MINUTES OF THE ZONE MEETING HELD AT
BRANCH 003 IN GEILENKIRCHEN ON
In Attendance:
Zone Zone Commander Reg Bonnar
Deputy Zone Commander Gerry
Zone Service Officer Valerie Laucke
Sgt-at-Arms Jocelyn Gelinas
Branch 001 President Kevin Grainger
Branch 002 President Bill Fairley
Branch 003 President Dan Saulnier
1st Vice President John Delaney
2nd Vice President Dale Meyers
Poppy Chairman Brent Burden
Secretary Heike Rither
Branch 004 1st Vice President Harry Irish
Branch 005 President Peter Spierenburg
Observer Members in Attendance:
Branch 003 Member Liz Hine
Member Valerie Corbeil
Branch 004 Member Hubert Gaenswein
Member Irma Irish
Member Stephanie Politano
Member Rita Klefenz
Item Description
Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Zone Commander distributed to each Branch an information folder. The contents of the folder will be listed as Annex A.
1. The Zone Commander opened the meeting at 1400 hours by welcoming all in attendance. The Zone Commander introduced as a special guests Comrade Stephan Ried, Chairman of the Rheindeahlen Branch. In addition Steve has also recently been appointed and assumed the duties of District Chairman of the Royal British Legion’s in
The Zone Commander said that Comrade Steve has a time restriction and may have to leave early and therefore he turned the floor over to him to address the assembly. Comrade Steve thanked us for the invitation to attend the meeting and the opportunity to put forward a plan he has been considering for some time that may benefit both our organizations. The idea is to establish a Formal Partnership between the Royal British Legion German District and the Royal Canadian Legion Zone Europe. Since we are all in the same business with our commitment of providing assistance to our veterans who are in need, dedication to the memory of our fallen comrades etc and in fact since both our organizations already participate in joint ceremonies therefore such a partnership would be most fitting. Comrade Steve has already informally discussed this proposal within his district and the idea was widely accepted. In summary Comrade Steve is hopeful that we will consider entering into this partnership and if so he is certain the proposal would pass in the Royal British Legion.
The Zone Commander thanked Comrade Steve for his presentation and his thoughtfulness in considering such a proposal. The Zone Commander requested Comrade Steve to forward him the details of his proposal including the contents of any documents that would be signed in ratifying the formal agreement for consideration.
2. The Zone Commander reviewed the minutes of the last Zone Meeting held at Branch 001 in
Motion Carried
3. The Zone Financial Statement included in the information folder was reviewed. There being no observations raised to the report a motion to adopt the financial statement as presented was made by Comrade Bill Fairley and seconded by Comrade John Delaney.
Motion Carried
Old Business
4. 4-5 May Liberation of the
It’s always a pleasure to spend a few days in the
4 May we participated in the Holten Ceremony where under sunny skies a large crowd assembled. The theme of the ceremony is directed to the youth who enthusiastically take an active roll in reciting poems and placing flowers on each grave in the cemetery. We were honoured also by the presence of a group of Canadian War Veterans who were present. A wreath was laid o behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion.
In the afternoon we were invited to the clubhouse of Branch 005 in Lochem and to finish the day by invitation from the Mayor of Apeldoorn at 1930 hours participated in he Silent March in the city center. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion. The silent march honours all war dead and annually on this date in ever city, town and village throughout the
5 May we participated with a Colour Party in the National Commemoration Capitulations 1945 Ceremony and the march through the city of
5. May Branch 003 participated in the annual ceremonies at Hotten and Bure in
Comrade Val Laucke gave a brief report on the success of this ceremony and thanked all the members who assisted and participated in this ceremony.
6. 01 Jul The Annual
This year’s ceremony was well organized and our members and Colour Party played an important role in the ceremony that was acknowledged by the director, Arlene King and the many prominent guest that were present. We were pleased to have the opportunity to meet and chat with the guest from
7. 01 Jul Branch
This item will be discussed under Report by Branches later in the agenda
8. 19 Jul Branch 005 Ceremony in support of the Canadian Military Contingent that participates in the
Comrade Peter Spierenburg reported that the ceremony itself was outstanding acknowledged by the Commander of the Canadian contingent and all who were present. There are however two issues that need to be dealt with for future ceremonies. First the Colour Party could not get access to the cemetery in Groesbeek. Even though letters had been sent requesting a pass the local police would not let them enter. Secondly there is an annual camper’s event that tale place in the adjoining field and during the ceremony played loud and inappropriate music which actually disturbed the ceremony. Comrade Peter has lodged a complaint with the city administration and the organizing committee in this regard and is hopeful this will be resolved for next year.
New Business
9. 12-13 Sep Liberation of
Accommodations have been arranged at the Belgium Naval Barracks in St-Kruis (Near Brugge). Branch Presidents are to provide a list of members wishing to attend these events including arrival and departure times no later that at this Zone Meeting.
Saturday 12 September
0800 hours we have been requested to parade the Colours for the commencement of the Annual Operation Switchback March. The ceremony will take place in Oedelem which is not far from the barracks. The organizing committee has invited us for breakfast following the opening ceremonies.
We will conduct a Commemorative Ceremony at the Moorbrugge Memorial. Actual time of this ceremony TBA
Sunday 13 September
We will participate at the Liberation of Belgium Ceremony at the
10. 20 Oct IJzendijke Ceremony
If this ceremony develops the Zone Commander will travel to
11. 01-05 October Dominion Command Visit to Zone
The Dominion President, the Dominion Secretary and have requested a visit to Zone Europe. They will be accompanied by their spouses. They will arrive at the Airport in
12. Royal British Legion 450 Ceremony
The Zone Commander has received no official information regarding the RBL 450 Ceremony. Comrade Danny Murphy did inform him that the Amsterdam Branch is planning this event on Saturday 03 October in
13. 07-08 Nov Annual Remembrance Day Ceremonies at Beaumint-Hamel and Vimy
The Zone Commander has tentatively made arrangements for accommodations at the Hotel Campanile in
14. 11 Nov Branch Remembrance Day Ceremonies
Branches are encouraged to conduct their respective Remembrance Day Services as appropriate.
15. 22 Nov Branch 001 Remembrance Ceremony at
Branch 001 hosts this ceremony which is considered a day trip. Meet at the
16. Membership
Just a follow-up from the last meeting reference the membership of the Clue family from
Branch 002 is awaiting Comrade Frank’s 2009 membership card from Dominion Command. The President of Branch 003 will contact the Clue family personally to resolve this issue ASAP.
17. Legion Manuals and Directives
If your Branch does not have up to date Legion Manuals and Directives be advised these are available on the Dominion Command website. Thy can be downloaded. Executive members and indeed your membership are encouraged to read these most important documents.
The Zone Commander said if there is a problem with interpreting any of the directives to please contact him. If he is unable to give a satisfactory explanation he will certainly get one.
18. Correspondence
Correspondence of interest is included in the handout which was reviewed.
19. Report by Branches
Branch 001; The President Kevin Grainger reported the Branch had a BBQ in May that didn’t work out very well due to member participation. The Branch was invited to
Branch 002; The President Bill Fairley reported that it is not from lack of trying but he is unable to get any feedback from the members as to what they would like to do. He has attempted several Branch Events that failed miserably. The question of the Branch location in Reichenback has been the focal point of the member’s dissatisfaction citing if they drive there and have a couple of beers then they have to drive home. This is the case if they derive anywhere the same risk is involved. In addition the city of
Branch 003; The President Dan Saulnier introduced the new members of his executive and took the opportunity to present the outgoing Sgt-at-Arms, Denis St Pierre, the Legion Medal. The Branch Executive has negotiated and signed a new lease for their premises for another 10 years. The landlord has agreed to lower the rent and cover the costs of some renovations. The Branch has resumed its support for a local orphanage and is looking forward to making a sizeable donation to this worthy cause before Christmas. The Branch is in good shape and activities are well supported and in particular “wing nights” which attract unbelievable crowds. The President thanked his members for their support and the volunteers that make it happen. He is looking forward to a successful term.
Branch 004; In the absences of the President Geatan Bienvenue who is in
Branch 005; The President Peter Spierenburg reported that the months following the elections in May have been devoted to getting the Branch and the executive working together and in accordance with the Legion Directives. He stressed the importance of communications which will be achieved to Zone by minutes of executive and general meetings and to the members by news letters and the Branch webpage that will be updated regularly. The Branch has now the support of the Dutch Ex-Servicemen’s Association “De Wapenbroeders” (Brothers in Arms) this partnership is expected to be very helpful particularly during ceremonies. The Sgt-at-Arms is busy preparing an advertising campaign with photo displays to better expose our Branch and its activities to the public. The Branch is reorganizing the poppy campaign basically to put in place regional chairmen in accordance with geographical location to conduct the campaign in there respective areas coordinated by a Central Poppy Fund Chairman and committee if necessary. The Branch has recently picked up a few new members and Comrade Peter is satisfied with the progress they have made to date.
20. Open Discussion
The Zone Commander said it had been brought to his attention that attending four Zone Meetings a year is becoming a financial burden with travel costs and lodging which in some cases has to be borne by the individual.
To this end and considering Zone Activities and Ceremonies that need to be discussed the Zone Commander feels that two Zone Meetings per year would be adequate. Since our first activities commence each year in April/May timeframe one will take place in late March and the other in July/August where we can discuss the remainder of the year’s activities. From a Branch prospective if you forward copies of your executive and general meetings it would provide the opportunity to interact on issues of concern. Finally if it is felt a further Zone Meeting was necessary the Zone Commander would call one as necessary.
Following a discussion the Zone Commander put the proposal to have two zone meetings per year in the form of a motion which was approved.
Motion Carried
18. Meeting Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss a motion was made by Comrade Bill Fairley and seconded by Comrade Kevin Grainger that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 1630 hours.
Note: The next Zone Meeting will be hosted by Branch 005 in Lochem on
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Annex A to the
Minutes of the Zone Meeting
Held on
Contents of the Folder,