1. The American Legion Post 176 General Membership Meeting was called to order at 1930 on 3 July 2007, with Commander Lipscomb presiding.

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

b. A motion was made and carried to dispense with reading of the minutes of the 5 Jun 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. A special presentation was made to SAL Vice President, Bill Hall, who was selected as the Post 2007 Volunteer of the Year. He was awarded a certificate and a plaque for donating his time to the bingo committee and the monthly breakfasts.

d. Commander Lipscomb made the following announcements:

1.) As the newly- elected Commander, he stated that he will not do anything that is not in the best interest of the general membership or the Post. He also asked everyone’s cooperation in stopping destructive actions and allow him to lead the organization without constant interruptions.

2.) The positions of Adjutant and Judge Advocate are still vacant. He is asking for volunteers to fill these positions.

3.) The Commander is also looking for volunteers to serve on the internal audit committee and the finance committee to insure proper accounting procedures are followed.

2. Committee Reports were as follows:

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

1.) Membership Committee: The Post has 1679 members which is 96.3% of the Legion Year 2007 membership goal (1743 people). We need 64 more members by 15 Jul to make 100%. The Legion Year 2008 renewal notices have been mailed.

2.) Legion Baseball: The 2007 baseball season is underway. The Post baseball team plays an all star game tomorrow, 4 Jul; they also play Arlington Post 139 at Lee High School on 5 Jul. They are the defending District champions.

3.) Legislative: There will be an instructional session to certify our Post delegates before departure for the Department Convention from 12-15 July.

4.) Ways and Means Committee: Pat Peterson is the new Ways and Means Chairman. He is planning a pig roast and more special events for the social calendar.

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

1.) Americanism: As part of the public relations campaign, the Post is promoting Americanism activities in the Fairfax County School System.

2.) Blood Drive: Thirty-one pints of blood were collected at the last blood drive on 19 Jun. The next blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday 21 Aug 07 at the Post Home.

3.) Boys State: Boys State was held the week of 17 Jun. The Post sent 16 boys to Boys State this year. Twenty-five Legionnaires participated along with Chip Byers (SAL) and Maudie Price, who was the Transportation Officer. One hundred forty-nine people rode the buses to Boys State, and all returned safely. Past Commander Ed Taborek gave 100 certificates of participation for Boys State. A plaque with the names of all the boys was given to Chairman Eddie Dentz.

4.) Oratorical: The new season will start the middle of Aug; Jerry Mittelbach will visit local high schools to recruit contestants; he would also like to recruit a teacher, a lawyer, and a clergyman as judges. The theme for next year’s contest will be announced the end of October.

5.) Sons of the American Legion (SAL): Commander Lipscomb welcomed Chip Byers as the new SAL Commander. The Boy Scouts and the SAL burned five bags of unserviceable flags at the Flag Day Ceremony on 14 Jun. The SAL is out for the summer, but they have several new programs scheduled for next year.

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

1.) Bingo: The Bingo Committee still needs volunteers for Monday night bingo. Ten percent of proceeds must go to non-profit organizations. The Post has ordered new cards and games as a result of the new Virginia gaming rules that went into effect in July.

2.) Community Service: A chairperson still is needed for this committee.

3.) Junior Law Cadets: John Sawyer has volunteered to chair this activity. He will also help with Sea Scouts, sponsored by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

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

5.) Junior Shooting Sports: A volunteer is needed to chair this committee.

d. Finance:

1.) The EXCOM has approved the Post 2007-2008 budget. The current budget is based on calendar year (1 Jan instead of 1 Jul). Problems with previous budgets included possible high expenses and misallocated expenditures that were paid out. Now projections are more realistic, and adjustments can be made based on actual operating expenses. A mid-year budget review also is planned to adjust for variable costs.

2.) Financial Records have been outsourced to Century Small Business at a cost of $400 a month. Sil, the bookkeeper, will be retrained to assist in other areas.

3.) The IRS approved an extension of our tax return until 15 Aug 07. With the current operating budget and JarTrek, our taxes will be accurate.

e. Chaplain:

1.) Maudie sent a get-well card to Comrade Jimmy Jones for his wife, Nita, who has an ulcer. The Chaplain also sent get-well cards to Comrades Daniel Walton and Walter Welc, who was in the Fairfax Hospital with broken ribs. Comrade William McDowell was buried in Arlington, and Kurt Ross is recovering from surgery at home. Please keep them in your prayers.

2.) Maudie will be attending the Department of VA Convention from 12-15 Jul, serving as a Chaplain and working on several committees.

f. Service Officer:

1.) Ali Nikolai asked the membership if anyone knew of an address where donations could be sent for troops in Iraq. A Parish in Waldorf where Ali lives has been collecting items for the troops but does not know where to send them. It was suggested that she contact the head chaplain at the Pentagon or check with military terminals at Andrews and Dover Air Force Bases.

2.) Ali is still looking for a volunteer to replace Bob Paige as VA&R Chairperson.

g. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation: In July, the Auxiliary will be making up gift bags again for the veterans at the hospitals. Items being collected are boxer shorts ladies briefs, white socks, and personal items such as deodorant, combs, brushes, toothpaste, and shampoo. Loretta Smith is the Unit VA&R Chairperson.

h. Corporate Board:

1.) Monument Realty, the County redevelopment group, addressed a Special Membership Meeting at the Post at 1930 on 27 Jun. The purpose of the meeting was to present changes planned for land redevelopment in East Springfield. Twenty-six people attended the meeting. The Post will get a CD ROM and hard copies of the slides. A member survey is needed to help the Post decide what we may want to do with some of our land. The Corporate Board will review every option put on the table to restructure property we cannot use.

2.) Rod Carlone commended the General Manager, Suki Knarr, for her accomplishments during the past six months. Her efforts have resulted in a significant decrease in labor costs and an increase in cost savings and revenue. The Board’s priorities for cost reductions are fire insurance, janitorial services, and then the AIMS Web page program.

i. Post Scripts: Klaus Dahlke has resigned as Post Scripts Editor. He has been editor for the past three years. Commander Lipscomb thanked him for a job well done. Sil Hanson will pick up some of the slack in August. Letters to the Commander will be published in the Post Scripts.

3. Old Business

a. The Officers’ Installation Banquet was held at the Post on 24 Jun from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

b. Due to cancellation of the annual Community Service Awards Dinner, outgoing Commander Taborek announced awards for Policeman and Fireman of the Year, along with a special award to Rich Tiner for Excellence in Zoning Compliance. Comrade Les Grizzard was selected as Post 176 Legionnaire of the Year.

c. In reference to the 14 Nov 06 GMM minutes, para 5.e., and the 6 Feb 07 GMM minutes, para 3.b., John Bednarek asked about the status of the bronze plaque and the flag ceremony discussed at the 3 Apr 07 membership meeting. The flag for his apartment building was donated by American Legion Post 176 and a plaque was purchased to attach to the flag pole. It was noted that the Post would schedule a flag-raising ceremony. Commander Taborek has the plaque and will arrange for the flag-raising ceremony.

5. New Business:

a. The Commander presented the Post 2007-2008 budget to the general membership. The EXCOM approved the budget at last week’s meeting (26 Jun), and the budget is now in line with the calendar year. Following the Commander’s presentation, a motion was made and seconded to accept the budget as proposed. During discussion, an amendment was made to include $10K for unfunded dinners. The motion as amended was carried by unanimous vote.

b. The Department of VA Convention will be held from 12-15 Jul 07 at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, VA. The Post will have 35 delegates. Registration and fees are required for all social events. Registration is $7. Maudie will bring a $300 check from the Post.

c. The Post will have an Independence Day picnic on the 4^th of July from 11:00 AM to3:00 PM. There will be a flag ceremony preceding the picnic at 10:45 AM.

d. The next EXCOM Meeting is 24 Jul. It is listed incorrectly in the July Post Scripts.

e. New hours for the Sunday breakfasts are 0900-1400, instead of 9-11 AM. The breakfasts are $6.00 a person.

f. Kenny Sutherland won the Post raffle for the Get Away Vacation at Pine Villas Bryce Mountain from 13-20 July.

g. Post 176 and VFW Post 7327 will have a joint meeting on 4 Aug at the Moose Lodge on Beulah Street; the District 10 VFW meeting will be at the Post home on 5 Aug.

h. Ken Hanson has the 2005 edition of the House Rules. The House Rules Committee will review the rules and submit proposed changes. Committee members are Ken Hanson (President), Tony Dzierski, and Lonnie Plottner.

i. Good of the Legion: Commander Lipscomb asked the membership to leave differences behind and work together for the common good of the Post. He also asked our biggest detractor, William Snyder, to give him a chance to get things in order without interfering in Post affairs.

j. There being no further business, a motion was made and carried to adjourn the meeting. Jim Brado won the 50-50 drawing and donated the amount ($54) to ??. The meeting was adjourned at 2125.

Ali Nikolai Lew Lipscomb

Vice Adjutant Commander