Presidents Report - April 2011

At long last the winter is almost over and spring is on the way (we hope).  It has been a busy time at the branch with the Fish Fry nights and the Ladies Auxiliary’s Beef on a Bun having had great success and they continue to grow.  We started a new feature on Fish Fry nights called “Open Mike Night”  run by Chris and Rob Turner.  If you can play an instrument or sing, why not come out and have some fun?  

The general meeting which was held in March was well attended.  This is the perfect opportunity for members to air their views and be involved in the voting process when required.    

Branch elections will be held on Wednesday, May 5^th at 8pm sharp.  Come out and vote for your new executive.  If you are interested in running for office, please let us know and someone will nominate you.    

We continue to have more and more members give us their email addresses.  This is an excellent way for us to communicate with the membership and keep you informed of the events that are going on at the Branch. 

If you have not given us your email address yet, why not, we promise not to give your information to any outside source.  It will be used for Branch 36 communications only .  

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to speak to me in the Branch or leave a message in the office, and I will be happy to call you and address them.

John Murphy - President

Welcome to 2011, our Christmas and New Year celebrations went very well with both events being well attended by members and guests alike.

Unfortunately we had to cancel the Burns supper this year, however we will do everything in our power to bring it back next January.

The next General Meeting will be on Wednesday March 16th at 8 pm.  Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.  It is important that you keep yourself informed about what is happening within your Branch and this is a good way to have your say.

Thank you to all those unsung volunteer heroes who tirelessly help throughout the year,  without you there would be no Branch.  The Legion runs on volunteers. 

If you have a skill or just want to help, let us know. I'm sure we can find something for you to do. 

Thanks again.

It was my honour to represent the Branch at our Remembrance Day ceremonies.

All three service branches (army, navy, airforce) were well represented along with members of the Hamilton Wentworth 11th Battery and our own Veterans and Branch members.  Our Branch padre, Archdeacon Jim Sandilands, provided spiritual guidance and words of remembrance.  

A heartfelt "thank you" to Comrades Gerry Belec and Cheri Harrington who were outstanding in their role as Poppy Campaign

Co-chairs.  Their Poppy Committee was tireless in their efforts.  Thanks to all the Poppy Volunteers and thanks to those who supplied food for them.  As Legion members we must remember that when we took our Legion oath we committed to help with the Poppy Campaign.  What�s a couple of hours distributing Poppies or making an extra pot of stew?  Remember, there are always many ways to help.  

Much gratitude goes to all those who helped feed the Veterans, their families, Branch members and cadets who returned to the Branch after the ceremony.

On December 15th we have a special General Meeting at the Branch to approve new Branch by-laws.  All members are invited.

Please welcome Jordan Deneau and Brody Howlett as your new Sports Chairmen. They are enthusiastic, welcome additions to our Executive.

Our Annual Veteran's Christmas Dinner is on December 8th.  We have a choral group and Highland Dancers for entertainment.  

On January 22, 2011 we will have our annual Robbie Burns Dinner.  Tickets will be available in the new year and many reservations have already been submitted.  Come join us for a great evening.

Wishing Season's Greetings and a Happy New Year to all.

President's Report - October 2010

Comrades, I hope you all had a great summer and are looking for some other form of

entertainment for the fall and winter. We are now back into our busy season, with Fish Fry

on the 2^nd Friday of every month, and the Beef on a Bun nights run by the Ladies Auxiliary,

on the 4^th Friday of every month.  Each is followed by entertainment. 

We are trying a new form of entertainment called, �Open Mike Night� where guests who

have a musical or other form of entertainment skill come out and share their talents with us,

why not come out and enjoy their efforts. Check out our website and/or the white board for up-to-date information on any changes to this schedule due to holidays, and come out and

join us! 

At our last General Meeting we initiated 12 new members!  Welcome!  If you see them in

the branch say hello. 

Remembrance Day is fast approaching.  Comrade Gerry Belec has an insert in this Bullytin. 

Please read it and sign up for Poppy duty.  Remember when we took our oath as Legion

members we swore to help in the �Poppy Campaign�.  All we need is two hours of your

time. 

I look forward to seeing you at the Remembrance Day parade and service, everybody is

welcome.  As always if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call

me, or speak to me at the Branch. 

John Murphy - President

President's Report - August 2010

It was our privilege again to represent the Branch at the Dominion Convention in Winnipeg.  We met some old friends and made new ones, we even had one branch pay for a new ceiling tile to remind us of the Legion friendship.

The politics of dancing were in full bloom and changes within the Command were swift and sweeping.  It will be interesting next time to see who will make first vice as Ontario is well represented.

The summer has been fair for the Branch and we are looking forward to seeing all of you come out and get involved this fall.

Branch 36, in a lot of ways is like many businesses in Dundas and we are not immune to acts of vandalism.  We continue to have someone destroying our smoking tent, we had a break-in upstairs where damage occurred and stolen product amounted to over $1,000.00 and a second attempt at a break-in downstairs. 

We have installed a new window guard, updated the security upstairs and you will see

video camera surveillance for outdoors in the Fall.  All of this additional expense takes away from out mandate to support veterans and their families.  

I would ask all members to be on the lookout for anything suspicious and report it immediately to the police.  If you are in town in the evening and returning home after the Branch is closed, take a drive through the lot, take a look and see if there is anyone there, but don�t stop, just keep going and call the police when you get home.

Thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary, Ladies Darts, Mens Darts, Ladies Snooker, Mens Friday Night snooker, our winter Sunday Fun dart league and the summer Thursday dart league for your financial donations to the Branch. These funds will allow us to continue with renovations to the Banquet Hall and updating the branch in general.

Our General Meeting will be Wednesday, September 15^th at 8:00pm � come out and have your say and/or show support for your executive. 

As always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to talk to me in the

branch and I will contact you.

John Murphy - President

President's Report - April 2010

Winter is over and we cannot complain about the weather.  The Branch has done well with the membership supporting all of our activities including Fish Fry�s, Beef on the Bun and our Turkey Roll.

The general meeting was held on March 17^th, attendance could have been better.  This was your opportunity to express your opinion on how your Executive are running your Branch.  Remember decisions are made at these meetings not in the club room.  We did welcome 24 new members to the Branch.  Say hello when you next see our new members in the club room.

The Branch elections will be held on Wednesday May 5^th at 8.00pm sharp.  Come out and vote for your new Executive.  If you are interested in running for office let us know and someone will nominate you.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to talk to me,another member of the executive, or leave me a message at the office and I will be happy to call you and address them.

Our Church Parade will be Sunday, 6^th June, 2010.  Please check the notice board in the club room for assembly details.

We are still in need of a volunteer who has some building skills to champion the House Committee for inside projects.  If you can spare a few hours a week and can help please let us know.  This is a very rewarding position and you will have lots of help.

John Murphy - President

President's Report - December 2009

It was my honour again this year to represent the Branch at our Remembrance 
Day ceremonies this past November 11th.  The rain held off and all in attendance 
enjoyed the music supplied by the Parkside High School Orchestra and the timely fly-
past with seven planes this year.  The parade was larger this year and was well attended 
by cadets from all 3 service branches.

All three service branches were well represented along with members of the Hamilton 
Wentworth 11th Battery and of course our Veterans, and Branch members.  Also 
present was our Branch padre Rev. Sandilands who provided spiritual guidance and 
words of remembrance. 

Taking the salute was Derk Dunford, Argyll and Southern Highlanders, and Mike 
Johnston, Household Cavalry.

A big thank you goes to comrade Gerry Belec, Cheri Harrington and their Poppy 
committee for their tireless effort.  Thanks to all the Poppy Volunteers and thanks 
to those who supplied food for them.  As legion members we should all remember 
when we took our Legion oath we committed to help in the Poppy campaign.  
What�s a couple of hours distributing Poppies, or making an extra pot of stew?  
There are many ways to help.  Why not ask?  

Another thank you goes to all those who helped to feed the Veterans, their families 
and friends, and cadets who returned to the Branch after the ceremony.


John Murphy - President

President�s Report - April 2009

At long last the winter is almost over.   It has been a busy time at the Branch 
with the Fish Fry almost at capacity, and the Beef on a Bun selling out in March.  
I understand the Ladies Auxiliary will be cooking extra next month(April), but 
just in case you should be there early.   Entertainment is provided so stay a little 
longer and enjoy the music.   Check Eamon Morgan's Entertainment Report for 
April's featured entertainer.

Suzi and I attended the District convention in Niagara Falls last week.  Along 
with the reports that were read we had elections for District Commander.   Bruce 
Julian was stepping down to pursue a position at the Provincial level and this 
createdan opportunity for someone else to step up.   Sharon McKeon was 
successful and we wish her great success in her new role.

The general meeting held at the Branch on March 18th was well attended.  
This is the perfect opportunity for members to air their views and be involved in 
the voting process when required.   Watch this space for notification of the next 
general meeting.

Branch Elections will be held on Wednesday, May 6th at 8pm sharp.   Come 
out and vote for your new executive.   If you are interested in running for office, 
please let us know and someone will nominate you.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free  to speak to me in the 
Branch or leave a message in the office, and I will be happy to call you and 
address them.

We are having a contest to design a new Branch pin.   Please submit your design 
(does not have to be artist quality) on an 8�  x 11 sheet of paper to the bartender 
on duty in the Branch.   Please include your name and phone number on it.

The pin designs will be judged during the President's Meat Draw on May 16th. 
The person submitting the winning pin design will receive a free Legion 
membership for 2010.

John Murphy � President

President�s Report - October 2008
  

This is my first report as your new President.  This past couple of months election has   been a huge learning curve for me, however as always our Past President Comrade Mike  has been very, very supportive.  I'm not sure when we last had a sitting President who     had a full time job but I am so glad he's there.

It was an Honour and a privilege to represent the branch at the Dominion Convention in   Ottawa this June.  Both Suzi and I learned a lot about the politics of the "Legion" at the top,  but also, the amazing things the "Legion" does, and can do, for our Vets.  We made some   new and hopefully beneficial contacts for the branch and will continue to develop these relationships as we grow.

This summer has been the wettest "I" can remember but we came through without      drowning, however, not without your support.  You will see some of these activities      reported by your Chairpersons contained within this Bullytin - GREAT JOB GUYS !

The Bi-Annual general meeting will be held on Wednesday Sept 17 at 8.00pm,it is very important for you to be there as one of the topics will be a proposed bar increase.  We   have  not had an increase on the bar for at least 4 years, and with everything going up, we   must take measures to ensure that we, "The Membership", and "Branch 36" stay viable.  This will also enable us to continue our support for our Veterans, and their families - past and present, our local kids programs, and local hospital community needs, to name a few. 

So remember I'm the new guy, if I don't say Hi to you, I apologize;  why not say Hi to me, introduce yourself and I promise I will make every effort to call you by your first name every time we meet.

Legion Week starts Sunday, 21^st September, so watch out for signs around the branch      about activities that may be scheduled.

John Murphy - President

President�s Report - May 2008

!!! Branch Elections - Wednesday, May 7th - 8pm !!!

This night is important.  You the members will be electing the people who will be

operating the Branch for the next year.  Please try to be  in attendance.  If you have a

card (everyone should have), you are eligible to vote. 

We are in the process of trying to make the Branch more presentable to both members

and the public by cleaning up the washrooms.  With a kind donation from the Ladies Auxiliary of $2000 we have purchased and installed all new toilets and valves for the urinals throughout the Branch.  We are also going to replace all the sinks, taps and countertops, and then paint all the washrooms.  As most of the labor is done by volunteers (who work when they can) it takes time to complete the work but we hope to be finished by the middle of May if not before. 

We also have plans to make some changes to the Banquet Hall.  I would like once again to thank the Ladies Auxiliary for their support in this endeavour. 

All our sports leagues have finished up for the year, or will be soon. 

As this will be the last Bullytin until September please check your email, newspaper or the   Branch events board for activities during the summer. 

If we do not have your email address please send it to us at rclbr36@cogeco.net so we can  keep you better informed. 

Have a fun-filled and safe summer, but don't forget about your Branch, we still have bills to pay.

Mike Alkerton

President�s Report - March 2008

So far it has been a long cold Winter at the Branch.  The snow has forced us to close

some nights, and on other days people  are just not coming out.  This has a very negative

effect on the revenue of the club.  Having said that, the fish fries are going well, also the

�Beef on a Bun� night put on by the Ladies Auxiliary was a success on the first night and

hopefully it will continue to do so.

The general meeting is on Wednesday, 19^th March, 2008 at 8pm.  Please try to attend

this meeting as there will be some items up for discussion that will affect the Branch.  Any

club or organization is only as strong as its membership and it must have the support of the members. 

Please check the monthly Bullytin or our website www.br36dundas.org  for activities here

at the Branch, and try to come out and bring a friend.  Support your Branch

President�s Report - December 2007

PRESIDENT�S REPORT September 2007

The summer as always is very slow at Branch 36; however, we manage to keep  the doors open.  The fall is here and I hope to see some old faces (and new ones)  that we haven't seen since the spring. 

One thing about a volunteer club such as ours, is that there are not always           enough volunteers, and you wear out the people that we do have.  If you have      some time and would like to help us on a committee please contact the          committee's chairman - Fish Fry, BBQ, Meat Draw, raffles and sports all           could use some new faces.  New ideas are needed, not all will work, but they      should be looked at, so lets hear from you.  It can be a lot of fun and also very rewarding.

The General Meeting will be on Wednesday, Sept. 19th at 8pm.

Please try to attend, this is where the business of the Branch is done.  Any

questions or concerns please contact me - Mike Alkerton.