THE AMERICAN LEGION - DEPARTMENT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
DISTRICT COMMANDERS MEETING POST 34 PLAISTOW 9-9-2007
District 4 Commander Dave Meaney (34) called the meeting to order at 1:00PM. There were five members present: Dept. Vice Commander Bill Roy (2), District 4 Commander Dave Meaney (34), District 5 Commander Susan Faretra, District 8 Commander Will Cowie (17) and Dept. Oratorical Committee Chairman Nate Fernald (9). Commander Lewis sent his regrets. The group recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Minutes of the last meeting were approved as corrected - the Dept. Fall Conference will be held on Saturday 10-6-2007 at Post 49 in Tilton, not 9-29-2007. We discussed how to get people to come to District and Post meetings. Have an interesting speaker, or hold District meetings at different Posts to encourage participation were a couple of ideas.
Dept. Junior Oratorical Chairman Nate Fernald (9) handed out a list of schools in our district for the Dept. Junior Oratorical Contest. Begun in NH in 2000, we are still the only state in the nation to have a Junior Oratorical Program at the state level. Other states have them, but only up to the District level. The Committee received a $2300 budget this year (up from $1800 in 2007) due to the Dept. of NH receiving funds for Children & Youth programs from the John A. High Trust. They are considering raising the prize amounts. We need to start early getting the word out. The Dept. Junior Oratorical Contest is Saturday 4-5-2008 at 9AM at the NH Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in Manchester. We again have this beautiful venue for no charge.
Dept. Vice Commander Bill Roy (2) said the display at the Verizon Arena for the Spirit of American show went well. We should also look into having displays at county fairs and trade shows.
The group discussed mentoring to identify up-and-comers in our Legion family. We need to encourage these people. Nate said a great way to learn about the Legion is to read the Officer's Manual. We noted this doesn't have all the protocol requirements, like who gets three raps and the correct order to introduce guests in your audience. We need to be willing to share our knowledge. The Leadership Schools scheduled this Fall will cover this, and be a good place to look for enthusiastic newcomers.
We discussed a District Commanders Project to find grant funds specifically for the Volunteer Support Programs at the Tilton Veteran's Home and the VA Hospitals in Manchester and White River Junction. Commander Will Cowie (17) and Commander Dave Meaney (34) agreed to look into this and report back at the next meeting. They do have some contacts and are already aware of several grants we might access.
There were several corrections submitted for the list of Post Commanders and Adjutants:
Will Cowie's phone is 636-6085.
Nate Fernald's email is n8fernald@verizon.net
The Commander at Post 9 is Ed Nycz, 30 Summit Drive, Derry, NH 03038 603-434-3271.
Post 31 Kirk Laskey's phone is 603-344-1908
Darrell Sykes is not the Commander in New London.
Post 79 John Czarnosz phone is 603-361-3993
Post 90 telephone is 603-895-3661, and the Post Commander's phone is 603-231-3396.
Post 100 Commander is Paul Kazalski, 79 Cheever Ave, Danvers, MA 01826 978-455-6053.
The next meeting will be held on Saturday 11-24-2007 at 11:00AM at Post 49 in Tilton. The meeting adjourned at 2:30PM to the Post 34 picnic.
Susan Faretra (31)
District 5 Commander
District Commanders Meeting Recorder