1. The American Legion Post 176 General Membership Meeting was called to order at 1930 on 2 October 2007, with Commander Lipscomb presiding.

a. The Adjutant called roll. The following officers were excused from the meeting: Finance Officer Cable and Chaplain Price. All other officers were present with the exception of Historian Nichols. The Committeeman-at-Large position held by Klaus Dahlke is vacant.

b. A motion was made and carried to dispense with reading of the minutes of the 4 Sep 07 meeting. 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 Lipscomb made the following announcements:

1.) Ray Stone received a Certificate of Appreciation sent to the Post from the 82^nd Airborne Division Association. The certificate was in recognition of hospitality in welcoming members of the Airborne Community to the Post. Mentioned by name were Mr. Bill Hall and Ms. Becky Abel.

2.) The Commander sent an E-mail to the membership about the tribute to WWII veterans near the WWII memorial on 29 Sep 07.

3.) Commander Lipscomb reminded the membership to vote on 6 Nov. The next GMM meeting will be on 13 Nov.

2. Committee Reports were as follows:

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

1.) Membership Committee: As of 26 Sep, the Post has 1176 members, which is 69.6% of the Legion Year 2008 membership goal (1689 people). Four candidates were presented for membership tonight (2 new members and 2 transfers). The names of new members were read and approved in block. The names of transfer members also were read and approved in block. It was mentioned that transfers may be made by calling Post 141, which is a holding Post for members.

2.) Legislative: Senator Kennedy attached a resolution to the Defense Appropriation Bill that would make harassment of the gay community a hate crime. The Senate also attached a timeline for troop withdrawal. President Bush has indicated he will veto the bill.

3.) Public Relations: The National Organization has new brochures on current American Legion programs aimed at communicating why veterans should belong to the Legion. Marty Conaster, the new National Commander, also has sent two articles to Chris Matthews of "Hard Ball" about "Move On," an Anti-War organization. The Legion’s stand is that the situation in Iraq is not as bad as people make it out to be.

4.) Ways and Means Committee: The pig roast is scheduled for Friday, 14 Oct, starting at noon. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets have been given to Fort Myers and to the Defense Logistics Agency for distribution to the troops. Also a sausage fest is on the menu for the tailgate party this Sunday at the Post home.

b. 2^nd Vice Commander Tesla reported on the following activities:

1.) Americanism: The EXCOM voted at the September meeting to approve a $2500 donation to the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association to purchase 14 portraits of George Washington. These portraits will be distributed to local schools through the Fairfax County School System. George Tesla has talked to two principals who will accept the portraits.

2.) Blood Drive: The next blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday, 16 Oct 07, at the Post Home. Please contact Joe Finch at 703-569-1552 for an appointment.

3.) Oratorical: Jerry Mittelbach is visiting local high schools to recruit contestants for next year’s competition. Middle Schools will have an essay writing contest.

4.) Scouting: John Sawyer is helping with the Sea Scout troop sponsored by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. On 8 Sep, the scouts attended a Safety at Sea program in Annapolis, Maryland.

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

1.) Bingo: Stu Bailey gave the bingo report for the month of September. The bingo program has been consistent from April through August, averaging $991 a game. The Bingo Committee has 32 volunteers, but more are needed. About 83 players are needed to break even on the instant bingo pull tabs. High attendance is anticipated through the Fall.

2.) Junior Law Cadets: John Sawyer has volunteered to chair this activity.

3.) Junior ROTC: Maudie Price is coordinating the Post Drill Team competition.

d. Finance: The Finance Office is working with Century Small Business to maintain accounting records. Century will have accurate monthly reports retroactive to 1 Jan 07. The Finance Officer will give a Post Financial Management Briefing to the General Membership at the Nov 07 meeting. A Corporate Board brief also will be presented.

e. Chaplain: Excused; No status to report.

f. Service Officer:

1.) Maudie Price passed on a request for assistance from Scott Gardiner, a Naval active duty man who wants to file a VA claim. Ali is waiting on a phone call from the individual.

2.) Ali Nikolai also gave the Commander copies of GEN Petraeus’ testimony to Congress last month and fliers from the Student Veterans’ Association at George Mason University about the program on campus 11 Nov for student veterans.

g. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation: The VA hospitals need white socks, and volunteers are needed on 10 Dec to help pack 800 bags with donated items for hospitalized veterans.

h. Corporate Board:

1.) On Thursday, 4 Oct, a building inspector will visit the Post to do an assessment of building and equipment repairs. The Post will have a hard copy analysis within the next three months which will be used for the budgeting process.

2.) Rod Carlone thanked Rich Tiner for fixing the drainage problem and lights in the parking lot. He also had two new stop signs placed on the property leaving the exits from our parking lot to Amherst and Springfield Boulevards.

i. Post Scripts: The October Post Scripts went in the mail today. The names and phone numbers of the EXCOM members are included on page 2.

3. Unfinished Business

a. The Post is continuing to work with 17^th Air Force to support Honor Flights of WWII veterans coming to D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial. The Post will bus veterans to the Memorial on 13 Oct.

b. In reference to the 1 Aug 07 EXCOM Meeting minutes, para 2.c., regarding the contract signed on 24 Jun 07 between the Post and Mrs. Suki Knarr, Post 176 General Manager, a question was asked about the Corporate Board response to the EXCOM Letter questioning the manner of issuance of the contract. Rod Carlone reported that a letter was sent to the EXCOM on 31 Aug concerning the issuance and multi-year nature of the contract.

c. In reference to a question regarding the Corporate Board letter to Doreen Lommel, Rod Carlone explained that her case with the Virginia Employment Commission is still under appeal. The issue is an employment issue, not a House Rules issue. When the case is closed, Commander Lipscomb will send a letter inviting her to return to the Post.

d. In reference to the 3 Jul 07 GMM minutes, para 5.h., the House Rules Committee completed its review of the 2005 edition of the House Rules. The EXCOM approved the proposed changes and the bartenders are now being trained.

5. New Business:

a. The floor was opened for nominations to fill the Committeeman-at-Large position vacated by Klaus Dahlke. One candidate, Bill Hurd, was nominated from the floor. Nominations were closed and Comrade Hurd was elected by acclamation.

b. The Early Bird Dinner is scheduled for 9 Oct at 5:30 PM.

c. The Sunday breakfast will be held on 14 Oct from 9:00-11:00 AM, followed by the pig roast from 12:00-3:00 PM.

d. The Oktoberfest will replace the Friday night dinner on 19 Oct. It will feature the Heidi & Heimat Band starting at 6:00 PM.

e. The November Sunday breakfast is cancelled due to Veterans’ Day activities.

f. The Post is collecting donations for ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others) from 5 Nov-21 Dec. Boxes will be placed in the downstairs lobby.

g. There being no further business, a motion was made and carried to adjourn the meeting. Gary Wotring won the 50-50 drawing of $31. The remaining $31 was donated to the Post. The meeting was adjourned at 2109.

Ali Nikolai Lew Lipscomb

Vice Adjutant Commander