American Legion Post 335 bylaws, finance, and youth programs

 Jan 8, 2026 • 1 hour, 55 minutes 

Overview 

American Legion Post 335 held a meeting at the Norfolk Fire Station focused on youth program sponsorships, financial health and strategy, fundraising results, membership recognition, and bylaw changes to improve meeting logistics and member participation. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence, introductions, and a brief meal. It adjourned at 20:20 

 Introductions and Guests 

• Members introduced themselves and service branches. Notable attendees included Commander Frank Zoli (US Navy), Treasurer Brad McCready (US Navy), Sergeant-at-Arms Al Baza, Veterans Service Officers Bill Conklin (Norfolk) and Kathy Lynn (Metro West District), and several new/returning members. 
• Guests: 2025 Boys State/Girls State representatives Griffin McCready and Jillian Berry (both from King Philip), introduced by coordinator Brad McCready. 

 Boys State/Girls State Reports 

•  Program experience: 

1. Described as a week-long civics and leadership program (separate Boys/Girls tracks on same campus) with morning classes (economics or government), mini-courses (e.g., ethics), and campaign activities culminating in elections (e.g., “big six” roles). 
2. Shared ceremonies included a POW/MIA ceremony; junior ROTC presence noted. 
3. Jillian: won a mayor election; participated in a mock court after a playful “citation.” 
4. Griffin: applied to the Naval Academy; noted statewide representation and ongoing peer connections; rec period sports (broke nose playing softball). 

• Comment from members: distinction emphasized between civics (how laws are made) vs politics (party affiliation). 

Motion: 2026 Boys State/Girls State Sponsorship 

• Motion passed for Post 335 to sponsor one boy and one girl for the upcoming 2026 programs, with total cost “$800 or less” if paid early for a discount. 
• Coordination with King Philip HS guidance remains strong; the post will still conduct its own interviews. Interest welcomed for interview panel participation. 
• Eligibility is not limited to King Philip; students from other schools (e.g., Tri-County) may be considered. The coordinator will work with KP guidance to include such candidates 

Communications and Member Welfare 

• Thank-you received from Griffin for $100 support to KP wrestling; local paper noted Griffin’s aspirations and highlighted the recent veterans dinner. 
• Member updates: Henry LeBlanc’s wife has Parkinson’s; Ed Giovinucci’s $100 donation acknowledged by Dana-Farber in his daughter’s name; Ken Phillips Sr. had extended hospitalizations; John Carter missed meetings due to his wife’s illness 

 Treasurer’s Report and Financial Strategy 

•  Accounts status (no formal statements this month; bank statement summary): 

1. Two-year CDs distributed $2,300 annual interest from the trust fund. 
2. Checking account month-end balance: $12,350 (approx. $5,000 at this time last year). 
3. Activity included membership dues, near-net-zero website provider transition, and a $300 town contribution to the veterans dinner; miscellaneous supplies expenses. 

•  Year-to-date fundraising strength attributed to poppies, poker, birdhouses, and additional efforts. 

•  CD and cash planning: 

1. A 12-month CD due in February will be rolled into a 24-month CD to improve rates; credit union CDs yield ~4.25% with annual interest payouts. 
2. A cash flow analysis will define an operating cushion (proposed ~$2,500) with excess swept into interest-bearing accounts/CDs 

• Long-term funds and reserve: 

1. Bylaws require a sequestered $50,000 reserve; discussion explored investing surplus beyond operational needs and reserve in conservative, dividend-paying equities for growth (example mentioned: AT&T), with a five-year view. One estimate suggested “about $6,000” interest over two years from the two CDs. 
2. Consensus to form a small finance group to bring recommendations on risk level, vehicles, and deployment of funds for community impact vs accumulation 

• Facilities and revenue ideas: 

1. Concept raised: long-term aspiration to secure a modest building or rented space to strengthen community presence and programming; emphasized need to build resources first. 
2. Fundraising ideas for consideration: GoFundMe for a specific target, monthly bingo, and meat raffles (noted Lions’ success). 

• Action: Treasurer to return in 1–2 months with long-term financial planning options; motion to accept the treasurer’s report carried. 

 Membership and Recognition

• Recruiting: nine new members in the past year; about 45 prospects from events (dinner, Community Day, farmers market) will receive monthly emails to encourage participation. 
• Awards: 

1. Jim Schweitzer received the American Legion gold medal for recruiting. 
2. Albert Boza received a citation “for meritorious service and loyal cooperation” (dated “eighth day of January, 2026”). 

 Programs, Outreach, and Events (Year in Review highlights) 

•  Public presence and outreach: 

1.  Field of Flags with the Lions (first time in uniform); Memorial Day parade (good turnout); sixth-grade graduation speech; monthly Senior Center Veterans Roundtable; home visits to some of the ~350 Norfolk veterans; visits to other posts (Millis, Franklin, Rentham); support to DARE; planned collaboration with Boy Scouts.

•  Events attended: 

1. Air Force Dance Band at KP High (in uniform), Army–Navy game watch at Red Tooth Post (Navy win), Christmas party and Yankee Swap, and honoring Bucky Carroll for 75 years of service (March). 

• Uniform/cap program: $10 dues subsidy if a member buys a Legion cap; emphasis on showing up in uniform to improve visibility.
•  Communications: voicemail reminder blasts before meetings; email roster maintained for most members. 
•  Color guard: Post color guard setup in progress; Tom Thompson coordinating volunteers. 
•  Member story segment: new practice to begin at the next meeting—5–10 minutes by one member each meeting. Bill Conklin will lead off on January 14. 

 Fundraising Results and Plans 

• Poker tournament (Millis partnership): 

1. Latest event netted $1,570 for one day after sharing tournament proceeds with Millis; raffle proceeds are not shared. 
2. Two $100 raffle boards sold at $20 per entry yielded $800 net after covering the $200 cost for boards/tickets. Millis received their share and expressed gratitude; volunteers have offered help, but Norfolk will continue operating the events. 
3. Next steps: meeting with Foxboro Legion leadership to adopt a similar partnership; contacting Rentham Auxiliary to explore the same. Goal: three organizations benefiting. 
4. 5% excise tax applies to gross revenues. Plan discussed: Norfolk writes a check for Millis’s half, and Millis handles the tax payment after forms are prepared (coordination with Craig). The process and forms will be managed between posts. 

•  Poppy sales: 

1. Goal for this year: over $10,000. 
2. Scheduling to expand high-yield locations/days (e.g., multiple days at Roche Bros.); reassess lower-yield sites (e.g., reduce Dunkin’ hours/day); consider Veterans Day weekend coverage similar to Rentham’s corner stands. 

•  Wreaths and resources: 

1. Wreaths placed at the cemetery and Town Hall—secured and paid for by Kathy Lynn (no reimbursement requested). 
2. Resource booklets distributed by Kathy received positive feedback for clarity and usefulness.

 Bylaws and Meeting Logistics 

• Amendment 1 (meeting day/location): 

1. Proposed change to move the regular meeting from the second Wednesday to the second Thursday and to explicitly name the Town of Norfolk Fire Station alongside the Federated Church as meeting locations (members requested listing the Fire Station first). 
2. Members debated flexibility versus fixed scheduling. The post favored maintaining a consistent schedule while exploring language to allow necessary adjustments. 
3. Motion passed to accept the proposed reading (with Fire Station listed before the Federated Church). 

• Amendment 2 (bylaw change process): 

1. Proposed revisions: allow bylaw amendments with (a) two-thirds vote of members present plus written votes submitted by post members; (b) require only one prior reading at the previous regular meeting; and (c) reduce written notice to members from 90 days to 21 days. 
2. Members added that notice will be sent by USPS mail to all members. 
3. Motion passed 11–3. 

• Interim compliance plan: 

1. Until changes formally take effect, the post will open the next meeting on the second Wednesday at the Federated Church (as currently required), then suspend and resume the same meeting the next day (Thursday) at the Fire Station to accommodate member availability while satisfying bylaw formalities. 
2. Quorum reminder: at least nine members needed 

 Upcoming Meetings and Actions 

• Next meeting logistics: 

1. Open on Wednesday (second Wednesday) at the Federated Church for a brief session; suspend and continue on Thursday at the Norfolk Fire Station. 
2. Bill Conklin to present the first 5–10 minute service story on January 14. 

• Youth programs: 

1. Brad McCready to coordinate 2026 Boys State/Girls State sponsorship with KP and invite an interview panel; include eligible students from other schools where appropriate. 

• Finance and investments: 

1. Treasurer to complete a cash flow analysis, renew the expiring CD into a 24-month term, and return within 1–2 months with long-term financial planning options (including potential investment of surplus funds beyond the $50,000 reserve). 
2. Form a small finance/investment group to evaluate options and recommend risk level and vehicles. 

• Fundraising: 

1. Poker: meet Foxboro Legion leadership to expand partnerships; engage Rentham Auxiliary; coordinate 5% excise tax filings and revenue shares. 
2. Poppies: convene to set schedule, expand high-yield dates/locations, and refine site mix; consider Veterans Day weekend coverage. 

• Programs: 

1. Recruit volunteers for the post color guard (Tom Thompson coordinating). 
2. Continue uniform/cap program ($10 dues subsidy with cap purchase) and voicemail/email reminders.