American Legion Post 118 Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Executive Board Meeting Minutes
May 18, 2024

Attendees

Officers:	Commander: Scott Swanson, First Vice: Absent, Second Vice: Carl Fitzgerald, Sergeant at Arms: Joe Cook, Service Officer: absent, Finance Officer: Bill Jennings, Chaplain: absent
Trustees:	Paula Abeyta, Ron Szych, Robert Abeyta, Bill Harrington
Members:	Garry Branstetter, Phil Merriweather, Donna Harrington, Jay Wilcox
Guest:	Jessie Zimmer and Michael Allen

Minutes

Meeting called to order - 10:07

Hand salute

Pledge

Prayer

OWW Empty Chair

Motion to accept April minutes as read. Bill H. motioned, Bill J. seconded, minutes accepted.

Guests:

Boy Scouts - Jessie Zimmer and Michael Allen Current Carter Organization Representative. Thanked the Post for service. American Legion has chartered many Scouting units since 1919. Discussed Scouting in America moving to the Post and to be their Chartering location. Cost $100 per unit per year. Elks have decided Grand Lodge will no longer Charter the Scouting of USA. Jessie Zimmer has volunteered to be the Post's representative as he is currently trained in Scouting America. Further discussion at next meeting.

Chaplain:

absent

First vice report:

absent, attending State Meeting in Clovis for Post 118, Chapter 24

Second vice report:

$20 from all officers and Trustees needed for Memorial Day food. Food will be served @ 1300 (Burgers, Dogs, Chips). Bill H. offered to cook. Memorial service will be held at Memorial park. Bill J. will be the chaplain at the Rio Rancho events and there will be an honor guard salute.

May 31st Band 7-10 $300 ALR is not doing Dinner. Pulled pork with fixings from 5-7pm. No cost for cover charge for band (this may change depending on member attendance).

Flag Day June 14 @ 1800. The Post may start cutting out stars and presenting them to members with a card about flag day as they have done in the past.

June 23 @1400. Family Day (Kids Carnival) Will have dunk tank, test of strength, face painting, cotton candy & popcorn.

Request was made for fundraising ideas to maintain the Entertainment Committee's budget.

Membership:

Currently we have 610 members so we are at 105% . We are the 2nd largest in New Mexico - Post 49 is the 1st. (our goal was 579 members). We normally had to pay District $32.50 now we will only have to pay $18.50 since we are at 105%. Our SAL is 5th in the state. As long as we stay current we will have $2000 accidental life insurance (if on Legion business and in an accident will increase to $5000). Site to check is: TheLIT.com/legioncare2

Housing committee:

The idea of having a Beautification day for the Post was proposed. This will be discussed at the General meeting. Need more volunteers to help with game room. Donate time or supplies such as drywall mud or Self-Level for floor.

Service officer:

absent

Unfinished business - None

Attending Roswell: Bill J., Scott S, Jen S

Fundraising:

Ron stated that anyone joining the 100 club was given 5 drink tickets and a pin. We need to make sure we are all on the same page with what is being given to new 100 club members. Board will need to vote on how to proceed with this. The board will discuss further, motion made by Robert Abeyta and seconded by Paula Abeyta to make formal decision on what is to be given to new 100 club members, motion carried.

Ron brings an allegation about Commander Scott Swanson having rewritten contracts for all the hall rentals. Ron starts a heated discussion regarding the contracts. Ron stated that as a previous commander any contract he made should be honored by the current commander. Scott responded that this was not the case. The only contract that was discussed with Angie Fitzgerald, the person in charge of hall rentals, was one that had Auxiliary Membership Pending. The person in question had since February 2024 to join and she will need to either complete the membership process or come in and re-do a contract with normal pricing not member pricing. The client came in and completed membership requirement. In working on this contract it was found that many previous contracts weren't charging for an additional bartender. If there is a bartender there is a $100 cost that had not been previously adhered to. Allegation needs to be reviewed. Joe Cook motioned to accept the allegation review, Bill H. seconded, motion carried.

New Business: none

Donna H. will have knee replacement surgery on Tuesday, therefore Bill H. will be unavailable for approximately 6 weeks.

Betterment of the post

Prayer

Motion to Adjourn Bill H., seconded by Ron S.

Meeting Adjourned at 10:58 AM