AL Post 136 Newsletter – November 2012

Post 136 Family,

Our monthly meeting was held Monday Nov. 5. Below are the highlights:

1st and 2nd Vice Commander Position: For the past few months we have been looking for someone interested in becoming Commander in April, to
accept the position of 1st Vice. It was opened this way so as to have ample time to work with the individual and allow him/her to step into
the Commanders position seamlessly I am happy to announce we had two willing candidates.

· Rob Brown has been appointed to the position of 1st Vice

· RG Reser has been appointed to 2nd Vice.

Both will be involved equally with the transition and with membership approval in
April, Rob will move up to Commander and RG will take the 1st Vice role. Not only does this allow a smooth transition, it prepares the 1st Vice
to effectively step in as Commander if needed. Rob has been an active member for the past 2 years, is the Post Historian and a Legion Rider.
RG is a life member that recently found the time and desire to become active and take a leadership role. He is a Systems Analyst at Spirit.
Please take the initiative to get to know these two if you do not already. No Commander is effective if the Post is not behind them and
we have the opportunity to assure good leadership into the foreseeable future.

Veterans Day Ceremonies: This Sunday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day. We will have our Flag retirement as usual, however, the ceremony will be
different this year and hopefully meaningful to you. Following the retirement, we will initiate all veteran Legion members who have never
been sworn into the American Legion. The Ladies Auxiliary will have a short program and we will then sit for a meal provided by the Auxiliary.
Please note: The time for the flag retirement has been moved up to 5pm!. Reason for the early start is to accommodate everyone that will still be
at the Post from the SAL and Riders meeting. Please note the time: 5PM!

Post 136 Thanksgiving Dinner will be held Monday, Nov 19, at 6pm. The Post will supply the turkey and ham and we ask everyone to bring a
holiday dish or desert to share. This event normally brings in a lot of people is the best eating you will have all year. We do this to get
together with or Legion Family, give thanks for our blessings, and enjoy the company. Please plan on attending and bring the kids. There is no cost.

Friday night entertainment: This Friday, Nov 9th we will have the Trent Chriswell band playing. This is for all members and guests and he will
play from 9pm-midnight. There is no cover charge and the purpose is to give some quality, free entertainment to the members. We can thank
Maryann for her generosity in covering the cost. Future bands will depend on the response to this one, so plan on some good times this Friday after dinner.

Community Night and breakfast: Beginning last week, each Friday night from 4-8pm, and Sunday morning from 8:30-12, are now open to the public
for dinner and breakfast. We have a special licensing agreement with ABC to allow this. The bar area is, as always, is open only to members
and guests. Public must be out by 8pm on Friday and noon Sunday. Get the word out.

Chris Cakes Results: We added $463 to the renovation fund this past Sat. and it has pushed us over the $70K mark for the year. We will be
having Chris Cakes back for a hot dog event in the spring since they also cater that. Thank you to all helped make this a success and especially to those
who gave extra donations like Chris Cakes who wrote back a $50 check to us.

Fund raisers are done for the year. We went a long way this year to meet our goal and are now only about $30K shy. One issue will be
raising money next year to also support our general fund. More on this will come out later.

Rusty Eck tickets have to be turned in by Dec 5. There are still tickets at the bar. For $10, you get a chance at $25,000 towards a new
car. If you do not win, your ticket allows you a $250 discount on any car you buy, and if you do not want a car, you get 10% off any
parts/service. You can't lose on this. Grab a ticket before it's too
late. We keep the $10 so it is pure profit for the post.

Membership: The stack of membership renewals is way too big. Your dues are due by Jan 1. With the new scrutiny of ABC, you do not want to be
sitting at the bar with an expired card. Don't forget life memberships are available and you never have to worry about it. Also, you can sign
up for free $1,000 accidental life insurance through the Legion. (this goes to $5k if you check out during a Legion event) and its all free.
Applications are at the Post.

Rick-Commander

AL Post 136 Newsletter – September 2012

Post 136 Family,

From our monthly meeting Sept. 10:

Commander Jake Defrees had to resign his position due to health reasons. We all need to keep Jake and Lindalee in our thoughts and prayers as he fights his battle with dementia and Parkinson's. He notified the post via a resignation letter this past weekend and it is effective immediately. Jake loves this post and felt it an honor to serve. He did not do this lightly and I will lead the way in thanking him for doing something so few do. He served his post in a position of responsibility and served us well. When he comes around, take a moment and thank him for his service and wish him well. As I get updates, I will send them out.

1st Vice Commander: Per our constitution and by-laws, the 1st Vice Commander assumes the role of Commander under these circumstances. The goal at this time is to fill the newly open 1st Vice role. While it is not in the job description, there are a couple of very important aspects for this position that are needed in order to make it effective.

• If possible I would like to fill the 1st Vice role with an individual willing to learn the role of Commander and one who is willing to run for Commander next April when we hold our elections. I do not plan on running for any elected position next year and this next 8 months can be used to have a qualified and trained person in place. While the election is still in the hands of the membership, knowing we have someone capable of taking over without a lot of gas can ease the transition.
• We have seen the importance of e-mail and worksheet generation that allow fast and effective communication with the membership. It is the way we do it now. The 1st Vice replacement should be computer literate and able to effectively communicate.
• We have never filled a position with training for a step up in mind, but under the circumstance, this is the ideal way to do it. The 1st Vice can be appointed, but I would rather have those interested get back with me and if there are a number of candidates, we can have an election. The absolute first requirement though is your desire to serve the post. Without that, nothing else matters.

Post 136 Web Site, www.al136.com, is now being updated by our own Lori Metz. You need to go up and check this site out. We now have someone dedicated to the site who is dedicated to our Post...and it shows.

Dole County Fair will be held Wed. Sept 19, from 9-noon, in the front parking lot of the Robert Dole VA Hospital. A number of volunteers will be helping with the event and we are looking for 3-4 that can help running games for the veterans. If you can spend a couple of hours for a good cause, please call Sheryl Carpenter at 316-524-1342.

5th District Commanders homecoming is scheduled for Sat. Oct. 6 at 5pm. The homecoming will be at Post 4, 816 Water St. in Wichita. Dress is business casual (Jeans are acceptable) and the cost is $12/person. Post 136 District Commander Charlie Trapp, along with District President

Rosezetta Sullivan and SAL Commander Randy Hubbard will all be in attendance. Please RSVP to Pat Culver, 316-788-5153 by Sept 26. Good eatin and good company.

Volley Ball: It's been awhile since you've seen anyone play volley ball (mud or otherwise) at Post 136. If you haven't been here in a while, and if you like volley ball, Mary Ann Saravo has arranged a surprise for you. By covering the cost, she arranged to have one of the old courts dug out and filled with sand. The court is professional size and depth of sand meets all requirements (18" deep). We will be getting a net and possibly a glow in the dark volley ball that can also be seen in the daylight. (how does it do that?) Before we purchase, as always, if anyone has a good net and ball that just sits around unused like a treadmill at a fat club, please let me know. We can use it. Thank you MaryAnn. This is the kind of thing that is going to get this post moving in the right direction again. People seeing a need and making it better.

Veterans Appreciation Day is scheduled for Oct 6. There will be more info coming out on this, our 4th annual event. I can see volley ball and horseshoes and as the day goes on, we may have volley ball using horseshoes. Fun to watch.

Ladies Auxiliary renovation fund raiser: This is a cool idea. The Ladies Auxiliary is planning a chili feed and pie auction on Sat, Oct 13 at 6pm. Chili will go for $2/bowl and will have all the fixins. Rick Johnson will pretend to be an auctioneer again so if that doesn't draw you in, nothing will. All proceeds go to the building renovation and the gas goes home with you and your pie.

Speaking of auctions, our public auction is set for Sat, Sept 22. There will be a silent auction starting at 11 and the live auction at 1PM. This will be a public event and we need to get the word out. There will be some flyers around the post and if you have a place of business, please grab one. There are some good and unique things in the auction, and we will accept more up till the day of. This will be a big fundraiser for the building renovation. We are planning on having credit card transactions for the amount of the bid +2% handling fee. For a couple of days late next week the dining area will be in chaos because of this event, so please be understanding. A meeting is scheduled for this Fri evening at 7 for all, and the auctioneer should be here to guide us.

Halloween party: Our annual Halloween party is planned for Oct 26. It's on Friday because MaryAnn has lined up a band for that night, and weather permitting, there will be strobe light horseshoes and if interested, the glow in the dark volley ball. Obviously this will be outside as much as possible and is meant to be a fun raiser and not a fund raiser.

Finally: Wi-Fi, volley ball, public events, bands, beer garden, veterans appreciation, web site updates, etc, etc. These are a few of the things the post is involved in for the benefit of our members. With all this, there has been a significant lack of energy, willingness to take part, camaraderie, and leadership. Our Friday meals have been poorly attended and it seems to take an act of congress to get people

involved with anything. At the two meetings this weekend, I asked for a do over. I am requesting you give our post another chance and to get back in the game. I insisted the food has improved and asked people to return. The ALR took me up on it and Tues night, 31 showed up for dinner. About 23 were real surprised. (the other 8 have been eating there and knew the quality). The menu and food were outstanding. Amy and her staff nailed it. This is only the beginning. I am asking the members to stick their toe back in the water and get involved, have a meal, take part in our events and see once again what our post offers. As we get started on the renovation and get rolling with post activity and energy, you will see something that has not been evident lately... Pride!

Lots of stuff coming up. Pick one, come out, make it better and let’s move on.

Rick

Commander

AL Post 136 Newsletter – April 2012

A lot of business was conducted at Monday’s meeting. Below are the details.

Officer Elections: Your elected officers for the next year:

· Commander – Jake Defrees

· Vice Commander – Rick Babinger

· Adjutant – Warren Johnston

· Finance Officer – Dianna Nelson

· Chaplain – Monta Plank

· Sgt. At Arms – Steve Coberly

· Service Officer – Ron Herndon

· Historian – Rob Brown

· At Large E-Board – John Metz and John Wise

Not only do we owe a great deal of gratitude to those willing to give of themselves for our Post, we also do not want to forget those who served this past year, especially our Adjutant of ten years, Terry Knight. She has served us honorably in the most demanding position in the Post and we are forever grateful.

Ladies Auxiliary Elections:

· President – Pat Johnston

· 1^st Vice – Barb Giovanni

· 2^nd Vice – Asonjia Stewart

· Treasurer – Beth Nye

· Chaplain – Jean Horstman

· Secretary – Jo Ehrlich

· Sgt. At Arms – Leah Beale

· Historian – Lorie Metz

And One More Election: Greg Bauer was elected to the Board of Governors. This is Greg’s second term on the board and with the remodel project in the works, this is a great add.

5^th District Convention will be held Apr 28 and 29 in Wellington at the American Legion Post. Delegates have been selected and all are invited to take part.

New LED Sign: Membership has given the OK to have a new LED sign added to our sign display sign. It will sit on top of the existing sign and will be a 3 color, 2 line (8”/line) scrolling sign. This will allow all to easily see and read any upcoming events and will draw your eye to the American Legion every time you pass by. We have a vendor lined up and they have been notified.

Wi-Fi at the Post: With new Point of Sale software that will streamline our accounting and inventory systems, the need to add Wi-Fi has come. The BOG has been given permission to pursue Wi-Fi and we will soon be wired. This will also serve as a benefit to our membership as you can now bring in a laptop or i-pad and connect. Will keep everyone informed on the progress as it comes in.

Canteen news: A few months ago we were losing money while only having the kitchen open for one night and one morning. Now, thanks to the efforts of our manager Amy Houston, we are open 5 nights for dinner, 5 days for bar lunch, and breakfast on Sunday, and we are now making money. We still have a long way to go, but are starting to turn it around.

Cemetery work day: In preparation for Memorial Day and our Ave. of Flags, we will be having a work day at the Mulvane Cemetery in order to dig more holes for the flags. Date has not been set however; it will be within the next few weeks. Will be looking for people to help cut PVC pipe, drill the holes and pour the cement. I know your all looking forward to this, but its not as bad as it sounds. We need to do about 15-20 holes which should hold us for the next couple of years.

PLEDGE AND REMODEL PROGRESS: Total pledge and contributions: $40,217. This sounds good until you realize we only gained about $500 in the past month. We are planning a public auction on Sept 22 and are soliciting for items to auction. If you have anything or know of a service or item that you can acquire, we need it. Do not unload junk though. If we can gather a lot of high quality items we can get a lot closer to our goal. A team is planning a letter writing campaign to celebrities and sports teams to solicit auction items, but this will not be enough. We need the membership, businesses, friends, etc to help solicit and gather auction items.

We also need to keep pushing for pledges. I you have not yet pledged please consider doing so. No money is due till year end and even a small amount adds up. We have a good start but if we stop now, all the work is for nothing. Just this last month we have had pipes collapse and the need to remodel is growing. In addition, we have to look to the future and make our post ADA compliant as well as accommodate the needs of the membership.

A lot of people are doing their best to add service and accommodate our membership but we need every one to get financially invested to make this happen. A simple reply to this e-mail with your name, phone number and amount, will get you added to the pledge tracker and get us closer to the reality.

Rick-Vice Commander