Monthly Minutes Posted
American Legion
Jeremy E. Ray Post 324
Regular Meeting Minutes March 8, 2026
Meeting called to order at 4:00 PM by Commander Stefanie Otto
22 Members signed the attendance roster and 0 visitors for a total of 22. This includes 6 officers.
Opening ceremonies were performed.
Reports
Previous Meeting Minutes. Wayne Huebner motioned to suspend the reading of the minutes, second provided by David Pyke. No discussion and the motion was approved.
Finance Officer: Mike Larose read the revised financial report. The report showed the following top line financial as of February 1, 2026.
Bank
Balance:
$4,036.04
Committed
Funds: $
1,082.00
Total Available Funds:
$ 2,954.04
Jimmy Baughman moved to accept the Financial Report. Paul Sarraf provided a second. Motion passed.
Reports: All officers have nothing to report.
1st Vice Commander: Nothing to report
2nd Vice Commander: Absent
Chaplain: N/A
Service Officer: Receiving calls from Veterans and have been directing them to the proper VA organization for assistance. Getting more comfortable about knowing how to help them.
Sergeant at Arms: Nothing to report
Historian: Absent
JAG: Nothing to report
One new transfer member was present, Brian Hart, an Army Veteran.
Sick Call: Paul Sarraf, although present, continues to mend himself from a car accident while fighting cancer. John Pettijohn has suffered another stroke. Jean Dicks is also ill. Keep these members in your thoughts and prayers.
Old Business:
Commander Stefani Otto reminded everyone that the district 8 convention will be this coming Saturday, March 14th in Crosby starting at 8am for breakfast going until around 3pm. She can car pool if anyone wants to but must leave early for setup. The Post will pay for your meals at $20 each.
Our charity this quarter is Camp Hope. Please leave donated items here or there is a web site lists the ways you can support or donate (ptsdusa.org). Second quarter charity is Grace After Fire. 3rd quarter charity is floating and supporting School Drives. 4th quarter is the Toy Drive for Police and Fire.
New Business:
Commander Stefanie Otto reported that State of Texas Legion is running out of funds and they have a motion on the floor to raise our dues. Jimmy Baughman motioned that we should raise our dues starting in June to $45.00. Wayne Huebner seconded the motion. Discussion occurred with Paul Haines asking about how they invoice the post. It was explained that this is done as each member pays online or when post submits a transmittal of received payments. Bob Riley asked why the state was in trouble. Commander explained how expenses for state commanders were paid along with providing a vehicle for transportation. The membership voted on this due increase starting June 1st with all but 1 decent (Paul Haines.)
Commander Stefani Otto reported that membership goals are being discussed as a motion on the state floor to raise goals each year from current membership plus 2. Example: yearend membership is 250 new year goal would be 252. Curtis Haverty submitted for discussion that with our rapid growth we should not attempt to maintain the 100% goal but allow it to settle naturally. We shouldn’t have to pay for memberships of others just to make the goal each year.
Commander Stefanie Otto will be following up with Richard, gun store owner, regarding the procedure to license the donated gun. The goal for raffle needs to be pushed to Veterans Day, November 11th, 2026.
Commander announced that the Auxiliary met today and have voted on leadership with Debra McFarland as President and Silvia Hayes as Secretary/Treasurer. A Vice President is still open. Also, the membership can only be filled by family members if you are or have a female veteran parent or a veteran spouse.
Commander requested nominations for Post Officers. Nominations are as follows:
Commander: Stefanie Otto
Adjutant: Terry Coon
Chaplin: Paul Haines
1st Vice: David Pyke
2nd Vice: none
Sgt of Arms: Eddie Demery head with backup from Wayne Huebner and David Chu in his absence
Service Officer: Bill Brown
Historian: Irene Infante
Jag: Trey Pryor
Executive Representatives.: Donna McCarty and Jimmy Baughman
Vote for those nominated was passed by membership. Installation of new officers in April.
Good of the Legion:
Commander Stefanie Otto announced that Jimmy Baughman was voted Marine of the Year for Detachment 1295 and is now the Commandant for the Organization. Congratulations were submitted by all.
Trey Pryor submitted that a bus trip is scheduled for Thursday, March 25th to visit and lunch at the Reach center for under privileged and disabled. Cost for this is $25 which includes training on a broken glass object and lunch. After this we are going to the Tomball Railroad Museum. We will leave the Cypress Weekly Community Center on Greenhouse Rd at 10am and return around 2:30pm. Age 55 and older but a assistant can accompany the senior.
David Pyke made available pocket Constitutions to the group. Well accepted.
Commander announced that 4 of our members volunteered at Camp Hope; Steve Volkman, Terry Coon, Paul Haines and Rex Marsau. They helped clean the landscape in the serenity garden.
Paul Haines reminded everyone of the van transportation from the Tomball Clinic to the main VA Hospital. He has volunteered as a driver.
Oratorical winner from our Post came in second at Division level competition.
Bill Brown reported that the Eagle Scouts flag boxes have been successful and consistently full. He also announced that Katelyn Rose Doucet from Scout Troop 421 has applied for Eagle Scout of the Year. District committee is currently being formed.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:03pm. Next meeting will be on April 12thth, at 4pm, at VFW 8905, HWY 290 next to Carl’s BBQ.
Respectfully Submitted
Terry Coon, Post Adjutant
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