Planned Giving Guide
“National Headquarters Estate Planning and Charitable Giving”
The American Legion, with nearly 2 million members, serves the nation as one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. The founders of The American Legion established the Four Pillars, which created opportunities for members to improve the quality of lives for millions of veterans and their families through various charitable giving programs established since the Legion’s founding in 1919. American Legion programs not only enhance the quality of lives for members but also provide medical assistance for children and youth, fund scholarships for the children of veterans, build character in participants of American Legion Boys Nation and Boys State, develop leaders in American Legion Baseball, and supply resources for wounded veterans.”
The Post received a bit of a facelift on Saturday, 17 Sept. A hardy crew of about 10 people, many from the Sons of the Legion, cleaned the Post. Our Chaplain and his wife cleaned all the windows of the Post and the Sons cleaned the roof debris and gutters on our buildings. A lot of racking and pruning of trees was accomplished both in front of the building and behind the building near the kitchen. It will be great to have a little less mess falling from the trees of our neighbors. The medical supply building was emptied and an inventory was taken.
We have a large number of wheelchairs on hand, and we will be racing them during our Family Fun Day on October 15. Three working mobility scooters were on hand (two of which have already been issued). Two more scooters requiring a bit of TLC will be ready for issue in a few weeks. We also donated 4 cases of adult diapers to Las Brisas Senior Living Center. Many of the items deemed unusable were discarded. We still have many canes, crutches, walkers, shower chairs, and commodes. Anyone needing an item should call the Post or Dave Glidden to arrange pickup.
Thanks to the few, who made the time to help. Maybe we can get a few more in December, prior to the post going dark, to clean up again.
A Sense of Humor Video
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 66 is conducting a Silent Auction & Raffle on Wednesday, November 9. This is a major fundraising event for Auxiliary Unit 66. The funds raised from this event are used to support the programs of Auxiliary Unit 66.
More raffle prizes are needed and your donations will be very appreciated.
This is the night of our Membership Dinner (cost: $15.00 per person.)and Joe Navoni pork chops will be served for dinner.
Post Chaplain
Matt Stephens
Let me introduce myself. I am a retired engineer, former submarine sailor, and resident of SLO county since 2007. I have been a Post 66 member for the past 3 years, becoming more active since the Covid quarantines have been lifted. I am here to serve you as your new Post Chaplain and am here to assist you in many ways including the following:
- Share-A-Prayer: Chaplain’s Center | California American Legion (calegion.org). This is available to share a prayer with our department comrades.
- The chaplain is available to call or visit the ill, bereaved, shut-ins, disabled, etc.
- Call if you would like the Chaplain to pray for you or with you.
- For guidance, assistance, and comfort to the family of a deceased comrade.
- To assist with dedications, memorial or funeral services.
Did you know? The legion has a program called, “Service to God and Country”:
In 1951, the national convention authorized the “Back to God” program as a continuing American Legion activity, urging Americans to seek divine guidance in their everyday lives. In 1963, it was designated the “Service to God and Country” program.
I plan to include excerpts from this program in future columns. I look forward to hearing from you.
Family Play Day
AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY
Saturday, October 15
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hotdogs, Bounce House, Corn Bag Toss, Basketball Toss, Ring Toss, with many more games and activities. Including coloring books and crayons for the little ones. Lots of fun games and prizes for the kids, and a raffle.
Wheel Chair Races!
All the San Luis Obispo community is welcome to join us. We will also be holding a membership drive for the American Legion, the Auxillary, and the Sons of the American Legion.
(The September 24 date for the Family Fund Day had a conflict with the county,
therefore the date was changed.)
“Joe Navoni Pork Chops”
The Joe Navoni Pork Chop BBQ dinner that we serve at our Members Dinner on the 2nd Wednesday of November has been a Post 66 tradition for decades.
Joe was a native of San Luis Obispo who attended Cal Poly and joined the US Navy in 1943. After his service during WWII he returned to San Luis Obispo and raised his family.
During his over 50 years of membership in Post 66, Joe’s passion for bar-be-cuing became well known. As did his pork chop marinade. Around the year 2003, Joe advised me as to how to BBQ his pork chops for Post 66, and suggested that I take over the BBQ duties that he had done for so many years. He gave his basting recipe to Dennis Perozzi. For years to follow, Dennis and I basted many Pork Chops at Dennis’ home.
Before transferring to the Post Everlasting, Joe had shared his basting recipe with Dennis Perozzi. I now have Joe Navoni’s basting recipe. One day I will pass the recipe on to a younger Legionnaire, so our American Legion family can enjoy tender tasty Joe Navoni’s Pork Chops for many years to come.
Bill Fieldhouse
Commander’s Corner
Well, this year is going by so quickly – it’s been hard to keep up with. The rest of the year appears to be going by just as quickly!
Attendance at our Monday Night Socials is improving! We now have up to 50 folks showing up on Monday night. We are extremely proud of our volunteer cooks who prepare such great meals at each and every Monday Night Social, for just $8. Even McDonald’s can’t match it!
The following events will be coming up soon:
- 10/8 – DAV Pancake Breakfast at the Vet’s Memorial from 8 a. m. till noon cost $5.00 all you can eat.
- 10/15- Family Play Day at the Legion (Halloween Theme). Hot Dogs, chips, water, and soda. Lots of games and prizes for the kids. We will also have a membership drive for our American Legion family.
- 11/11- Veteran’s Day Celebration. The museum will be going all out this year and we will both be doing membership drives.
Yvonne Hampton
Commander
commander@post66slo.org
Post Bylaws
Our Post Bylaws are an essential document that defines how we operate. Yes, Post 66 is an American Legion Post, but it is also a nonprofit corporation according to California state law.
During the 2022 Department of California Convention, our state bylaws were modified to require both posts and districts to update their bylaws at least every seven (7) years. This change in the Department of California Bylaws requires that our Post 66 bylaws be updated.
Commander Hampton has created a Bylaws Committee that is responsible for updating our bylaws for review and approval by our Post 66 Legionnaires. Members of the Bylaws Committee are Yvonne Hampton, David Glidden, Ramona Hedges, Greg Somers, and Rick Pushies. They will update our bylaws, ensuring they follow the Department and National bylaws while meeting the needs of Post 66. Once the Bylaws Committee prepares the new Post 66 Bylaws, they will be posted on the Archives page of our website for everyone to review. There is a specific process for the approval of new post bylaws that requires they are read during two post meetings.
SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Have the First Reading on the floor at a Regular Post/District Meeting under New Business. You only need to read the changes that were made from the previous bylaws. Next notify the Post/District General Membership of the second reading and approval vote. The best way is to put the next meeting date and time when you will have your second reading and vote in your post/district newsletter or by mass email. Make the second reading in the next Regular Meeting under Unfinished Business. Have the Second Reading and vote.
The vote is a 2/3 majority vote of those present and voting.
We can then vote on approving them at the same meeting as the second reading in the next meeting. When 2/3 of the Post 66 members present at the meeting approve the new bylaws our job is done. Yes, it is our post members who approve the bylaws. When the Constitution and Bylaws Commission confirms that our new bylaws comply with the Department and National Bylaws they will become permanent.
American Legion Auxiliary (ALA)
Unit 66
Auxiliary Members,
The American Legion Auxiliary had been busy planning the November auction to be held on the 9th. We mailed the tickets last week, so look for them in the mail! We appreciate the support from our Legion Family. We need donations of gift cards or new or almost new items. This auction is our biggest fundraiser to support our programs.
We are sorry that Glenda and Rich Powell are leaving California to start a new adventure in South Carolina. Both of them have been very important members of Post 66 for many years. Their dedication and strong support of our American Legion Family have been greatly appreciated!
Laurie Richards
Unit 66 President
The American Legion Auxiliary
Leadership vs Management
The difference between leadership and management can sometimes be confusing because leaders in the Legion often do both, lead and manage. One way to see the difference between leading is this:
- Leaders lead people
- Managers manage things
One important trait seen in both good leaders and good managers is initiative.
Initiative
Those Who Show Initiative:
- Do things without being told
- Find out what they need to know
- Take advantage of things others pass by, and
- They act, instead of react!
Showing initiative is a good trait for all members of our American Legion family to demonstrate. If you want to help Post 66 succeed, show some initiative.
SAVE THE DATE
Monday Night Socials start @ 4:30 p.m., meals starts @ 5 p.m. for $8.
- October 3, Monday Night Social
- October 5
- 5 p.m. Auxiliary Meeting
- 6:30 P.M. Legion Membership/Business Meeting
- October 10, Monday Night Social
6 p.m., Sons Meeting - October 12, 6:30 p.m., Member Dinner $15.
- October 17, Monday Night Social & White Elephant BINGO
- October 21-23 California Legion College
- October 24, Monday Night Social
- October 31, Monday Night Social
- November 11, Veterans Day
- Post Blood Drive 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
October Menus
- 10/3 – Enchiladas, rice, beans, salad, and dessert
- 10/10 – Sausage pasta casserole, garlic
- Bread, salad and dessert
- 10/12 – Membership BBQ – BBQ chicken, beans, salad, garlic bread, and dessert
- 10/17 – Beef stew, Dinner rolls, salad, and dessert
- 10/24 – Ground beef stroganoff, Hawaiian rolls, salad, and dessert
- 10/31 – 1/2 Roasted chicken, potato/green salad, Hawaiian rolls, and dessert
HATS OFF!
Hats Off to our Legion Family members for being good active members of our Post 66 Legion Family.
- Bill Newell (Legionnaire)
For all the “Thank You” emails he sends. Nice. - Matt Stephens (Legionnaire & Post Chaplain)
Monthly Chaplain article for the newsletter. - To those who came out on our 9/17 Workday
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Ramona Hedges (Legionnaire)
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Bobby Evenson (Sons)
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Yvonne Hampton (Legionnaire)
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Fred Hampton (Legionnaire)
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Matt Stephens (Legionnaire)
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Eileen Stephens (Post 66 Friend)
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Betty Bristol (Auxiliary)
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Dave Glidden (Legionnaire)
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Mario Perez (Legionnaire)
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Robert Bettencourt (Legionnaire)
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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.
A MEMBERSHIP QUESTION
Should we ask members to RSVP if they are attending a Monday Night Social?
Knowing how many of our American Legion family will be attending will help us to prepare enough food and control our costs.
ADJUTANT
- Total Assigned: 394
- Total Paid: 206
- Unpaid: 188
- Percent Paid: 52.28%
- Louis Silva
Sick Call:
-
- John Archuleta
- Chuck Emery
Ramona Hedges
Post 66, Adjutant
p.s.
Sons of the American Legion Brochure
The Sons of The American Legion are a program. The Sons are a very important program in Post 66. The COVID Virus had a negative impact on the Sons. With the time and energy being devoted to Squadron 66 by their new leaders Bob Everson, Commander, and David Halverstadt, Adjutant the Squadron is starting to have a strong positive impact on our Post 66 American Legion Family. Nice.
For those not familiar with the Sons, this brochure will help you understand the Sons of The American Legion.
