Minutes for DAV 200 meeting held April 16, 2009 at Oneonta Vets Club. CDR Keidel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Meeting opened with Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Officers present were: Commander Keidel                                Sr. Vice Commander Donnelly Jr. Vice Commander Hopper                  Treasurer Henriksen Chaplain Coates                                     Fourteen members were present. Visitors were Judy Betts, Barbara Boone, Ronnie O’Connor, Val Henriksen, Laura Thompson, and Carolyn Palombo. The March minutes were accepted on a motion by John, 2nd  by Walt. In his report, Treasurer Henriksen reported $650 has been collected from donations in memory of Norman Payne, Sr. Checking account balance is $5,262.59 and as of March statement savings account was $3,401.75.   A motion to by John, 2nd by Grant to accept the Treasurer’s Report was passed. Bills against the Chapter: Laura Thompson for donuts served at the March meeting. Valerie Henriksen for ink  to copy invitations to the December ‘08,  Chapter’s 25th Anniversary Party. Approval was given for a $56.81 check for chapter office supplies. Motion made by Lou, 2nd by Roger DeChiara to pay bills passed. Membership: One new member, Thomas Morley of Delhi, was reported. A transfer into Cpater 200 by Joe Betts was approved on a motion by John, seconded by Lou, and an Application for Membership was turned in by Gary Lord. Communications were read and placed out for all to see. Committee Reports: Adjutant Thompson reported he ordered 2,000 Forget-Me-Nots for our fundraiser. CDR Keidel reported he has replaced two unserviceable US Flags with new ones as the head of our Flag Committee. He has new flags available to anyone who replaces a worn-out flag. We’d appreciate a donation from the individual receiving the flag, but it is not mandatory. Ron Palmer reported to Grant Coates about the workings of the V.F.W. scholarship programs. Grant and John Donnelly are working on the basics of a Chapter 200 scholarship. They are studying diffent programs of other veterans organizations, hoping to combine some parts into a scholarship this chapter can award. Details will be forthcoming as their work progresses. Unfinished Business: The slate of candidates for Chapter 200 officers for the upcoming term, nominated at the March chapter meeting, was read by the Adjutant. On a motion by John, 2nd by Walt, nominations were opened for any additional candidates. Hearing none, nominations were closed and written ballots were passed to all attending members in good standing. The results of the voting showed the following elected to their respective offices: Commander Ernst Keidel                        Sr. Vice Commander Elmer Hopper Jr. Vice Commander Louis Palombo       Treasurer Walter Henriksen Chaplain Grant Coates                           Ernest Thompson was appointed Adjutant by Commander Keidel. New Business: The dates of May 22-23, a Friday and a Saturday, were set for the chapter Forget-Me-Not Drive.  We will try to set up at Oneonta Wal-Mart store and in Oneonta Southside Mall. Come one, come all to help! John Donnelly, Michael Alvin, Ernest Thompson and Ronald Palmer were selected as Chapter Delegates to attend the Department Convention: June 28,29,30,and July 1st. They will also train as Chapter Service Officers. The motion by Lou, 2nd by Roger was approved. The Sidney Hometown Day Parade will be on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 1:00 PM. Anyone wishing to participate (Drive or Ride), please contact CDR Keidel or Adjutant Thompson. Lou Palombo read an article about a rally at Lexington Park, MA, to be held April 19th. For more information, check the website: committeofsafety.com Good of the Order was $46. Memorial Service for departed comrades was at 8:00 PM. Motion to adjourn and adjournment at 9:20 PM with closing prayer and salute to our flag. Submitted by Ernst Thompson, Adjutant.