American Legion Post 118 Rio Rancho, New Mexico
General Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2024

Attendees

Minutes

Meeting called to order - 11:13

Hand salute

Prayer - Chaplain

Preamble to the constitution

Motion made by Lee to accept meeting minutes as read, Carl seconded, all in favor, motion carried

Bill stated that the financial report will run from the first of the month to the last day of the month starting in January.

Motion made by Carl to accept the financial report as read, Doug seconded, all in favor, motion carried

Membership report was read. We are in the 15th spot for all posts in NM. We are at 85%. Dues will increase in July. If you have your 2024 card you can pay for the next 3 years @ $40 after July 1st it will be $50 a year. Dues increase $10 a year.

Sgt at arms reported no guests present

First Vice:

• Swamp cooler in bar area is down. Hoping to replace with mini splits. The splits are more cost efficient and better than the swamp cooler. Pool room will need mini splits as well. Base heaters in pool room are not working. Money raised for the building fund will be used to purchase the mini splits. Splits including all work that needs done will come to $27 to $32k. Money being raised with a Gofundme type of page, 50/50, auctions, bake sales etc.
• The bar will be raising prices on drinks to be in line with other posts and to account for the increased cost of alcohol.

Second Vice:

• Goal for entertainment is to have one large event per month. The entertainment committee includes Carla, Donna, Shellie, Natalie, Kim.
• Superbowl party will be held on February 11th starting at 2pm with 50/50 prize raffle. Price is TBD. This will be a pot luck. Pizza is being donated by the law firm (Dick). We need items donated from local businesses
• St Patricks day party will be held on March 16th. This will be a sit-down dinner with live band from 7 to 10pm. Price is TBD.
• Proposal was made by Shellie and Chris from the entertainment committee to purchase a big screen tv with all proceeds going to the post. They only request the actual cost of the tv be reimbursed to them. Tickets will be sold at $10 a ticket for the tv and will start on Superbowl Sunday and be awarded on St. Patrick's day. Tickets will be sold by the bar for the entire month. Donna will make the tickets.
• Entertainment committee will use all money made to start up the entertainment fund and any additional $ will go to the building committee.

Jim reported from the housing committee that there will be 2 rv spot hook ups in back parking lot. This could be used for state meeting attendees etc. Jim will donate the cost of the hook ups to the post so there will be no cost involved. Permission from the post is needed and we will turn the power on only if the guests are approved. We will be the only post in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area that has hook ups. At some point we may charge a small fee for the hook up.

Kim thanked all who helped to refinish the bar!

New business:

• Robert provided copies of the updated bylaws. All items in red are being updated. Robert Abeyta is judge advocate and questions may be directed to him. New bylaws will be voted on in February.
• Bingo is starting next Friday. American Legion Riders are having Indian tacos for their monthly dinner and bingo will be taking place the same night. JoJo will be cashier for the first bingo.
• Football will be done in main bar and karaoke will be done in the hall for this evening. Jen recommended bringing food in to the bar for the game. Robert motioned to approve the food donations for tonight, Paula seconded. All passed
• Kim asked if anyone knows where the hot dog rolling machine is that was at the post. Must have food handler license if they are making hot dogs etc. hot dog roller is lost and we are trying to locate it. JoJo asked to have a notice posted about the missing machine.
• JoJo requested that the mop bucket and mop be stored in another room per the health department it cannot be stored in the ice room. Sgt at arms suggested closet in back of table storage room could be used for the mops

Old business: none

Unfinished business - none

For the Good of the Order - none

Meeting adjourned at 12:02