Robert F. McDermottPost # 309

11844 Bandera Road # 417Helotes, Texas 78023

Commander: Willis E Gray III 1st Vice-Commander Mike Gilmour Adjutant: Jaime Caratini Finance Office: David Kottwitz Sgt At Arms: Mark Ochoa Jr. Chaplain: Stan Fritz Hub Master: Sean Oliver Historian Sean Oliver Executive 1: N’De Narvaez

Executive Meeting Minutes3 April 2019

Call to Order: Commander Willis Gray called meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Casa Helotes Senior Center, Helotes, TX

Advance Colors: Colors in place

Invocation: Mike Gilmour read the invocation.

POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony: Sgt-at-Arms Mark Ochoa Jr. placed POW/MIA flag on chair.

Pledge of Allegiance: Members recited pledge of allegiance in unison

Preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion: Members recited Preamble in unison

Roll Call of Post Officers: Quorum established/officers present.

Willis Gray III (Commander) Jaime F. Caratini (Adjutant) Mike Gilmour (1st vice) Vacant (2nd Vice)David Kottwitz (Finc. Officer)Vacant (Service Officer)Mark Ochoa Jr. (Sgt-at-Arms)Stan Fritz (Chaplain) ExcusedVacant (Judge Advocate)N’De Narvaez Executive Member 1 Sean Oliver Historian/Hubmaster Vacant Executive Member

Welcome Remarks: Commander Willis Gray III welcomed all executive members present.

Reading of Last Meeting’s Minutes: David Kottwitz moved to not to read the minutes from the previous meeting and approve them as written. Sean Oliver 2nd the motion and unanimously approved.

Committees Reports:

Sgt-at-Arms/Welcome Committee: Mark Ochoa Jr. welcomed all in attendance and reminded everyone to make sure their cell phones are set to the silent mode or turn them off as to not interfere with the meeting.

Membership/Public Relations: Officers were reminded of the membership/ WAA booth at Helotes Market day Saturday 6 April. N’De Narvaez handed volunteer signing sheet (attached to minutes).

Totals as of 29 March 2019

1. Goal: 262. PUFL: 53. New: 134. Renwals: 305. Renew online: 56. Transfers: 57. 2019 total: 538. % Goal: 203.85%

Adjutant/Public Relations/Resolutions:

1. Tax excempt -501c19 – inclusion from Department of Texas arrived.2. Reminded officers to encourage members to sign-up for mylegion.org and the legion life

insurance included in their membership.3. Need to remind members of the $10 discount for those members who renew 2yrs.

Members renewing 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 will pay $72 instead of $82. They will also be entered in the respesctive early bird drawings.

Finance Report: Post still waiting for the last WAA check of $375.00. Filling of IRS form 990 due 15 May, a phone call will be sufficient. Post received a 40 cent credit and the finance officer will find out how to name the transaction for accounting purposes. David Kottwitz gave the following financial report:

March

Starting Balance: $1306.78Debits/in: $171.40Credits/out: $234.42Ending Balance: $1,243.76 as of 1 April 2019

David Kottwitz moved to approve the finance report. Mike Gilmour 2nd the motion and passed unanimously.

Service/VA&R/ROTC: Commander stated there is a possibility of having 4 to 5 candidates for

Boys State School will sponsor one, parents the 2nd and the Post might have to cover the other candidates.

Historian/Hubmaster: Reminded everyone where to access the Post email, facebook and

webpage.

Legion Riders: Riders continue recycling cans, They will not organize a fun ride for the first half of the year. Quarterly meeting still being spomnsored by the Post 309 ALR. Post 309 is looking for a place to hold the event so the Post ans Auxiliary can cater the event. Casa Helotes charge is too high for the Post so we will be notifying them to cancel the reservation of the hall.

Auxiliary Unit: Charter waiting for Department and National confirmation. There is one girl interested in attending Girls State. Since Unit 309 has not been activated, Janelle Barclay will find out if Unit 336 or another Unit will be able to sponsor the girl.

Sons of The American Legion: Will be asking post members to sign-up for dual membership

and once the Squadron is up and running concentrate in looking for more members. Dues will be set at $10 for members 18 years or older and free for younger than 18. DD214 or other document confirming eligibility will be required to confirm membership.

Unfinished Business: a. Post dedication tentative date 13 June.b. WAA wrap-up committee to be formed as soon as the final check arrives.c. Motorcycle paperwork all completed and will be taken downtown tax office for final

processing.d. Ballot for 2019-2020 Post 309 offices reviewed and ready for elections at the next

membership meeting.e. We have four of the five original Boys State candidates for this year. Sponsorship is

$300 plus $50 for t-shirts. Possibly Post 828 will sponsor one, Post 309 will sponsor another and still need two more sponsors or we’ll have to ask parents for assistance. Planning sitdown interview with candidates at Bill Millers 24 or 25 April.

New Business:a. More volunteers needed for the membership/WAA booth at Helotes Market day

Saturday 6 April from 9AM to 4PM.b. We will be celebrating fellow legionnaire Louis Cardenas 100th birthday during

April’s membership meeting. Commander Gray will bring the cake and Carlos Vela will donate sandwiches, drinks and coffee will also be served.

c. Fuddruckers fundraiser paperwork has been submitted and scheduled for 10 April 4-9 PM. Commander Gray will be submitting paperwork for HEB donation and has an offer from Tyson chicken to donate 4 boxes (140 pieces of chiken) for a plate sale. The date is TBD and possibility of purchasing sausages for sale. Might be able to get them at a buy one get one free.

d. Jaime F. Caratini will work on fundraiser at Luby’s date TBD.e. Commander Gray will present ROTC medals at O’Connor ceremony on 17 April.f. Cornyval parade is on 4 May. Mike Gilmour is in charge of decorating the float.g. Elections of 2019-2020 officers at membership meeting 17 April. Installation of

officers during 15 May membership meeting. Commander will contact guest speakers. Snacks and beverages will be served.

h. Officers were asked to check on fellow legionnaires and veterans they know.i. We went over the calendar of important dates and agreed to start planning for the

November-December events after the 4th of July.j. David Kottwitz proposed inviting financial planner Todd Marquardt as a guest

speaker in a future meeting.

Announcement and Upcoming Events:

a. Boys State orientation 15 May 6PM at Post 2.b. Veterans Roll Call 25 May 10 AM Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.c. CPR due 1 Juned. 3rd Division Convention 15-17 June at Post 179 New Braunfels.e. Boys State Departure 9 June 10 AM Post 2.f. 20th District meeting 12 Juneg. Department Convention 9-14 July Irving, TXh. Next membership meeting will be 17 April 2019.i.

Benediction: Mike Gilmour read the benediction.

Retire POW/MIA Flag: Sgt-at-Arms retrieved POW/MIA flag from the empty chair.

Retire Colors: Color Guard retired the Colors.

Meeting Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM