1. The American Legion Post 176 General Membership Meeting was called to order at 1930 on 1 May 2007, with Commander Taborek presiding.

a. The vice Adjutant called roll. All officers were present with the exception of Adjutant Landry; Finance Officer Cable was excused.

b. In accordance with the motion carried at the 5 Sep 06 General Membership Meeting, minutes of the previous meeting will be published on the Post Web site.

c. Commander Taborek made the following announcements:

1.) The Commander informed the membership that the preliminary hearing for Walt Myers has been delayed until 25 Jun 07. The trial date is now 16 Jul 07.

2.) The Post has purchased a new POW & MIA flag; In addition, the pole for the American flag in front of the Post has been repaired (GMM minutes, para 5.c.).

2. Committee Reports were as follows:

a. 1^st Vice Commander Stone reported on the following activities:

1.) Membership Committee: One new and eight transfer candidates were presented for membership this evening. The names were read and approved in block. The Post now has 1646 members which is 94% of the Legion Year 2007 membership goal (1743 people).

2.) Legislative: The Post will have 34 to 36 votes to elect officers at the Department of VA Convention from 12-15 Jul in Falls Church, VA.. The current Commander (Ed Taborek) is chairman of the Post delegation.

3.) Legion Baseball: The 2007 baseball season is underway. The schedule will be published in next month’s Post Scripts.

4.) Ways and Means Committee: The Friday night dinners are scheduled every week from 5:30-8:30 PM. The dinner menus are published in the Post Scripts.

b. Commander Taborek gave the following report for the 2^nd Vice Commander:

1.) Blood Drive: The bi-monthly blood drive was held on 17 Apr. Thirty-five pints of blood were collected. The next blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday 19 Jun 07 at the Post Home. We are the only 17^th District Post that conducts a blood drive.

2.) Boys State: Boys State will be held the week of 13 Jun. The Post received $4000 in donations for this year’s activities.

3.) Sons of the American Legion (SAL): Election of officers for the 2008 Legion Year will be held on 8 May at the regularly scheduled meeting.

c. 3^rd Vice Commander Dzierski reported on the following activities:

1.) Adopt-a-Highway: The highway clean-up along the Franconia-Springfield Highway is scheduled for 19 May. About 34 cadets participate from the Edison High School Junior ROTC.

2.) Bingo: Monday night bingo is scheduled every week starting at 7:00 PM. About $2600 was collected last Monday. The Bingo Committee still needs cashiers.

3.) Children & Youth: No status to report. The Children & Youth are still supporting the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation in South-West Virginia.

4.) Drill Team: The State finals were held on 23 Mar in Virginia Beach. Culpeper High School represented the Northern Region. Thanks to Maudie Price and all our other volunteers who helped with the competition.

d. Finance: The Finance Office is transitioning from Peach Tree to Quick Books and the bookkeeper is being trained on the Quick Books system. The Finance Report will be presented to the Corporate Board at the end of the month, then to the General Membership on the first Tuesday of the month.

e. Chaplain:

1.) Chauncey Reed will be buried in Arlington Cemetery on 4 Jun with military honors.

2.) Comrade John Payne died on 23 Apr 07. Funeral services were held on 27 Apr. His wife had contacted the Post to request pall bearers, but Maudie reported that they were provided by the family. The Post has not provided pall bearers in the past.

3.) Comrade Herbert Markle is recovering from colon surgery in Alexandria Hospital, and Joe Finch is recovering from a heart attack. Please keep them in your prayers.

f. Service Officer:

1.) Ali Nikolai reported that she received a phone call from Marie Guthrow who was calling on behalf of a friend whose mother died recently at Bethesda Hospital. Ms. Guthrow stated that her friend’s father was buried in Arlington Cemetery six years ago, and she needs to know how to make arrangements for the wife’s burial, and how to get the body removed from the hospital. Her friend (who is the son) is unable to make the arrangements because he is currently in jail. Ali provided Ms. Guthrow with the necessary contact information for interment services at Arlington. She also instructed her to work with the funeral home to have the body picked up at Bethesda. In addition, Ali gave Ms. Guthrow information about financial assistance through the Department of Social Services of Fairfax and contact information for religious burial services.

2.) Doris Cortez asked Ali if she would follow-up with Arlington about another situation concerning a spouse who was cremated and buried at Arlington in anticipation of her husband also being buried there. The husband currently is hospice care in Florida and he would like to be buried in Florida. If this is the case, will the wife’s remains have to be removed from Arlington? Ali will contact Arlington and get back to Doris.

3.) Commander Taborek indicated that he was involved in two cases of assistance from people coming to the Post. He offered to take one of the individuals to Ft. Belvoir yesterday for an ID card, but the individual did not make the appointment.

g. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation: Maudie Price reported that the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C. is planning a Welcome Home Celebration on Saturday, 2 Jun 07 to provide outreach services and support to combat veterans, active duty service members, and their families.

h. Corporate Board:

1.) Rich Tiner reported that the 50 evergreen trees have not been planted yet in the buffer zone. The 1 Apr 07 deadline for planting the trees has been extended.

2.) The gates to the buffer zone are still being broken down. Another gate between the Post and Kay Jennings Toyota was pulled down with a truck. Police have been notified. An option for a concrete wall is being considered.

3.) Rod Carlone and Rich Tiner attended a redevelopment meeting with Fairfax County on 25 Apr 07. A meeting report was passed out to the members. There are many changes planned for land redevelopment in East Springfield, changes that may affect the Post and associated property. The Post will stay in communication with the County and their redevelopment group, Monument Realty to keep abreast of all planned actions. The County will work with us on any land use issues affecting the Post. The next redevelopment meeting is scheduled for 14 May. Rod is asking for three volunteers to attend with him.

4.) Rod Carlone reported that our Post business is improving dramatically. The profit on hall rentals is now 95% (up from 20% in the past).

i. Post Scripts: The Post Scripts is still in a budget crunch. Options are being considered to reduce costs, including publishing the newsletter every two months or quarterly.

3. Old Business

a. In reference to the 26 Dec 06 EXCOM meeting minutes, para 4.b., and the 3 Apr 07 GMM Minutes, para 4.d., Art Leclair made two proposals for changes to the By Laws, one relating to conflicts concerning management responsibilities and another concerning use of unbudgeted funds. A motion was made and seconded that an explanation of the changes appear in the Jun Post Scripts, then the changes be brought to a vote at the Jul 07 GMM. During the discussion, Rich Tiner made an amendment to the motion to allow the EXCOM and the Corporate Board time to review the proposed changes and report to the general membership. The motion as amended was carried by unanimous vote.

b. In reference to the 24 Apr 07 EXCOM meeting minutes, Commander Taborek requested that chairpersons complete their forms so he can consolidate inputs into a single document for the Department of VA reports.

c. The dinner for Volunteers of Post 176 was held on 28 Apr 07. Approximately 75 % of the volunteers came to the dinner and socialized.

4. Following Old Business, a motion was made and carried to recess the GMM and convene the Corporate Board for elections.

1.) The floor was opened for nominations at 2032. Rod Carlone nominated Dennis Stokowski a three year term as Director-at-Large. There were no additional nominations from the floor. Dennis Stokowski was elected by acclamation.

2.) The floor was closed for nominations and the GMM was reconvened at 2034.

5. New Business:

a. The following slate of candidates was presented to the membership for a vote.

1.) Commander: Lew Lipscomb

2.) 1^st Vice Commander: Ray Stone

3.) 2^nd Vice Commander: George Tesla and Bill Hurd

4.) 3^rd Vice Commander: Stu Bailey

5.) Sgt-at-Arms: Ron Philips

6.) Chaplain: Maudie Price

7.) Finance Officer: Bob Cable and Ed Taborek

8.) 3yr Committeeman-at-Large: Ken Hanson and Bill Hurd

A motion was made and carried to elect candidates for uncontested offices in block. Lew Lipscomb, Ray Stone, Stu Bailey, Maudie Price, and Ron Philips were elected by acclamation. Run-off elections were held for 2^nd Vice Commander, Finance Officer, and 3yr Committeeman-at-Large. The following officers were elected by majority vote: George Tesla, 2^nd Vice Commander; Bob Cable, Finance Officer; and Ken Hanson, Committeeman-at-Large. The newly elected officers will be installed on 24 Jun 07.

b. In reference to para 2.a.2. above, a motion was made and seconded that anyone who attends the 17^th District or the Department of VA Convention will be a delegate to the convention. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

c. Lew Lipscomb announced that VFW Post 7327 will host the Memorial Day ceremony this year, and Post 176 will do the Welcome Home Celebration at the DC VA Hospital. A motion was made and carried to appropriate $ 300 for the coming home party and another $300 for comfort items for the returning veterans.

d. The American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary will be distributing poppies again this year from 17-20 May 07.

e. The Springfield Day Parade will be held on 2 Jun 07. Kurt Lauer and the Post Color Guard will head the parade.

f. Flag Day is 14 Jun 07. Secretary Nicholson of the Veterans’ Administration is expected to make a major announcement about grants to veteran-owned small businesses.

g. There being no further business, a motion was made and carried to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 2114.

Ali Nikolai Ed Taborek

Vice Adjutant Commander