AMERICAN LEGION POST 791

American Legion Post 791 Standard Operating Procedures

ADOPTED STANDING RULES                                         October 13, 2010

A.                POST AND E-BOARD MEETINGS

1.      Post meetings shall be held on the 2^nd Wednesday of each month.

2.      A written agenda will be posted inside the Post and on the Website at least two days before the meeting by the Commander or his designate. 

3.      Any member in good standing may attend the Post and E-Board meetings, but may not speak at the E-board meeting unless given prior authorization.

4.      All attendees will sign in prior to the start of all meetings.  A sign in sheet to be created.

5.      E-Board meeting to be held a minimum of two days prior to the Post meeting.

6.      Invited guests are welcome at all meetings.

7.      All proceedings of Post and E-Board meetings will be recorded to insure accuracy, as required by the By-Laws.  Recordings will be kept safe by the adjutant a minimum 3 month period.

8.      A paper document relating the prior month minutes shall be read by the adjutant, to the attending members, for approval or correction, and the approved minutes shall be filed away as a permanent record.

9.      Any member in the post, choosing not to attend the Post meeting will be required to leave the Post during the meeting

B.                 CALENDAR AND NEWSLETTER

1.      Calendar and Newsletter submission due dates will be printed on the current calendar.

2.      Current calendar will have an “as of” date reflecting publication date because the calendar is subject to modification.  Check the posting in the lounge or on the Website at www.americanlegionpost791.org for the most current list of events and functions.

3.      All members of Post/Sals/Auxiliary are encouraged to forward their E-mail address to the Newsletter Editor and 1^st Vices.

4.      All inputs to the newsletter should be reviewed and edited by the Author for accuracy prior to being sent to the printer.

5.      All inputs to the calendar must be reviewed by the 2^nd Vice of Post/Sals/Aux prior to being sent to the printer.

6.      Distribution by mail and E-mail will be every two months. 

C.                 ELECTION PROCEDURES

1.      An election committee shall be appointed by the Commander at least one (1) month prior to the election date.  The appointment shall occur at the regular April Post meeting. 

2.      The committee is to consist of 3 members in good standing, which are not currently holding office, or seeking nomination for any office.

3.      The Election Committee’s responsibilities:

a.                   Obtain a current list of Post members in good standing from the Adjutant

b.                  Prepare Election Ballot Packets.  Definition to follow.

c.                   Prepare sign in sheet and distribute ballots.

d.                  Responsible for directing collection of marked ballots.

e.                   Responsible for counting ballots and reporting results to the Commander.

f.                   Responsible for securing the ballots and holding them safe for one (1) year.

4.      On election night, the bar is to be closed one (1) hour prior to meeting called to order.  All non-post members are required to leave the building.

5.      Meeting is called to order: etc  Motion made to dispense with regular business.

6.      Members in good standing will convene outside the building for verification of status and receive ballot packet upon entering the building. Members with last name starting A thru M at the front door, N thru Z at the back door.  Election Committee plus one volunteer will verify status by checking Members card and the list.  If the member does not have his current card, he/she must produce a picture ID, to compare against the Member list.

7.      Doors are secured by the Sergeant at Arms.

8.      Start the election procedure.  The Commander will conduct the procedure.  Once the doors are secured, no one shall enter or leave the premises, without express authorization from the Commander.  If a member needs to leave during the election process, the ballot packet will be surrendered to the Election Committee.  If the member obtained permission to return to the building the ballot packet can be returned to the member.

9.      The Commander will remind the members to use the correct ballot at each call for vote.

10.  If the Election Committee has a question regarding count or validity of a ballot, the Judge Advocate will be called upon for consultation and advice.

11.  In the event of a tie vote the Election Committee will distribute a new ballot for a revote.

12.  Only official ballots will be counted by the Election Committee.

13.  The count will be forwarded to the Commander.

14.  The Commander will announce the results, and the members will ratify the results with motion, second and vocal vote.

15.  In the case of a White Ballot (only one candidate for the office) all blank ballots for that office shall be collected by the Election Committee and held for one (1) year.

16.  No printed electioneering will be permitted on Post premises within 100 feet of the Post.

D.                BALLOT PACKET 

1.      The ballot packet will be preprinted one ballot per office, for a total of twelve ballots.  One for each office, clearly reflecting which office the ballot is to be used.  The ballot packet will be in an envelope with a pencil.

2.      In the event the wrong ballot is cast that ballot will be deemed invalid and will not be counted.

3.      In the event a member marks the wrong ballot, but realizes the error prior to submission, the member can surrender the error ballot for a replacement.

E.                  KITCHEN MANAGEMENT

1.      Kitchen Management will be the responsibility of the Post 2^nd Vice.  He will be responsible for managing and negotiating arrangements for use of events functions, parties, etc.

2.      All events requiring use of Post facilities must fill out an Event form a minimum of 48 hours prior to the event.  Event forms must be approved by the authorizing organization 2^nd Vice, Post 2^nd Vice. 

3.      Post 2^nd Vice will oversee approval and resolve any conflicts.

F.                  ADMISSION TO THE POST

1.      Any member of the American Legion showing current membership card and in good standing shall be admitted.

2.      Any member of the Sons of American Legion showing current membership card and in good standing shall be admitted.

3.      Any member of the American Legion Auxiliary showing current membership card and in good standing shall be admitted.

4.      Minor children/grandchildren of any member stated above shall be admitted during authorized times when accompanied by a member in good standing.

5.      A member in good standing shall be allowed to bring guests, and sign them in to the Guest Log Book located at the bar.

6.      Guests who are eligible to join the American Legion, SALs, or Auxiliary are restricted to three (3) visits as a guest.  The sponsoring member is responsible for determining membership eligibility, and will inform the guest(s) with regards to these provisions that joining the organization will determine their future visitation rights.  These restrictions do not apply to immediate family.

7.      Member shall be wholly responsible for the conduct of their guest(s).  Any misconduct will be addressed by the Commander as appropriate.

8.      Guest(s) are not permitted to remain in the Post after the sponsoring member has left unless another member in good standing signs them in.

9.      No persons under the age of 18 will be permitted in the Post after 8:00 PM, except as deemed appropriate by the Bar Steward/Bartender.  An adult member must accompany all persons under the age of 18.  No person under the age of 18 will be seated at the bar.

G.                BEVERAGE SERVICE

1.      No alcoholic beverages will be served to persons under the age of 21, nor will they carry any alcoholic beverages to any person in the Post.

2.      Alcoholic beverages purchased and/or mixed in the Post must be consumed in the bar area and designated adjoining areas and may not be carried off Post property. The fenced off storage areas and parking areas are specifically excluded.

3.      No beverages purchased off site may be consumed on the premises.

H.                DRESS CODE

1.      Members and guests must be neatly and appropriately dressed at all times.

Basically, any clothing deemed inappropriate by management is not permitted. This would include clothing that is overly suggestive or in bad taste.   “No Shirt….No Shoes….No Service”

These are not intended to be all-inclusive.  All members and guests are expected to dress so as not to offend any other member or guest.

I.                   CONDUCT

1.      No alcoholic beverage will be sold to anyone who, in the estimation of the Bartender is under the influence of alcohol.  Indications of intoxication shall include but not be limited to loud and boisterous behavior, dozing or sleeping anywhere on the premises, aggressive behavior, taunting and or harassment of patrons or guests, and use of profane or personally insulting language.

2.      The Bartender has the right and is duty bound to refuse service to anyone whose conduct is in the opinion of the Bartender, detrimental to any person(s), the Post, or The American Legion.  This includes comments directed toward patrons, which may be considered as personal attacks with respect to sex, race, creed, religion or personal lifestyles.

3.      Use of the “F” word or any word, including hand signs, with the same or similar meaning, is particularly not tolerated at the post and will be assessed a financial penalty.  Use of the “F” word will be subject to $.50 the first time, $1.00 if repeated a second time, $2.00 the third occurrence and services denied.  Penalties to be collected by the Bartender and placed in the Children’s Fund box.

4.      The Bartender may order anyone to leave the building whom, in his/her judgment, has violated one or more of these rules and/or has engaged in conduct that is detrimental to the Post, or any person.  Any person failing to depart the Post when so directed may be evicted by the Bartender by whatever means he/she deems appropriate including but not limited to enlisting aid from non-involved members to effect a low-key removal to involvement by the Police in extreme cases.  An Incident Report will be filled out immediately.

5.      Proper language should be used at all times.  Loud, profane, vulgar or abusive language, or conduct prejudicial to good order, shall constitute grounds for removal from the bar area.  Members are requested to refrain from loud and boisterous conduct when leaving the Post.

6.      Members and guests will observe posted Speed Limits at all times while driving on the premises.  Failure to do so will result in an Incident Report.

7.      Members and guests will not interfere with the duties and direction of the Bartender.  Any complaints, suggestions or criticism about the operation of the Bar shall be brought to the attention of the Commander, in writing, where it will be given due consideration.

8.      The use, distribution or sale of drugs is strictly forbidden.

9.      Members or guests not seated at the bar are requested to go to the service area at the front register to be served.  This will facilitate the checking of membership cards and enhances service.  If there are empty seats at the bar, there is no need to go to the service area upon entering.

10.  Members and guests on Post sponsored trips are expected to abide by the same rules of conduct as if they were at the Post.  Examples of Post sponsored events would include sporting events, golf tournaments, fishing trips and gambling trips.

11.  To avoid damage to installed equipment, members or guests are not permitted to operate window coverings, heating or air conditioning or alarm system, unless checked out in their operation and requested to do so by the Bartender.

12.  Any member or guest deemed to have violated any Standing Rule must be reported in writing to the Commander, who will bring it to the attention of the E-Board for possible disciplinary action.  Such member may be suspended from privileges of the Post by the Bartender for the remainder of the 24-hour operational cycle.  Any further disciplinary action will be addressed by under Section 11 of the By Laws.

13.  Complaints or format charges must be filed with the Commander within the same day of the event.  Upon receipt of a written complaint, the Commander will review the complaint and notify the accused in writing within ten (10) days, as deemed appropriate.  The accused will have a minimum of seven (7) days to prepare his/her response.  After this time, the Commander will meet with the accuser and the accused to determine if any or further disciplinary action is warranted.  The accused and the accuser with any witness(s) desired will meet separately with the Commander.  After hearing all evidence related to the matter, the Commander will take action as deemed necessary to preserve discipline in the Post.

14.  Any member disciplined under the By Laws above, shall have the right to appeal.  The member will appeal to the E-Board, who will meet at its earliest convenience to hear the appeal.  The decision of the E-Board is final.

J.                   CLUB MANAGEMENT

1.      The operation of the Post shall conform to the provisions of California Alcohol Board of Control.

2.      All purchases in the bar area will be a cash basis only.

3.      When the Post is sponsoring a special function, the management reserves the right to suspend operations in the bar area, however the Post will remain open.

4.      No member, guest, or outside entity shall leave vehicles, boats, trailers, etc. on the Post Property for a period of time exceeding 72 hours without a rental agreement.  Violation will result in towing, to be enforced at owners expense.

5.      Special circumstances may dictate a longer period only with the approval of the Commander and Finance Officer in writing, to address the need for an extension beyond the 72 hours.

K.                HOURS OF OPERATION

1.      The hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday 10:00AM to 10:00PM, Friday 10: AM to ( *** ), and Saturday and Sunday 9:00AM to 10:00PM unless there is a scheduled event.

2.      At the discretion of the Bartender, the closing hour may be extended.

3.      Last call will be 20 minutes prior to closing.  At that time no new games (pool, darts, etc) will be started, and games in progress must be completed within the 20 minute period.

4.      The hours of operation will be posted and enforced by the Bartender.

APPROVED BY

COMMANDER    Dennis Foogie                 ___________________________________

FINANCE OFFICER   Fred Broadnax   III                  ___________________________________

ADJUTANT    Stanley Firmowicz                   ___________________________________