Minutes of DAV meeting held March 20, 2008 at Oneonta Vets’ Club.
Meeting opened in proper manner at 7:05pm by Cmdr. Keidel.
Opening prayer by acting Chaplain Henriksen. Cmdr. Keidel led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Officers present: Cmdr. Keidel, Sr. Vice Donnelly, Jr. Vice Hopper, Tres. Thompson. Chaplain Payne
was excused. (out of town)
Fifteen members were present. Several attended for the first time.
Mrs. Stanley Eldred was a guest.
The February Minutes: were approved on a motion by John Donnelly, 2nd by Walt Henriksen.
The February Treasurer’s: report was accepted on a motion by John, 2nd by Grant Coates.
A Bill: was presented by Adjutant Thompson for $4.50 for one box of card envelopes, with the notation
of a price increase from $1.94 to $4.50 a box.
The bill was approved on a motion by John and Grant.
A special donation of $50.00 to cover future costs of envelopes was made by Pete Pedersen. A special
thank you to “Pete�.
Sickness & Distress: Betty Gonsor an Auxiliary member, Don Radley a van driver and Francis Chunglo
a chapter member have passed away. Michael Roman is in the Fox Nursing Unit. Rm. 413?. Ivan Winner
has been in the hospital in Florida but is out. Norm Payne is in Florida enjoying the weather, working on
veterans claims and feeling better. Charlie Downin our retired van dispatcher was in Wilson Hospital but
is now home.
Membership: No new applications or transfers were reported. Stanley Eldred requested a new
membership card to replace his damaged one.
Communications were read and placed out for all to see.
Committees: D.A.V. National Service Officer Bill Gibney will be at The Oneonta Vets Club on April 9,
2008 10:00am – 6:00pm to due claims and answer questions. Come on out.
The annual dinner for the DAV Van Drivers was held March 1st at the Sidney VFW Post. The meal was
prepared for the drivers and guests by the VFW. The chapter was prepared to pay but was told the
Sidney Post would not charge us, as their way of saying thanks for the time and money the drivers spend
driving veterans to Albany.
After this was reported at the March 20th DAV meeting, the chapter members felt we should still make a
donation to the Sidney Post.
A motion by Jerry Shannon, 2nd by John to donate $100.00 to the Post was approved.
Chapter 200 bought a one half page ad in a booklet and 10 raffle tickets sold by The Military Ball
Committee for $40.00.
Any money raised by the Committee will go to support The Fisher House at Albany VAMC.
Chapter Service Officer John Donnelly spoke about Property Tax exemptions for Veterans and would
like anyone interested to contact him. You need to file with your local tax assessor
Unfinished Business: We are still discussing how and when to get a letter of credit from Department of
New York for any money we turn over for a new van.
We will be getting an OK from Skip Beijen to put the storage cabinet down stairs under the club.
New business: A change in meeting time was discussed in an effort to help chapter meeting attendance.
No motions or decisions were made. It was suggested we could try to work out a pickup program to get
non driving members to the meetings.
Nominations of candidates for officers in the 2008-2009 term were held and they are:
Commander: Ernst Keidel Sr. Vice Cmdr.: John Donnelly Jr. Vice Cmdr.: Elmer Hopper
Chaplain: Grant Coates Treasurer: Walter Henriksen
Adjutant will be appointed by the new commander.
Nominations were closed on a motion by Jerry, 2nd by John.
Nominations will be reopened at the next meeting April 17th, followed by membership voting.
Good of the Order donations $53.00.
A memorial moment of silence to departed comrades was observed at 8:00pm.
Adjournment in proper manner with closing prayer and salute to the flag was 8:50pm.
Submitted by Ernest Thompson, Adjutant