Notes from the Adjutant’s Desk:

DMS:  There are many misconceptions about these members that need to be cleared up. DMS members are solicited directly from National HQ from a database of eligible veterans who either have never been members or members who have not renewed in the previous two years. They are offered an introductory rate of $20.00 for their 1^st year membership and placed in the HQ Post. The Department not only receives no dues from these members, but we have to pay $3.00 per member along with the cost of the mailings. The Department, therefore only gets one opportunity to recoup the costs that we had to pay for these members and that is by allowing them a chance to renew in the HQ Post. We give them two renewal mailings to renew and if they have not, I will provide their information directly to the District where they live to be distributed locally and they are then fair game for recruitment. As of the C&A conference last month, once they receive an introductory rate, they will never be allowed to renew at a rate below the current HQ Post dues. This means there will no longer be people who become members, sit out for two years, and then pay $20.00 again to renew.

Capitol Move: The Department of Utah HQ will be moving to the State Capitol during the month of December, 2007. As of January 1^st, all mail should be sent to: 350 N. State Street, Suite 80, Salt Lake City, UT 84114. The phone numbers will likely be the same.

Office furniture: If you or anyone you know has a need for cheap office furniture, they need to stop by the office and bring a truck. Get it out of here pricing will be available for filing cabinets, bookshelves, desks, etc., as we have no room for it at the new office or in storage. As of December 1^st. Please come by and make an offer.

DEC and Finance: There will be a DEC and Finance Committee meetings on December 15^th, 2007. The time will be 10:30 am for Finance Committee and 11:00 for hospitality followed by the DEC @ 12:00. The location for the meetings will be Airport Hilton in Salt Lake City.  As many of you know, they have been very gracious in the past with regard to our needs. No sense trying to reinvent the wheel. Should anyone need a room for the 14^th or 15^th , please give me a call and I can arrange a special rate.

Membership: As of the most recent count, we are sitting at 64% for the current year. Not terrible, but we can do much better. Membership transmittal will take precedence over all other duties from this office as we transition to new administrative staff. Melinda Genco will be helping out in the HQ office until a permanent replacement for Kim is recruited. This may not be until January so please bear with us.

District Officers:  Just a reminder that we have two upcoming events in which we need your support. The American Legion Oratorical Contest- Districts should have their contestants ready for the Department Contest by January 15^th. Also, please support the upcoming Legion Pageant and Birthday. Last year was a unique situation due to the previous queen leaving and the First Attendant taking over for part of the year. Andrea Pulver has been great but she is ready to transfer the crown to a new young woman.

I would like to take this space to give a shout out to Onyx Construction Company of SLC. These fine people stepped up with the labor, the logistics, and the finances to repair the veterans’ grave sites in the SLC Cemetery. As a bonus, they refused to be part of a rededication ceremony if it was going to include Rocky Anderson, outgoing mayor.

Thank each and every one of you for your selfless support of our nations’s veterans..

Thanks for your support,

Greg Rowley

Adjutant

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