MONROE COUNTY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS AND AUXILIARY

NOW HEAR THIS

County Council Meeting, Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 7:00 PM  at County Headquarters, 200 West Ave. Rochester, NY.

County Council Auxiliary will meet at 12:00 Noon, on October 7, 2008 at the County Headquarters, 200 West Ave. Rochester, NY.

COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

Dear Comrades, as most of you know County Commander Rick Gross passed away on September 10^th after a long courageous battle with various illnesses. It was heartwarming and gratifying to see the large turnout of veterans to not only offer support to Rick’s family but to render the honors that were due him. He served our County Council well, and he will be sorely missed not only by us, but also his comrades in the American Legion. May he rest in peace!

In accordance with the by-laws, I have assumed the position of Commander. In this time of transition, I will be calling on many of you for guidance and help in ensuring a smooth transition. I want to thank all of you in advance, especially those of you who have offered encouragement. It is deeply appreciated.

But we must now move on. I’m asking all post commanders to make an effort to attend our next council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on October 7, 2008 at County Headquarters on West Avenue. There are vacancies in the leadership structure that must be addressed and we need to have as much input and direction from our posts as possible. If the post commander can’t attend, I’d appreciate a representative from each post to attend as appointed by the post commander. Please join us.

With Veterans Day quickly approaching, all posts should be planning activities. Bring your plans to the County Council Meeting to share with your fellow leaders. We all have something to share that will make our post’s better places. In addition, if your post distribute Buddy Poppies at Veteran’s Day, now is the time to be ordering them so don’t come up short.

Please be sure that any reports that are in arrears are forwarded to National as soon as possible.

And now is the time to be calling members in arrears on their dues. There may be a problem for many in this economy, so make the calls. We must constantly be recruiting if our organization is to survive. If you need help in your recruiting efforts, contact one of our outstanding trained recruiters that are at your disposal and waiting for your call. They will be glad to help.

I look forward to seeing you all at the next Council meeting. Until then, stay well, and thank you for your service.

Rick Gough-Commander

Monroe County Council

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Sisters;

It doesn’t seem possible that Autumn is knocking at our door already; however, I hope we are able to enjoy a few days of Indian summer.

At our October 7^th meeting, District President, Beverly Gister, will be making her official visit. I am asking that a representative from each auxiliary attend our October Monroe County Council Meeting so that you can meet Beverly. The meeting will begin at 12 Noon at the Danforth Community Center, 200 West Ave., and light refreshments will be served following the meeting.

As you know, there will be no November County Council meeting as this falls on National Election Day. I encourage all auxiliaries to promote the “Get out the Vote” program. Contact your auxiliary sisters to remind them of the importance of voting. If an auxiliary sister needs a ride to the polls, offer transportation. If an auxiliary sister needs help with childcare or elder care so they can participate in the voting process, offer to assist. Your participation in voting can be reported under the Americanism Program.

I know that many auxiliaries need assistance in processing their 990N e-card filling online. During my official visit to each individual auxiliary, I will bring my laptop computer in which we can process your filling at that time. Please ensure you have your EIN (Employee Identification Number) available at the meeting. All 990N forms need to be filed before 11/15/08. If you have any questions, please contact either myself or the Dept. Treasurer, Marianne McLane, as possible.

As of September 2, Monroe County Council Ladies Auxiliary Membership is at 60.23%. At present there are 175 sisters that have not sent in their continuous membership dues, Please remember that membership is the backbone to our organization; therefore, we need to recruit, retain, and reinstate our members. As Department Membership Chairman, I will be happy to help you anyway I can so please do not hesitate to contact me. As a membership incentive, Auxiliaries with 10-75 members who attain 100% membership by September 30^th, will receive a $75 award check from National Headquarters.

The Fall Conference is scheduled for October 17 and 18 at the Holiday Inn, Liverpool. For the Fall Conference, Department Chairman are requesting the following items. If your auxiliary is not planning on attending the Fall Conference and would like to participate in the programs, please bring your items to either the October 7 Monroe County Council Meeting or they can be dropped off with Marita Fredette, 32 Alfred Ave, and I will be happy to bring them to the Fall Conference on your behalf.

Items requested by Program:

Veterans and Family Support-Buddy Poppy holiday decoration

Cancer Aid & Research-Basket of Pink Items for Raffle.

Ways and Means-$10 worth of scratch off lottery tickets

President’s Special Project- Basket of items representing your area and gift cards that can be donated to the Hillside Children Center Varick Campus for Christmas Presents (Suggested Stores: Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Kohl’s in whatever denomination of your choice).

I would like to thank all the auxiliaries who have embraced the “Socks and Shorts for Soldiers: request for Marines currently serving in Afghanistan. All donations can be brought to the October 7^th meeting as they will be packed and shipped that week. Please report this project under the Veterans and Family Support Program or Community Service for your Make a Difference Day Project.

Department President, Cindy Campbell, will be making her official visit to the Monroe County Council on Tuesday, December 2, at 12 Noon. A light lunch will be served with our regular business meeting immediately following. Please save the date and plan to attend this meeting so that you can meet and greet President Cindy.

Just a quick reminder, County Council dues are due. Please send your auxiliary check for County Council dues to Monroe County Council Treasurer, Marita Fredette, 32 Alfred Ave., Rochester, NY 14623.

Hospital Christmas Fund donation and Hospital Tray Mats ($15) checks should be made payable to the Canandaigua Veterans Hospital and mailed to Helen Weeks, 1600 East Ave.. Apt. 1116, Rochester, NY 14610. Please do not mail the checks to the Canandaigua Veterans Hospital.

During the month of October, I will be visiting all the Auxiliaries within Monroe County Council and I look forward to meeting our auxiliary sisters. If you have any questions, Please do not hesitate to contact me at 607-648-9271.

Lastly, I ask that you please continue to keep our sisters and comrades in your prayers especially those that are ill.

Always remember if “United We Stand for our Veterans and their Families” ‘ Our Dreams Become Rainbows”.

 Loyally,  

Karen A. Dotson

 TONY’S REPORT

Rick Gross has passed away. He leaves a big void in the lives of people who knew him. Rick knew he was living on borrowed time since his double lung transplant about four years ago, but that made him all the more determined to reach his goals. As for the VFW that he loved so much, he became the longest serving County Council Commander and proud of the fact that he and his father, Ray, were the only father, son to lead the organization. Rick was dedicated, conscientious, and sometimes brash. He would accept advice, but in the end would do his on thing. In spite of his health problems, he could be the life of the party. He had an odd way of speaking and his words were not always clear. He called me his “Fodder”. I told him once that fodder is what you feed a horse and I tried to have him pronounce father. He would only laugh and not at all feel insulted. Rick confided in us at the office that his doctors told him that his involvement and interest in the VFW was good for him and “keeping him going”. He died with his family around him  and with all of us in his heart. Please drape your post charter in mourning and remembrance of a comrade, Rick Gross.

 Patchen-Briggs VFW Post #307

Do you like clams? How about an old fashioned Clam Bake? Saturday, October 25, 2008 2PM -5PM at the 40 & 8 Club House, 933 University Avenue. 2 doz. Clams-1/2 half chicken, salt potatoes and corn. All for $16.00 (extra clams $4.00 per doz. Order in advance) $10.00 without clams.

Pre-paid reservations a must by October 18^th. Ticket available at 40 & 8 or call 585-271-4485 Patchen-Briggs Post has finally sold their Post Home and are making a good comeback under the expert guidance of Commander Jim Vanderpool. Give the post your support.

DON MAKELY Presently serving as Junior Vice Commander of the Council will move up to the office of Senior Vice Commander in accordance with the National By-Laws. Therefore, at the next county council meeting coming up, we will accept nominations for county junior vice commander, election will follow. Search your post to advance a qualified member.