Issued Bi-Weekly from State Headquarters at Watertown, SD 57201
Ron Boyd – Department Adjutant – Public Relations Officer
www.sdlegion.org Email sdlegion@dailypost.com
No. 2917 February 22, 2006
ENCLOSED FOR ADJUTANTS
Enclosed for all Adjutants is the Post’s Data Form to be used for the 2007 American Legion Direct Renewal Membership Program.
This form is required from all Posts within the Department and is used by National Headquarters when printing the 2007 Membership Renewal Notifications. The Data Form is used to establish the dues rate that is required from the member and provides the member with a mailing address for sending in their 2007 membership dues.
This document is required from all Posts and all Posts are reminded that submission of the Post Data Form is one of the items that can help the Post earn Commander Anderson’s Dakota Dream Post Award.
The deadline for submission of the Post Data Form is April 14, 2006. Completed Post Data Forms should be returned to South Dakota American Legion State Headquarters, PO Box 67, Watertown, SD 57201.
ENCLOSED FOR ALL RECIPIENTS
Enclosed for all recipients of the Up To Now is an entry form for the South Dakota American Legion State Bowling Tournament. The tournament is scheduled to be held on the weekends of April 8-9, April 22-23 and April 29-30.
The tournament will be held at the Riverview Lanes, 904 4th Street NE in Huron on the above dates. The entry fee is $18.00 per event. The deadline for submission of entry forms is April 23, 2006 at 5:00 p.m.
Also enclosed for all recipients is a brochure on Special Olympics from Department C&Y Vice Chairman Wolfgang Migge. Please share this brochure with the members of your Post at your next meeting and bring your Post’s Special Olympics donation to your Spring District Convention.
DSO AAS ATTENDING NATIONAL DSO SCHOOL
Department Service Officer Warren Aas of Watertown is attending the 2006 Department Service Officer School in Washington, D.C. February 22-25, 2006. The school will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill in Washington.
During the school, DSO Aas will participate in numerous training sessions and hear reports on recent changes in rules and regulations governing Veterans’ benefits from subject matter experts from the VA, and The American Legion Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission. VA representatives will cover VA Healthcare and VA Benefits.
SD LEGIONNAIRES TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
Eight South Dakota Legionnaires have been called to Washington, D.C. to participate in the 2006 American Legion Washington Conference. Those receiving official calls include: National Executive Committeeman Paul Evenson of Sioux Falls, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Relations Commission Liaison Committee; Alternate NEC Larry Price of Redfield, Vice Chairman of the Americanism Commission; PDC Gerald Goetzinger of Martin, Vice Chairman of the Membership and Post Activities Commission; PDC D.R. “Don” Mason of Platte, member of the National Security Commission; PDC Gene Schumacher of Aberdeen, member of the National Employment Committee; PDC Bill Dolan of Beresford, member of the National Public Relations Commission, and PDC Wayne “Red” Vetter of Cresbard, member of the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, Executive Session. Also attending will be Department Commander Phil Anderson of Piedmont and Department Adjutant Ron Boyd of Watertown. The Legionnaires will leave for the nation’s capitol on Saturday, February 25th.
In addition to attending the various meeting of the committees and commissions to which assigned, the attendees will participate in Hill Day on Tuesday, February 28. They will attend a National Legion Legislative Rally at 9:00 a.m. and then, along with other Legionnaires from across the nation, depart for Capitol Hill to visit with the members of the South Dakota Congressional Delegation.
HOLZBAUER WINS ORATORICAL CONTEST
Brittany Holzbauer of Wagner emerged victorious as the top orator in the final round of competition of the South Dakota American Legion High School Oratorical Contest in Chamberlain on February 12. Holzbauer of Pickstown, a junior at Wagner Community High School, was sponsored by the Pickstown American Legion Post.
Holzbauer was one of five semi-finalists who had earned the right to compete in the Finals by first winning competition at the local, district and area contests. The other four semi-finalists who had earned the right to compete in the Finals were Katherine Trewatha of White, a senior at Deubrook High School; Chris Erickson of Milbank, a senior at Milbank High School; Courtney McCrellias of Colome, a senior at Colome High School; and McKenzie Shields of Gettysburg, a senior at Gettysburg High School. Hozbauer was awarded a trophy and a $1,000 scholarship as the first place winner of the state contest. She now has the opportunity to represent the South Dakota American Legion in the National American Legion High School Oratorical Contest which will be held April 22-23, 2006 at Indiana University-Perdue University at the Indianapolis Conference Center & Hotel, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Chris Erickson of Milbank was awarded second place and a $500 scholarship, Courtney McCrellias of Colome was awarded a $300 scholarship for third place and Katherine Trewatha of White was awarded fourth place and a $100 scholarship. McKenzie Shields of Gettysburg was not present at the contest finals.
HATS IN THE RING
Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50 in Sisseton has endorsed Bernard Rolstad of Sisseton for the office of Area Vice Commander for the Area consisting of Districts 3, 4 and 14.
Piedmont Valley American Legion Post #311 in Piedmont has endorsed Danny Walsh for the office of District 12 Commander.
NATIONAL REGIONAL BASEBALL TOURNAMENT BIDS
Department Headquarters will continue accepting bids for the 2007 National Central Plains Regional Baseball Tournament until March 15. The Department of Iowa was unable to come up with a bid, therefore National Headquarters has extended the bidding to include other Departments within the Central Plains Region.
Posts that are interested in submitting a bid should contact The American Legion Department of South Dakota Athletic Commission Chairman, Dan Sudbeck at 605-770-4395 or PO Box 2, Dimock, SD 57331.
BIDS FOR 2007 GOLF AND BOWLING TOURNAMENTS
Bids are still being accepted for the 2007 South Dakota American Legion Golf and Bowling tournaments. No bids were received prior to the Department Athletic Commission meeting in Mitchell on January 22, 2006.
The State Bowling Tournament will be held during three or four weekends in March and/or April 2007.
The State Golf Tournament will be held either the first or third weekend in June 2007. This will ensure that it does not conflict with the 2007 State Convention which will be held on the 2nd weekend in June 2007.
The deadline for bids to host the 2007 State Bowling or Golf Tournaments has been extended until March 15, 2006. Bids should be submitted to State Headquarters, PO Box 67, Watertown, SD 57201.
BOYS AND GIRLS STATE GOVERNORS HONORED
South Dakota American Legion Boys State Governor Alex Hewett of Sioux Falls and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Governor Maggie Van Bockern of Sioux Falls were honored at the State Capitol in Pierre on Wednesday, February 15, 2006. Governor Hewett and Governor Van Bockern were introduced in the South Dakota Senate and the South Dakota House of Representatives as each session opened on that date. The Governors were also the subjects of a Legislative Commemoration that was passed by both chambers.
The days activities commenced with a luncheon hosted for the Governors by The American Legion at a Pierre restaurant and then moved to the Capitol. Prior to being introduced in the legislative chambers the Boys and Girls State Governors met briefly with South Dakota Governor M. Michael Rounds in his office and had their pictures taken with Governor Rounds.
Other attendees at the day’s festivities consisted of American Legion State Commander Phil Anderson, American Legion Auxiliary State President Marsha Boyd, Girls State Director Cheryl Hovorka, Girls State Registrar Irene Hovorka, Legislative Lobbyist John Dewell, Department Adjutant Ron Boyd. Also in attendance were Governor Hewett’s parents Dave and Mary Jo Hewett, and Governor Van Bockern’s parents Steve Van Bockern and Mary Avair.
FROM PIERRE
In order to save space a full description of the legislative bills is not being printed with this Up To Now. Bill titles and descriptions of the bills can be found on the SD Legislative Research Councils webpage or the reader can reference the Up To Now No 2915, dated January 25, 2006.
HB 1030 – Signed by the Governor 02/09
HB 1067 – Passed by the House and the Senate
HB 1089 – Signed by the Governor 02/17
SB 14 – Passed by the Senate and the House
SB 73 – Passed by the Senate and House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
SB 151/152 – Passed by the Senate and the House
SB 156 – Signed by the Governor 02/13
SB 172 – Passed the Senate and the House State Affairs Committee
SB 182 – Signed by the Governor 02/17
SB 183 – Signed by the Governor 02/17
SB 184 – Passed the Senate and House Health and Human Services Committee
SB 191 – Senate State Affairs Committee deferred to the 36th Legislative Day – thereby killing the bill
SPRING DISTRICT CONVENTIONS
Information on the times and locations for Spring District Conventions is still coming in to State Headquarters. The following is the information received thus far:
District 1 – Monday, April 24 (this is a change of date), Details will be provided when available.
District 2 – Wednesday, April 19.
District 3 – Thursday, April 20, in Clark – 5 pm Social at the Legion Post, 6:30 pm Banquet at the Legion Post, 8 p.m. Meetings – Legion at the Senior Citizens Center, Auxiliary at the Legion Post Home.
District 4 – Friday, April 7, in Milbank – 6-7 pm Social at Legion Post lower level, 7 pm Banquet at the Legion Post upper level Pizza Ranch, 8 pm Meetings – Legion at Legion Post upper level, Auxiliary at the Legion Post lower level in the regular meeting room.
District 5 – Thursday, April 27.
District 6 – Wednesday, April 26, in Mitchell – 5:30-6:30 pm Social at the Legion Post, 6:30 p.m. Banquet at the Legion Post, 7:30 pm Meetings, Legion and Auxiliary both at Legion Post.
District 7 – Tuesday, April 25, in Pickstown – 6 pm Social at the Rainbow Room, 7 pm Banquet at the Rainbow Room, 8 pm Meetings – Legion at the Rainbow Room, Auxiliary at the Pickstown Community Church.
District 8 – Wednesday, March 29, in Reliance – 5-6 pm Social at the Legion Post, 6-7 pm Banquet at the Legion Post, 7 pm Meetings – Legion at the Legion Post, Auxiliary at City Hall.
District 9 – Thursday, March 30, in Philip – 5:30-6:30 pm MDT Social at Legion Post, 6:30-7:30 pm MDT Banquet at Legion Post, 7:30 pm MDT Meetings – Legion and Auxiliary both at Legion Post.
District 10 – Friday, March 31, in Pierre – 5 pm Social at Legion Post, 6 pm Banquet at Legion Post, 7 pm Meetings – Legion at Legion Post, Auxiliary at the VFW Post Home. Legion District Executive Committee Meeting at 5 pm at Legion Post.
District 11 – Monday, April 3, in Lemmon – 5:30 pm Social at Legion Post, 6 pm Banquet at Legion Post, 7 pm Meetings – Legion at Fire Station, Auxiliary at the Legion Post.
District 12 – Saturday, April 1, in Piedmont – Meetings beginning at 1 pm.
District 13 – Sunday, April 2, in Wall – Legion District Executive Committee meeting at 1 pm, District Convention Meetings at 2 pm – Legion and Auxiliary both at Legion Post.
District 14 – Thursday, April 6, in Aberdeen – 6 pm Social at VFW Post, 7 pm Dinner at VFW Post, 8 pm Meetings – Legion at VFW Post, Auxiliary meeting site to be determined.
DEPT BOOKKEEPER RECOVERING AT HOME
Judy Johnson, Department Headquarters Bookkeeper is recovering at home following gall bladder surgery on Monday, February 20. Get well wishes can be sent to Judy at State Headquarters in Watertown or to her home at 1608 E. Kemp Ave., Watertown, SD 57201
MEMBERSHIP AWARD
Congratulations to Area Vice Commander Bob Bender of Hartford who will be the recipient of the February 12th Area Membership Award for being the Area Vice Commander who had the 2006 membership that was the highest percentage over 90% of his Area’s 2006 Membership Goal. Vice Commander Bender’s Area (Districts 1 and 7) attained 91.8% of their 2006 Membership Goal. The only other Area Vice Commander who had attained at least 90% was Vice Commander Rod Martens whose Area (Districts 10, 11 and 12) had attained 90.01% of goal.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
2006 membership stands at 23,662 or 90.95% of goal.
The Department needs 533 more members prior to March 8 in order to meet Commander Anderson’s bid of 93% for the Big Twelve Competition. The Department of South Dakota has won the competition in our category for the past 5 years in a row. We need everyone’s help to ensure that we do it again this year. We encourage any and all Posts that are holding any membership, regardless of how many or how few, to forward those memberships to State Headquarters in Watertown immediately. Winning this competition enables the Department to win $2,000 in technology equipment. Don’t be the Post holding membership that causes the Department to miss this goal and the opportunity to win $2,000.
The Posts at or above 100% of membership that qualify for the drawing for the two Ceremonial Bugles have been identified. The drawings will be held at the State Convention in Brookings in June.