Minutes of 3 February 2026

General Meeting called to order at: approx. 18:15 by Pres. David Orona

Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Mike Slocum

Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

          David Orona, Pres                                     P                 2027

          Mike Slocum, VP                                      P                 2027

          Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer      P                 2027

          David Loomis, B of D                                P                 2027

          Lonnie Rose, B of D                                  P                 2027

          Sam Houston, B of D                                A                 2027

          Charles Muggy, B of D                             P                 2027

Duane Holliday, B of D                             P                 2027

          Dan Norvelle, B of D                                P                 2027

Guests: Cori Bryant, Ann Clark, Katherine Baer

New members present: Rick Baer

Secretary’s report: After giving the membership a hard time about not saying the secret word it was moved, 2^nd & approved

Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved

Membership Update: VVA 430, AVVA 163

Old Business:

1. Review of VFW basement floor problem. Encourage buying raffle tickets.

New Business:

1. Prior to the official start of the meeting, Cori Bryant and Ann Clark of the Opportunity Council gave a short presentation to the members hoping to solicit a grant of $500 to support their veterans’ services. Specifically, their Veterans’ Standdown which will occur on 5 June at the Salvation Army here in Bellingham. The money will be used to pay operating expenses. Moved, 2^nd & approved.
2. At the Board of Directors meeting in January, a grant to VFW for basement floor repair in the amount of $2,500 was recommended approval for a vote by the membership. Moved 2^nd & approved. The money will be disbursed when construction begins.
3. The board also recommended that the AVVA be allowed to have a non-voting presence (two persons) on the board. Moved 2^nd & approved.
4. Also, at the BoD meeting it was recommended to change the meeting day to the first Wednesday. Moved 2^nd & approved. This will require amending the Bylaws. The membership will vote on the bylaw change in the March meeting. This is your official announcement.
5. State Council meeting 4 April in Toppenish. National leadership conference will be held in Jacksonville, Florida 11-115 August  at Hyatt Regency Riverfront.
6. VSO Arthur Ebert will be working in Bellingham Mondays and Tuesday s 7:00-noon.
7. Steve called for AVVA officer nominations for the coming two years. Election will be in May.
8. Steve discussed the flood relief efforts from the VVA and AVVA. Sumas is nearly a ghost town right now. And he discussed problems with FEMA and relief.

Donations: $130.00 A directed donation to BTC for $219.86 is a pass-thru.

Good of the Order: VFW breakfast is on 22 February from 8:00 to 10:00. Cost is $11/adult, $5/kid under 12 years old.

Motion to Adjourn:  18:55 Be the best you can be…