PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
During the year we held several events, some still ongoing
and I would like to express my gratitude on the behalf of
our members for those who organized and participated.
I personally enjoyed the introduction of more formality
to the Canada Day.
Dominion Convention was held in Halifax in June. I was very
impressed the way it was handled and think we are in good
hands and reinforced the knowledge of how great organization
our Legion is.
We started the year with fairly major improvements to our
Branch. The biggest items were flooring and painting. Out
of many volunteers who contributed for the renovations,
I would have to name Bill Layman and Don Taylor for their
time and effort. Doug Ross also donated the shelving for
the bulletin board enclosure.
From many visitors by busloads or individually, the comments
are very complimentary about the atmosphere and the facility.
Since there are little chances that only polite people are
visiting us, I would take their comments as unbiased opinion.
Overall the future of our Branch looks very bright with
more volunteers stepping up to help in our many fundraising
functions.
We can be proud of our organization. With the help of our
staff, executives and volunteers I feel privileged to serve
our Branch and you the members.
Yours in Comradeship,
Kari Tiittanen,
President
2012 Poppy Campaign
Our 2012 Poppy Campaign this year is October 26/27 and November
3/4. These are the critical days of our campaign when funds
are raised through donations from citizens in our community.
These funds are crucial for the support of our local veterans
and their dependants. From these funds we are also able
to support our local cadet programs; provide scholarships
and bursaries for local students who have a connection with
someone who is serving, or has served, in our armed forces;
and various other community group related donations. Of
course we would not be able to achieve our objectives without
the strong support from our Branch members. We have our
campaign organizing committee in place, but now we need
your support to volunteer as canvassers with trays of poppies
for donations.
Anyone willing to assist may contact me:
Lynn MacLean, Poppy Campaign
Phone: 752-0986 E-mail: jackmaclean@shaw.ca
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Cmde. Jack MacLean
The year began with the annual Levee on New Year's Day.
The event was open to the public as well as the membership.
Members were encouraged to wear their uniforms, as it is
an important event in our calendar. The Levee was well attended
and enjoyed by all.
The next event was Super Bowl Sunday. The day was a success
with a 50/50 draw as well as a pool. Several prizes were
awarded, including a beer fridge. The third event was the
Canada Day celebration. This year's event included a parade
through town, live entertainment including a live band in
addition to the Mount Arrowsmith Pipes and Drums. The event
was very well attended and enjoyed by all. The success of
the day gives us a base to build on for next year.
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
WAYS AND MEANS (BRANCH)
Cmde Don Taylor
Family Day was held at the Civic Center on May 27th. The
weather was perfect and thanks to a large group of volunteers
the event was a great success. July 1st was also a huge
success with a larger than usual crowd in attendance. As
well as the usual Hamburger and Hotdog sales and Beer garden
there was entertainment in the hall all afternoon which
contributed to a large crowd remaining until late in the
day. Once again the volunteers were exceptional which ensured
a great day at the Legion. St. Marks Fair was also a success
with great weather and a large group of volunteers. These
three events are a lot of work and this could not be done
without the work of the volunteers. I would like to personally
thank all of those who came and worked extremely hard to
ensure the success of these events. A big thank you to Cmde.
Bill Layman and his group of volunteers who look after the
Pancake Breakfasts during the summer months, they continue
to be a great success.
TREASURER
Cmde Barbara Sinclair
The 2012 Net Revenue for Branch 76 is up this year due mainly
to control of our expenses, higher canteen revenues, receipt
of some very generous donations, volunteers and Municipal
support.
Gaming revenue is only slightly down from 2011 and to date
$9,600 has been approved in donations to the community,
with additional requests still to be considered. The Provincial
Gaming Commission requested we make some changes to the
operation of our Meat Draws, and our volunteers have adapted
well. The support of our members and their guests has been
good and we look forward to smooth sailing for the balance
of the year.
Again this year three graduating students from Kwalikum
Secondary School received $1,000 each from the Major John
H. Cooper C.D. Bursary Fund to continue with their education.
President Tiittanen and myself extended congratulations
from the Legion to them at their Commencement Ceremonies
in June.
MEMBERSHIP
Cmde Christine Ross
Greetings, everyone!
Membership has had a fairly busy year so far with several
members passing on, 43 brand new members, and 15 members
transferred in from Legions across Canada. Thank you to
all our members who make visitors feel welcome and therefore
join our Branch.
The 2013 Early Bird campaign kicks off on the 1st of September.
Let's all step up to the plate and get those memberships
in before November 30th and have a chance of winning your
membership free. Draws will be held at the General Meetings
in October and November for two lucky members who will be
notified by phone if they are not in attendance. If you
have moved or any information has changed, please make sure
you notify the Branch so we can keep our records up-to-date
and you do not miss out, also please make sure that we have
your email address!
For all those who have not yet renewed for 2012, it is not
too late to do so and why not pay for 2013 at the same time?
And, why not pay for a couple of years ahead? If you have
not paid for 2010 and/or 2011 you can still come in and
renew without having to reapply, so we look forward to seeing
you all. Let's make this the best, most viable Branch in
Canada.
Important membership details are HERE
Click HERE to
open the Renewal Form for printing.
BUILDING REPORT
2nd. Vice President Don Taylor
The high- light of the year was the installation of the
new flooring in the entire upper floor of the Legion. The
new flooring, a combination of carpet and vinyl board has
given the Legion a very warm and inviting feeling. The entire
Legion has been painted inside which also added to the renewed
atmosphere. A new storage closet was built above the basement
entrance which gives both the legion and the L.A. more storage.
A new window was installed in the entrance door to make
it safer for people entering the lounge area. In the kitchen
new fridge racks were purchased and a new kitchen tap installed.
Two work parties were organized to clean up the grounds
prior to the busy summer season. Thanks to all the volunteers
who helped with the clean up.
COMMUNICATION PROGRAM
Cmde. Lynn MacLean
In June of this year we launched the Branch 76 E-Mail Communication
Program to the Membership. A monthly News Bulletin and Calendar
of events is sent out to the Membership at least 3 days
in advance of the monthly Membership General Meeting (4th
Thursday of each month except July and August). This gives
the Membership information on what's happening in the Legion
for the coming month as well as the planned special events
coming up in the year; and other items of interest.
The following are examples of the types of e-mails that
would be sent out by the Communicator:
1. Monthly News Bulletin & Calendar of Events.
2. Social event reminders and notices.
3. Social event ticket availability.
4. Membership meeting reminders.
5. Annual Newsletter sent in Sept. in conjunction with the
membership renewal drive.
6. Special notices which would include:
- Death of members (details of funerals or remembrance would
only be sent on the request of the family as obtained via
the Service Officer or Branch Manager).
- Time sensitive information.
In order to keep up to date with all the happenings and
items of interest, you are encouraged to make sure your
e-mail address is registered with our Membership Chair,
Christine Ross. She will then include you in our electronic
address book. If you don't have an e-mail address, the monthly
bulletins and calendar of events are posted on the Members
Bulletin Board on the Mezzanine at the Branch.
ENTERTAINMENT
Cmde. John Klassen
The Entertainment committee has been busy this year. We
brought in the year with a very successful New Year's Dinner
and Dance. As always the Robbie Burn's night was a sell
out and a good time was had by all. There were several other
functions which were well attended. The Hamburger nights
were resumed and although had a slow start have picked up
very well. These are held on Friday night after the Meat
Draw. Watch out for more events coming throughout the fall.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
Cmde John Humphrey
The Honours and Awards ceremonies were held at the Branch
on Sunday March 2012, and was very well attended by approximately
110 members and guests.
A total of seventeen members attended to receive various
long-term service pins. There were numerous Certificates
of Appreciation presented to Branch and Ladies Auxiliary
members, also members of the Community who have supported
the Legion in outstanding fashion. Branch member, the late
Cmde. Alf Diack was presented with his Service Award medal
for his exemplary dedication to the Branch. Six members
of the Ladies Auxiliary also received the Service Award.
Joyce Butler, Dorothy Carney, Bernice Fawthorpe, Muriel
Knapp, Thelma Olychick and Helen Waller. The Volunteer of
the Year award for 2011 was presented to Cmde. Bill Layman.
The Ladies Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year for 2011 was
Betty Yacoboski.
Joyce Fulljames proudly received her Life Membership from
the Ladies Auxiliary. The ceremonies were followed by an
excellent lunch prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary, with music
provided by Bridging the Gap
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Cmde Joan Lane
The Public Relations Committee this year went high-tech
and opened a page on Facebook. We are posting items of interest
and especially upcoming events. This, with our web site
is a good a way of letting everybody know what is going
on at our Branch.
Many pictures have been taken at various events, several
of these have been forwarded to the Legion magazine, but
due to some technical problems we have not had too many
pictures published. Hopefully we can get these problems
ironed out and you will be seeing more of Branch 76 activities
in the Magazine.
SERVICE OFFICER
Cmde Norm Woodcock
As always, the Service Officer duties have kept me busy.
The introduction of the "Service /Referral Officer" concept
has reduced much of the requirement for direct contact with
DVA, but has increased the time spent in interacting with
the Command Service Officer. I feel that this new system
has resulted in quicker and more favorable claim turn around
times.
I am currently in the process of updating the Loan Cupboard
inventory. To start, I have replaced four of the old wheel
chairs that were becoming unsafe for further loan. Finally,
I wish to thank all those who have assisted me throughout
the year, in particular my sick and visiting member.
SPORTS
Cmde. Rob Diack.
The horseshoe pitches have not been over used throughout
the summer so feel free to make use of these terrific horseshoe
pits. We are hosting a small horseshoe tournament for Seniors
day in October. The pits are clean and there is new sand
and the shoes have been repainted.
We are working to continue to improve the pool tables downstairs
with new felt for one of the tables to be installed soon.
Snooker continues to be very popular and this is an invitation
to drop in to play.
The Second Annual Ted Feist Memorial Golf Tournament was
held on August 11th at Arrowsmith Golf Course. The weather
was terrific, the banquet dinner and locally donated prizes
made it very successful. It was an enjoyable event.
Texas Hold'em will be starting soon on Tuesday evenings
at 6:45 sharp. We play for fun and for points. Come
out and learn to play and have a good time.
WAYS AND MEANS (CHARITY)
Cmde. John Humphrey
Thanks to the many volunteers we have had another successful
year. At the beginning of the year we had a visit from the
Gaming Commission, who laid down some new rules and regulations,
which we had to adhere to. Although some of the changes
caused quite a bit of frustration we now have everything
working smoothly. A visit to the Meat Manager at Qualicum
Foods has resulted in new and interesting packets of meat.
Why don't you drop down on Friday or Saturday afternoon
and join in the fun at the meat draw.
LADIES AUXILIARY REPORT
President Dorothy Carney
2012 has been a very busy year for the Ladies Auxiliary,
having catered a number of Memorials and attending several
others.
We have been holding a Saturday Luncheon every few months,
which has been a huge success, having sold out each time.
Several members attended the Battle of the Atlantic ceremony
held at Parksville Legion. On May 6th and we held our Annual
Garage and Bake sale on the May 12th.
To celebrate Victoria Day, we held a Victorian Tea/Dance.
Many of the guests dressed in their finest hats. A prize
was given for the best one , this was won by our own Helen
Waddell.
We hosted the N.C.V.I. Auxiliary Zone meeting on June 6th.
where a special appearance was made by "Sir Winston Churchill" aka.
Mr. Ray Kirtchmar. We thought this appropriate as June 6th
was "D.DAY'.
To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth, we
held a Dinner Dance, recreating the menu held after the
Coronation. 100 people enjoyed a delicious meal, served
by 4 retired R.C.M.P. Officers.
The Ladies made sandwiches for and attended the Navy Cadets
Annual Review also the Beaufort Air Cadets Annual Review.
On July 28th we held a Garage and Bake sale at the St. Marks
Fair. The Bake table was sold out by 9.30.am. All in all
the entire event was a huge success.
We shall be participating in the Poppy Campaign once again,
making Soup for the Canvassers and also by Canvassing.
L.A.HONOURS AND AWARDS.
Several members received the L.A. Service Medal and Appreciation
Certificates at the Branch Honours and Awards. Betty Yacoboski
received the Volunteer of the Year Award and Joyce Fulljames,
received a Life Membership
L.A.MEMBERSHIP.
We have 7 new members so far this year, with Application
forms going out to 4 other ladies. Unfortunately, 3 members
passed away. We presently have 62 members.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Branch
members who replaced the Kitchen Faucet and the racks in
the Refrigerators.
BRANCH 76 LEGION PIN
AVAILABLE AT THE BRANCH
$ 3.50
EARLY BIRD FOR 2013 RENEWALS START
SEPTEMBER 1
Effective September 1, 2012 Dues will increase by $2.00
to $49.00 as approved at the May 2011 General Meeting to
keep in line with the increases approved at the 2011 Provincial
Command Convention.
A portion of all dues (per capita remittance) is remitted
to Dominion Command and Provincial Command from every member's
dues.
On September 27 at the General Meeting, a motion will be
put forward to raise our dues to $50.00, effective immediately,
as the 2012 Dominion Convention approved a raise of $2.49
+ taxes for the Legion Magazine. This means your Branch
now has to remit a per capita tax of $33.28, up from $28.49,
which breaks down as follows:
Dominion Command $10.65
Provincial Command $12.00
Legion Magazine $10.63
Out of your Membership Dues, $15.72 stays in Branch 76 at
the present 2013 rate. By raising our dues by $1.00 to $50.00
the Branch absorbs $1.79 of the extra costs.
Branch 76 Membership Dues as of September 28, 2012 are as
follows.
Single $49 Family 1st $50
2nd member $40
3rd & subsequent members $35 |
