Minutes for DAV Chapter 200 meeting held November 19, 2009 at Oneonta Vets Club.
Cdr. Keidel called the meeting to order at 7:15pm.
Opening prayer read by Chaplain Coates and pledge of Allegiance by members.
Officers present were Cdr. Keidel, Treasurer Alvin, Chaplain Coates, Service Officer Donnelly. Sr. Vice Hopper
and Jr. Vice Palombo were absent.
11 Members were present.
No new visitors.
The minutes of the October 15th meeting were read by Adjutant Thompson and ACCEPTED on a motion by
John, 2nd by Grant.
Treasurer Alvin reported a Checking Account Balance of $5,870.04 and a Saving Account Balance of
$3,320.29.
The chapter annual financial report was presented and signed and will be mailed to Department.
The report was ACCEPTED on a motion by John, 2nd by Roger.
Bills were presented by Ernest Thompson for office envelopes and postage ($20.21). A bill of $156.40
presented by Grant for a flag, flag pole, eagle and flag carrying strap was APPROVED. NOTE: At the October
meeting an estimate of $100.00 had been approved.
Sickness and Distress: Walter Henriksen is still in Bassett Hospital, Room 414, 1 Atwell Rd. Cooperstown,
NY. 13326. Cards are appreciated.
Sympathies go out to Michael Alvin for the passing of his brother.
Patrick Cerra of Oneonta passed away November 10th and will be entered on the "Taps" list at DAV
Department of NY.
Membership:
Members Frances Holderman, Gary Lord and Michael Alvin took the Oath of Obligation from Commander
Keidel and were awarded DAV membership pin by Chaplain Coates.
Communications
were read and placed out for all to see. One letter of note was a $100.00 donation from Anita Thomas to be
used in the flag program.
Committee Reports:
John Donnelly reported he is working with Skip Beijen to get prices for a movable wall between the Barroom
and the small room.
Gary Lord said he has been talking with Alan Hobson about activities at The Oxford Veterans Home. It is
suggested we wait until after the holiday season to plan a trip to the Home. They have lots of other groups
coming in to greet and entertain the residents, but after the first of the year it slows down. We should plan
some thing at that time.
Grant Coates showed the flag and pole with an eagle on top, he purchased for the chapter to donate to the
Norwich scouts.
Adjutant Thompson said he has work sheets we should all fill out. The information will be helpful to our family
after we are gone.
Veterans Day Services were held in Neahwa Park on the Veterans Memorial Walkway. Mayor Nader spoke
about the walkway and that it should be finished before Memorial Day.
New sympathy cards have been ordered.
Adjutant Thompson reported he and his wife worked at Wal- Mart giving out Forget-Me-Nots on November 6th
for about 3 hours before getting too cold. They went to Oneonta Southside Mall were Cdr. Keidel was working
alone at the table. We had planned to work at Wal-Mart on Saturday also but do to a mix up Bridget Moore had
let another group have the doors to sell baked goods. We had lots of people show up at the mall on Saturday
to work and no place to go but we had a good time.
Thanks to Grumpy, Ernie, Laura, Elmer, Roger, Joe, Judy, Grant and Al for showing up. A two day total of
$557.90 was collected.
Unfinished Business:
Ads asking for bids on the 2004 Ford DAV van were placed in The Daily Star and The Pennysaver.
Six bids were received ranging form $535.00 to $3300.00.
The high bid of $3300.00 from Robert Wing of Morris, NY. was awarded.
Mr. Wing will be informed that we have not yet received the van title from the VA Hospital. If he is not willing to
wait we will release him from his bid.
New Business :
No decision was reached on a donation to the WW2 Museum in New Orleans.
It was agreed for the chapter to hold a "Show and Tell" type day at The Oneonta Southside Mall. Any one can
bring in anything of military interest to place on display Saturday Dec. 5, 2009.
No one expressed an interest in going to the dedication of the new department headquarters in Lynbrook, NY.
At the December meeting we will decide on any families to be helped at Christmas.
Good of the Order was $33.00
A memorial service to departed comrades was held at 8:00pm.
Adjournment in proper manner was at 9:10pm.
Submitted by Ernest Thompson, Adjutant