I want to welcome three new officers to Post 1286. Mr. Frank Fuller has been appointed as 3rd Vice Commander/Homeland Security Officer, Mr. Bob Frederickson has been appointed Service Officer and Mr. Don Keefe has been appointed Sergeant-at-Arms. They will fill these offices for the remainder of the 2011-2012 term.
The Chili Cook-Off was a great success. We had 8 entered this year and congratulations go to Frank Fuller (3rd place), Laurie Frantz (2nd place) and the winner was Pete Ochocki.
Our “Spring Clean Up” is around the corner. Look for a Work Detail Sign-Up Sheet to be posted in the bar area and sign up to help around your club!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Past Commander Louis Scalise (1991). He will always be remembered for his service to Post 1286.
In March we celebrate our 93rd Anniversary of the American Legion on the 15th, 16th and 17th. Don’t forget our purpose is “Service” to our Veterans. Remember all our men and women who have served, both past and present.
Yours in Service for God and Country
Warren Blankenship
Lakewood Legion Leaps forward in 2012.
On February 19th our Legion putted to victory by defeating Celeron Legion, Celeron Moose and Lakewood Rod & Gun. We took first and second place! Our first place team was Dave & Sharoyn Ruby and Bill & Ruth Wassman. The second place team was Warren & Ellie and Jodie & Quinton. Congratulations to all of them!
During 2011 we spent nearly $14,000 on building maintenance and paying off the mortgage. We have had one of the best January’s ever. Income and Bell Jar was way up this year. Perhaps the mild winter has helped. Please continue to support the post.
We need volunteers on April 15th, 16th, and 17th from 10 AM to 4 PM to clean up and paint the kitchen. Please try to help us out and have some fun too!!
The Legion VS SAL Bullhead Contest will be April 28th and 29th. There will be a sign up sheet at the Legion.
We have 2 board openings coming up. Any Legionnaire that has held an office may run for the Board. Please submit a letter of intent to the Board Secretary before March 15th.
Again, I would like to thank all of the volunteers who have given us a lot of help. See you at the Post!
This newsletter is to serve notice to all Legionnaires of the following Constitution and By-law changes proposed and to be voted on at the April 5, 2012 meeting of the Post.
CONSTITUTION – ARTICLE V – SECTION 2 – OFFICERS:
The elimination of the office of 3rd Vice-Commander and the addition of the Office of Service/Homeland Security Officer.
CONSTITUTION – ARTICLE V – SECTION 3 – OFFICERS:
Change annual election from the second meeting to the first meeting of May.
BY-LAW – ARTICLE IV– SECTION 5 – DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
Eliminate 3rd Vice-Commander and add Service/Homeland Security Officer.
BY-LAW – ARTICLE VIII – SECTION 3 – MEETINGS:
Change meeting quorum from seven (7) to five (5) members.
Here we are heading for Spring! What a wonderful winter so far!
I would like to thank everyone who has paid their 2012 dues. We still lack a few for our quota. If you know anyone who is eligible to join, please contact us at the Legion. Membership is $22 a year. Next year membership will increase to $25 for seniors and $5 for juniors.
We will be having a Children’s Easter Party on April 7, 2012 from 1 to 3 PM. Hopefully the weather will be nice for this event. We will have a sign-up sheet at the club. We will also be asking members to bake cookies and other goodies and also help out with the event. Thanks in advance.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped out with the County Dinner held on Feb. 8th. Everything was wonderful.
It is time for nominations of officers. We will be taking names for officers at our April meeting. We need people to step up and become more involved in this unit. We have a few openings that need to be filled. Please attend these meetings so we can keep this unit going, otherwise, this unit will end. Those of us that do hold positions are very proud of this unit and would hate to see it end. We need every member to come forward and be more involved.
Our next meetings are: March 21, 2012 and April 18, 2012 at 7 PM.
Sue Chapman, Auxiliary President
Winter has been kind to us so far this year and spring and summer will be here soon. The SAL will be having the usual fund raisers. The first Chicken BBQ with the flower raffle will be held on Sunday, May 27, 2012 (Memorial Day weekend), Cost will be $7.50 and take out will be available. The Pig Roast and Corn-hole Tournament will be held in July. Keep an eye out for the upcoming dates in the next newsletter.
Reminder: Membership dues are past due. Please stop by the club or mail your 2012 SAL membership dues to the Sons of the American Legion, 174 Chautauqua Avenue, Lakewood, NY, 14750. Please make note of any address change and add a phone number in case we have questions. Dues: SAL $25.00, Juniors (under 18) $10.00, Dual members (Legionnaire & SAL) $10.00. The SAL would like to take the time to welcome our new members and encourage everyone to keep pushing for new members. The membership is growing and we can’t do it without your help.
The SAL Officer Nominating Committee, made up of the past three Commanders, Jay Todd, Ron Kuczenski and Al Chapman, are putting together a list of officers for the upcoming year. If you have an interest in holding an officer position on the SAL, please let them know or leave a note at the Post 1286 SAL mailbox with your information and a contact number. They will get in touch with you. Positions will be open until the May 2nd meeting, where voting will take place.
Our meetings are the first Wednesday of each month @ 7:30 PM. Next meeting dates: March 7th & April 4th. Please come join us.
Thank you for your support of the Legion, SAL & Auxiliary and what we stand for.
SAL Commander, Kevin Cannon Contact Info – kchazfun@live.com
I would like to thank everyone for paying their dues. We are currently at 90% of our membership and we have 8 new members. We try to empower our membership to achieve a personal fulfillment through “service not self”. As a member of our local unit you have a ready made support system and many hands on opportunities to serve in ways that truly makes a difference. It was discussed at our last meeting regarding our membership dragging on till June. It was voted on that membership dues need to be paid before 12/31. According to the roster from department, it lists that you are paid thru 12/31. It has also been voted on that if a member does not attend a meeting when they are in the confines of the building, they will not be served at the bar while the meeting is being held. The issue has been brought up at the board meeting; it would be up to the board to enforce this.
In fulfillment of our mission, the American Legion Auxiliary is always seeking ways to support and advocate for veterans, active military and their families. It was motioned and voted in to donate to the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., Salvation Army Food Pantry and Chautauqua County Veteran Van. It was also discussed that we are members of the Legion and enjoy coming here so we should do something for the Legion; some members came up with ideas.
