September 2015 Newsletter
To my District 12 Ladies.....
The summer is winding down, County Fairs have been held and the State Fair is going, Schools
have just gotten back into full swing, and Fall is right around the corner...which will have football in
the air.
Before getting to the “good” things, a bit of sad news. Our District Vice President Donna
Eichers (of the Bennet Unit) has asked to resign from her office. She and her husband have been
fortune enough to purchase a home in Arizona. From the little I've worked with Donna, I know she is
like most of us & that when she commits to a task, she puts her all into it. With this new purchase,
Donna would be away from Nebraska part of the year, at the very least. They have not decided on their
exact time table. So to be fair to the membership & our veterans, Donna felt it best to step aside now to
allow someone else the chance to help our veterans & members as Vice President. While I understand
Donna's request, I am disappointed we didn't get to work together longer. Now, I (sadly) have another
position that will need to be filled. This “volunteer” will need to officially be voted into office. Once
we have a “candidate”, details will be sent out on how the election will be done. By all rights, I believe
the new Vice President really should come from a Cass County Unit. I am a member in Seward Cty,
Linda Varejcka is a member in Lancaster Cty, and Jenice Bates is a member in Otoe Cty. I know Linda
worked hard to try to get a V.P. from Cass County, but I'm asking again.....will someone in a Cass
County Unit PLEASE consider being Vice President from now thru Spring 2017 and then move up to
be President from Summer 2017 thru Spring 2019???? If no one from Cass County is willing, we
could take a candidate from any Unit.
On a similar page, I have not had many volunteers for the Chairs of the District. I must admit I
am a little disappointed, but understand. I will now be asking people to take on certain Chairman titles
because certain ones need to be filled to help complete judging tasks. I will be contacting people
privately to ask them to take on these Chairs.
On Saturday, August8th, I attended District President Training at the HQ office. It was a very
informative morning with a great chance to meet Department officers and other District President's
(altogether a fabulous group of ladies!!). A couple of the things we were reminded about included that
Units & Counties need to make sure they are having their Books audited each year. It doesn't have to
cost anything to do this. Just have a couple members look over the books. We aren't asking this be
done because we think anyone is doing anything wrong. Rather, we ask for this to protect your Unit in
case questions are ever raised. In addition, the Counties in the District need to be submitting their bank
statements to Department. (who knew? not me!) Jacki needs these statements to help keep our Nonprofit status with the IRS. If you get on-line statements, check with your bank and see if they can send
one copy to the County Treasurer and one copy to Department. If you don't do on-line banking, please
copy your paper statements and send them in. This is very important because if we lose our tax exempt
status, getting it reinstated with the IRS is very difficult. It seems that the Legion has already had this
issue, and we'd like to avoid it, if possible. If you'd like to get all your ducks in a line, your Unit can
also send their statements in. They seem to be letting us slide by without them FOR NOW. But
someday, we'll all be required to send them, so why not start not and get into the habit??
FREE MONEY! FREE MONEY!! That got your attention, didn't it?? Well, the ALA has free
money to go to college. By now, you should have gotten your scholarship packet. If not, contact Jacki
or myself ASAP. Encourage your members to look through the scholarships. They aren't all for kids!!
Maybe one of your own members would like to apply for the Non-Traditional Student Scholarship.
Just make sure to watch filing deadlines and requirements on each one.
Now....for the “fun” stuff......
Our Facebook page...Have you been by it yet? Not much on it, yet, but all pages start blank and
get filled in over time. Do you have something to share on it (an activity, pictures, announcements)?
Send them to me and I'll get them posted. Also be sure to “Like” us to see what has been posted by
other Units or even items from Department and other random veteran bits. We have gotten a handful of
“Likes” and I thanks those who have.
School is in session again and we have lots of chances to talk to these young minds and possible
future members. Halloween is just around the corner. Check with your local school and see if you can
distribute the “Make Halloween a Fun and Safe Night” brochure to the younger grades. Ask if you can
serve as judges for costume contests (which some of you may already do if you host a Trick-or-Treat
event).
Fall Round-up. I know you are at the edge of your seat awaiting details on it. Well, you won't
find any information here. Nope, instead you'll need to see the enclosed invitation.
Ten for 10. As school just started up, many Units will have made donations of school supplies.
Here's another way you could still donate. Look for some of those last school supply sales & then hold
onto your items. This winter the schools will be returning from Holiday breaks and their cupboards
may be bare. Santa doesn't usually gift school supplies, but notebooks will be nearly filled up and
pens/pencils will be nearly used up. What a good time to take in the items you pick up now! In
addition, it'll be winter & running noses are everywhere then....so don't forget the tissues or hand
sanitizer.
In my last letter, I let you in on my “challenge” for the Units in District 12 reach 85%
membership by March 15th. If that “milemarker” or milestone is reached, then I'll be walking in the
Lincoln Marathon on Sunday, May 1st. I see by the membership reports I'm getting that you Units are
taking me serious!! Some of you are already over 25% or very close. Keep up the fabulous work!
Some of you are still sitting on the couch, watching TV.....not one membership turned in yet. I know
the increased membership goals from Nationals are a little scary. My Unit hasn't escaped this increase,
but we're going to do what we can to reach our goal. You stats from my latest report are just below.
Don't think of them as a mountain you have to climb up to achieve. Rather, think of them as a cool
afternoon stroll in your neighborhood where you take it as your pace, but that you still have the obvious
goal of getting back home (the finish line).
2016 Goal _____
Memberships sent in ________
Percentage to Goal _____
Hopefully you also got your donation forms from the Headquarter office. In that packet, was
the donation form for VA Assessments & Gift Shop Assignments. Below I've listed your Unit's
assessed donation from Headquarters, based on membership to Department 30 days prior to
Convention. If you haven't sent in you Assessments, please turn in these dollar amounts by the end of
September. If you have already turned it in, compare to make sure you have sent in at least these dollar
amounts.
VA Assessment _________
Gift Shop Assessment ________
Well, time to get these in the mail before I start missing September meetings. Don't hesitate to contact
me with any questions or concerns you have. Better go get my walking shoes on!!