Newsletter – August 2016

COMMANDER – Al Norton

The department of New Mexico Annual convention was held June 23rd -26th in Alamogordo. Election of officers was held; the results are:

Department Commander- Dave Stevens
Dept. vice Commanders- John Sterle, BJ Johnson, Yvonne Harrison & Dan Onork
Sargent at Arms- Mike Mendez.

John Sterle a new area Vice Commander was our District Commander, congratulation John! John’s replacement as District Commander is Post 44s Sargent at Arms, Bill Conklin. Bill will continue as our Sgt. at Arms. Great job Bill!

I made a promise awhile back that we would not run out of food for the Wednesday meals. This past month for two weeks in a row we had to dispose of over 40 meals. This cannot continue. We need participation from our members. The meals were Chicken Fried Steak and Pork chops, our two best meals.

We are also hurting in Legionaries help in the kitchen and working the door for membership, IDs and 50/50 tickets. The Auxiliary and SALs shouldn’t have to carry all the responsibilities by themselves. The patio project is moving along. The materials for the building are on order. The building labor will be done by legionnaire and SAL members, free of charge.

Wish us luck.

Please remember participation in activities, gaming and canteen is what keeps us going.

God bless the USA, its veterans and their families.

Charity & Education
Charity and Education donations for July came to $2,886.14.  Recipients include:  American Legion Department $486.44, T/C Memorial Trust $450.00, Care Packages $349.70, Post 44 Golf Fundraiser $100.00, Hot Springs High School Football Software $250, Operation Wounded Warrior (Petersen Memorial Ranch Rodeo) $500.00, and $500.00 allocated for scholarships.

Finance Officer- Bob Nellis
HAPPY NEW YEAR: Our fiscal year for 2015-2016 ended on June 30 th . The fiscal year 2016-2017 started on July 1st. Over the last year we grossed over $750,000 dollars. When all expenses were deducted we had a net profit of over $8,000 dollars.

Ending the year in the black was quite a feat. During the year we incurred some expected and unexpected expenses. An AC unit was installed in the game room, new stools were purchased, a patio and door were installed, and a new compressor for the walk in cooler was installed. Those are just a few of the major expenses we incurred.

Looking at the New Year, we are in the process of ordering the material to complete the installation of the top and sides for the patio. We are also looking into expanding our video surveillance system. As the year progresses there will be other issues come up. I’ll try to keep everyone on board as to what is going on.

None of this would have been possible without our numerous volunteers, pull tab players, gaming participants, pool players, and all the other activities that you support. A big thank you and job well done goes to you all.

Activities Committee – Kathy Norton and Linda Amdal
Many thanks to Johnathan Mendoza, Bob Nellis, Bob Acre, Donnie Polstin, Deone Harty and Tom Cleveland for their valiant efforts in installing our new door to the future patio!!  Their combined efforts saved the Post approximately $500.00 in installation costs.  What great volunteers!!

On Tuesday, August 9th from 9 am to noon, we are having Post Cleaning Party!!  Let’s make it a PARTY!!  There is much to be done and many hands make quicker work, so please, please plan to donate some time in this endeavor.  The Post won’t clean itself….

Stand up, Bob Nellis, and take a bow!!  You have been voted “Volunteer of the Month” for all you continue to do at the Post!  You paint, clean, fix, cook, count, install….Is there anything you can’t do??  We are all very grateful!!  Thank you!!

Sunday, August 21, we will celebrate “Hot August Nights” (should have done it in July!!!) with hot dogs, & fixins, and ice cream sundaes.  Break out your aloha shirts and grass skirts for this shindig!!

Thanks to all who support our post and we look forward to seeing you soon!!

Newsletter – July 2016

COMMANDER – Al Norton

I want to give great big thank you to the Sons of the American Legion. Our walk-in cooler quit working this month. The cost to repair it was 2166.23, that could have set our patio project back some. The SAL stepped up and gave a $1000 to help with the repair costs. You guys are great!

The outside door to the patio will be installed on 7/2/16. All of the labor is free, thanks to Jonathan Mendoza, Bob Nellis, Donnie Polstin and Deone Harty. We will be looking for a firm estimate on the cover this month.

I attended the Department Annual convention June 25 th & 26 th . It was interesting and informative; we also elected the new department officers.

Our new officers for Post 44 were sworn in at our June meeting they are:

  • Commander-Al Norton
  • 1st Vice commander – Neil Thornton
  • 2nd Vice Commander – Becky Burcher
  • Adjutant – Tom Cleveland
  • Financial Officer – Bob Nellis
  • Sgt at Arms – Bill Conklin
  • Judge Advocate – Bob Acre
  • Chaplain – Vince Hadley
  • Trustees-Warren Rainwater, Richard Kouldelka, Brian Nikiforow

Our term is from July 1st 2016 to June 30th 2017. We need to start looking for next years officers right away. As a reminder this is my 3rd and final term according to our bylaws. All organizations need leadership. Step up and help us, we now have 2 open positions, Historian and Service Officer.

God Bless all of you. God bless America.

Charity & Education 
May Charity:  Charity donations for May, provided by gaming proceeds was $3,534.07.  Recipients include: American Legion Department, $635.07; T or C Veterans Memorial Trust, $450; Auxiliary for care packages, $269.00; SCCA, $250 for cancer patient transportation; Sierra County Swim Team, $200; and Bountiful Babies of Sierra County, $200. $1500 was allocated for upcoming scholarships.

Any requests for charity funds must include name of organization/individual, mailing address, phone #, reason for request (how funds will be used) amount requested & who check should be payable to.  New Mexico Gaming Control Board has strict policy regulations that limit payments to individuals & special circumstances apply.  Youth sports, non-profit groups (501C3), scholarships and field trips are authorized, pending availability of funds.  To ensure consideration, requests should be submitted 2 months in advance.

Finance Officer- Bill Conklin
No report

Activities Committee – Kathy Norton and Linda Amdal

Thank you, Gene Hill, for fixing the fluorescent lights in the Post!!  Let there be light!  Also, congrats to you for being selected as our volunteer of the month!  Snuck that one by you!!  You Rock! And thanks for all you do at the Post!

Congratulations to Melanie Millsap for being selected as our Volunteer of the Quarter!!  We all appreciate everything you do!!

A special open house is scheduled for Thursday, July 14 th , from 9 to 12 for Veteran’s Benefits information.  This is sponsored by the state to provide medical and special programs information for our rural veterans. Watch the newspapers for more specifics, as the date draws nearer.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Arnold Jarvis on Saturday, July 23 rd at 2:oo p.m.  The Legion and Moose Lodge 2050 will be officiating.  There will be a pot luck following the service.

Sunday, July 24th we will be having a “Christmas in July” craft fair and yard sale.  Contact Linde Polstin at the Post Monday through Wednesday or watch for flyers.

Thank you for supporting our activities; we look forward to seeing you at the Post!!