Minutes for DAV Chapter 200 meeting held August 20, 2009 at Oneonta Vet’s Club.
Meeting called to order at 7:10pm by Cdr. Keidel.
Opening prayer and pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Officers present were Cdr. Keidel, Sr. Vice Hopper, Jr. Vice Palombo, Chaplain Coates and Service Officer Donnelly.
Treasurer Henriksen was excused because of illness.
12 Members were present.
Rosemary Cunningham was a new visitor. She expressed an interest in joining our auxiliary unit. They are checking
her eligibility.
The minutes of the July meeting were read and approved.
No treasurer’s report. Treasurer Henriksen is in the hospital. It was discussed if we may need someone to fill in for
Walt until he gets feeling better and is back with us. No decision was made.
A bill from Laura Thompson for donuts was approved on a motion by Lou, 2nd by John. ($14.98) A bill from Ernest
Thompson for postage was also approved on a motion by John, 2nd by Gary. ($44.00)
Membership: Two new trial members David Chapman from Newark Valley and George Ostrowski from Walton. An
application submitted by Beth Akulin has not been received by National, so a new application will be sent with a new
check and payment will be stopped on check #1495.
Committee reports: Adjutant Thompson priced precast concrete steps at Butts Concrete in Masonville. Approximately
$400.00.
Beth Akulin and Adjutant Thompson met to work out a plan to develop a membership contact list. The plan is to mail a
newsletter and a form to each member. On the form we are asking for your telephone number and e-mail address if you
have one. After the forms are returned we will compile a list that will allow us to rapidly contact the membership if an
occasion arises. Ex. Cancel meeting or death of a member. Approximate cost of the mailing is $300.00 and was
approved on a motion by John, 2nd by Joe.
Adjutant Thompson reported he and Cdr. Keidel attended a meeting of the Oneonta City Council concerning the
proposed Veterans Memorial Walkway planned for Neahwa Park. We and several other veterans also attended a
meeting in the Park called by Mayor Nader to discuss the Walkway. It is believed that some kind of compromise will be
worked out as there is objections to the original plan. It called for removing several trees and two roadways in the park.
NSO William Gibney will be at the Vet’s Club on October 5, 2009 to do claims or answer questions.
Joe Betts reported that the Syracuse VA Hospital sent a representative to the Chenango County American Legion
Booth at the Chenango County Fair. Many fair goes stopped at the booth for information.
Unfinished business: Lou Palombo will order 50 copies of the Declaration of Independence from the Heritage
Foundation for $25.00.
Gary Lord has made arrangements with Allen Hobson to attend a chapter meeting and explain the activities program at
The Oxford Veterans Home.
New business: Chapter 200 will meet one hour early at 6:00pm on September 17, 2009. We will assemble in the club
parking lot to have a ceremonial burning of unserviceable US Flags. After the ceremony we will conduct our regular
monthly meeting inside. You should bring any flags that need to be burnt. This special time was approved on a motion
by John, 2nd by Joe.
A motion by Grant, 2nd by John to pay the chapter Post Office Box rent for one year ($44.00) was approved.
A memorial service to departed comrades was held at 8:00pm.
Good of the order donations were $32.00.
Adjournment with closing prayer and salute to the flag was at 8:55pm.
Submitted by:
Ernest Thompson, Adjutant