Minutes of meeting 3 July 2018
General Meeting called to order at: 18:50 by President Dave Loomis
Pledge of Allegiance by:
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by:
Roll Call of officers: term expires
David Loomis, Pres P 2019
Ron Wilson, VP P 2019
Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer P 2019
Kirk Lyon, B of D P 2019
Doug Spangler, B of D A 2019
Randy Turnbull, B of D P 2020
Richard Martinez, B of D P 2020
George Douglas, B of D P 2021
Tom Modica, B of D P 2021
Guests: Rose Loomis, Lana Haddox, Dick Stark, Agnes Kenney, Ann Beck
New members present:
Secretary’s report: Supposedly reviewed on line by all the membership (that’s why it is posted), approved unanimously
Treasurer’s report: Balance sheet & Income Statement presented, approved
Membership Update: no update this month
Old Business:
- Solicit raffle prizes for WWII & Korean War picnic 21 August at Lairmont Manor.
- Car Show update – July 22nd is approaching fast. Tom M reported a dearth of volunteers. We need people for many positions from registration to raffle sales to car judging. Let’s get to it people. Discussion that the Coast Guard detachment will provide several, and possibly get some from Marine Corps League. Are there any other ideas?
There will be a pre-show meeting at Barkley Center – the car show location on 17 July (Tuesday) at 18:00 (6:00 pm) to lay out locations and duties. We also need people with pickups to meet at the VFW on 21 July at 17:00 to load up tables, chairs, garbage cans, banners etc to take to the venue on Sunday morning.
Safety cones are being provided by Safety Signs Inc. Tape may be purchased. Pres. Loomis will issue an e-mail blast every week to recruit volunteers and alert members of the upcoming event.
- The VFW Post 1585 will celebrate its 90th birthday with an open house honoring all veterans and their families. Refreshments provided. A raffle for 104.2 troy ounce silver bar is one of the highlights.
New Business:
- A request received from Liz Harmon at Whatcom County Health Department to assist a Navy veteran in need of vehicle repair. Pres. Loomis advanced a check for $300.00, reimbursed by the Chapter at the meeting.
- Ann Beck, Assistant Director of Veterans Services at Western Washington University spoke about the work her office does. She presented many statistics and trends. All in all, there are about 220 active veteran students enrolled and nearly that number of dependants. Since 2013 the number of women vets has risen 168% (54% for guys). Kids of 100% disabled vets has seen a 98% growth. Generally speaking veteran/students have a quicker rate to graduation. And they tend to be oriented to the studies that will result in faster employment.
Ms. Beck also spoke to establishing a scholarship endowment for veterans. One individual has pledged $10,000 and her office has a matching pledge bringing the total to $20,000. But WWU has a threshold of $25,000 to establish an endowed scholarship. So they are looking for another $5,000. The chapter will discuss at the next meeting the possibility of assisting in this endeavor.
- the City of Blaine holds a 4th of July celebration (with parade, car show, etc. on Wednesday be there or be square.
- Discussion on item introduced by Ron Wilson for some accounting for the meal resulted in agreement that itemization in the minutes will suffice.
- Collection for dinner totaled $118.00. Cost $95.00 which means that we came out $23 to the good.
Good of the Order:
For all who hunger:
Legion Post 7 hosts a breakfast 15 July 9:00 to noon.
VFW 9301 will have its breakfast 8:00 to 11:00 on 21 July.
VFW 1585 has a breakfast 8:00 to 10:00 29 July.
Motion to adjourn: made seconded and approved at 19:45