Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

February 2012

Commander's Message

Legionnaires:

Hello my name is Roger Bakken, and at a special board meeting on January 12, 2012, I was voted in as your new Commander.  THANK-YOU.  I will do everything with-in my power to move the Post towards becoming debt free.

 
As of January 9 Commander Mick resigned his position. It was accepted with deep regret by the board.  We thank Mick for the ground work he put in place towards making the Post Debt Free.

The board is changing the club structure. It will have four Units. Dave will still be in charge of the four, but will concentrate his efforts with the Bar and Events and Activities areas. Two board members will help with inventory, product costs and improving profitability.

The kitchen will have a lead person, doing the day to day and weekly duties. There will also be two board members assigned to this area. They also will help with inventory, product cost and improving profitability.  The housing and maintenance area has two board members, but at least two more volunteers are needed.

As stated in the January flyer the club has unpaid debt to the State and the Federal Government for withholding tax. As of January 18 we have paid back about half of the amount due to the state. We are waiting for information from the state for the final payment. This has been made possible by generous donations.  We are still waiting for information from the Federal.

January 16 we had a informational meeting with the public invited along with post members. There was 50 minutes of discussion. There was a lot of good information, a five minute break was taken before the Post meeting started. At the meeting was 1st District Commander Stone, he informed us about the District Membership level, we are Fourth in state. He presented a Legacy Rider plaque to the post for our contributions to the Legacy Scholarship. Arnie Troe presented himself asking for the Posts support in his bid for 1st and 3rd Department Vice Commander, we wish him well.

 
We now have a Marketing Committee with four members, they are Whitney A. Reim, Rich Hobson, Eunice Hateli, and Dave Olson.  They will lay the ground work and get information to the public, working between the Post and the Chamber of Commerce with the purpose of kicking of our Mortgage and Debt Reduction Plan. The goal will be $85,000, with Charitable Contributions from the Public and Post Members. These contributions will be tax deductible.

 
The questions that are most asked: where did all that money go, why didn’t the board demand Profit and loss reports, why no audits we have them every year, whom was at fault, what are you going to do about it. The board and myself also ask our self why we weren’t more demanding. We are at fault for not being more demanding.

What the board decided to do is plan forward in two steps. First payoff the $12,532.01. Next with the aid of the Marketing Committee, put our efforts towards our Mortgage And Debt Reduction Program along with the Chamber of Commerce. When we get on firmer ground (this will be a ways down the road) we will address the questions as we get answers to them.

Next with all the board members in agreement we will revisit this issue. With the aid of our accountant and a lawyer, the information will be looked at. With there recommendation, appropriate action will be taken. We are not sweeping this under the rug, it is just being put on the back burner for now.

 
Your Help Is Needed To Make This Possible.  Not only with donations, but with volunteering in club activities: such as bingo, selling dog and horse races and meat packs. Once a Month Volunteering will free up somebody else that is doing it all the time. Sign up sheets will be taped to the lounge doors. Thank you for your support!

Commander Roger

Auxiliary News

Auxiliary members:

I have been questioned by several of our members as to why we aren't going to have a luncheon this spring.  At the last one our proceeds were down considerably. Even though we had many delicious salads the turnout of people was down.  The monetary donations we received from members certainly helped offset expenses.  So we are going to do a couple of pancake breakfasts instead and hopefully the proceeds from that will be helpful and of course we need help that day.  We need to raise funds so we can continue to contribute to the various veterans programs.  I will elaborate more on that next month.
 
Janet Scherb
President

Club Happenings

February brings many events to Post 56.  Be sure to check out the calendar of events.

Be sure to stop up to the club on Super Bowl Sunday February 5th.  We have the Full Draw Archery Club breakfast in the morning.  We will be having a Bean Bag Tourney starting right after the breakfast (1:00ish). Also a free Texas Hold Em Tourney at 3:00pm.  Then the Game at 5:30. Be sure to dress up for your favorite team! Happy Hour all day too!  We will be having the Mary Jo Claussen Benefit at the post on Feb 11th.  There will be many events in the Event Center, with our Late Night Bar Bingo starting at 8:30pm and a DJ after bingo.  We will also be having a Valentines Buffet on Thursday the 16th.  Be sure to support all of the basket nights, breakfasts, and various other events we have going on at the post.
 
Club Manager Dave

Super Bowl Sunday

February 5, 2012

Breakfast, Bean Bag Tourney, Texas Hold Em Tourney, Food and Drink Specials

MEMBERSHIP

Currently we are at 790 or 85.8% of our goal.  If you haven’t renewed yet please do so soon

January 9, 2012

Executive Board - Leo Carey Post 56
Albert Lea, MN 56007

Dear Board,

It is with deep regret that I must resign my position as Commander of Post 56, effective today. The delinquent tax debt facing Post 56 is great, and the State of Minnesota will hold me personally responsible, if it is not paid.

 
I am under a Judge’s Order (MN Statue 268.063), as Commander, of being held personally liable. I have written 4 appeal letters challenging my personal liability, and have filed a 5th appeal to a Judge’s Order, which would be effective January 10th. My 5th, and final appeal, left me no recourse, but to resign my position.

I have enjoyed my short tenure as Commander, and feel the board has taken steps in the right direction, but more needs to be done to insure oversight of the entire Post.

  
God Speed,
Mick J. Jaquette

Dollar-A-Month (D.A.M.)

D.A.M. Donations

Richard Ulve               mem of Jeanne Ulve
Don/Elaine Ehrich       donation
Bill/Jeanne Shea         donation
Forrie/Clarice Porter    mem of Richard Lein
Allen/Muriel Engen      mem of Eva Priebe
Don/Elaine Ehrich       donation

Honor Guard Donations
Bill/Marilyn Danielsen       mem of Bill Bennett
Odean/Gerri Berg            mem of Bill Thompson
Charles Vollum               mem of Bill Thompson
J.L./Joy Johnsrud            mem of Jack Greengo
Bob/Shirley Indrelie         mem of Jack Greengo
Helen Bendixen              mem of Jack Greengo
Family of Marwood Isackson    mem of Marwood Isackson

Debt Reduction Donations
Dennis & Judy Smith
Chuck Gaines
Bill Neff
Bob & Betty Guenther
Charles & Carol Smith
American Legion Honor Guard
Charles Vollum
Al & Muriel Engen
J.A. & Wanda Dorman
Dale & Eileen Newgard
Bill & Marilyn Danielsen
Wes & Cindy Halverson
Bonnie Scheider
Robert “Cobb” Knutson
Larry Knutson
Jon & Pat Rhiger
Chuck Stone 1st Dist. Cmdr
Roger & Clarice Bakken    mem of Ryan Bakken
Arnie & Pat Mulso
Dave & Sue Olson
Mervin Rhody
Duane & Eunice Hatleli
Judi & Jim Olson
Raymond & Pierrette Gavle
Al & Barb Tullberg
Fran Camerer
Roger Erickson
Dick Ulve
Paul & Rita Peterson
Gene & Barb Lysne
Donald & Louise Johnson
Bill & LaVonne Christenson
Lyle Hinz
Dave & Sandy Mullenbach
Barry & Theresa Coughlin
Steve Hoelscher
Robert & Shirley Indrelie
Dave & Sue Olson
Al & Bonnie Anderson
Rex & Lois Stotts
Mick & Judy Jaquette

Consider supporting Leo Carey American Legion Post 56 with a contribution to the Dollar-A-Month (D.A.M.) fund.  Whether it’s a dollar a month, or a larger donation, these funds are used to support the Post 56 club facilities, maintenance & continued growth of our organization.

If you would like to make a donation to the Post 56 D.A.M. fund, please complete the form in this newsletter and return it to Leo Carey American Legion Post 56.  You can recognize someone special by naming that person in their memory or honor.  Your contribution will be listed in the Post’s monthly flyer and on the website.

Judi Olson, D.A.M. Account Manager

To make a donation, click on the link to our D.A.M. Fund Account Page.

Please thank and support those businesses and organizations which sponsor ads in the monthly Post 56 bulletin flyer:

Craig Loehr-Dave Syverson Ford, Graceland Cemetery, Jim & Dudes Plumbing & Heating, Shoff Chiropractic, MPeters Enterprises, Church Offset Printing,

Security Bank Minnesota, American Legion Post 56 Auxiliary, Christian Floor Covering, Embroider-4 Seasons Advertising, Hillcrest Cemetery, Auto Serve-Rick Loberg, Doors & Floors, ING Financial Partners-Arnold Mulso, Motor Inn Co., Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home, Scott's Office Products, GreenLea Golf Course, Nelson County Market, Century 21 O'Byrne Realty, Nick's Inc.

The deadline for the March issue will be the Wednesday following the post meeting.  This will be the deadline policy in the future!

Post 447 VFW and Auxiliary meetings are held on the 2^nd Monday of every month at the American Legion Post 56 Clubrooms @ 7:00pm. Come and join VFW Post 447. 

Veterans helping Veterans.