1. The American Legion Post 176 General Membership Meeting was called to order at 1930 on 13 November 2007, with Commander Lipscomb presiding. A motion was made and carried to dispense with regular business except for the membership report, special presentations, and items for the Good of the Legion.

a. The Vice Adjutant called roll. All officers were present with the exception of 1^st Vice Commander Stone and Adjutant Buckley who were excused. The Chaplain position held by Maudie Price is vacant.

b. Commander Lipscomb introduced Adair Petty, Skipper of Post 176 Sea Scouts, who presented the Sea Scout Charter to the Post. The Sea Scouts are sponsored by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Members are teens and young adults of both sexes, ages 14 to 21. Like the Eagle Scouts, they offer recognition awards for character, citizenship, and personal achievement.

2. The Commander turned the meeting over to the Corporate Board for a Business Management Briefing to the General Membership.

a. Dennis Stokowski, Corporate Board Director, informed the Post membership of the business processes implemented as a result of the October, 2006 financial audit. He also addressed sustainment of the Post and the way ahead for Post operations.

1.) According to the Goodman & Associates Audit of 10 Nov 2006, the Post was a cash-in-hand operation with no records of transactions.

2.) Based on the summary of financials for calendar year 2007, repairs and maintenance, grounds maintenance, and miscellaneous expenses are exceeding projected levels by nearly 100%. A building inspection was completed on 4 Oct 2007.

3.) Fiducial Small Business Services has been retained to assist with restructuring of the accounting and financial operations of the Post; also the JarTrek revenue tracking system was installed to track gaming inventory and lounge sales, and produce daily journals. Quick Books is being used as a supplement.

4.) The Post has three accounts plus certificates of deposit. Every deposit is broken down by charter of accounts and matched to a bank statement.

5.) All check books are in duplicate, allowing for review on a daily basis. Bills/invoices are no longer paid in cash.

6.) Besides restructuring of accounting and financial operations, the Post must devise and implement a repair and replacement plan for material deficiencies. This will pave the way ahead for future planning for the Post.

b. A question was asked about emergency repairs. Rod Carlone, Corporate Board President, mentioned that the current condition of all Post property is under review. A detailed list of work projects was published in the October Post Scripts. The list is long and structural repairs may exceed $200,000. When the Post building was completed almost 16 years ago, there was no plan for preventive maintenance, or for future repairs and equipment replacement.

c. A question was asked about certificates of deposit and previously reported balances in the three Post accounts. Rod Carlone explained that in addition to the three CDs with Prosperity Bank, the Post purchased another CD from Sun Trust with $50 K from the General Account. Century Small Business has been hired to do the accounting for the Post, and Fiducial was hired to assist with finance operations. Previously reported balances may not be accurate because no checks and balances were in place and bank statements were unreconciled. Accurate monthly reports retroactive to 1 Jan 07 are available on the back table.

d. A question was asked about the number of authorized check signers. Rod Carlone replied that currently there are four check signers: The Commander, Rich Tiner, Jeff Harrison, and the General Manager up to $500. Committeeman Hanson and 3^rd Vice Commander Bailey had been on the list but were not always available.

e. Rod Carlone emphasized the Corporate Board commitment to the Post. He reiterated, "There will always be a Springfield, VA Post 176 and Post 176 will always have a home."

3. Membership report and Good of the Legion were as follows:

a. Membership Committee: As of 31 Oct, the Post has 1361 members, which is 80.58% of the Legion Year 2008 membership goal (1689 people). Twenty candidates were presented for membership tonight (12 new members and 8 transfers). The names of new members were read and approved in block. The names of transfer members also were read and approved in block. The Post needs 328 additional members to reach 100%.

b. Good of the Legion:

1.) Post 176 and the 3^rd Infantry Association are sponsoring a cookout for wounded soldiers at the Walter Reed Malone House on 25 Nov. Past Commander Jimmy Jones asked for $200 to support this event. A motion was made and seconded to approve the funds. During discussion, an amendment was made to increase the amount to $500. The motion as amended was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. The money will come from budgeted funds for VA&R.

2.) 3^rd Vice Commander Bailey reported that the Post is in need of a new bingo machine. He indicated that the cost of a new machine is $10,500; however, a two year old used machine can be purchased for $5000. A question was asked about the reliability of a used machine. Comrade Bailey responded that he would rate the reliability of the used machine at 8 on a scale of 10. A motion was made and seconded to approve $5000 to purchase the used machine. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

3.) The Post honored all generations of veterans at the annual Veterans’ Day Ceremony at the Post home on 11 Nov. VFW Post 7327 and two local schools participated in the event. The Commander mentioned that there was another activity with the VFW on Saturday, 10 Nov. He also mentioned that the VFW didn’t have a place to meet for awhile, and we invited them to use our hall while they were in transition. Following the Veterans’ Day ceremonies, the VFW gave the Commander a plaque and a check for $1000 in appreciation for the Post’s hospitality. They also presented a plaque to the General Manager.

4. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2110. Billy Lee won the 50-50 drawing of $29. The remaining $29 was donated to the Post.

Ali Nikolai Lew Lipscomb

Vice Adjutant Commander