Legion Leanings

The Legion has been, and continues to be, a hive of activity through December. The final reckoning from the recent Poppy Campaign is showing that the sum realised this year is a staggering $44,000. We were more than impressed with last year`s total of $34,000. We are blown away with this. We can only thank our community by ensuring that the funds are expended within the terms of the trust under which it is collected; that we most certainly pledge to do.
Local judging of the Poster and Literary entries is complete and once again it was an enormous task as we received 1016 entries. This is more than ever before and more than any other branch in Canada. Winners are forwarded to Area and District levels. We will announce them only after final judging has taken place in the spring at Dominion Level.
Volunteers are the lifeline of any Legion and we are fortunate to have a good corps. This was evidenced by the year-end party at which more than forty members of Branch and Ladies` Auxiliary were present. It was a fun evening to wrap up a successful year.
The annual Early Bird campaign ended on November 30th and we are pleased to report that 194 members chose to renew for 2012 before that date. The six winning members` names were drawn and they chose individually to either have a further year`s dues paid or in a couple of cases to donate to the Poppy Fund. We have more than a few new member applications being processed in addition to several requests for transfer.
As we approach the end of the year, there are changes in the offing for our Branch. One of these changes seems to have spawned rumours which have absolutely no basis in truth. Our President, Comrade Jackson addresses the issue.
He writes “I would like to dispel a nasty rumour which is spreading quite quickly and which is far from the truth. Contrary to what you may have heard, Mr. Tyler Bray was not fired by the Legion Executive from his position as Manager for any reason. The Turner Valley Legion Executive was faced with some difficult decisions and has decided to let Mr. Bray go because the Branch simply could no longer afford to pay his salary. It was purely a business decision which in no way reflects on Mr. Bray's performance.”
While the day-to-day functions of the manager will be handled as expeditiously as possible by executive members, specific duties as Treasurer and Secretary have been filled by Comrades Odegard and Staples. We thank them for stepping forward to add these responsibilities to their ongoing portfolios. We have received other offers of assistance from members who are qualified to help and we thank them also.
Other changes are pending as we re-structure our operation. After many years of tireless service, Wendy Williams has resigned from her position as cook. Her last function will be the New Year`s Eve Gala and we know that her usual high standard will be maintained for that. She, along with her equally tireless group of volunteers, has performed sterling duties. She and they have earned some form of ``retirement.`` All are committed members of the branch and we fully expect that they will be back in some capacity in the future.
As usual, change is a little scary for many of us but we have been fortunate to hire a replacement who will assume Wendy`s responsibilities in the New Year. Her name is Marguerite Poittris and we look forward to what she will bring to the food service at the Branch.
As I close this last `Legion Leanings of 2011, I bring Season`s Greetings from Branch President Michel Jackson, LA President Madam Ida Wegelin, the executives, members and staff of the Branch. We hope you have a safe and happy Christmas followed by a successful and healthy year in 2012.

Serving the Veterans,
Seniors, Youth and
the Community,
Malcolm Hughes