Minutes Nov 2024

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American Legion Post #335 - Meeting Minutes 

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Norfolk Federated Church, 1 Union St, Norfolk, MA 

1800 Dinner was served and cleaned-up by 6:30 pm. 

1830 The meeting was called to order by Post Commander Ben McCarty. 

A formal attendance listing was not recorded. There were 15 of the Posts' 25 members attending. 

Announcements 

1850: Commander Ben McCarty opened following the agenda provided. Ben discussed developments 

related to his primary employment and family and the need to identify a new Post Commander. Ben stated that he would be out of town and unable to execute his duties for a month. Ben announced that Frank agreed to act as Commander until Ben returned. However, the Post would need to select a new permanent Commander when Ben steps down as Commander in the first two weeks of January 2025. 

1855 New Post Adjutant, William Ward, read the minutes of the October 2024 meeting. 1903 A motion was proposed and attending members unanimously approved the October 2024 minutes. 

Treasurer Report 

1903 Jim provided the financial report following the agenda approved in advance. Theresa was recognized 

for her significant work in raising funds identified on the agenda. 

Jim 

Donations are not directed to specific purpose. Ben, thank you notes? Theresa will work on the thank you notes. Booklets to be including the Thank you notes (also tax discussion information). 

1908: Jim talked about renewal of CDs for 2 years, 1.5%, already arranged with credit union. Interest moved to cash account for use each month. $1,500 to be moved to the Post checking account. Teresa asked about the Post's 80th anniversary celebration and the funding source for it. During a discussion about donations for the use of the Federated Church for our monthly meeting, Richard made a Motion for a $500/year donation for the Federated Church. Discussions for the NPD donation (coats for Veterans) have not been worked out. The Federated Church is paid by check with no formal timetable. The Post's previous meeting location was sold in the 1980s. Per Ben, Post meetings have been at the church for 18 years. The discussion about the church is that it is a donation, not rent payment. 

1915: Motion made and approved to accept treasurer's report. 

1917: Ben covered harassment per agenda 

1919: Ben discussed accounting for the Post-owned property. Rifles, bullets, and blanks being returned. 

There is a storage location at church (prior use for Color Guard) for those who do not want to store Post property at home. 

1922: Griffin? discussed issuing a check(??) from Post for State Trooper Training program. 1923: Nomination for the Legionnaire of the year if interested 

1925: Boys/Girls State: start of process for selection and supporting students. Post is seeking a manager for the process. KP and Tri-county.... KP had attendance conflict issues with missing final exams. 

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American Legion Post 335 Meeting 

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Federated Church, Norfolk, MA 

1928: KP Wrestling successful season. Seeking support for the wrestling team. Supporter levels have 

different publicity levels. Concern raised for others asking for whatever we donate to as precedent. $100 seems reasonable, $500 is too high. Per my (Adjundant) reading of the Post. A comment was made about considering the publicity value. Another comment was made about not excluding girl's programs....equality is necessary. Fiscal year 7/1 to 6/30. 

Also request for town hill musical act. Also, fireworks. No further discussion held. Motion for $100 to KP friends of wrestling team. Motion passed unanimously. 

1937: MA dept for Legion 

We are in District 6 

Calendar year: 1/1/ to 12/31 

July 1 start of membership year 

Elections by July 1, notifications 

Next district meeting 11/27/24 @ Franklin, MA Post 

Mass Legion website. 

1940 Family members in military 

Robert Cook's Grandson is in Air Force, goal of flying fighter jets 

(Sharky's son) in IRR, in Ashville, NC helping with disaster relief. 

Ben's son in the Army; evacuated Afghanistan, now in Ft Lewis, then to Germany 

1945 

By-laws (3rd meeting): Article 3 - question about bonding for Commander and Treasurer. Brad estimated a 

couple of $100/year for costs. National has umbrella coverage via "NAP?". 

Article 5 question about Post meetings 

Article 8-2nd > 9 

Ben's departure on 12/31/24 > 1/15/2025 requires the Post to elect a new Commander. 

2028: Motion to correct second Article VIII to Article VIX and approve the By-Laws passed unanimously 

2030: Motion to appoint Frank Zolli as Interim Junior Vice-Commander: passed unanimously by Executive 

Committee 

2031: Nominations for filling in vacant positions per new by-Laws 

Boy/Girls State 

BSA liaison 

GSA liaison 

Buddy checks....attendance...... deceased.... 

Student Trooper program: 

2035: Publicity Committee Chairman Frank, publicized new Post leader and the Veterans Day dinner in 

press and with posters. 

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American Legion Post 335 Meeting 

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Federated Church, Norfolk, MA 

2040: Brad McCreedy stepped in as Co-Treasurer in Ben's absence. Jim S. has stepped down as a Co- 

Treasurer 

2042: Cathy - dinner committee: Does the Post prefer just Pizza? Poll taken in August did not provide 

consensus. Cathy needs to be in the room, not cooking. Recommended to stick with pizza, calzone, or other easily purchased, paper plates, as necessary to keep costs appropriate. 

Associated discussion about the Veterans Day dinner: 

Thanks to Teresa, Frank, and Al for the Veterans Day Dinner success!! 111 diners. Frank discussed some 

details. Teresa attended Franklin. Consideration for using the JHS next year. 

Bellingham VFW gave us a donation along with some bunting and other support. Regional Director of 

American Legion (Michael Raymond?) gave speech and check. 

CG PA help next year per Ben? 

Get photos about the event to send to the E-Legionaire. 

Jim read letter from son of Veteran and the brother of the father. 

2053: 

Executive Committee meeting; November 21, 2024 @ the Norfolk Public Library. 

1812 District 6 Commander John Milot was present; also Ben, Bill, Bernie, Jim, T Sharkey, Frank 

Agenda provided 

Ben stated that the input for a meeting is due Friday at 5:00 PM 

Ben: Mistakes happen, keep leadership informed so that a suitable correction can be made. 

a)Recognition for Lori's service as Cmdr. Ben, Golf shirt....balls.....gloves..... 

Frank has a nice plant to give Lori, Ben recommended reimbursement from the Post- 

John M. mentioned certificates or letter 

Jim is resigning as Co-Treasurer and will continue his recruiting. He has brought in 20 new members since 

January 20, 2024. Finalizing/approval of several new members is still in process. 

Ben thanked Jim for being the one who made it possible to meet our recruitment goal in 2023. 

Brad nominated to be co-treasurer with Ben (who will be departing in January 2025). John discussed having both names on the checks, but both are not required to sign a check (to avoid the search time). John mentioned a method of having the second sign a copy of a check afterwards for record purpose. Jim, operated with a similar system. 

Ben suggested that Brad should do an audit if/when he is approved. Brad was last Junior Commander of the post, about 10 years ago. USNA Navy Nuc, submariner USS Columbus, then nuclear program office recruiting Navy nukes in Midwest. Another recruiting assignment before resigning. Later worked with USNA baseball team. 

Page 3 of 5 

American Legion Post 335 Meeting 

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Federated Church, Norfolk, MA 

Brad looked into bonding. $500-$1000 per year dependent on level of coverage (theft, embezzlement, 

cyber...) Jim spoke with National which stated costs of $250 - $500/yr. 

1841: Jim has a zip drive of all treasury info to turn over to Brad. 

Recruiting: one new recruit from NH needs a manual form sent to National to reimburse. 

KP wrestling donation: needs to be moved ahead/delivered. 

1854: John Milot. Procedure(s)? followed to conduct? John will provide some suggestions. Turn flag 

staff so that the eagle is facing away. After pledge etc., turn it round. 

John recommends that the officers wear uniform shirts (several options... tie...no tie). Sgt at Arms should 

wear one with yellow ascot. 

Jim asked John about District 6 membership trends: John says it is going up slowly. Franklin has 87. Look 

Post 462 (unassigned persons who have begun membership process). Add them to the post. 

Adjutant should get a copy of the list. Ben tried contacting the three on the list in the Norfolk area recently. 

Lisa McPhee is Department Adjutant for the State. 

Automatic transfer of funds for new members. 

Tom Thompson - post Historian is working on history of Post 335. 

Frank was saying that any publicity should be provided to the HistorianT(om). 

Army/Navy game...... Next year, USNA vs. Merchant Marine Academy @ Fenway Park. 

Frank/John M......new members have different experiences of military service. Veteran Service Officer can 

help with them. Every Post should have a VSO. Story about a vet stuck in his car with wife and child. VSP helped him get back on his feet. 

Crisis counseling training. Videos based on book used by many for training. 

Should we invite Bill Concklin and someone else mentioned by Ben to give a presentation to the Post. 

September 7, 2025, Massachusetts recognition of POWs. Two speakers and Rifle team. 

File Form 990 for Post Tax purposes. 

Flag retirement: if polyester, don't burn (air pollution) 

Cut stars and field line into separate pieces. Then it is no longer a flag. 

Jim asked about July and August meetings. Need someone to make a motion in a meeting and have it 

approved. 

Ben....Frank, next meeting plans.... 

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American Legion Post 335 Meeting 

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Federated Church, Norfolk, MA 

Frank discussed steak cookout, can't do easily at Fed Church. Suggestion is that steaks be cooked by several 

different people at home and bring in that night. More info going out shortly. Also considering Christmas gift exchange/ round-robin to close meeting? 

John mentioned other examples. No commitments were made. 

Kevin Roach (Lions) re-imbursement needs to be discussed at next meeting. Possibly a result of miscommunications between the Lion's Club and the Post. Lion's said they went overbudget. 

Also discussed members of two organizations working together on something (Community day) creating 

information sharing issues. 

Norfolk (COA and Vet office) have money headed to the Post which can be used to repay Kevin. 

December meeting preps 

Adjutant inventory - call to everyone to bring what they have that belongs to the Post to the Church. Or 

fully identify it to the adjutant. 

Volunteer signup sheets. Need to follow through on who is on which committee 

Teresa is handing some details about dinners. Teresa and Cathy need to talk. 

By-laws committee (3-5 people) 

Bill to get November notes out for listing in website and to officers; Six members to be contacted by US 

Mail (any others?). 

Frank wants recommendations (Jim, Brad, Ben, Richard) with risks of 5%, 10%, greater, for what to do with 

what's in the bank. 

Walpole poker tournament can provide some income (after taxes), for non-profit use like the Legion. 

One old Post member and one new member......give short description of what they like and don't like. 

Ritual for new members. Gifts? Assistance to purchase a shirt or other uniform part. For new officers, uniforms are important for setting a tone in meetings. Ceremonial committee item if we can get committee staffed. Also needs budget approval. District may help as well. 

Eventual Quartermaster?? Outgoing uniform kept for new members who need one. 

Norfolk Police has 10 winter jackets for Vets in need for this winter. 

Letter from Bill Conklin about the Vets Day dinner success.