1. The American Legion Post 176 General Membership Meeting was called to order at 1938 on 5 February 2008, with Commander Lipscomb presiding.

a. The vice Adjutant called roll. The following officers were excused: 1^st Vice Commander Stone, 2^nd Vice Commander Tesla, Finance Officer Cable, Chaplain Sawyer, Historian Nichols, and Corporate Board President Carlone. All other officers were present with the exception of 3^rd Vice Commander Bailey, Judge Advocate Peterson, and 3^yr Committeeman Hanson. The Sgt-at-Arms position held by Ron Phillips is vacant. Kurt Lauer is the acting Sgt-at-Arms.

b. The acting secretary explained that the 8 Jan 08 GMM minutes could not be read due to malware on the computer. Back minutes will be compiled as soon as the computer is operative.

c. Commander Lipscomb introduced the following guests: Gary Wotring, and Monica and Tim Stury from the Korean War Memorial. Tony Dzierski gave the guests a Springfield Post pin.

2. Committee Reports were as follows:

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

1.) Membership Committee: Ten candidates were presented for membership this evening (3 new members and 7 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 89.5% of the Legion Year 2008 membership goal (1689 people). We need 198 additional members to reach 100%.

2.) Baseball: The Commander announced that the Post has paid $320 for team insurance for the year.

3.) Ways and Means Committee: A pre-Super Bowl Tailgate Party was held on Sunday (3 Feb). An early summer crab fest also is being planned for the Post.

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

1.) Americanism: February is Americanism month. Each Post has an opportunity to name a veteran of the month who has helped with its programs and projects. Commander Lipscomb has named Seth "Boo" Butler, a lifetime member of the Post who died last month. He was active with the Legion and the VFW and attended many Legion national conventions.

2.) Blood Drive: The bi-monthly blood drive was held on 18 Dec 07. Forty-six pints of blood were collected. The next blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 Feb 08, at the Post Home. Please contact Joe Finch at 703-569-1552 for an appointment.

3.) Boys State: Boys State activities will be held in Jun. Eddie Dentz has applications and a letter prepared to supporting organizations.

4.) Oratorical: The 17^th District competition will be held at the Post on Sat. 9 Feb. Our winner, Matthew Miyares, will compete.

5.) Sons of the American Legion (SAL): The SAL is collecting funds for the Children’s Welfare foundation of the Legion. SAL meetings are the second Tue of the month.

c. Commander Lipscomb gave the following report for the 3^rd Vice Commander:

1.) Adopt-a-Highway: The next quarterly highway clean-up will be held in Mar 08.

2.) Bingo: The proceeds from last week’s Monday night bingo were $1231. Last night’s proceeds were $400. On the average, about $800 is collected each Mon night.

3.) Building & Grounds: Doris Cortez asked for volunteers to clean the interior walls. The job is out of scope of the current custodial contract.

4.) Children & Youth: The Auxiliary is planning a bingo party for Children and Youth on 16 Mar from 1230 to 1430. The event is open to the public.

5.) Drill Team: The Jr ROTC Drill Team competition was held on 26 Jan 08 at Liberty High School in Bealeton, VA. Our Edison Eagles Drill Team participated. The Post pays the entry fee for our participating team.

d. Finance: The Commander reported that the Post has received the Dec 07 financials from Fiducial Small Business Services. The Post has three accounts plus certificates of deposit. The General Fund is still in the black, but the Post has $17,000 in monthly bills. We also have a $575,000 mortgage and about $200,000 worth of repairs. The Commander is looking for disinterested parties for the internal audit team.

e. Chaplain:

1.) The Commander reported that Roger Sanborne, a 15 yr. member of the Post, died of a heart attack on 24 Jan 08. Seth "Boo" Butler also died last month, as well as Marge Crescioli, the wife of bingo volunteer, Lou Crescioli. The wife of Past Commander Carl Harris died in Oct 07, and Tony Strickland passed away before Christmas. Ed Lambert, a 17 yr. member of the Post, died on Fri, 1 Feb 08. His wife, Twila, was a former General Manager.

2.) Jean Tabler is in the Fairfax County Hospital; her husband, Joe, is a member of the Post. George Panagakos is in the Leewood Nursing Home, Curt Ross is in the hospital, and Rich Tiner is still on the sick list. Please keep them in your prayers.

f. Service Officer:

1.) Ali Nikolai reported that the Dept. of Virginia received the paperwork on Matthew Bradford, our candidate for National’s $500 grant from the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes. We were notified, however, that the National grants all had been distributed and no more applicants were being accepted. A motion was made and seconded from the floor to award the grant from our VR&R fund. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

2.) Ali also reported that a Springfield veteran, Francis Moeller, contacted her wishing to make a holiday donation to a needy veteran family. Ali asked if it would be all right to make the donation through her Church in Waldorf because she was aware of a needy veteran family in the Parish. Mr. Moeller sent a $200 check to the Church, which in turn presented the money on behalf of the Legion. The recipient, former Army soldier Daniel Dorsey is the sole support of his mother who is a recovering alcoholic.

g. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation:

1.) The Post distributed items for the Winterhaven Homeless Standown on 12 Jan 08. At the 4 Dec 07 GMM meeting, a motion was made and seconded to donate $500 from budgeted funds to Winterhaven.

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

h. Corporate Board (CB): The CB is preparing a Financial Review Briefing to present to the membership at the 4 Mar 08 GMM. The purpose is to help Post members make an informed decision on any potential offers we may receive from Monument Realty regarding Post property. The CB is also planning to invite Monument Realty to a Special Membership Meeting on 25 Mar.

i. Post Scripts: The Feb 08 Post Scripts was mailed this afternoon, and the bi-monthly Mar-Apr issue will go out prior to the 4 Mar GMM. Sil Hanson has resigned as the Post Scripts editor.

3. Unfinished Business: None

4. New Business:

b. A motion was made and seconded for the Post to appropriate $200 to the Junior Law Cadet Program for an 11^th grader interested in criminal Justice to go to Richmond for a week. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

c. The nominating committee for the Legion Year 2009 slate of officers was approved at the 29 Jan 08 EXCOM meeting. The committee consists of Bill Hurd (Chairman), Jim Brado, and Tony Dzierski. Bill Hurd told the membership that the committee’s objective is to have a slate of officers who can work together as a team. The committee will be asking for volunteers to serve.

d. Post 24 in Alexandria will host the annual George Washington Birthday Parade on Monday, 18 Feb. Post 24 will open at 0900 for coffee and doughnuts. The Legion family will march as a unit and will form up at noon. The Department Commander will be in the parade. The Legion uniform is blue blazer, gray pants, tie, and hat.

e. Good of the Legion: The Commander reminded everyone to vote on 12 Feb 08.

f. There being no further business, a motion was made and carried to adjourn the meeting. Rex Buckley won the 50-50 drawing of $38. The meeting was adjourned at 2055.

Ali Nikolai Lew Lipscomb

Vice Adjutant Commander