Agenda for 12 May  2026 Regular Post meeting,  CDP/ Community Center

RM ALPHA….

4:45 TO 5:30 pm, SONS of the AMERICAN LEGION meeting, to be held in the small conference room.   Nomination and Election for SAL leadership.   Candidates are Pat Unger for Commander, Terry Ward for Adjutant and Joe Chilandro at Treasure, but others wanting to serve most certainly are welcome too.    Meeting discussion about election and several projects to talk about.  

5:30 PM Social time of food and camaraderie

6:00 PM/Opening meeting protocol  Welcome all members and guest and all visitors present. 

Recognize former Commanders present and guest and new members.

Recognize and present an appreciation plaque for community service to SRO Joe Bowen , being awarded by 2^nd Vice Adderholt. 

Review the posting of the minutes from the last meeting being published on 10 May 26 across the Website to members., recommendation for approval.    

Recognize SAL members present , discussion of status of the Post 281 SAL.  

CDR’s comments and updates

                Boys state funding status, 12 applicants, (4 Mt J HS/8 GH HS currently conducting interviews.  Juliet Rotary funding  $1000, and Del Webb Vet’s Group $425, parents portion to be $100. 

                Commanders’ year in review, and over the last 3 years and as far back to 2018.   

                May’s Calendar events:

                                14 May,  HAF flag prep day @ Nancy Britt’s home, 291 Guill Rd, 0900

                                16 May,  Armed Forces Day at Mission BBQ,  (David Hale to advise)

                                18 May,  RFTW support at Beckwith RD and I-40 Overpass @ 2:30

                                18 May,  RFTW support at QT Fuel Center, Lebanon, @  3:10

                                19 May, RFTW support at Wilson CNTY Vet Center/Lebanon @ 11:45

21 May,  HAF set up day with installation of rebar and flags

                                21 May,  Begin HAF set up and sales assistance with Exchange Club

                                21 May thru 25 May,  HAF coverage for assisting in sales and escorting flag owners and in sales to the public.

                                25 May, ( Memorial Day)  Lebanon Veterans Appreciation Ceremony at the Veteran’s Museum and Veteran’s Center, @ 10:00

                                25 May, (Memorial Day) take down of HAF, return to N Britt’s home and store away, time TBD by Nancy Britt.

                                25 May, Needham’s Nursery , Mt. Juliet Memorial Day Drone Show, @ 7:00PM with Post 281

                                24 May – 29 May, Boy’s State, TN TECH, Cookville,

                Officer’s reports:  1^st V  / 2^nd V /  Adj / FO / SO / CHAP-sick call /  HG / ALR /  SAL /  Aux  efforts, HAF Sign-up sheets to be passed around,  Needham’s Nursery recruiting booth. 

Old unfinished business  ?    What our future looks like

Current field of proposed Post Officers/ at this current time,

Mike Faoro Commander

Brandon Adderholt  1^st Vice

Wayne Smith 2^nd Vice

Jeff Mattingly Adjutant

Patti Whitmore Service Officer

Steve Iles Treasure

David Hale Chaplin

Mike Adams  Seargent at Arms.

Discussion regarding a Leadership committee for new/future officer positions and the and open the floor up for nominations of the leadership of the Legion Year of 26-27 , with election taking place at the end of May’s regular post meeting.    

Assemble of the outgoing and incoming officers for the post. 

Administer the Installation of the Post Officers for Legion Year 2026-2027

 New Business/Correspondence/Business for the good of the American Legion

Sign Sympathy Card for The Cundal (Marie) Family.   Acknowledge the receipt of a thank you note from the Queener family. 

Closing Protocol

You know the saying: “Many hands make light work.”

Well… right now we’re looking for a few hands. Preferably attached to members who care about Post 281. 😉

It’s that time of year again — nominations are open for the following officer positions:

• Commander
  
• First Vice Commander
  
• Second Vice Commander
  
• Adjutant
  
• Finance Officer
  
• Service Officer
  
• Chaplain
  
• Historian
  
• Judge Advocate
  

Before everyone suddenly finds something very interesting to study on the ceiling… let’s talk.

Relax — This Isn’t Basic Training

Serving as an officer isn’t about being perfect, having all the answers, or giving long speeches (we promise).

It’s about: 

• Caring about the Post
  
• Showing up
  
• Being part of the team
  
• Supporting fellow veterans
  

That’s it.

You don’t need to be the oldest member.
You don’t need to be the youngest member.
You don’t need to have been here forever.

If you care about Post 281, you’re qualified to be considered.

There’s a Role for Every Strength

Some positions help guide the vision and direction of the Post.
Some help grow and engage membership.
Some keep the paperwork and finances squared away.
Some support veterans directly.
Some preserve our history and traditions.
Some provide guidance, support, and perspective when it’s needed most.

Different roles. Same mission.

This isn’t about one person doing everything — it’s about a team working together to keep Post 281 strong, organized, and moving forward.

Think About It…

Who’s the person who:

• Always volunteers?
  
• Has ideas to make things better?
  
• Keeps track of details?
  
• Checks in on fellow veterans?
  
• Talks about growing membership or doing more in the community?
  

That person might be a great nominee.

And if you’re reading this thinking, “Well… maybe I could do that,” you probably can.

Why It Matters

The officers we choose will help shape what next year looks like at Post 281 — more engagement, stronger membership, meaningful programs, and continued support for our veterans and community.

That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when members step up.

Deadline: May 12

Nominations close on May 12 before the vote.

  By Laws – ARTICLE VI – NOMINATIONS – ELECTIONS – VACANCIES

Section 1. NOMINATIONS: The nominations process for Post elected positions begins at the April

general membership meeting. Nominations can also be made from the floor at the general

membership meeting in May. Nominees must be present and agree to serve in the position for

which they are nominated.

Section 2. ELECTION DATE: All Officers and Executive Committee members of this Post shall be

elected from a slate of nominees at the May meeting.

Section 3. INSTALLATION: Officers and Executive Committee members shall be installed after the

elections as the final act of business at the May general membership meeting. The installing

officer shall be an officer from another Post, the Department of Tennessee, National, or a Post

281 Past Commander.

That means now’s the time to:

• Put your own name forward
  
• Encourage someone else
  
• Have that “you’d be great at this” conversation
  

Don’t assume someone else will do it. The Legion has always been strongest when members answer the call.

We’ve all served before. Serving Post 281 is just another way to continue that commitment — this time to each other.

Let’s keep Post 281 strong, active, organized… and maybe just a little louder than the Post down the road.

For God and Country,

Jeff Mattingly

1sr Vice Cmdr/Webmeister