Meeting Minutes
5th District ALR Monthly Meeting 4/14/24
Regular Meeting:
American Legion Riders 5th District Department of Florida
April 14, 2024; minutes prepared on May 6, 2024
Meeting held at American Legion 54, Fernandina, Florida.
5th District ALR Calendar: https://sites.google.com/a/alr5thfl.org/american-legion-5th/district-calendar?authuser=0
5th District ALR Meeting Minutes: https://sites.google.com/a/alr5thfl.org/american-legion-5th/documents?authuser=0
5th District Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ALR5thDistrictFL/
5th District website: https://www.al5thdistrictfl.org/
Meeting came to order: 12:30pm
POW/MIA flag Placement:
Sgt-at-Arms: Jim Steele (excused) Chris Watrous
Chairman’s Opening of Meeting:
· Riders Creed
· Koonce opened with Resolution 288 POW/MIA recognition.
· Pledge of Allegiance
Opening prayer: Milton Tucker
Guests/Members in Attendance:
Introduction of distinguished guest(s):
Denny Luke – Northern Area ALR Chair
Virna Luke – FL Department Public Relations
Mike Garcia – 5th District Commander
Bridgette Green – FL Department ALA Community Service Chair
Officers Roll Call:
Chairman: Zane Koonce
Vice Chairman: Sue Nist
Secretary: Connie Koonce
Chaplain: Milton Tucker
Sgt-at-Arms: Jim Steele (excused)
Social Media Coordinator: Kam Sons
Finance Officer: Ella Rae Jansen
POW/MIA Chair: Denny Luke
Directors in Attendance
Chapter 9: Shannon Bloodworth
Chapter 37: Derek Apter
Chapter 54: Chris Watrous
Chapter 88: Joe Dewsnap
Chapter 129: Sue Nist
Chapter 137 David Nolan
Chapter 194: Milton Bruton
Chapter 197: Joann Miller
Chapter 202: Chip Nilsen (absent)
Chapter 250: David Coleman
Chapter 283: John ‘Pops’ Lang
Chapter 316: Denise Strickland
Chapter 372: June Crawford
Chapter 401: Ron Mabrey (absent)
Chapter 233: Temporarily Suspended
Representative for Absent Director:
Chapter 401: None Present
Finance Report: Report did not change from the previous meeting and Ella Rae Jansen, Finance Officer was excused from the meeting. Previous balance: $3,923.15. Ending Balance: $4,855.74. Also, more patches are going to be ordered. Motion was given to accept the meeting minutes by Ken White, ALR Director, Chapter 250 and second was given by John Lang, ALR Director, Chapter 283.
Reading/Approval of Minutes: Minutes were sent via email to all Directors and placed on the ALR 5th District website under Home. Motion was given to accept the meeting minutes by David Nolan, ALR Director, Chapter 137 and second was given by John Lang, ALR Director, Chapter 283.
Chapter Reports: Reports were submitted to Chairman prior to the meeting.
CHAPTER 9: Shannon Bloodworth (written report submitted)
Total Members: 65 (LEG-28, AUX-21, SAL-16)
Total Miles: 4,301
Total Hours: 297.9
Total Donations: $400
News/upcoming events: Second Saturday steak night, BOTG, 88 Fun Run
CHAPTER 37: Derek Apter (written report submitted)
Total Members: 19 (LEG-14, AUX-3, SAL-2)
Total Miles: 1,092
Total Hours:59
Total Donations: $106
News/upcoming events: 88 Fun Run
CHAPTER 54: Chris Watrous (absent) (written report submitted)
Total Members: 92 (LEG-52, AUX-29, SAL-11)
Total Miles: 12,772
Total Hours: 600
Total Donations: $400
News/upcoming events: Rolling for Heroes 9/7/24, Steak Dinner every 3rd Saturday; Monthly Ride every 3rd Sunday.
CHAPTER 88: Joe Dewsnap (written report submitted)
Total Members: 70 (LEG-41, AUX-21, SAL-8)
Total Miles: 3,493
Total Hours: 197.50
Total Donations: $1,188
News/upcoming events: 88 Fun Run, Motors and Margaritas, Los Loros (20% of total bill goes towards Sulzbacher) (third Tuesday of the month)
CHAPTER 129: Sue Nist (written report submitted)
Total Members: 100 (LEG-51, AUX- 38, SAL-11)
Total Miles: 24,696
Total Hours: 2,075
Total Donations: $1,650
News/upcoming events: 88 Fun Run, In State Unity Ride, and BOTG
CHAPTER 137: David Nolan (written report submitted)
Total Members: 66 (LEG-31, AUX-22, SAL-13)
Total Miles: 5,001
Total Hours: 606
Total Donations: $4,725
News/upcoming: 88 Fun Run, 37 poker run, In State Unity ride and BOTG. Tuesday’s burgers and dogs.
CHAPTER 194: Milton Bruton (written report submitted)
Total Members: 12 (LEG-4, AUX- 5, SAL-3)
Total Miles: 310
Total Hours: 408
Total Donations: $160
News/upcoming events: 88 Fun run and BOTG
CHAPTER 197: Joann Miller (written report submitted)
Total Members: 13 (LEG-8, AUX- 4, SAL-1)
Total Miles: 0
Total Hours: 0
Total Donations: $0.00
News/upcoming events: Women’s veteran ceremony
CHAPTER 202: Chip Nilsen (written report submitted)
Total Members: 8 (LEG-4, AUX-2, SAL-2)
Total Miles: 1,430
Total Hours: 102
Total Donations: $100
News/upcoming events: NA
CHAPTER 250: David Coleman (written report submitted)
Total Members: 68 (LEG-53, AUX-10, SAL-5)
Total Miles: 4,925
Total Hours: 1,391
Total Donations: $0
News/upcoming events: 88 Fun run, BOTG
CHAPTER 283: John ‘Pops’ Lang (written report submitted)
Total Members: 134 (LEG-60, AUX-39, SAL-35)
Total Miles: 12,202.70
Total Hours: 1,935
Total Donations $0
News/upcoming events: 88 Fun run, In state Unity ride, 37 poker run, and BOTG
CHAPTER 316: Denise Strickland (written report submitted)
Total Members: 51 (LEG-24, AUX-20, SAL-7)
Total Miles: 2,870
Total Hours: 229
Total Donations: $998
News/upcoming events: 88 Fun Run, BOTG
CHAPTER 372: June Crawford (written report submitted)
Total Members: 35 (LEG-17, AUX-12, SAL-6)
Total Miles: 2,109
Total Hours: 106
Total Donations: $343
News/upcoming events: 88 Fun Run, 37 Poker run, BOTG
CHAPTER 401: Ron Mabrey (absent) (written report not submitted)
Total Members:
Total Miles:
Total Hours:
Total Donations:
News/upcoming events: NA
End of Chapter Reports
Distinguished Guests:
5th District Commander Mike Garcia – Service of and for our Veteran’s. Thanked the officers and asked that we come back next year. Thanked everyone for attending the 5th District ride and get ready for the 2nd half of the district ride coming up later this year.
Old Business:
· District rides – Chair Koonce advised of participation and complaints from other Chapters that feel they are overlooked. Discussed splitting the riders to support multiple rides.
· Calendar update – Kam Sons gave update on calendar on the web. Please make sure you are looking at the District Calendar. Checkmark the District Calendar, not just your own. Call Kam if there are any questions, please.
· District 5 unity ride – Chair Koonce advised that 47 members registered and 21 finished the ride. Check presentation to the District Commander for $725. And $725 to the district ALR account. $1,450 total. Southern route for the second half will be in October with date to be updated later. New patch design for both routes is forthcoming.
· In State Unity ride, April 22-27, has three routes and the North route will go to the keys. The Start will be in Lake City and end in Tampa at the rally. The Central route will have Joe Marcheggiani as the road captain and the West route will have Jason Skobel as the road captain. $40,000 raised for PVR so far. 1/3 riders registered from the mighty 5th. Virtual riders encouraged. Alan Yardley volunteered as chase vehicle for the Eastern Route. Raffle tickets for the bike will be collected before the rally. April 19th deadline.
· End of year reporting handouts. Due date is MAY 8th! Post CPR must match EOY report.
· Adjutant Koonce updated for the Motorcycle Safety Program. Logo update. New webpage for Department ALR. Media team will be at the Boots on the Ground event on 5/10/2024.
· JSO safety class is FREE at FSCJ and more information will follow. www.jsosmart.com is the website for registration. Will accommodate groups also.
· Ademac advanced safety course is free for April and May.
· High Seas rally cruise for Wonded Warrier announcement. More to follow later.
· Points question regarding Unity rides and which posts get the points by John Lang. District gets the Round Robin points, and everyone gets those points for their Chapter respectively.
· Milton provided a fallen riders update.
Unfinished Business: N/A
New Business/Good of the Order:
· Denny Luke – Updated the escort by JSO for the POW/MIA ride and they will continue to participate. Jacksonville is the only national museum for the POW/MIA currently. Looking for the meet and greet location. After party at the memorial is requested.
· Mike Garcia – Please attend the District meeting.
· Ken White – Save the date 5/10/2024 for Jeannie Blaylock Buddy Check program before mother’s day. It will be live on the news and will have interview’s. Please wear pink. They are looking for survivor Veterans. More information to follow.
· David Nolan – Congratulated 37 for their first ride. Please also have a representative if you are a scheduled stop.
· Clay Adams – Popcorn fundraiser information with more to follow. Joint communication support and join the charge information regarding member that is in need.
· Zane Koonce – Patch presentation to Richard Leightner, Mike Garcia, and Yvette Moore.
· Sue Nist – Director’s leaving positions should mentor new and upcoming Director’s. Rider accident was not related to drinking. Remember safety first while riding please.
· Elaine mentioned to help other riders and make sure bikes are ready for rides.
Closing Prayer: Milton Tucker
Meeting closed at: 1:33 pm