18 OCT 20 Fall Conference District Minutes

7th District Fall Conference, Williamson Post, IA
October 18, 20

In attendance:
Mills County
Pottawattamie County
Cass County
Adams County
Fremont County
Page County
Taylor County
Opening/Prayer was at 0900
Minutes were approved for February 15th in the April 11^th, 2020 motion to approve conference rules first by Jim Carney and seconded by Alan Shank motion approved.

District Executives in attendance were Brian Kessler-SAL Department Commander, Heather Owens-Department Service Officer, Theresa Shaw-Bookkeeper for the Department, Dean Olson- Past District Commander, Allen Schank-Past District Commander, Brad Powell-Past District Commander, James Kearney-Chaplin, Amy Muse-Zone 3 Vice Commander, Mitch Brahms Zone 4 Vice Commander, Brett Larson- 7th District Seven Adjutant, David Mullen-Williamson Post Host, Brian Kessler-SAL Commander represented his dad Jim Kessler-Iowa State Commander.

Brain Kessler-SAL Commander spoke on:

• The COVID-19 challenges finished as we are 11th in the US or 108%.
• We have eight new squadrons.
• We received 105% of Ward 4 555 Triple Nickel.
• Iowa received a National Award.
• We need a renewal goal of 95%.
• Please donate to the National emergency fund 7th
• District sales has 147 members or 46.52%.
• National raised the dues to $11 from $8.

Brian Kessler read a note from Jim Kessler Iowa State Commander who is not here,

• Service Officers are a great benefit for us.
• Legislature issues we are on top.
• Membership 7^th Place Nationally. 90.5% Iowa’s goal.
• Big 12 Department bid against each other by March.

Heather Owens Department Service Officer

• Spoke on states fiscal year 2020, we had 5 full time Service Officers
• Fiscal Year 2020 had $18,987,000
• Read overview of VA paid benefits most of VBA’s, VBA’s were via teleconference calls.
• For the year American Legion serve 64% of Veterans in Iowa.

Theresa Shaw-State Legion Office

• Membership Renewal by November 21^st.
• Firefighter and Police Officer of the Year is are by November 30^th.
• National Commanders Pin for three new members.
• Mid-Winter Conference is February 12th through the 14th and Des Moines.
• 5th grade Flag Essay contest will be forwarded to the District by January 2nd, 2021, Educator of the Year by April 1^st.
• 2021 mylegion.org is going through transformation.
• Jr. Shooting Sports will be at Camp Dodge March 20^th.
• 2021 Oratorical deadline local is due by December 6^th, County by December 20^th, the contest for the District will be Jan 31, 2021 at Red Oak, Iowa.
• Department finals will be February 14th we need to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.
• June 13th through June 18th Boys State at Camp Dodge $250 by December 31st is owed after
• January 1st it’s $300 National Emergency funding is available.

Jim Schoening Membership 

• Reports of the county members Pottawattamie County had 503 or 58.97%.
• We have 2196 memberships 63.9%.
• Our goal is 3335 currently were in 7^th place.
• We have 390 paid for Life members.
• Doug Vance will help train with mylegion.org and how to process memberships for each post.
• 5^th Grade Flag Essay will need to be sent to Gary Whipple by December 15^th, 2020.

Gary Whipple 7th District Commander Shooting 

• We have 45 contestants on March 14^th.
• We have 4 teams for High School kids on 20th March at Camp Dodge.

Alan Schank Oratorical 

Each Post need to get ahold of the Schools Government Teacher by December 6^th.

Legion Riders Doug Vance 

• Stuart, Iowa is our new chapter.
• Glenwood had a memorial ride.
• Legacy run was canceled this year. 
• Overview on how to become a member.

National Affairs by Brad Powell

Applications are due November 30th for firefighter and police officer of the year.

Finance Committee by John Jensen.

• We have $12,500 in the Credit Union account which gets 2.5% interest rate per year.
• We have checking at Treynor State Bank $32,193.44.
• Expenses were reviewed we need a budget committee and a three-year term for Finance Vice. We need to have a committee Finance meeting within 30 days of the meeting.
• Motion to file Finance report is approved.

Old Business:

We need to draw the winner for the Coin raffle tickets.

New Business:

There is a new Fisher House at the VA.
Donations to our yearly National Emergency Fund.

Finance Officer John Jensen

• • The Finance Committee will include the Adjutant, Current Commander, a Consultant including 3 Past District Commanders Dean Olson, Joe Jarden and Brett Martin.
  • Motion was to approve Donations approved 1st by Alan Schank and 2nd by Doug Vance.
  • Suggestions on how to have a virtual meeting by Alan shank and Doug Vance.
  • Dean Olson, Chairman of the Constitution and bylaws Committee will include the Adjutant Brett Larson and Commander Gary Whipple.
  • We have 74 tickets sold for the coin collection raffle and Frank McMullen of Massena, Iowa won.
  • The By-Laws and Constitution Committee, Dean Olson Chairman will have a meeting November 1st Sunday at 2 p.m.
  • Finance Committee will meet to discuss and approve a budget on November 1st Sunday at 2 p.m. 

District 7 meeting was adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

//Approved Minutes Signed by Adjutant and Commander//