March Minutes

                                                                     

Warffemius-Seidler

Post 381

Minutes

March 16, 2015

The American Legion Warffemius-Seider Post 381 membership meeting opened at 7:41 pm

at Post HQ, 14313 Brandywine Heights Road, Brandywine, MD by Post Commander Ron

Fisher.

A quorum being met by the following

members in attendance or excused absences:                 Visitors:

Ron Fisher

Pamela Neal-Robinson

Henry Turner

Erle Ross

Bob Ross

Ian Young

Felix Colaciello

Chris Marshall

Jeremy Foster

David Billings

Dan Dorrance

Robert Bowman

Marrie Nunn

Tyronne Eugene

Invocation from Post Chaplain, Chris Marshall.

Minutes from the previous meeting was presented and approved with the amendment of

the meeting being adjourned at 8:15pm. MSP.

Reports:

Treasurer’s Report: On behalf of Finance Officer (FO) Pamela Neal-Robinson, Cmdr Ron

Fisher presented the Treasurer’s Report. MSP.

Ron’s Mobile Service donated $300 to the Post from snow plowing services.

Sick Call/Chaplin’s Report: Judge Advocate (JA) Jeremy Foster was sick; Mike Arnold, former

Commander of Post 227, passed away and Cmdr Fisher recommended that Post 381 send a

card and a donation of $100 from the members of Post 381 to Post 227.

Service Officer’s Report: Service Officer Marrie Nunn is in the process of submitting

paperwork to the Operation Comfort Warrior (OCW) that would make Post 381 a sanctioned

entity to support OCW in their efforts and services. OCW provides assistance to active duty

members families while the service member is away. Marrie is coordinating volunteers

from Post 381.

Executive Committee: Tyronne Eugene talked with Don Herring of Parks & Planning

concerning the delay in issuance of Wilmer’s Park to Post 381’s care. The Historical Society’s

demands of the care and restoration of the property conflicts with Parks & Planning. Cmdr

Fisher further advised that another reason for the delay was due to issues Parks & Planning

had to deal with during the winter that took precedence of this matter.

Old Business:

Cmdr Fisher advised that Post 381 is awaiting for Wilmer’s Park to be signed over to the

Post.

New Business:

Tyronne Eugene will be assigned the office of 3^rd Vice Commander of Post 381 instead of JA

Foster holding dual roles. MSP.

FO Neal-Robinson advised The Jude House, Inc. had an outreach mission on March 14,

hosted by the National Women’s Veterans Unite (MWVU). The MWVU is a community that

bolsters support and efforts for VA benefits. The NWVU is developing a Maryland chapter

which The Jude House supports. Cmdr Fisher spoke to the NWVU to express Post 381’s

support of their efforts and explain the Post’s vision of the American Legion.

FO Neal further advised that on March 28, the MD Chapter of NWVU will be holding an

indoor yard sale in Calvert County, to which any money she receives at the event will be

donated to Post 381. FO Neal is asking for donations from the members of the Post. She also

mentioned that The Jude House will be hosting its Post 381 Job Training Program starting in April and is ready for the Post to submit plans as to how we would like to run the program. Cmdr Fisher also advised that Post 381 is awaiting the official endorsement from Jude House.

Cmdr Fisher wanted everyone to know that the calendar on Post 381’s website is

operational now. Events that are coming up throughout the years are now being posted and

should be reviewed at each member’s leisure.

The NAACP notified Cmdr Fisher that the women of Post 381 will be recognized for their

service to the community and the nation (more details to follow).

Cmdr Fisher is asking for members to donate $500 so the Post can purchase candy for the

Girl Scouts to sell in their fundraiser. Cmdr Fisher reminded everyone that the candy will

advertise Poste 381 and once the Girl Scouts makes $500 in sales with the candy (and

returns the investment to Post 381), they will receive 60% of the remaining proceeds as the

Post will receive 40%.

Cmdr Fisher also wanted to remind everyone that once the weather breaks we should begin

thinking about selling barbecue in front of HHGregg and setting up a Moon Bounce to raise

funds.

For the Good of the Post: Post 381 received the award for Category 1 Recruitment of new

members (1^st place amongst all MD American Legion Posts) to the American Legion by 115%

in the 2014 fiscal year at the Oyster Bowl. Stay On Course pin was awarded to Marrie Nunn.

Adjourn: MSP to adjourn.

Benediction was given by Post Chaplain Chris Marshall.

Next meeting will be Monday, April 20, at 7:30pm, at Post 381 HQ, 14313 Brandywine

Heights Road, Brandywine, Maryland.

Meeting adjourned at 8:48pm.

Respectfully submitted;

Erle Ross                                                                                         Ronald F. Fisher

Post 381 Adjutant                                                                            Post 381 Commander

FEB Mins

Warffemius-Seidler 

Post 381 

Minutes 

February 16, 2015  

The American Legion Warffemius-Seider Post 381 membership meeting opened at 7:30 pm 

at Post HQ, 14313 Brandywine Heights Road, Brandywine, MD by Post Commander Ron 

Fisher. 

A quorum being met by the following 

members in attendance or excused absences:                 Visitors: 

Ron Fisher 

Pamela Neal-Robinson 

Henry Turner 

Erle Ross 

Bob Ross 

Ian Young 

Felix Colaciello 

Chris Marshall 

Jeremy Foster 

David Billings 

Dan Dorrance 

Robert Bowman 

Marrie Nunn 

Tyronne Eugene 

Invocation from Post Commander, Ron Fisher. 

Minutes from the previous meeting was presented and approved. 

Reports: 

Treasury Report was given by Cmdr Fisher on behalf of Finance Officer Neal-Robinson. MSP. 

Old Business: 

Cmdr Fisher advised that Post 381 is waiting for Wilmer’s Park to be signed over to the Post. 

There was no New Business. 

Adjourn: MSP to adjourn. 

Benediction was given by Cmdr Fisher. 

Next meeting will be March 16, 2015, at 7:30pm, at Post 381 HQ, 14313 Brandywine Heights 

Road, Brandywine, Maryland. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:14 pm. 

Respectfully submitted; 

Erle Ross                                                      Ronald F. Fisher 

Post 381 Adjutant                                      Post381 Commander 

Jan MIn.

Warffemius-Seidler 

Post 381 

Minutes 

January 19, 2015 

The American Legion Warffemius-Seider Post 381 membership meeting opened at 7:40 pm 

at Post HQ, 14313 Brandywine Heights Road, Brandywine, MD by Post Commander Ron 

Fisher. 

A quorum being met by the following 

members in attendance or excused absences:                 Visitors: 

Ron Fisher                                                                                Dr. Roussan “Rue” Etienne, Jr. 

Pamela Neal-Robinson                                                          Asia Acevedo 

Henry Turner                                                                          Hung Hoang 

Erle Ross                                                                                  Dept. 2nd Vice Cmdr Patricia McCoy 

Bob Ross 

Ian Young 

Felix Colaciello 

Chris Marshall 

Jeremy Foster 

David Billings 

Dan Dorrance 

Robert Bowman 

Marrie Nunn 

Tyronne Eugene 

Invocation from Post Chaplain, Chris Marshall 

Minutes from the previous meeting was presented and approved. 

Reports 

Treasury Report: Commander Ron Fisher presented the Treasurer’s Report on behalf of 

Finance Officer Pamela Neal-Robins. MSP. 

Service Officer’s Report: Marrie Nunn is the Post Service Officer, as Dan Dorrance has 

assumed the Sergeant-at-Arms office. 

Executive Committee Report: Cmdr Fisher introduced Mr. Hung Hoang to talk about the 

plans for introducing an aquaponic farm on the premises of Wilmer’s Park once Post 381 

obtains the property. Mr. Hoang proposed the use of 5-10 acres of Wilmer’s Park to raise 

coy and tilapia. The by-product of the waste of the aquaponic farm will produce fertilizer to 

grow crops such as corn, lettuce, etc. Said crops could be sold (along with the fish) to the 

community, providing additional revenue for Post 381, as well as creating jobs, and 

educating the community on environmental awareness, all the while maintaining a low cost 

to the Post. According to Mr. Hoang’s projection, once the aquaponic farm is self-sufficient 

and is cultivated throughout the year, 1 acre of land would hold 4 greenhouse units and 

produce as much as $1.5 million per year.  

Cmdr Fisher interjected that Parks and Planning would set aside no more than 5 acres for 

the use of aquaponic farming as space is also set aside for the restaurant on site. 

Judge Advocate (JA) Jeremy Foster inquired about FDA regulations to which Mr. Hoang 

advised the aquaponic farm system is 100% organic as the fish food is natural and the 

nitrates produced by the fish waste is natural fertilizer for the plants. 

Second Vice Commander Henry Turner inquired of Mr. Hoang’s experience with aquaponic 

farming. Mr. Hoang replied that he has been raising fish for over 20 years and has recently 

started aquaponic farming within the past 5 years.   

When asked about the initial start-up costs of aquaponic farming, Mr. Hoang anticipates a 

$500,000 investment ($300k to get the farm up and running and $200k for reserves/ 

unforeseen costs) to put 1 unit of the aquaponic farm into operation, and gradually grow to 

5 units on the premises. 

Mr. Hoang is asking Post 381 for the use of the land (5 acres), water availability (for the fish), 

and the marketing to promote the arm and advertisement of the produce to the 

community. 

Cmdr Fisher advised that one of the many ways the Post can fund this venture could be 

through federal grants. 

Mr. Hoang went on to say that he would run the aquaponic farm for 1-2 years while training 

one or more apprentices to manage the system and ultimately become the manager of the 

farm. 

Post member Dr. David Billings made the point that everything that’s being said in the 

meeting about aquaponic farming with Mr. Hoang should be in writing; the Department 

Environmental Resources (DER) should be included in every step of the development of the 

aquaponic farm; taking into consideration there is practically no known regulations for this 

type of farming. 

Mr. Hoang said he does have a business plan ready to present to the Post when the time 

comes to ultimately decide on whether to invest into this business. 

Dr. Roussan “Rue” Etienne, Jr. was introduced as a promoter representing the gospel music 

industry and general talent. He proposes that his company (Rue Marketing International) 

bring talent and events to Wilmer’s Park that will be family oriented at family-friendly 

prices. One means of bringing talent to Wilmer’s Park on a cost-effective basis will be by 

enticing performers to support the veterans. Rue Marketing Int’l provides a variety of 

services based on the needs of the event ranging from supplying the talent for the event to 

hosting the event, including marketing and production. 

Post Member Tyronne Eugene was introduced, representing the FireRoc Entertainment 

Group. Mr. Eugene offered his expertise in the medium of radio to get the message to the 

community about Post 381, including advertising events at Wilmer’s Park to bolster Post 381 

by having an online radio station located at Wilmer’s Park. The Post will have control over 

what to put out to the masses but will need to be creative in how to pull at the 

“heartstrings” of the young veterans and active duty service members to feel connected to 

the American Legion. 

Mr. Eugene owns RireRoc Radio, as subsidiary of the FireRoc Entertainment Group, LLC. Mr. 

Eugene desires to start a new radio station that sponsors events and trips in the local area. 

FireRoc Radio will focus on selling sponsorships to local stores/shops within the community 

to advertise their businesses that can’t afford to advertise on the major radio stations. 

Mr. Eugene proposes Post 381 to be the “non-profit” partner in the purchasing of FireRoc 

Radio. FireRoc Radio will broadcast 24 hours a day with DJ’s to cover shifts and is requiring 

of them to bring in advertising and pay up front (a one-time fee) for their time share of their 

show. A percentage of the sponsorships brought in by the DJs will pay for their wages and a 

portion of the revenue collected by FireRoc Radio will be donated to the Post as the “Non- 

Profit Arm”. 

Service Officer (SO) Nunn commented that with FireRoc Radio being an extension of Post 

381, the Post needs assurance that the music and messages broadcasted will represent the 

American Legion and Post 381 in a tasteful manner. SO Nunn also inquired about the 

possibility of FireRoc Radio broadcasting live music shows from Wilmer’s Park and possible 

conflicts between FireRoc Radio and Rue Marketing International. 

Dr. Etienne replied that the underwriting of events will determine the distribution of 

revenue based on the terms and agreements set forth. As long as the verbiage is explicit, 

there should not be an issue. 

When asked for a business plan, Mr. Eugene advised he was working on one but wasn’t 

ready for presentation. 

Dr. Billings wanted to make sure that everything being discussed by Mr. Hoang, Dr. Etienne, 

Mr. Eugene, and Ms. Acebdo be written down on paper so that a sub-committee could 

review the logistics of the agreements between their entities and Post 381, and do research 

whether the unions will be beneficial for the Post. Cmdr Fisher agreed with this concept and 

assigned 2nd Vice Cmdr Turner to lead said sub-committee to vet the business plans that 

would be provided to the Post. 

Ms. Asia Acebedo was introduced next as the “Grants Guru” for Post 381. Ms. Acebedo 

presented to the Post a packet of fundraising opportunities to generate money as soon as 

possible for ground breaking revenue similar to bake sales, such as Post 381 T-shirts, coin 

sales, etc. Ms. Acebedo went over specific organizations (large & small businesses) in the 

local community who are looking to donate to Veterans and yet there’s relatively no 

competition for their patronage. Ms. Acebedo described possible fundraising opportunities 

upon completion of the initial renovation of Wilmer’s Park such as 5-10K runs, movie night 

screenings, and paintball courses on the premises of Wilmer’s Park. Ms. Acebedo is eager to 

post events on social media networks to that the Post can get a wider online audience. 

Cmdr Fisher wanted it to be clear that Ms. Acebedo will report directly to Post 381 

Commander. If he’s unavailable, she’ll reach out to Judge Advocate Foster, as he’s been 

appointed as the Chair of the Grant’s Committee. Ms. Acebedo will work with Mr. Hoang to 

obtain grants for the aquaponic farm. 

Old Business 

Cmdr Fisher advised Wilmer’s Park will be signed over to Post 381 as soon as Thursday, 

January 22, 2015, when the lease is agreed upon by the Post. Cmdr Fisher advised that the 

lease is being drawn up in which the Post would be required to pay rent of $1.00 per month 

for the use of Wilmer’s Park. 

Cmdr Fisher lead the discussion in regards to Park & Planning’s concern with the main 

building on the premises of Wilmer’s Park and the resurrection of the restaurant (taking into 

consideration of the African-American Heritage Preservation Committee’s concerns with the 

dilapidated homes and stage area). Park & Planning would like to see the modernization and 

revitalization of Wilmer’s Park to take priority over anything else. 

Cmdr Fisher addressed JA Foster on the possibility of his contact coming aboard Post 381 to 

provide support in accounting. JA Foster advised that his contact is a possibility, but is not 

CPA certified. Cmdr Fisher said it is not necessary for the person assisting the Post with 

accounting to be a CPA. 

New Business: 

JA Foster followed up the last conversation stating he will be stepping in as 3rd Vice 

Commander concurrent with his role as Judge Advocate. Dennis Lavallee has not been 

attending Post 381 meetings, and after 10 non-excused absences as 3rd Vice Commander, 

Mr. Lavallee’s role as an officer has been relinquished and considered vacant per Post bi- 

laws. 

For the Good of the Post: Maryland Department Second Vice Commander Patricia McCoy 

wanted it to be known that she is very proud of Post 381 and it’s accomplishments over the 

years. Dept 2nd Vice Cmdr McCoy further stated that the Post is a shining example of what 

the American Legion should be and that slowly but surely the other Posts around the nation 

will advance to where Post 381 is at currently. Post Cmdr Fisher presented Dept 2nd Vice 

Cmdr McCoy a Post 381 license plate as a token of the Post’s appreciation for her 

unwavering support. 

Adjourn: MSP to adjourn. 

Benediction was given by Post Chaplain Chris Marshall. 

Next meeting will be Monday, February 16, 2015, at 7:30pm, at Post 381 HQ, 14313 

Brandywine Heights Road, Brandywine, Maryland. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:14 pm. 

Respectfully submitted; 

Erle Ross                                                               Ronald F. Fisher 

Post 381 Adjutant                                               Post 381 Commander