Sons of The American Legion

National Executive CommitteeCommission and Committee Minutes

Indianapolis, lN - A

Opening:The meeting was called to order at 9:40 AM

ofthe Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

Americanism Commission

onby

April 30, 2016 in the 9ircle West Room

Chairman Greg K. Gibbs [NYl

Members: Casimero "J.R." Padilla [NM')AbsentRoll Call:

Chairman:Vice Chairman:

Secretary:

Liaison:

Gres K. Gibbs fNYlGerald Hammerschmidt tKSl Iames Borsman flll

Tom Chebro fGA')

Rick Trzcinski [TXl AbsentEd Sheubrooks [FL]

National Assistant AdjutantDave Stephens flNJ

Past National CommanderGuests: fohn Mejia ICAJ; Casey Lenort (MN]; David Siggers (lN); Michael Sypherd Sr. (lAJ; Randy

Eicher [OH); David Stephens (lNJ; Pete Sierminski (CO); I.Bruce Ruthven [NYJ; foeSchulrz flNJ; William Murphy (MA); William Geary (lL); George Koop (lLJ; Richard Pond

Jr. [NH); John Waite (VTJ; Gillis Wallace [TN); Lenny Free (NJJ; John Wright [CT); Carl

Albern Ir. [NI); Bob Borkovich [VA]; Lyle Chapman (GAJ; Doug Evans [KS); Cliff Boyer

[PA]; Bob Hath (AZ).

Reading of the Previous Meeting Minutes:Chairman Gibbs INYJ stated that the minutes of the Fall NEC 2015 meeting were previously distributed byemail. Tom Chebro IGAJ made a motion to accept the minutes as distributed. Second by fames Borgman(lLJ. Motion approved.

Old Business:Chairman Gibbs INYJ stated there was no Old Business to consider.

New BusinessrChairman Gibbs (NYJ stated National Commander Kevin Collier's (AKJ Project Goals for this year. For the

National Emergency Fund - .50 cents per capita. For the American Legion Endowment Fund - .25 cents percapita, and for the Child Welfare Foundation - $1.50 per capita. This equals $2.25 per member. Over

$100,000.00 was donated for various programs this morning.

National Commander Kevin Collier IAKJ addressed the Commission meeting. Thank you for what you are

doing for the Commission. Communications is strong within the Commission. Thank you for keeping

everyone informed what is transpiring between the NEC meetings and Convention. Keep up the great workyou are doing!

Chairman Gibbs (NY) explained a new program the Auxiliary has. It is the funior Activities Patch Program.It is open to all funior Auxiliary members and Sons members that are under 18. This program can go handin hand with the Five Star and Ten Ideals programs. Members would earn Patches like the Boy Scouts forcompleting various aspects of the program. This is available on the Americanism Website for anyone

interested. After discussion by the Commission, Gerald Hammerschmidt IKSJ made a motion thatAmericanism Commission promotes the Junior Activities Patch program for our younger members that are

interested. Seconded by Tom Chebro [GAJ, and carried.

Chairman Gibbs INYJ read Americanism and Children & Youth activities by the numbers for 2015. LegionDepartments requested over 200,949 Americanism and Children & Youth brochures for distribution.3,447volunteers were recognized for their contributions in supporting missions of Americanism and Children &Youth; an increase of 654 recognitions from last year. American legion Baseball - 67,050 youth came

together to form 3,725 teams playing Legion Ball throughout the nation. A record 17t,072 spectatorsattended the 6 day, 15 game World Series in Shelby, NC, eclipsing the previous record of 110,036 the year

SAL_2016_5pri ng_N EC_Com mission-and-Committee-M inutes.docx Page 3 of 33

Sons of The American Legion

National Executive CommitteeCommission and Committee Minutes

Indianapolis, lN - A

before. funior Shooting Sports - 1,503 individual athletes entered the postal round completion. Boys State

-'1,9,449 par[icipants in 49 programs nationwide, an increase of 132 participants. Boy Scouts - 2,448Scouting unites were chartered by Legion Post involving 6L,273 young people. Education - Over

1,,2+9,684.00 was amassed during the Legacy Run. 246 students were awarded $545,760.00 in academic

scholarships. TFA - 1,511 minor children of 631 veterans received $819,971.00 in cash grants. Family

Support Network - 729 request were received through National Headquarters. 0peration ComfortWarriors - 29 OCW grants totaling $198,556.00 provided comfort and therapeutic items. American Legion

Endowment Fund - Over 4187,960,00 was received in donations.

The Leading Candidate for National Commander, f eff Frain (AZl addressed the Commission. I know the

Commission is doing great work and I look forward to reading the reports on Sunday. He introduced the

Candidates for National Vice Commanders 2016 -2017 '

Resolutions:Chairman Gibbs [NY) read two Reso]utions, the first titled SAL Res. 3 - Spring 2016; in Support for Get OutThe Vote, the seconded titled SAL Res. 4 - Spring 2016; in Support for the Family Support Network. Motionto accept the Resolutions made by Gerald Hammerschmidt (KS), seconded by James Borgman (lLJ and

carried,

Chairman Gibbs (NY] reported on the National Oratorical Contest. I had the opportunity to serve as a judge

for the Quarter Finals and Semi Finals. The caliber of the National Contestants was amazing. Over

$135,000.00 was given to the Contestants during the weekend. All contestants were winners in one way oranother. The overall winner had the potential to leave with over $20,000.00 to spend on their education orother needs. We need to go back to our Detachments and Squadrons to get more involved with thisprogram. Richard Pond [NHJ stated that New Hampshire has a Junior 0ratorical Contest that they conductfor younger members.

Reports of Committees:Children and Youth - Chairman Randy Eicher (0HJ reported that the Committee met last night. In additionto the Committee members, they had thirteen guests in attendance as well. Chairman Eicher [0HJ statedthat we need to get more attendance at the annual Children & Youth Conference. Every Detachment shouldsend a representative to this Conference. The next one is scheduled for September t6 - 77,2016. Please

stress to your Squadrons to submit their Consolidated Squadron Reports. Along with the reports we are

looking for photos of the activities as well. There are thirteen Legion Resolutions that the Committee is

looking at for support of and will have Resolutions for the National Convention. Motion made by famesBorgman flLl to accept the Children & Youth report. Seconded by Tom Chebro (GA) and carried.

Child Welfare Foundation - Chairman Pete Sierminski [C0) reported that a total of 24 grants in the amountof$640,395.00 was voted on atthe Fall Conference by the Foundation. The SAL approved 13 ofthesegrants. Prior to this meeting, $17 4,618.00 has been donated by the Sons for the Foundation. This morningover $78,000,00 was donated for CWF. Indiana leads the nation with over $28,000.00 in donations.Remember National Commander Kevin Collier's goal of $ 1.50 per capita for CWF. We are approaching theseven million dollar mark in donations. We have new CWF pins for sale, "SONS FOR KIDS"! I hope to see

everyone wearing one this weekend. Remember to order your Per Capita Banners if you have exceeded the

$1.00 per capita mark We had one Resolution submitted, SAL Res.S - Spring 2016 Titled Child WelfareFoundation donation in the amount of $5,000.00. The funds to come from the 2016 operating budget. We

are coming to the end of our fiscal year for CWF. Your donations must be into National Headquarters by4:0Opm on May 37,2016. Motion to accept the Child Welfare report, including the Resolution made by Tom

Chebro (GA), seconded by Gerald Hammerschmidt [KS) and carried.

Chairman Gibbs (NYJ stated that the Commission is looking for submissions from our members pertainingto Americanism programs for the Website and such. I will be working on updating the Power Pointpresentation for National Convention. I am asking the Commission members to review the previous oneand make suggestions to update it and updated photos.

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Sons of The American Legion

Nationa I Executive CommitteeCommission and Committee Minutes

lndianapolis, lN - April 30- L,20L6

Americanism Handbook - I have made copies of the Americanism Handbook for the Commissionmembers. This is available for downloading on the Americanism website. If anyone has any suggestions orchanges, please let us know. The Commission is also on Face Book. Please remember to use social mediawhenever possible.

For the Good ofThe Sons:William Murphy [MA) reported that the town of Cohasset, MA Is renaming their Veterans Field in TomWigmore's honor.

Closing:With no further business to consider,at 11:00 am

Chairman Gres K. Gibbs (NYl adjourned the meeting

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Sons of The American Legion

National Executive Committee

Opening:The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM onofthe Sheraton Indianapolis City Cert.e by

Commission and Committee Minuteslndianapolis, lN - L,2Ot6

April29,20t6 in the Circle East Room

Chairman Randv Eicher l0Hl

30-

Roll Call;Chairman:Secretary:

Randv Eicher l0Hl Members: Ronnie Grist fGAlAnthony Wrieht [PAl lames A. Noble (NI')

National Assistant Adjutantfnone assigned)

William D. Kelly,lr. fFLlLiaison: Michael S. Cotten fDEl

Past National CommanderGuests: Scott Baker [PA); Clint Bolt [VA) Damon Brantmueller (lN); Michael Sypherd flAJ; David

Mummert(lN); Raymond Samko (MA); Phillip Cook (NHJ; JR Stillwell (lL); Greg Gibbs(NY); Cart Albern, Ir. [NI]; Gerald Hammerschmidt (KS) and Doug Evans IKSJ

Reading of the Previous Meeting Minutes:There being no objections, the minutes of the Fall, 2015 meeting were approved as published.

Old Business:Children & Youth Conference - William Kelly [FL] reported on the recent conference held here inIndianapolis from September 1B-20, 2015. At the conference the Songs ofLove program was presented.

This is an activity which involves hospitalized children. There was also a Membership Workshop on how torecruit new members for the entire Legion Family when undertaking a Children & Youth program in yourlocal area. The C0TA organization also made a presentation atthe conference. Ronnie Grist (GA) alsoreported on the conference. Songs of Love is a program in which individualized songs are written andrecorded to upliftthe spirits of a hospitalized child. "Rosie's Song" was played forthe attendees. This songwas recorded at the recent Children & Youth conference by the Legion Family members in attendance.Ronnie also reported on the Beads ofCourage program. The different colors on the necklace representcertain procedures that child has endured while in the hospital.

Mission Statement - Chairman Randy Eicher (0HJ read the Mission Statement that was prepared andagreed upon by the Committee which follows:

"The mission of the Sons of The American Legion Committee on Children & Youth is to formulate,recommend and implement plans, programs, and activities of The American Legion. The Committee'sresponsibility is to promote the care and protection of the children of veterans; improve conditions for allchildren and youth with due concern for maintaining the integrity of the family home; prevent social andphysical ills of children and youth where possible, utilizing services and cooperating with soundorganizations and agencies for children and youth; maintain a balanced program that provides for theirphysical emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs; and such other purposes as maybe assigned to it byThe American Legion and the Sons of The American Legion National Executive Committee; and to assist

The American Legion Children and Youth Program in carrying on for God and Country."A motion made by Randy Eicher and seconded by Ronnie Grist to approve the Mission Statement wascarried.

National Endowment Fund- Jim Noble [NJJ spoke on Commander Collier's goal of $0.25 per member. As ofApril 15, 2016 we have ROCKED the Children and Youth programs with donation of $22,449.69 for thisNational Executive Committee meeting here in Indianapolis and the Squadrons, Counties, Districts andDetachments made heavy donations for The American Legion Endowment Fund.

The American Legion Endowment Fund has distributed millions of dollars to disabled veterans andchildren of those who served this great nation; your gifts and donations are added to the trust, which is

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Sons of The American Legion

National Executive CommitteeCommission and Committee Minutes

lndia lN - April L,2OL6

administered by The American Legion Endowment Fund Corporation.

Squadrons, Counties, Districts and Detachments, can make their donation checks payable to The American

Legion Endowment Fund and place the letters SAL in the memo portion of the check. For those who have

noi brought the donations to the NEC meeting, please mail your checks into the Endowment Fund

Corporation by May 31,2016.

Last year; The American Legion Endowment Fund Corporation has established tlvo new awards for the SAL.

The Aarry W. Colmery Legacy Award will honor the Detachment with the highest donation to the

Endowment Fund for the membership year. The fames A. Drain Founder's Award will honor the

Detachment with the highest per-capita donation.

please don't forget to complete the Consolidated Report Forms and forward them to your Detachment

Adjutants.

Temnorary Finanical Assistance [TFA] - Michael Cotten (DEJ stated that several articles have been sent out

to each Detachment to be filtered down through the squadrons. For those that don't know about the TFA

program. Has awarded cash grants to minor children of veterans who are eligible for American Legion

membership. These grants help families in need meet the cost of sheltec food, utilities and health expenses.

Resolutions - Ronnie Grist stated he has had a chance to review the resolutions that Chairman Eicher has

sent out to committee members. Upon his review of he feels that the committee members should take the

opportunity to review them and have some discussion. By mid-May, Ronnie will have had a chance to

review them for future discussion.

Chairman Eicher stressed the importance of completing the consolidate report. Also, we plan to complete a

final newsletter prior to Nation Convention.

New Business:Chairman Eicher has 13 resolutions that have been adopted by The American Legion at the National

Convention in2016. He requests that each Committee member review the resolutions and be ready to

discuss them on the June 5th Conference call'

For the Good of the Sons of The American Legion:Leading candidate for SAL Nation Commander Jeff Frain (AZJ thanked the committee for the work that they

are doing. Next yea4 if elected we have several new items that we'll be working on.

Americanism Commission Chairman Greg Gibbs [NY] tomorrow at 9:30 the Americanism Commission willbe meeting.

National Commander Kevin Collier thanked the members for their commitment to working for the good of

the children of our country. Additionally, keep up the work you're doing and continue to develop new ideas

for the future.

Ronnie Grist discussed the Children and Youth conference in September and talked about the benefits ofDetachments sending there Detachment Committee Chairman.

Second Leading Candidate Danny Smith thanked the members for taking time out of there weekend to

attend the NEC meeting and the Children and Youth Committee meeting'

Closing:With no further business to consider,at 8:20 PM

Chairman Randy Eicher IOH') adjourned the meeting

SAL-2016-5pring-N EC-Com mission-and-Committee-M inutes.docx PageT of 33

Sons of The American Legion

National Executive CommitteeCommission and Committee Minutes

lndianapolis, lN - April 30-M ay L,20LG

Chitd Welfare Foundation Committee

Opening:The meeting was called to order at 7:06 PM

ofthe Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre HotelApril29,20'J.6 inthe Illinois Room

Chairman Pete Sierminski fC0l

Members: Steve Gower, Sr. fVAl

onby

Roll Call:Chairman:Secretary:

Liaison:

Pete Sierminski tCO')

Scott Williams [VAl Gary Temple (\IVYJ

Larry Ford (MDlGeorge K. Fleming Jr. [PAl

National Assistant Adjutantlnone assisned]

Past National CommanderGuests: Thomas Glander (ALJ, Daniel Daily (WI), William Murphy [MA], Bob Borkovich (VAJ,

Scott Merrill (NHJ, Byron Trantham [TN), Gary Crockett (TNJ, Bernie Kessler [OHJ, GillisE. Wallace [TN), John C. Lawrence (LA], fames Cortes [NYJ, Harold Trombly (VT), RobertBascai (Nl), fohn Mejia (CAJ, Willie Williams (ORJ, Dave Hullihan (MD)

Reading of the Previous Meeting Minutes:There being no objections, the minutes of the Fall, 2015 meeting were approved as published.

Reports of Members:Central Region - Gary Ford - Mr. Ford talked about the National Commander's goal of $1.50 per member.He also talked about various fundraising efforts and following up with Detachments in the Central Region.

Mid-West - Gary Temple - Mr. Temple talked about various detachment's donations from the Mid-WestRegion.

Southern Region - Steve Gower - Mr. Gower talked about the Southern Region and said he would be

following up with the Detachment of Georgia.

Eastern Region - George Fleming - Mr. Fleming talked about a large donation from the Detachment ofPennsylvania and encouraged those in the Eastern Region to turn in their donations as soon as possible.

Western Region - Pete Sierminski - Mr. Sierminski talked about fundraising in the Western Region, the percapita banner, and the May 31, 2016 deadline for Child Welfare Donations for the current year.

Old Business:Chairman Sierminski discussed the grant requests for this year and cited the specific grants awarded thatwere sponsored or co-sponsored by the Sons.

New Business:Mr. Sierminski talked about the new merchandise that will be available at the National Convention inAugust. Merchandise will be available for consignment for the Detachments.

Chairman Sierminski said that there would be merchandise available for sale at the Spring NEC, including a

new pin.

We are getting close to reaching the $7,000,000 level in donations.

Resolutions:SAL Resolution 5 -Spring 2016 Child Welfare Foundation Donation of $5,000 from the 2016 Budget.Motion to accept by Steve Gower_. Seconded by George Ken Flemming-. Carried on voice vote.

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Sons of The American Legion

National Executive CommitteeCommission and Committee Minutes

lndianaoolis. lN - April 30-M 20L6

For the Good of the Sons of The American Legion:SAL National Commander - Kevin Collier [AK) - He is looking forward to hearing about the donations thisweek and thanked the committee for its efforts in supporting Child Welfare Foundation.

SAL Leading Candidate - feff Frain - Mr, Frain talked about the importance of Child Welfare Foundationto the American Legion. He encouraged everyone to support this program. He thanked the Committee fortheir efforts in support of Child Welfare Foundation.

Americanism Chairman - Greg Gibbs (NY) - Thanked all for their efforts in support for Child WelfareFoundation as well as the new ideas discussed at the meeting.

CAT Program - John Mejia [CA) - Mr. Mejia talked about the CAT program and its importance to ChildWelfare Foundation, He encouraged those who have not renewed their membership to renew as theproceeds from the membership helps fund Child Welfare Foundation. He suggested various differentfu ndraising activities.

Second Leading Candidate - Danny Smith - Mr. Smith talked about importance of this program andthanked the Committee members for their support.

Chairman Sierminski asked for various ideas for fundraising by the various Detachments including DuckRaces, Laps of Love, Corn hole Tournaments, and various other fun activities to raise funds for ChildWelfare Foundation.

ClosingrWith no further business to consider,at 7:45pm

Chairman Pete Sierminski fCOl adjourned the meeting

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