T0he American Legion For God and Country Department of Delaware, The American Legion, Inc. P.O. Box 930, Seaford, DE 19973-0930 Tel: 302.628.5221 E-mail: adjutant@delegion.org MINUTES OF THE DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2016 AT THE DOVER DOWNS HOTEL & CASINO, DOVER, DELAWARE At 11:45 AM, the Department Executive Committee was called to order by Department Commander Jeffrey Crouser. OPENING CEREMONIES Opening ceremonies were completed per the Officer s Guide and Manual of Ceremonies with Wayne Hicks, Department Chaplain, offering the Opening Prayer. Commander Jeffrey Crouser declared the Department Executive Committee meeting regularly convened. ROLL CALL Roll Call by Department Adjutant Richard J. Santos. Department Officers Name 7/8 Commander Jeffrey Crouser P 1st Vice-Commander MaryAnna Moderhak P 2nd Vice-Commander James H. Stewart P Adjutant Richard J. Santos P Assistant Adjutant Robert Michael P Finance Officer John A. Endres P Judge Advocate Davis Wright Asst. Judge Advocate Dennis Dinneen Chaplain R. Wayne Hicks P Service Officer Joseph Houghton P Historian Richard Benedict P Sergeant-At-Arms Michael Havel P Past Dept. Commander James Gallagher P Past Dept. Commander Robert Michael P Past Dept. Commander John A. Endres P HONORABLE SERVICE MORAL OBLIGATION
Roll Call by Department Adjutant Richard J. Santos (Continued): 7/8 National Officers Name ANEC/NEC John A. Endres P ANEC Robert Michael NEC Kenneth Whitman P District Commanders New Castle District Edward Colaprete P Kent District Owen Cole P Sussex District James Lafferty P District Vice-Commanders New Castle District Paul Smith Kent District Stephen Burge P Sussex District Gary Shols P DEC New Castle District Lyman Brenner New Castle District Raymond Abbott P Kent District Kim Endres P Kent District Larry Marcouillier P Kent District Tammy Hull P Sussex District Bettylou Evans P Sussex District Lee Glasco P Sussex District Edward Mazewski P Sussex District Richard Jefferson Sussex District Billy Hitchens P 2 Minutes DEC 2016-07-08
7/8 Past Department Commanders Raymond Trabbold Clarence Jackson John Jackson Margaret Reining P Bettylou Evans P Carl Platner Charles Armbruster, Jr. P Thomas Burns Dale Nauman Corbit Goff Lyman Brenner Ruth McBride Larry Marcouillier P Edward Feeley Kenneth Whitman P James Brady John Endres P Robert Michael P James Gallagher P QUORUM Commander Crouser declared a quorum present. SPECIAL MOTIONS A motion by Edward Colaprete and seconded by Kim Endres that the regular order of business for this Department Executive Committee meeting shall be deferred and the DEC shall only consider business required to manage Department operations until the September DEC meeting. Motion passed. SPECIAL BUSINESS Conflict of Interest Form. Before the conclusion of this Department Executive Committee meeting, please complete, sign, date, and return to Robert Michael, Department Assistant Adjutant, the attached Conflict of Interest form that is required by IRS to be attached to Department s annual filing of IRS Form 990. Department Officer Appointments. Department Commander Jeffrey Crouser nominated the 2016-2017 Department Officer Appointments per the Department of Delaware, The American Legion, Inc. Constitution, under Article VII Department Executive Committee that provides for the appointment of certain Department officers. Department Adjutant Assistant Department Adjutant Richard J. Santos Robert Michael 3 Minutes DEC 2016-07-08
Department Finance Officer Department Service Officer Department Judge Advocate Assistant Department Judge Advocate John A. Endres Joseph Houghton Davis L. Wright Dennis Dinneen He recommended that the remuneration to the Department Adjutant and Department Service Officer is as provided in the approved FY-2017 Department of Delaware Budget. For Trustee to the Legionnaire Insurance Trust (LIT), he nominated Richard J. Santos, as part of his assigned duties and responsibilities as Department Adjutant and Chief Administrative Officer for the Department of Delaware, The American Legion, Inc. A motion by James Lafferty and seconded by Kim Endres that the Department Commander's nominations of officers and trustee and remuneration of the officers be approved. Motion passed. 2016-2017 Department Executive Committee Meetings. Department Commander Jeffrey Crouser requested approval of the 2016-2017 Department Executive Committee meeting schedule. All are on a Saturday, commencing at 11:00 AM. September 17, 2016 Oak Orchard/Riverdale Post #28 November 5, 2016 Dagsboro Post #24 January 21, 2017 Walter L. Fox Post #2 March 25, 2017 Charles E. Durney Post #27 May 20, 2017 Nanticoke Post #6 A motion by Michael Havel and seconded by Richard Benedict that the Department Commander's nominations for 2016-2017 Department Executive Committee meetings be approved. Motion passed. 2016-2017 Department Committee Appointments. Department Commander Jeffrey Crouser requested the 2016-2017 Department Committee Appointments (See Addendum 1) be approved as distributed. A motion by Joseph Houghton and seconded by Michael Havel that the 2016-2017 Department Committee Appointments be approved as distributed. Motion passed. A motion by Kenneth Whitman and seconded by Wayne Hicks that the Department Commander have the authority to make additional committee appointments as deemed necessary, subject to approval at the September DEC meeting. Motion passed. 2016-2017 Department Membership Awards & Target Dates. Department Commander Jeffrey Crouser requested the 2016-2017 Department Membership Awards and Target Dates (See Addendum 2) be approved as distributed. A motion by Joseph Houghton and seconded by Larry Marcouillier that the 2016-2017 Department Membership Awards and Target Dates be approved as distributed. Motion passed. 4 Minutes DEC 2016-07-08
Repository Signatures. Department Commander Jeffrey Crouser requested a motion authorizing the following names and signatures on all accounts: Richard J. Santos, John A. Endres, Robert L. Michael, Kenneth G. Whitman, and Larry J. Marcouillier. A motion by Michael Havel and seconded by James Lafferty that authorizes the following names and signatures on all accounts: Richard J. Santos, John A. Endres, Robert L. Michael, Kenneth G. Whitman, and Larry J. Marcouillier. Motion passed. Authorization To Pay Bills. Commander Jeffrey Crouser requested a motion authorizing the payment all bills and invoices that come due until the September Department Executive Committee meeting. A motion by James Lafferty and seconded by Michael Havel that authorizes the payment all bills and invoices that come due until the September Department Executive Committee meeting. Motion passed. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commander Crouser announced that the next Department Executive Committee meeting is Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 11:00 AM, Oak Orchard/Riverdale Post #28. SPECIAL MOTION A motion by Kenneth Whitman and seconded by Michael Havel instructing the Department Adjutant to review the Minutes of the Department Executive Committee meeting, make any necessary corrections without changing the intent of the Department Executive Committee meeting, and proceed to edit and distribute the Minutes. Motion passed. CLOSING CEREMONIES Charles Schmidt, Leading Candidate for National Commander from the Department of Oregon, indicated that his highlight of the Department Convention was the presentation of the 2016 youth champions from The American Legion programs in Delaware. For 2017, his challenges all to strive toward the assigned membership goal by national. He emphasized that The American Legion needs to get its story out as so many good things are accomplished. Bettylou Evans thanked everyone for their help in making the 2016 Department Convention a success. Closing ceremonies were completed per the Officer s Guide and Manual of Ceremonies with Wayne Hicks, Department Chaplain, giving the Benediction. Commander Jeffrey Crouser declared the Department Executive Committee meeting of the Department of Delaware, The American Legion, Inc. adjourned at 12:06 PM. The Minutes were recorded and prepared by Richard J. Santos, Department Adjutant. Richard J. Santos 5 Minutes DEC 2016-07-08
Addendum 1 Americanism First Last Name Chairman Lyman Brenner Vice-Chairmen: Boy Scouts Daniel Seeman, Jr. Boy Scouts David Carney Junior Shooting Sports Raymond Abbott Legacy Fund Jeffrey Crouser Oratorical Contest Charles Armbruster, Jr. Trooper Youth Lee Glasco Trooper Youth John Gerace Audit Chairperson Kim Endres Member James Brady Member Rebecca Crouser Member Richard Jefferson Consultant DFO John Endres Baseball Chairman Roy Lamberton Member Charles Armbruster, Jr. Member Member James Brady Member Dennis Cini Member Kenneth Roberts Member George Stevens Detachment Representative Richard Cooper, Jr. Boys State Chairman Lyman Brenner Member Charles Armbruster, Jr. Member Peter Dirga Detachment Representative Chad Robinson Detachment Representative Chris Cooper Color Guard Color Guard Oak Orchard-Riverdale Post #28 Children & Youth Chairperson Member Sharon Sheriff Member Aleta Krauss Member Christopher Werner 6 Minutes DEC 2016-07-08
Constitution & By-Laws Chairman Davis Wright Member Dennis Dinneen Member Larry Marcouillier Member William Miller Convention Chairperson Bettylou Evans Vice-Chairman Hosp. Room James Stewart Vice-Chairman Hosp. Room MaryAnna Moderhak Vice-Chair Convention Book Kim Endres Member Raymond Abbott Member Rebecca Crouser Member Lee Glasco Member Larry Marcouillier Auxiliary Rep Tina Washington Distinguished Guest Chairman John Endres Member Kenneth Whitman Member Lyman Brenner Member Robert Michael Member Larry Marcouillier Dept. Sergeant-At-Arms Finance Chairperson Kim Endres Member Raymond Abbott Member Lyman Brenner Member Rebecca Crouser Member Jacqueline Etzweiler Member Bettylou Evans Member Richard Jefferson Member Larry Marcouillier Member Kenneth Whitman Consultant DFO John Endres Honor Awards Chairperson Bettylou Evans Member Lyman Brenner Member Larry Marcouillier Innovations 7 Minutes DEC 2016-07-08
Chairperson Aleta Krauss Labels/Sweepstakes Vice Chair Labels Peggy Lou Reining Vice Chair Sweepstakes John Endres Member Kim Endres Legion Riders Chairman Chuck Parisan Member Jeffrey Lathbury Member Gregory Stimeling SAL Representative James Parkinson Legislative Chairperson Lyman Brenner Member MaryAnna Moderhak Member Kenneth Whitman Membership Chairman MaryAnna Moderhak Vice Chairman James Stewart Member Edward Colaprete Member Owen Cole Member Paul Smith Member Stephen Burge Member Gary Shols Media & Communications Chairperson Bettylou Evans Member Raymond Abbott Member Richard Benedict Member Michael Rhea Nat. Sec. & For. Relations Chairman Larry Marcouillier Member Peter Dirga Member Ronald Webster Member Kenneth Whitman SAL Liaison Chairman Charles Armbruster, Jr. Member Raymond Abbott Member Dennis Dinneen Member Dan Tesoro 8 Minutes DEC 2016-07-08
VA&R Chairperson Lyman Brenner Vice-Chairman VAVS Charles Armbruster, Jr. Member Raymond Abbott Member James Brady Member Denise Erbal Member MaryAnna Moderhak Member James Stewart Advisor Joseph Houghton Website Chairperson Jacqueline Etzweiler Member Richard Benedict Member Rebecca Crouser Member Dennis Dinneen Member Bettylou Evans Member Aleta Krauss Member Roy Lamberton 9 Minutes DEC 2016-07-08
Addendum 2 Post 100% Goals: 2017 membership goals are based and determined on 2016 Membership as of July 31, 2016. 0000 to 0299-2.00% increase - 14 Posts 0300 to 0999-1.00% increase - 10 Posts To Be Determined, following the National 1000 and up - 0.75% increase - 02 Posts Membership Workshop on August 1, 2016 Post 100% Goal Award: One Check, payable to the Post for $250, and plaque for 100% of Goal by the cutoff date of May 8, 2017. Post 100% Goal Plus Plaques: Cutoff date is May 8, 2017 for plaques in four (4) categories to one post in each category with the highest percentage over their 100% Goal. Category I - 050 to 299-15 Posts (Minimum of 50 paid-up 2017 members to be eligible) Category II - 300 to 399-06 Posts Category III - 400 to 699-05 Posts Category IV - 700 & Up - 02 Posts Post 100% Goal Plus Plaque: The Post with the highest percentage of membership over their 100% Goal. Minimum of 50 paid-up 2017 members to be eligible. Cutoff date is May 8, 2017. Post All Time High: All Time High Posts will receive a plaque. Cutoff date is May 8, 2017. District 100% Goal Award: Check payable to any District for $250 and a plaque that makes 100% of Goal by the cutoff date of May 8, 2017. District 100% Goal Plus Plaque: The District with the highest percentage of membership over their 100% Goal. Cutoff date is May 8, 2017. Gold Brigade Award: A member shall qualify for the Gold Brigade Award upon enrolling fifty (50) or more New Members into The American Legion by the May Target Date of May 8, 2017. It shall not be the Department Adjutant s responsibility for the submission of the awards. The Post Adjutant shall submit and certify the award with the new member s names and six-digit sequence numbers or post card number on Post stationary. Winners of the Gold Brigade Award are not eligible for the Silver Brigade Award as a recruiter cannot be awarded both during the same membership year. Word of Caution, National checks each and every submission to verify the accuracy of the list of new members. If you hand write the list of new members, print legibly and go to MyLegion.org to obtain their nine digit member identification number. Silver Brigade: A member shall qualify for the Silver Brigade Award upon enrolling twenty-five (25) to fortynine (49) New Members into The American Legion by the May Target Date, of May 8, 2017. It shall not be the Department Adjutant s responsibility for the submission of the awards. The Post Adjutant shall submit and certify the award with the new member s names and six-digit sequence numbers or post card number on Post stationary. Word of Caution, National checks each and every submission to verify the accuracy of the list of new members. If you hand write the list of new members, print legibly and go to MyLegion.org to obtain their nine digit member identification number. Top Recruiter: The Department s top recruiter will receive an American Legion polo shirt. The cutoff date is May 8, 2017. 10 Minutes DEC 2016-07-08
Awards Cutoff Date: Membership Awards Cutoff Date of May 8, 2017 shall be defined as membership and full payment of national and department dues at $29.50 per member received by the Department Adjutant by the close of the business day, May 8, 2017 at 4:00 PM at Department HQ, 601 Bridgeville Road, Seaford, DE 19973 (Mailing Address P.O. Box 930, Seaford, DE 19973-0930). Department Convention Delegate Strength Cutoff Date: Convention cutoff date of June 12, 2017 shall be defined as membership and full payment of national and department dues at $29.50 per member, June 12, 2017 at 4:00 PM, at Department HQ, 601 Bridgeville Road, Seaford, DE 19973 (Mailing Address P.O. Box 930, Seaford, DE 19973-0930). Veterans' Day Awards: Target Date - November 14, 2016 for 70% of Goal in three categories: (1) Post membership goal of 51 to 250 members (2) Post membership goal of 251 to 500 members (3) Post membership goal of 501 to 3,500 members An award to the top post in each category, exceeding designated target date percentage, will received a two night stay at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino for the 2017 Department Convention President's Day Award: Target Date - February 6, 2017 for 90% of Goal in three categories: (1) Post membership goal of 51 to 250 members (2) Post membership goal of 251 to 500 members (3) Post membership goal of 501 to 3,500 members Award to post in each category with highest percentage exceeding designated target date percentage with 2 tickets to post for distribution to the 2017 National Commander's Banquet Legion Birthday Awards: Target Date - March 6, 2017 for 95% of Goal in three categories: (1) Post membership goal of 51 to 250 members (2) Post membership goal of 251 to 500 members (3) Post membership goal of 501 to 3,500 members Awards to top two posts in each category exceeding designated target date percentage. Two awards: (1) Highest percentage - $200 check in the name of the post (2) Second highest percentage - $100 check in the name of the post Armed Forces Day Award: Target Date - May 8, 2017 for 101% of Goal in three categories: (1) Post membership goal of 51 to 250 members (2) Post membership goal of 251 to 500 members (3) Post membership goal of 501 to 3,500 members Award to one post in each category with highest percentage exceeding 101% of goal - $200 check in the name of the post Department Membership Target Dates Early Bird/NEF Kickoff September 12, 2016 55% Fall Meetings October 10, 2016 60% Veterans Day November 14, 2016 70% Pearl Harbor Day December 12, 2016 80% Mid-Winter January 17, 2017 85% President s Day February 6, 2017 90% Legion Birthday March 6, 2017 95% Children & Youth April 10, 2017 100% Armed Forces Day May 8, 2017 100+% Delegate Strength June 12, 2017 30 Days Prior To Convention 11 Minutes DEC 2016-07-08