RABE O WILKISON POST 38 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
Date: 04/02/2025
Post Phone Number: (239) 332-1853
Post Website: www.post38-swfl.org
| OFFICERS PRESENT | Y/N/E | |
| Commander | Tony Neil | Y |
| Adjustant | Rich Beck | Y |
| 1st Vice | VACANT | |
| 2nd Vice | VACANT | |
| 3rd Vice | Ward Bubeck | Y |
| Sgt-At-Arms | VACANT | |
| Chaplin | VACANT | |
| Historian | VACANT | |
| Finance | Wayne Renner | Y |
| Service Officer | Jon Delorenzo | E |
| Judge Advocate | Ken Nerbak | E |
OFFICERS EXCUSED
Jon Delorenzo
Ken Nerbak
OFFICERS NOT EXCUSED
None
QUORUM ESTABLISHED (Y,N): Y
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT: 1807
NOTE: As previously mentioned, any item in italics is for your information BUT was NOT directly discussed at the actual meeting and is for you to have a better understanding of the operation of Post 38.
REGULAR OPENING CONDUCTED
- OPENING INVOCATION BY: Commander Tony Neil
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- RECITING OF LEGION CREED
- POW/MIA POSTED BY: Randy Eck
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
- Fabian Flores from Senior Helpers
- Mr. Flores gave a short tutorial of his company’s role in obtaining home care for qualified Veterans and their families at no cost to the individuals receiving care. Basically, any veteran with a VA card who needs in-home care can work with his company to provide the services needed at no cost to the individual. Additionally, family members (usually spouses) can also apply if they are receiving Aid and Attendance from the VA.
- Mr. Flores left information by the bar, but his phone is…239.931.0262
READING OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
- N/A since there was no quorum last month and the meeting was for information purposes only. NOTE: those discussions were sent to the general members.
OFFICER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commander
- Discussion of the mural and how it turned out
- The new mural may be viewed from MLK and looks just great. Everyone in the meeting was very pleased with how it turned out.
- Ward Bubeck who maintains our Post web site will see about replacing the current background with this picture.
- Our post provided lunch during the workdays which was greatly appreciated by the people doing the work.
- We will make up two certificates, one for the primary artist and one for the lady in charge of the project.
- You may have seen the mural on WINK TV news.
- Although this item occurred later in the meeting I am including it here since it was technically under the Commander…
- As required each elected position for Post Officers was read three times for nominations from the floor.
- This was the second reading of the slots and we filled several. Anyone can view them if you stop by the Post, the board is outside the office.
- At present we only have one person for each position that was filled so no election will be held, this could change next month.
- We still have the following critical slots for elected positions open..
- First Vice
- Second Vice
- Finance Officer
- If you are interested in any of these positions and want to know more, there is a binder over the Adjutants desk POST OFFICER DUTIES, you can look up any position and see what the job entails.
Finance Officer
- Our current operating balance (cash on hand) is $15,690.00
- Wayne mentioned that the Post seems to be doing much better financially over the past couple of months.
Adjutant
- The officer 2025/2026 board is out as you come into the Post. We have already had some good response but remember that we need a good roster to start the year in June. Appointed positions will be filled by the new Board of Officers after the installation ceremony. However we already have volunteers for the Service Officer and Adjutant should the new Board of Officers accept them.
- People who do not want to pick up their 2026 membership cards starting in July should send in with their dues a self addressed/stamped envelope.
Membership
- NEW MEMBERS
- JOHNNY NEWTON, ARMY, LEBANON GRENADA
- YVETTE HENRY, ARMY, GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM
- LEWIS WILLIAMS III, USMC, GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM
- There was a motion, a second, discussion followed by a unanimous vote to accept all those listed above into our Post 38 family.
- TRANSFERS
- CHARLES M. STEWART (CHUCK) IS TRANSFERING FROM POST 400
- There was a motion, a second, discussion followed by a unanimous vote to accept him into our Post 38 family.
Boys State
- Randy Eck gave a status for this event
- We have 3 boys going and have prepared 3 alternates if spots open up in the district.
- Our post being central to the District 13 posts will host an orientation for those going on May 17th.
Veteran Service Officer
- No Report
Sick Call
- No Report
OLD BUSINESS
- The Post has secured two vehicles from the City of Ft. Myers for our next 2 Fourth of July events downtown. Thanks to Kevin Boyd, our past Commander for working with Mayor Anderson to have donated these.
- One car will be gone over and fixed up for this year’s event using our friends at Legendary Auto if available to do the work.
- The new games installed last month are performing well.
- At this point there was a discussion on the floor led by Commander Neal concerning the possibility of bringing back a very popular game called Queen of Hearts. More will follow…
NEW BUSINESS
- We received a 50 continuous years certificate for member John Spain. He was invited to come to the Post for a presentation but was not able to attend. His certificate will be mailed to him this week.
- There was a discussion about hosting a membership drive later this year.
- Randy Eck, who collects old flags from several locations is looking for someone to assist him with this task. This involves simply collecting the flags, arraigning for a drop off at Solid Waste on Buckingham Road. Anyone who would be able to help with this task should contact the Adjutant and I will put you in contact with Randy.
- The Commander mentioned that this collection will be even quicker in the near future due to the City putting a drop box for flags right outside of city hall.
- Mike Turner volunteered to pick up the 2026 paperwork and members cards at the June Conference in Orlando. This will help us get going with paperwork and early bird renewals sooner rather than later.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The new face book page is up and running. Also, the website reflects the weekly dinners and lunches that we are now having.
CORRESPONDENCE
- Request for donation to Lee County All Veterans Memorial Inc. was discussed but was not motioned to approve. Kevin Boyd reminded everyone that Post 38 has a Veterans memorial in front of the old courthouse.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
- Notes from the last District 13 meeting held at Post 303
- District 13 is asking each Post to donate 500 dollars to the widow of Skip Felice, past Commander. She needs financial assistance. Donations can be sent to the Post 103 Commander.
- This was discussed and motioned to send 100 dollars to post 103 for the widow. Approved unanimously.
- The DCC (election of District 13 officers) will be on May 13 at 1100 Post 103.
- Post 110 will host the District 13 picnic on April 29 from 1 to 4, proceeds will go to Children and Youth.
- The Department of Florida convention is from June 12 to the 15th In Orlando.
- The National convention is in Tampa and they are looking for volunteers. Information can be found on the mylegion.org. It is from August 22 to 28.
- District 13 is asking each Post to donate 500 dollars to the widow of Skip Felice, past Commander. She needs financial assistance. Donations can be sent to the Post 103 Commander.
CLOSING CEREMONIES AT: 1920