Monroe County Council Veterans of Foreign Wars

200 West Avenue, Rochester, NY 14611585-436-6130 or e-mail MONROEVFW@AOL.COM

HAPPY NEW YEARJ

Upcoming events:

·        1/5/10 County Council Meeting – 7 PM @ The Danforth Center, 200 West Ave. (Note change of location since last newsletter!)

·        1/13/10 Department Convention Planning Meeting (See Tony’s Report)

·        1/27/10 Anniversary of the Signing of the Paris Peace Accords ending U.S. involvement in Vietnam

·        3/2/10 County Council Meeting – 7 PM @ Perinton Memorial Post 8495 in Fairport.

Commander’s Message:

Comrades and friends,

Another new year has arrived, and soon we will be winding down from our holiday revelries and returning to our normal routines. I hope you all had the best of holidays, and it is my wish that each of you have a properous new year.

We now begin our by-monthly meeting schedule as approved by all of you when we voted on our bylaws change. I may be sending out newsletters in the “off” months if I feel that something important needs to be brought to the membership’s attention.

As a county, we continue to do well. At this writing we are at 89.39% of last years membership levels. As mentioned last month, new and reinstated members are the focus this year. The following posts are leading the way for all of us:

Post 16               4 new / 1 reinstated               Post 307   2 new          Post 412   2 reinstated

Post 2890   1 new        Post 5465   1 new        Post 6105   1 new        Post 6703   1 new       

Post 9483   2 new

Special mention needs to made of the achievement of Post 8495 in Fairport. They have recruited 17 new members and 3 reinstated! That is outstanding.

Posts 16, 820, 1457, 6591, 6703, & 8495 all have membership percentages exceeding the county average of 89.39%

Posts 16, 307 and 6703 have ordered their poppies. Get your orders in sson to avoid the rush.

We are approaching the second deadline for Trustee reports (12/31/09). Commanders, get with your quartermaster and trustees to get these reports submitted. Don’t put your Post Quartermaster’s bond in jeapordy!

Posts 16, 307, 412, 6597, 6703 & 8495 have submitted their first community service report.

In closing, I’d like to alert all commanders and quartermasters that we will be inspecting posts beginning in January and all are to be completed by the end of February. We have some new inspectors on board this year, and the will be calling you to schedule and appointment. Please cooperate and we’ll finish this necessary task quickly.

Keep up the good work. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions/concerns/suggestions. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

In comradeship,

Rick Gough, Commander -- Monroe County Council

Ladies Auxiliary President’s Message:

Dear Comrades and Sisters:

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season and is looking forward to 2010.

As we know on December 14^th, State President Barbara Hodges made her official visit to the Monroe County Council Ladies Auxiliary and she was very pleased with our membership and program results.  Thank you to everyone who attended the luncheon and our meeting.  President Barbara and Past Department President, Christine Merriweather had an enjoyable visit.

I am very pleased to announce that State President Barbara has achieved over 91% in membership, as of December 24^th; therefore, she will be able to enjoy her “night on the town” at the Mid-Winter Conference in Las Vegas, NV.  Thank you, sisters for all your support in our membership program.

As of December 24, 2009, Monroe County Council Ladies Auxiliary has achieved 97% in Membership and District 8 has achieved over 93%.  Great Job Sisters! 

A reminder to all auxiliaries, your fourth quarter audit for the months of October, November and December are due in January.  All audits must be completed before January 30, 2010 and mailed to the Department Treasurer, Marianne McLane, 3550 Deer River Road, Carthage, NY. 

The Pink Ribbon Fleece Blanket winner was drawn at the District 8 meeting on December 13^th and the lucky winner of the blanket was Kay Davis, Treasurer from Auxiliary 2670, Geneva.  In addition, the sisters of District 8 raised $160 from the blanket raffle which will benefit the State President’s Special Project. 

The Christmas Stocking Project was a huge success – 166 Christmas stockings were distributed to the veterans at the Canandaigua VA Hospital during State President Barbara’s official visit.  The veterans were pleased with their treasures.  Again, thank you, sisters for your support in this project.

Lastly, thank you to all auxiliaries who donated to the annual “Toys for Tots” collection.  The toys were distributed to the Paul Road Reserve Unit and the Marines were very much appreciative of the donation.

As announced at the District 8 meeting, I am asking all auxiliaries to participate in the “Treats for Troops Mission” which is requesting supplies for our female troops.  Fliers of suggested items to collect have been sent to Auxiliary Presidents.  Items collected for our female troops should be brought to the March County Meeting or to the March District Meeting.  If you have any questions, please contact me at 607-648-9271. 

Our next Monroe County Council Meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2010 at 12 Noon, Danforth Community Center. 

With the winter weather upon us, please keep yourself safe and remember to be prepared when driving your car during the winter months.    God Bless our veterans, our troops, and God Bless America!

Loyally,

Karen Dotson,

Monroe County Council President

Tony’s Report:

The VFW State Convention will be held in Rochester this year, June 22 – 27, 2010. Frank Nicolazzo, Past County Commander is the VFW Chairman and Helen Weeks, Past State President, will chair the Ladies Auxiliary program. Frank has appointed me as Convention Coordinator. As we have done in the past, Rochester conventions always come up with something new. The convention in 2010 will house both the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary all under one roof, the Radisson Hotel. The joint opening ceremonies will be held in the Radisson Hotel Ballroom. Bothe units will hold their convention meetings in the Radisson Hotel. Frank and Helen have selected certain members to head up important committees. The committee heads will then ask for volunteers to fulfill their needs for a well run convention. Helen and Frank will hold a dinner meeting at the Danforth Community Center at 6:30 p. m. on Wednesday, January 13^th. The selected committee heads will formulate plans to insure a convention we will be proud to host, as delegates converge on Rochester from all over the state. If you are asked to be on a committee, please accept. Frank and Helen are looking for your support.

Sadly, we must report the passing of the mother of Past County and District 8 Commander George Whitfield. A memorial service is planned for March 1^st at a location to be announced. We’ll keep you posted.