Post Policies & Procedures Manual
Policies & Procedures Manual DRAFT
Work on our Policies & Procedure Manual continues. The information being shared in our new manual will help bring many aspects of Post 66 operations into focus, so we can all undertand better what we need to do to succeed.
The most recent updates were included from the Commander’s Binder that recently surfaced. Unfortunately the Comander’s Binder did not contain as much useful information as we had hoped to find and there are concerns about how current the information is.
When you take a look at the draft of the new manual, you will notice it has several key categories of information:
- Policies
- Leader Job Descriptions
- Post Committees
- Key Post Activities, and an
- Appendix of key documents
The Leader Job Descriptions is category we want to complete first, in prepartion the May leadership election. On April 5 we will begin to accept nominations for new elected officer. All members of Post 66 in good standing (dues paid) are eligible to run for office. At our May membership meeting we will accept any additional nominations and then hold our leader elections. We will be electing the following Post 66 leaders:
- Commander, “First Among Equals”
- First Vice-Commander, “Membership Primary Concern”
- Second Vice-Commander, “Post Morale”
- Adjutant, “Continuity Officer”
- Finance Officer, “Financial Health” and
- Executive Committee Members at Large (3), “Body of Deliberation”
For each of our Leader Job Description we will include?
- Who? Who has the job & their contact information
- Identify – if the leadership position is Elected or Appointed
- What? What do we expect this leader to do, their job description!
- How? How do we expect this leader to cultivate new leaders
Rick Pushies
Chairman, Media and Communication Committee
805-925-9144 or rpushies@yahoo.com
The Wall That Heals Returns to San Luis Obispo to Honor Vietnam Veterans
The County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office and the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum (CCVMM), in partnership with the Madonna Inn, are hosting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) The Wall That Heals exhibit at the Alex Madonna Expo Center, from Thursday, March 16, 2023 through Sunday, March 19, 2023. Admission and parking is FREE. American Legion Post 66 San Luis Obispo is providing volunteers to help with the event. The exhibit last visited San Luis Obispo in 2018.
The Wall That Heals is constructed of synthetic granite and is a three-quarter scale size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, with its 140 numbered panels supported by an aluminum frame. The Wall lists the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. The exhibit travels annually nationwide to prearranged communities and is transported by a 53-foot tractor-trailer. When parked, the trailer transforms into a mobile Education Center that tells the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall, and the era surrounding the conflict. The educational sessions are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context.
The Education Center includes: photos of “Hometown Heroes” – those whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of each visit; In Memory program that honors veterans who returned home and later died as a result of their service; educational videos that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; a replica of the In Memory plaque; a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War.
They are looking for volunteers to help with assisting visitors and setting up and breaking down the exhibit. Please join me in volunteering time for this special opportunity. For questions about this event or to sign up, please contact The Wall That Heals – SLO by email: vs-twthinfo@co.slo.ca.us or call (805) 781-5766.
Patient Advocate – Veterans Health Administration
( Read more … )
The Patient Advocacy Program is for all veterans and their families who receive care at VA health care facilities. We want to be sure you have someone to go to with your concerns in a timely manner and to help you receive care.
If you need help getting care or getting your problems resolved, talk to the Patient Advocate at your VA medical center. We want to provide you with world-class Veteran customer service and this is just one important way in which we do that!
Employees must respect and support your rights as a patient. If you would like more information about your rights as a patient, please talk with your VA treatment team members or if necessary, a Patient Advocate. Patient Rights and Responsibilities are posted in outpatient and inpatient areas. If you have not received a copy of your Rights and Responsibilities, please contact the Patient Advocate who can provide you with a copy or you may download a copy here.
- Rights and Responsibilities of VA Patients and Residents of Community Living Centers
- Rights and Responsibilities of Family Members of VA Patients and Residents of CLCs
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Patient Advocate Office: 310-268-3068
A leader is . . . someone who has style. Hopefully, our leaders can use the best style of leadership, for the circumstance they encounter, on our journey to success. The style of leadership needed to properly respond, to a member experiencing a heart attack at a Monday Night Social at Post 66, is considerably different from the style used to put together a successful annual plan for the post at a leadership retreat.
Welcome to 2023 at CalVet!
The CalVet Secretary, Vito Imbasciani , M.D. has published on the Department of California website an extensive article full of information that may help many of our members. Take a look
A Sense of Humor
COMMANDER’S CORNER
Hello American Legion Family!
We’ll a new year is upon us. We are planning a Super Bowl Party February 12. There will be chips and dip. We will also be offering a Tri-Tip sandwich, beans, coleslaw and dessert for $20. See Bobby Evenson if you would like to get in the pool.
We will need volunteers for The Wall That Heals, March 16-19. Sign up sheet will be available at the Monday Night Social.
We are also planning a fundraiser, May 19-20, a Parking Lot Sale. Spaces available for nominal fee to sell your items. If you would like to donate items to the Post 66 Parking Lost Sale, call and we will arrange pick up if you cannot drop items off.
More info to follow…
For God and Country
Yvonne Hampton
Post 66, Commander
commander@post66slo.org
Post 66 Bylaws Posted on Department Website
The Post 66 Bylaws we approved during our December membership meeting have been processed by the Depaertment of California and or now available on the department website:
American Legion Auxiliary
(ALA) Unit 66
Hello from the American Legion Auxiliary.
The Auxiliary is in the process of scheduling interviews for Girls State. The Girls State will be holding their 85 year. The five schools we sponsor have been busy with the selection of young ladies for us to interview.
The Auxiliary will start their Poppy Program early this year. May is Poppy month, we are working with the legion to have Poppy Stands at the Pancake Breakfast and car show. Some Poppy cans for donations will be distributed at the legion and some businesses. All money raised for the Poppy fund is spent on veterans, active military and their family. We appreciate any donations.
Our next meeting, we will be discussing ways to help our community and local veterans.
Thank you all,
Laurie Richards
Unit 66 President
The American Legion Auxiliary
Legion Fast Fact: The American Legion donated $1 million to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for construction of the Wall in Washington, becoming the largest single contributor to the project
Sons of The American Legion (SAL), Squadron 66
WOW! So Happy Hearts to all of you.
This year is already moving fast. Speaking of fast, we really had some fast moving storms. Hope all have survived without much damage. But if you had damage you can file claims at the local Veterans Memorial Building. There many staff members from FEMA to assist all in need.
The storms, along with winds & heavy rains blew the Christmas wreaths all about the cemetery plots, therefore the care takers of each cemetery removed the Cross America Wreaths, and they were properly recycled according to the regulations.
At our last meeting in January our group voted to donate/sponsor $750 for a individual to attend the retreat for “Elder Warriors Retreat” located in Rancho Palos Verdes Center. This covered the 4 day retreat with housing & meals. What a great gift to give to someone in need. A “Heart Felt” thank you to those who put the healing retreat on for the veteran.
Respectfully,
Bob W Evenson
Commander, Squadron 66
Sons of The American Legion
VA Digital Tools for Veteran Health Care Delivery and Self-Care Management
Introduction to VA’s digital tools and how Veterans can use them to proactively engage in their health care delivery and self-care management. The VA video covers these topics:
- Managing your VA Appointments
- Communicating with your VA Health Care Team
- Managing your VA Prescriptions, Labs and Tests, and
- Managing your Health History
Save the Date
- February 1 (First Wednesday)
- 5 p.m. Auxiliary Meeting
- 6:30 P.M. Legion Membership/Business Meeting
- February 6
- 4:30 p.m., Monday Night Social
- 6 p.m., Sons Meeting
- February 8
- 6:30 p.m. Membership Dinner ($15.00)
- February 12 – Superbowl Party – Doors open 2:30 p.m.
$20.00 buys you tri-tip sandwich, beans, coleslaw, chips & dip and finger foods to enjoy! - February 13
- 4:30 p.m., Monday Night Social
- 6:00 p.m., Squadron 66 Sons
- February 20
- 4:30 p.m. Monday Night Social
- February 27,
- 4:30 p.m. Monday Night Social
- March, 16-19, The Wall That Heals Madonna Meadows, SLO
- May 19-20 – Parking Lot Sale
- May 21
Pancake Breakfast & Car Show
HATS OFF!
Hats Off to our Legion Family members for being good active members of our Post 66 Legion Family.
- Barbara Mintz and Linda Medici, Auxillary members who volunteer @ Monday Night Socials. Thanks ladies, we couldn’t do it without you two.
If you know of a Legion Family member doing good work that we should take our Hat Off to, use our “Hats Off” nomination form.
February Menus
Monday Night Socials start @ 4:30 p.m., and meals start @ 5 p.m. for $8.
- 2/6 – Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and dessert
- 2/13 – Chicken, scalloped potatoes, salad, dessert
- 2/20 – Baked potatoes, all the fixins, salad and dessert
- 2/27 – Legion Family Potluck. Please sign up to bring a main dish, salad or dessert.
February 8 – Dinner $15.00
- Wednesday Membership BBQ, 2/8/23, top sirloin, beans, garlic bread, salad and cake for dessert.
SONS NATIONAL DUES
INCREASE TO $13.00
The Sons of the American Legion membership dues have now increased their national dues from $11 to $13 as of January 2023.
If the incorrect amount is sent into department, it will be returned with explanation of what is further needed for processing.
Post 66 Adjutant
Membership Update
- Total members: 274
- Total paid members: 191
- PUFL (Paid Up for Life): 76
- New: 0
- Transfers: 4
Members, if you haven’t already renewed your 2023 membership please renew as soon as possible to enjoy all the benefits the American Legion has to offer.
* PUFL = Paid Up For Life
Sick Call
- Chuck Emery
- Randy Arseneau
- John Buckley
- Peter Bayer, and
- John Archuleta
Thank you all for your continued support of Post 66, The American Legion.
Ramona Hedges
Post 66 Adjutant
Protect those who matter most with Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife)
An overview of VA Life Insurance
What is VALife?
VA’s newest life insurance program, Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife), increases access to life insurance for more service-connected Veterans than ever before.
VALife is a guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance product that launches on Jan. 1, 2023, for Veterans age 80 or under with any level of service-connected disability (0-100%). Veterans age 81 or over may qualify if they meet certain conditions.
Post 66 Facebook Page
Facebook is an important online communications tool for the Post 66 American Legion Family. We are looking for members of our American Legion Family willing to help keep our Facebook page current.
If you are interested, please contact:
Rick Pushies
Chairman, Media and Communication Committee
805-925-9144 or rpushies@yahoo.com