1. The American Legion Post 176 General Membership Meeting was called to order at 1935 on 4 March 2008, with Commander Lipscomb presiding.

a. The Adjutant called roll. All officers were present with the exception of 1^st Vice Commander Stone and Historian Nichols who were excused. The minutes of the 5 Feb 08 membership meeting will be posted on the Web.

b. Commander Lipscomb introduced Bill Strawsburg, the 17^th District Commander, who again commended the Post for its great work on the 2008 membership drive. The Post is at 90.7% of the 2008 goal.

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

a. Rod Carlone, Corporate Board President, informed the membership of current Post income, expenses, and long term debt. He also provided a financial analysis and way ahead for the future.

1.) According to statements from Prosperity Bank, the Post’s long term debt has been increasing since 1995. The original $560K mortgage (1995) was refinanced once in 2000 and again in 2005. The current balance is $547K, with a monthly payment of $5,724. When the loan was refinanced in 2000, $180K was cashed out of equity, putting the new loan amount at $698K.

2.) We must complete another refinance by 21 Jan 2010 to avoid a balloon payment of $496K on the present loan.

3.) National Property Inspections, Inc. completed an assessment of needed property and equipment repairs. The highest repair costs were for the four HV/AC units. A total of $70K will be needed to repair the one 15 ton unit and the three 10 ton units. Only one unit is operating without discrepancy. Total estimated cost for all defective areas identified in the inspection report is between $140 and $200K.

4.) When the Post building was completed almost 16 years ago, there was no plan for preventive maintenance, or for future repairs and equipment replacement. There has been an average loss of $2500 a month as a result of past due maintenance that is now critical. The annual income would be $30K without the need for repairs.

5.) The Corporate Board assessment is that the Post is not in danger of default. Despite the previous lack of financial accountability, the Post is now secure and financially protected. We must, however, stop increasing long term debt.

6.) Refinancing the Post mortgage to include money for necessary maintenance and repairs will put us in the position again of increasing long term debt. We 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 using the certificates of deposit (CDs) to pay for repairs. Rod Carlone replied that this is an option, but it would leave the Post with little or no cash reserves. A combination of using CDs and refinance may be something to consider.

c. A question was asked about the Post position with respect to Springfield redevelopment. Rod Carlone replied that depending on proposals, this option may eliminate our current long term debt, allowing us to still own our building, maintain needed parking, create a controlled trust fund, and ensure our survival for future generations of veterans. Monument Realty has been invited to a Special Membership Meeting on 25 Mar.

d. Rod Carlone emphasized the Corporate Board commitment to the Post. He asked members to remain after the meeting if they have additional questions.

3. Committee Reports were as follows:

a. Commander Lipscomb gave the following report for the 1^st Vice Commander:

1.) Membership Committee: Fourteen candidates were presented for membership this evening (4 new members and 10 transfers). The names of new members were read and approved in block. The names of transfer members also were read and approved in block. As of tonight, the Post has reached 90.7% of the Legion Year 2008 membership goal (1689 people). We need 157 additional members to reach 100%.

2.) Ways and Means Committee: The last Tailgate Party was held on Sunday, 3 Feb. An early summer crab fest is being planned for the Post.

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

1.) Boys State: Boys State activities will be held in Jun. Eddie Dentz has received a $269 donation from the Lions Club, and seven other organizations have promised scholarship funds.

2.) Oratorical: Sumit Malek of Jefferson High School won the 17^th District competition on 9 Feb at the Post.

3.) Post Scout Troop: Boy Scout Troop 1344 has 16 new members, making the total number in the troop over 40. On 12 Mar, the troop will have a Court of Honor ceremony to recognize achievements of individual scouts; they also will have a campout the end of the month.

4.) Sea Scouts: The Post mariners attended the Annual Winter Sea Scout Training at Camp Round Meadow in Maryland from 4-6 Jan 08. The training included a variety of classes in seamanship skills. They also attended the February Annual Sea Scout Wardroom Dinner with other Sea Scout clubs from the local area.

5.) Sons of the American Legion (SAL): SAL Detachment Commander (state commander) Scott Williams will be at the 11 Mar SAL meeting. SAL membership also is open to Legionnaires whose parent(s) served on active duty.

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

1.) Adopt-a-Highway: The quarterly highway clean-up will be held next month.

2.) Bingo: The bingo machine that was purchased is working well. The proceeds from last night’s bingo were about $400 including pull tabs.

3.) Children & Youth: The Auxiliary is planning a bingo party for Children and Youth on 16 Mar from 1230 to 1430.

4.) Drill Team: The Jr ROTC Drill Team competition was held on 26 Jan 08. The Commander congratulated our Edison Eagles for their hard work preparing for the competition.

d. Finance: The Post received the year end report from Fiducial Small Business Services. Reports for all 12 months are available in the Lounge. A question was asked about posting the reports on the Legion Web site. A motion regarding the issue was deferred to new business.

e. Chaplain:

1.) The Post held the Four Chaplains’ Memorial Service on Sunday, 3 Feb. The guest speaker was U.S. Coast Guard Chaplain Dennis Young. The 17^th District sponsored the event.

2.) The Commander reported that Harry Wolbers, a 13 yr. member of the Post, was buried last July in Arlington Cemetery. Also Les and Quentin Grizzard lost their sister, Eloise, on 17 Feb.

f. Service Officer:

1.) Ali Nikolai reported that an Alexandria veteran, Richard Nelson, contacted her about obtaining a VA ID card. Ali advised him to go to the VA Medical Center in D.C., or to the new Veterans’ Center on South Kings Highway. Either place can get the card for him.

2.) The Commander also mentioned that he and Robert White from the Alexandria VA Office went to the Greenspring Retirement Village on 26 Feb to talk to residents about veterans’ entitlements. They are planning to follow up with monthly visits.

g. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation:

1.) The VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C. is planning another Welcome Home Celebration for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan in the Mar-Apr 08 timeframe. The Welcome Home program provides outreach services and support to combat veterans, active duty service members, and their families.

2.) The Honor Flight Program will be bussing veterans to the WWII Memorial again this Spring. The first two dates are 19 Apr and 3 May 2008.

h. Corporate Board (CB): No additional information to report.

i. Post Scripts: The first bi-monthly issue of the Post Scripts has been mailed. The assembly team did a terrific job of folding, stapling, and labeling the 1800 copies.

4. Unfinished Business: None

5. New Business:

a. A motion was made and seconded to post the financial reports on the Legion Web site. During discussion, security concerns were raised about posting financial documents where they would available to the public. An amendment was made and seconded to refer the matter to the EXCOM to investigate setting up a members-only Web site. The motion as amended was carried by majority vote.

b. The election for Sergeant-at-Arms will not be held this evening because there are no candidates for the position.

c. The 17^th District Spring Conference will be held at the Post on 9 Mar. Consequently, there will be no Sunday breakfast. The next breakfast is 13 Apr.

d. Awards & Recognition Banquet will be held at the Post on 18 May. Pins will be presented for consecutive longevity in increments of five years.

e. The Commander offered congratulations to Historian Ralph Nichols and his wife, Clara, who celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary last month.

f. Good of the Legion: The Commander reminded the membership that this month is the 89^th birthday of the American Legion. The Legion had its origin with the American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I. LTC Teddy Roosevelt proposed a formal organization of veterans from the American Expeditionary Force following the end of the war. They had their first meeting in Paris in 1919. The Paris Caucus, as it was called, relocated to the States and was renamed the American Legion. Local chapters were formed in all states, cities, and towns and the first national convention was held in Minneapolis in 1919.

g. There being no further business, a motion was made and carried to adjourn the meeting. Tom ??? won the 50-50 drawing of $22. A matching amount will go to the Post. The meeting was adjourned at 2115.

Ali Nikolai Lew Lipscomb

Vice Adjutant Commander