COMMANDER | GEORGE CHRISTENSEN

Greetings Comrades,

At the February District 22 meeting Post 149 put on the four chaplains ceremony.  Harold Olson our Post Chaplain did a great job putting that together with the help of past commander Jen Holden, it was enjoyed by all in attendance.  During the Post meetings the district 1^st Vice Commander gives the membership report.  The department goal for February was 85% you can see from the chart below the post is behind. The Department goal for March is 90%.  I will be getting with our 1^st Vice Cody York to schedule another buddy check phone campaign to reach out to our membership and check on their health and welfare, as well as their membership status.  We will also start exploring recruiting possibilities in our local communities to attract new members.

If you are interested in participating in the phone bank please reach out to myself, 1^st Vice Cody York, or our Adjutant Cyndie August.  This month we also held Post cleanup which was much needed after the recent rains.  I want to thank all the volunteers who came out to Clean, Sweep, and remove a lot of debris.  We are not done, we will reschedule a follow up cleanup day to finish all the crew didn’t get too.

April and May starts the election cycle for Post Officers.  Please consider running for Commander, 1^st Vice, Second Vice, Finance Officer, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee is an excellent way to learn more about the responsibilities of Post Officers.  You must be present at the General Business meeting to be nominated and more importantly accept the nomination.  This can also be done by text, or phone.

If not interested in an Officer position the Commander can appoint the following positions Adjutant, Judge Advocate, Historian, and Service Officer.  Currently our Historian is vacant, interestingly during a break during Post Cleanup members began relating events of the Past.  We need to capture these living stories before they are lost to us.  Video interviews by the Historian would be a way do this.  The Post needs a Historian please volunteer.

We cannot continue to serve our Veterans and communities with the same handful of people (SHOP).  I am happy to discuss the status of our standing committees with anyone interested in participating.  Can you give the Post 4 to 8 hours a month to serve on a committee?  Let me, or the Adjutant know, let’s sit down at one of our Sunday breakfasts and explore it, or let’s sit down over a beer.

I cannot predict how nominations and elections will come out in April and May, the month of March is an opportunity to reexamine why you continue be a member of the American Legion; and decide what action you will take at the April and May General meeting.  My membership card says I have been a legion member for 15 years; I intend to continue serving in any capacity I can for another 15 years at least.  Will you join me?

Let’s rededicate ourselves to take care of each other, Veteran’s, and serve our community where needed.