AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

MARCH MINUTES 3/4/2025

UNIT 19 COLUMBIA

The ALA Herbert Griffin Unit 19 met on March 4, 2025, at 6:30PM. Ten members are present with seven of those officers.

President Debbie Howell opened the meeting. The prayer (on faith) from the ALA Magazine was given by Chaplain Teresa Lyle. The Pledge to the American Flag and the ALA Preamble was recited. Secretary Gail Gilliam presented roll call.

Secretary Gail presented the minutes. A motion to approve was by Charlotte Connors, seconded by Beth McAdams and carried on the floor.

VAVR:  Unit 19 Chairman Libby Moss reported she, Teresa Lyle and Joyce Johnson had sewn and presented 24 QOV at the Vet-to-Vet Banquet.

Leadership: Charlotte Connors is running for Department Historian. Libby Moss commented that she would not be running for Seven District. Loretta Unit indicated they had someone to run. Libby has held this position for several years.

The Middle Tennessee Divisional Spring Conference will be April 12, 2025 at Post 82 in Nashville at 11:00 AM with lunch at 12 noon. ($15.00).

Education Chairman Teresa Lyle reported the Americanism Essays are due Friday March 14. Information was sent to all Maury County Public Schools and Columbia Academy Elementary Schools. The Theme: “What does America the Beautiful Mean to Me? (regarding Veterans and our Military).”

Americanism Chairman Teresa reported a request for an American Flag to be presented to Highland Park Elementary. Beth McAdams will check availability.

Membership Chairman Beth McAdams reported 106 members are current on their dues with three more saying they are sending theirs in. We need thirty-one to go.

Girl State Chairman Beth reported she had sent emails to the Counselors to start the interview process. MPHS – Friday March 7^th at 9 AM. SHHS – Wednesday March 12^th at 9 AM. Beth is checking on interview schedules for Hampshire and Zion for Friday March 7^th at 1 PM. (If the Unit has Junior Members that want to go to Girls State, we automatically send them which is not counted against our delegate count for the school.

Unit 170, Clara Cothron, has contacted Mt. Pleasant High School and Spring Hill School according to Beth requesting to send a delegate from those schools. Central High School has not contacted Beth. Beth has invited Clara (Unit 170) to come and observe the interview process.

Beth has emailed those that requested the monetary sponsor letter she sent to organizations and schools. Since the last meeting we have received $500 from FOP and $500 from FOP Associates. This is a total of $4,500 including the $500 the Unit gives to sponsor our junior girl. We will receive a check for (2 girls) from CA once we interview. That will bring us to $5,500 of the $8,500 we need to send to Girls State.

Constitution and By-Laws: Unit 19 met at 5 PM before the meeting and discussed standing rules. More information to follow in April.

AEF: $20.00 collected.

Large Jackpot: Kathy Coggins missed by not being present. The jackpot is holding at $100.00.

A nominating committee was created:

1.  Jolene Thompson
2. Beth McAdams
3. Charlotte Connors

The programs reports are due by May 1^st.

 Correspondence Reported by Gail Gilliam: A thank you letter from PAW/MIA for our donation.

Our next meeting will be April 1^st, Tuesday at 6:30 PM with dinner at 6:00 PM catered.

            Meeting adjourned by President Debbie.  Prayer given by Teresa.

Respectfully Submitted

Gail Gilliam, Unit 19 Secretary.