volunteers to call Post members for Buddy Check and the calls should be done by Veterans Day. Kristin Burkart, Dennis Loberger, Ed Downey, Kyle Christianson, Ron Simon, Debbie Gabert, Tom Ingram have volunteered to help with Buddy Calls.
2nd Vice Gene Szudrowitz: No Report
3rd Vice Jerry Smith: Jerry reported there will be an Honor Guard rifle practice at the Post August 26th at 10 a.m.
Finance Officer Dennis Loberger: Dennis reported on the Post financials for the month of July. (A full financial report is available upon request to members in good standing).
Bar Report Rick Seifert: Rick reported that July was an average month for bar revenues in part due to no Fish Fry that month. Rentals and donations were good and expenses average.
Fish Fry Report Bob Batty: There will be an August Fish Fry! Bob reported on positions still open and asked for volunteers to fill them. Several members volunteered.
House Report Ed Downey: Ed reported the garage has been fixed for $750 and the repair was done well. We did not involve our insurance company as our deductible is $2500. Ed asked Fein Bros. to look at the Post kitchen and suggest what might be done to upgrade it and make it more efficient; changes that we could make ourselves. Ed would like to involve the Fish Fry Committee in this process as they would benefit most from this upgrade.
Chaplain P.J. Glavey: No Report
Service Officer Bob Shappell: Bob spoke on the duties of the Service Officer and presented a manual that can be used by any member of the Post to help a veteran in need. The manual will be kept in the top middle drawer of the counter north side of the bar.
Historian John Katzka: Excused
SAL Jerry Gomez: Absent
Other Committees: None
CORRESPONDENCE
Commander Burkart read a brochure from the National American Huey History Museum regarding an event called a Gathering of Veterans and Patriots to be held on August 13, 2023. Anyone interested in attending should contact the commander.
Free dental care to be provided October 12, 2023, at Mequon Smile Design as a part of Freedom Day Across the County. If interested the commander has the information.
Commander Burkart has Pact Act and Understanding VA Benefits brochures. Anyone interested in obtaining one of these brochures should see the commander after the meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Finance Officer – Bills to be paid? Finance Officer Dennis Loberger read the Bills to be Paid totaling $3,880.26. Motion to Pay the Bills. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
The Post Executive Board recommended revising the Bylaws to increase the Robert Armbruster and Lou Nichols Scholarships from $1000 to $2000. After discussion by the general membership, it was decided to implement the recommended increases. Motion and second to increase the Robert Armbruster and Lou Nichols Scholarships from $1000 to $2000. Motion carried.
Also discussed was changing Post Bylaw, Article IX, Section Two, changing the word shall to may regarding two (2) week notification of Post members of Post elections. After discussion it was decided to keep the word shall but remove the word mail, keep the word email and add the words newsletter, website and general meetings. This change will be voted on at the October general meeting.
Jim Lee announced he needs volunteers for Maxwell Street Days parking, both shifts, Sunday, September 3, 2023. He has a signup sheet.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE LEGION
August 9, 2023, is the Pact Act deadline to file if you want benefits to backdate to August 9, 2022.
Post Fish Fry August 18th.
Thursday morning coffee at Jim’s Grille, 10 a.m.
POT OF GOLD
Chuck Langford
Jerry Smith
There being no further business the meeting ended with the appropriate closing ceremonies and was adjourned at 1944 hours.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Batty, PDC
Adjutant
Peter Wollner Post 288
Department of Wisconsin