The Voice Spring 2010
Welcome from the President
Greetings comrades!
In the last edition of “The Voice” I outlined most of the special events for the upcoming season. I am pleased to announce that most of them are now written into the history books of Branch 96 and furthermore, I am even more pleased to announce that they were all very successful. I will take this opportunity to remind you that we still have two major events coming up before we start in to our summer festivities. Eddie and the Stingrays will be performing in MacDowell Auditorium on April 24th, and it goes without saying that I wish to see as many of our members as possible come out and support this event. The other event that will require the support of our members is International Goodwill Day on May 22nd. I would appreciate any volunteers that wish to help out for this day, but if you feel that you cannot volunteer, come on out and join in the festivities and help me welcome our guests from both sides of the border.
On March 13th, Comrades Ralph McMullen, Barney Barnhart, Doug Wood, Mike Mallet and I attended a District Officers training seminar in Smiths Falls. This seminar was primarily aimed toward leadership and motivation. Since the room was filled with “already motivated” people I felt that from this aspect, the trainers were “preaching to the choir”. However there were some very good points expressed with regards to leadership. I felt at the end of the day I left with some very good information and a feeling that I had just been in the company of more than a hundred people who were very much in touch with the “Aims and Objectives” of the Royal Canadian Legion. From this aspect it was time well spent.
Finally, I feel compelled to remind all of our members who are affected, that both our Diamond Jubilee and Ladies Auxiliary will be electing a new slate of officers in April. I urge all of you to get out and support both of these fine organizations. Remember, that without these organizations, our Legion would have a much harder time to survive.
Until next time, remember, our Legion needs your participation whenever possible.
Yours in comradeship,
Ray Gilroy CD President, Branch 96
BRIEF FROM FIRST VICE
As the spring seeps into our hearts and the ground, I hope everyone has enjoyed the continuing-to-improve clubhouse. Now we will be getting the spring work crews going and will get the patio area set-up in the next month so that we can start enjoying the really nice Brockville weather when it comes by.
I am still working at the longer term sustainment of our building. We opted to submit a grant application on behalf of the Branch to Ontario’s Trillium Fund for replacement capital for the boiler and the air conditioning system. Thanks to JoAnn for her help in getting this finalized. The first answer we have received is a rejection as we must support the application with a set of audited financial reports, which we do not yet have, but will have after year-end (May/June) and which we will then use to re-apply for the $37,000. I will keep the membership apprised of how we do with the application – it tends to be a longish process with several hurdles to leap, but let us all keep a good thought.
Don Bain,1st Vice President
NOTES FROM THE THIRD VICE
On February 20th, 2010 we held the Public Speaking contest sponsored by the Legion. This is the second component in the Youth Education Program. It involves students from Grade One to Grade Twelve. The winners were:
Primary (Grades 1-3): First – Zoe Ferris; Second – Lucas Loshaw; Third – Thomas Caldwell
All these students attend Toniata Public School.
Junior (Grades 4-6): First – Christian Au, St. Lawrence Christian Academy, Second, St. John Bosco; Third – Seth Bushnell, St. Lawrence Christian Academy.
Intermediate (Grades 7-9): First – Page Morin, St. Mary Catholic High School, Second – Reid Stobo – St. Lawrence Christian Academy; Third – Graham Mantha – St. Mary Catholic
High School
Senior (Grades 10-12): Christopher Walasek, St. Mary Catholic High School
The first place winners went on to compete at the Zone Level at our Branch on Saturday, February 27th. Our four first place winners competed at this event. Our results were:
Primary – Zoe Ferris, Second; Junior – Christian Au, Second, Intermediate -Page Morin, Third and Senior – Christopher Walasek, First.
Christopher went on to compete in Eganville at the District Level on March 27th. He was not a winner but we are proud of this young man for reaching this level.
This completes the Youth Education program for 2009/2010. It will start up again in September when we start sending out the materials for the Poetry, Essay and Poster contest.
Our decorating committee has been busy over the winter, decorating the halls for various occasions. Their latest effort is the Easter theme. Their work certainly brightens up our Branch. The group is chaired by Janet Gilroy and they deserve our thanks. Our Branch works best when many hands contribute to the jobs which need to be done. Talk to any member of the Executive and find out how you can get involved.
Lillian McNamee, 3rd Vice President
HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER
The Legion International Goodwill Day will be coming to Branch 96 on the weekend of 21-23 May 2010. It is always a great event and has a long history – we have been conducting this joint Canadian/American Legion/ Posts/ Branches get-together for the 1000 Island area for 59 years now. That is some achievement.
The crux of the weekend is Goodwill Day on the Saturday, 22nd May. This centers on a Memorial Service downtown at the Cenotaph at 1 pm. Here we will have hundreds of people on parade and an audience of thousands. Every member of the Branch is encouraged to come and participate in one way or another – wave a Canadian flag and bring along your neighbours. Then at 2 pm there is a Parade through the Downtown from Hardy Park to the Rowing Club, and past the reviewing stand in front of City hall en route. The parade features the marching bands and colour/flag parties of the Legions and Branches/Posts and guest organizations, and is well viewed from anywhere along its route on King Street. Following the Parade there is BBQ, Bar and Music by Simon Clarke back at 180 Park Street – bring your appetite and thirst for there’s a party happening here – and you can meet all those handsome and attractive parade stars!
LADIES AUXILIARY
The Ladies Auxiliary (LA) is defined as a group of volunteer Ladies with big hearts and clear heads. We work tirelessly for the good of the Branch and our members.
The LA have recently finished a busy season of catered events with Christmas and holiday parties and are now booking 2010 events. Hopefully, our volunteer teams have been enjoying a short break of R and R, because it is starting to look like a busy year ahead. We have a new Cook, Kathie Serson, who has some good ideas and is working towards making food services a more established profit center for the operation. She is an LA member.
The LA is presently participating in a membership drive challenge, which is going quite well. We will report more fully next Voice.
The Auxiliary is all about friendship. We believe that if we treat everyone with respect it will return full circle. If you know of someone interested in becoming an LA member, please contact the President Kathy Lewis or pick-up an application at the Branch. Also please recall that we will have our Elections at our Monthly general Meeting, 7:30 pm 27th April – so there are lots of ways that you can help us – join up, volunteer or run for the Executive. See you at that April meeting!
Kathy Lewis, President Branch 96 LA
MAINTENANCE PROJECTS
Jack Locke continues with Barry Blair to do good things around the Branch, like adding the very fine shelves in the Coat Room to store a host of commonly-used items that need a home when not in use. As well, the Wednesday team has been painting the North stairwell and upper hallway to provide a more dignified entry to the building. Thank goodness for such talents around the place, and thanks to all of the volunteers that are doing the work.
In the summer of 2010 we will be trying to attract greater use out on the patio, and Barry Blair is talking music, special invites, beer service and much else!
Quack, An Observer of Much
LOOKING FOR ONE VOLUNTEER
The Poppy Chairman is looking for one volunteer to act as the Poppy Clerk during the period 25 October until 12 November (four weeks). This person would man the Poppy Desk in the Office during regular office hours, would answer the phone, help prepare correspondence, open mail, write receipts, log donations, sell wreaths and assist both the Poppy Trust Chair and the Poppy Campaign Chair in their duties. Please speak to Keith Whiteland if you can spare that time as a volunteer. A sunny disposition and some computer skills would be an asset.
KOREAN VETERANS OFF TO KOREAS
2010 marks the 60th Anniversary of the commencement of the Korean War in 1950, and two local veterans are headed over the Pacific to attend the marking of this occasion with the Korean government. 516 Canadians died on service in Korea.
Bev Maxwell, who lives at Oxford Mills, was a Lance Corporal when he served as a Provost with 3rd Battalion PPCLI from October 1952 until November 1953. “It was an 18 day boat trip back then, out on the MV Marine Adder” said Maxwell. “Now it’s just a long plane ride back to the memories”. Maxwell hopes to be able to see the last positions that he occupied with the United Nations mission on position 355, along the demarcation line after the truce that ended the fighting. He should see it, as the group will spend a whole day on the old line.
Also going on the return is Clark Root of Brockville, who was a Trooper with the Royal Canadian Dragoons in Korea May to November 1954. Root remembers the devastation in Seoul and is looking forward to see how much progress there has been – he knows it may now be hard to recognize the place: “The only thing standing when I was there was the Town Hall” he recalls. Root came home on the same ship as Maxwell, the MV Marine Links , although it was a year later.
Both men are in the return program which is partially supported by the Government of Korea and organized by Veteran’s Affairs Canada and the Korean Veterans Association. They leave Ottawa on 11 April, flying across the International Dateline and landing in Korea at 4 pm on the 12th. The agenda is full, with ceremonies at the Korean National Cemetery, the UN Cemetery at Busan, tours of the Demilitarized Zone, and a Canadian ceremony at Kapyong (where 2nd Battalion PPCLI won the US Distinguished Unit Citation) and a British one the next day at Jeoksung. They return home 18 April.
The local pair travel to Korea with a pocketful of Brockville lapel pins provided to then by the City. “We’ll make sure they know where we are from” said Maxwell. Both men are also active members of the Brockville Legion branch. “We’ll remember all 516 Canadian war dead there for everyone in the Brockville area” said Root, “and the thousands of Canadians, like us, who served and survived”.
DIAMOND JUBLIEE CLUB
Our Diamond Jubilee Club has undergone significant changes recently, transforming from a dues system that was once-in-a-lifetime to an annual membership. This change was to provide much better accountability to Branch 96, Provincial and Dominion Commands. A member of the DJ Club must also now be a member in good standing of either Branch 96 or the Ladies Auxiliary of Branch 96.
Our Diamond Jubilee Club now has over 100 members in good standing. As of January a yearly membership of $15.00 is now required to be a member. This entitles these members to pay only $2.00 per game or activity, to attend meetings of the DJ free and to receive special prices for Diamond Jubilee functions. Non-members must pay $3.00 per game or activity.
Our elections are coming up in May, with nominations beginning in April. We were four people short for our Executive this year. We would like to see as many new faces as possible, for a refreshed executive could mean newer and different ideas.
Please attend May’s election and perhaps even run for office! It can be very rewarding helping to organize activities for yourself and your colleagues. A wine and cheese party will follow the election.
Diamond Jubilee Executive
ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment continues to roll along at the Branch. In April we are going to introduce a Customer Appreciation Event on Friday evening of 9 April, where the Club Secretary will feature a drinks special and where there will be food – Wings in the first edition, and then music. What we would like to accomplish is to get a regular Friday evening get-together going to capitalize on the start of the weekend. So if you like coming out for a drink and a chat, do so on Fridays at the Branch.
A big event with Eddy and the Stingrays is due up on April 24th in the MacDowell Auditorium. Do not be disappointed – tickets are only $15 a person and are on sale at the bar. Seating is limited for this great rock and roll band that will have you up twisting and shouting. A light snack is included in the price, and you get to spend the evening in the company of comrades and with a full bar dispensing happiness by the pint or highball glass. Remember to drink responsibly!
Do not forget we have a great entertainer here for the afternoon of the Goodwill day – Simon Clarke who used to be one of the Freddie and the Dreamers, belting out the classic British invasion tunes of the 60s!
The Entertainment Committee will be cycling into the summer mode soon – so look forward to the ads for things like Canada Day at the Branch!
Jean van Dusen, Entertainment Chair
FOOD SERVICES
Everyone should have noticed that the Branch’s Friday Lunches are back on with a vengeance! The Executive discussed with the Ladies Auxiliary Cook Kathy Serson a plan for a trial of a different approach to the Lunches up until we start the BBQ season in June or so. By using our professional cook, we hope to bring the Lunches back into everyone’s routine – and we rely on numbers of users to help make sure the Lunches remain passably profitable for the effort expended by the Cook and the volunteer helpers coordinated by the Ladies Auxiliary. So come on out! The food is great and at $8, a fine lunch.
Also on deck will be Comrade Fisher King Paul Herder’s Famous Bullhead Dinner on 16th May in the MacDowell Auditorium, 4-7 pm. The bullheads will be deep fried and delicious, and Paul is promising a great full meal for $12 at the door.
Barry Elliott has accepted the role of BBQ Coordinator for the summer BBQ season again, and will be looking for his BBQ teams. It is a lot of fun – so if you and another couple want to put your name forward as a BBQ team, it is only about once a month on a Friday lunch commitment – so tell Barry that you will do it.
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS – 2nd VICE
The last few months have been quite busy in the membership department. We have had a number of applications for membership as well as transfers and reinstatements. If you know someone who would like to join the Legion, pick up an application form, help them to fill it out, and bring it in. I will look after the rest.
There are a number of members who have not paid their 2010 dues. To quote from the good book “A member who has not paid dues by January 31st is not in good standing and cannot participate in branch activities.” It is not too late to pay your dues for 2010. Please check your last membership card or receipt and make sure you have done so. As of March 25, 2010, 546 members have paid their dues for this year. There are 149 members still outstanding for 2010.
The Branch is still gathering e-mail addresses from the membership. If you are on the internet, and have an e-mail address please let the office know or e-mail me at grabarel@sympatico.ca.
We are still having a problem with member addresses. If you move, please remember to change your address at the branch. This way you will continue to receive any mailings from the Branch or Dominion Command such as your Legion Magazine.
In closing, I hope everyone has a great summer.
Barry Elliott
Second Vice President
And Membership Chairman
Membership Statistics
| Year | Number Paid Members | Number Non-Paid |
| 2007 | 728 (December) | 54 |
| 2008 | 696 (Nov) | 64 |
| 2009 | 692 (Nov) | About 47 |
| 2010 | 546 including 321 Early Birders | About 149 |
CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
General By-Laws of the Ontario Provincial Command of the Royal Canadian Legion dated 2009 have been printed in a yellow-coloured booklet and there are copies about the Branch and in the hands of the Executive. These By-Laws include a set of General By-Laws for Branches. Our Executive Member for Constitutional issues, Jim Sheflin, will be reviewing this print when he returns to service. All members can read these By-Laws by going to the Provincial Command website and entering the Members Only area at http://www.on.legion.ca/membersOnly/default.asp.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
I am convinced that the Colour Party is a very valuable component of Branch 96 Legion. It acts in the front lines of our public awareness effort – and provides the Branch with a highly visible unit. Recently of course this has meant involvement in Speaking Contests, preparations for Goodwill Day and a host of Tribute Services. Where else can members get such exposure! See such sights!
As everyone would be aware there is always a need for new volunteers for the Colour Party. This now includes the fact that we are looking for a replacement for me as the Sergeant-at-Arms. I have been happy to serve my extended time, but feel that the Branch can use some new blood here, so I am looking for a volunteer to take on the position – it would help if you have some limited drill background and I will provide you a full turnover in terms of training and orientation.
Peter McNamee, Sergeant-at-Arms
COMMUNICATIONS STATUS
The objective of the Voice is to inform members of important events and happenings in the Branch and community. Its publication schedule will be three times annually: Summer/Fall (by August); then Holidays (about end- November); then Spring/Summer (about end-April). The Editor will, together with the Membership Chair, deliver the Voice the most economical way possible – the Newsletter will be posted to the Newsletters pages of the Branch website and once there, all members with an e-mail address will receive an e-mail that will notify them that the Newsletter has been posted. The mail out newsletter is restricted to 4 pages, double sided, so as to keep the costs within bounds.
The Branch has maintained its website www.rclbrockville.wordpress.com that can be connected to directly (and you should save that site as a Favourite on your computer) or off the national legion site (where it is listed under related sites, Ontario Command). The Branch website offers information on the branch and its events, on Auditorium rental, membership and news. It changes constantly, so visit often.
The monthly What’s On! handout will continue to be published so that members can be informed of all activities in the Branch. Due date for any entries in the What’s On! is the Monday of the last full week of the month preceding the month of publication.
Harley, our Communications Mascot, reminds that all event and sports organizers should ensure that their events are properly displayed on the monthly planning boards in the Legion office. If these are not, it will be nigh on impossible for the What’s On! Editor or the Secretary to get it right in the publications.
Any comments on these items can be sent to wenwayken@cogeco.ca, or drop a note in the Voice box at the Branch.
Editor
| Branch General Meeting
7:00 pm – 3rd Tuesday of each month, September to June |
| Ladies Auxiliary General Meeting
4th Tuesday of each month |
| Diamond Jubilee General Meeting
3rd Thursday of each month |
WHAT WENT ON WHEN?
(a Selection of Interesting Items from Meetings Around the Branch since the last Voice)
| MEETING | OUTLINE OF ITEM | REMARKS |
| General Meeting
19 January |
Poppy Trust Chairman has made application 14 January for the proposed spending under Special Uses of Poppy Trust money for 2010. Expenditures were approved at a Branch GM. | This is due diligence in the handling of the Branch’s Poppy finances. Poppy Trust Chairman will purchase US$ when rates are competitive for the Fischer House. |
| Exec Meeting
2 February |
Initial report of the Financial Committee for the Branch was received, and led to a full night session on March. Topics recommended by the Committee were the impact of the HST, entertainment, food supply, hours/days of operation, and others. | The Executive continues to deal with these emerging issues. Several of the Executive and the Bookkeeper have now attended HST seminars, and we have better determined that the HST impact will not result in a cost crisis. |
| General Meeting 16 February | Our Membership Chair has been singled out by District and Zone for his tenacious work at keeping the membership numbers up in the Provincial campaign to stop the downward slide of numbers! | Well done Barry Elliott!! |
| General Meeting 16 March | Final report on Robbie Burns was presented. The supper generated $762.64 in profit and the bar did a trade of $935.38 that night. | Thanks to all of the organizing committee and volunteer helpers – and all those who came out. |
| Final report on the Cy Perry Memorial Pike Ice Fishing Tournament was received, with a profit of $900, as well as a healthy bar run that day. | Again, thanks to Ralph McMullen and all those who organized and came out. ‘Twas a great day over a hole in the ice’. |
LEGION IDOL REPORT
The Legion Idol team for 2010 recently got together to review the season’s run under Grace Elliott. This year’s format change to three nights was made to help conserve the volunteer’s energies, and to get some singers out that previously had not been able to commit to five consecutive nights. As well, the Idol had to pay for the technical services of Ultimate Sound our music provider, so there were changes in the cost schedule as well. While the Idol is set up by the Executive to run at no cost to the branch, the new expenditures this year (totalling $1960.18) were offset by income of $1821.89 – so there was a minor shortfall of $138.29. This was more than offset of course by the bar operations totalling $6014.42 this year – which even after costs and wages, represents a full profit of about $2500 for the Branch. The format using qualified judges and not using elimination with the short numbers (26 singers starting) was effective – and the crowds at the three nights were all good. Tentative dates for 2011 were selected as February 2011.
Well done to Grace Elliott and her committee, and the volunteers who worked each of the nights, including but now limited to the judges, the Master of Ceremonies, the door persons/ladies, the 50/50 team, and the LA Pizza Retailers, the half time entertainers – everyone contributed to the success of the three nights.
Quack
E-MAILS STILL NEEDED
E-mail the Secretary at rclbranch96@bellnet.ca, noting your name (and any other member at that e-mail address) OR to the Membership Chair at grabarel@sympatico.ca OR
Phone the e-mail address to the Secretary at 613-345-0473.
We (the Public Affairs Officer – Julia, and Internal Comms – Vince) are reminding all members on e-mail of important upcoming events! Get a computer and get hooked up! It’s fun. You can learn to fly!
GOLF MEETING RESCHEDULED
The 2010 Golf Organizing Meeting that had been scheduled for 4 April has been rescheduled to Saturday 17th April at noon at the Lower Lounge. Paul Herder, who was to Chair, was ill. All those interested in golfing with the Branch’s weekly afternoon 9-hole twilight league should come to the meeting ready to sign up as active or as a spare. If Paul cannot be available a team of volunteers has readied themselves to help organize. See you there!
The Golf Team
LAST POST – PASSAGES
Since November 6, 2009
And in your life let my remembrance linger
As something not to trouble and disturb it
But to complete it, adding life to life.
Longfellow, The Golden Legend
Jim Forrest Sr.
Brian Heaton
Ken Jenkinson
Mary Johnson
Robert Lawson
John McLellan
Jim McManus
Howard Roddick
Tom Saunders
Everett Snider
Winnifred Swayne
Guy Wenger
Doug Wilson
We Will Remember Them