1. The Branch now has a full Executive with the election of Comrade Joe Noel as the Second Vice-President at the General Membership Meeting of January 17th, 2018. Ray Moorehead is back on the Executive by acclamation on January 17th, 2018, for a two-year term.
2. The next General Membership Meeting (open to all members) is on Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. in the basement classroom.
3. Six new members were voted in by the General Membership on January 17th. So far 129 Members have paid their dues for 2018. See the Duty Steward to pay your dues of $50.00.
4. There will be some changes in rental and liquor fees after the committee finishes their project and brings it forth to the General Membership to approve or disapprove.
5. Check out the lighting in the Assembly Hall. It's almost done and looks great. Flash-stripping along the baseboard will be done plus work on the washrooms.
6. To see who has what responsibilities this year in the Branch, check out the board on your right-hand side as you go in the 8th Ave. door. You will notice that several committees no longer have just one person in charge of that section of the Branch. Some have two or three Executive Members in charge.
7. The financial report is in the black.
8. There will be a Board Game Night at the Legion Club Room and is open to all Members and their Guests. Date and time will be posted on our Facebook Page.
9. The "Veterans and First Responders Banquet" will be held on Saturday, April 14th, 2018 in the Legion Hall. There is no charge to our Veterans and their escorts, likewise with our First Responders.
10. The Virden Legion Branch Funspiel is on Saturday, February 17th, 2018. To register your rink contact the Legion at 748-1668. The games are at the Virden Curling Club. The supper is at the Branch Club Room.
11. Tentative Free Community Day at Victoria Park on Saturday, July 21st plus two hours of free swimming at the pool for kids, tweens, and teens. The Branch will look after costs. This is to thank the community for their continued support in keeping the doors open.
12. The Branch has bought a floor cleaning machine for the Assembly Hall in order to protect the wooden dance floor from being ruined by traditional mopping. The Branch has the only wooden dance floor in Virden.
13. The Branch, this spring, will be holding a historical display of photos owned by us for decades and decades. There might be a surprise that goes along with this. Many, many historical photos were found in the Legion storeroom that haven't seen the light of day for nearly a century. The public will have free access to view the showing. Date and time to be announced.
14. The Cadet Corps started up again on January 8. They parade on Monday evenings. Lieutenant Erin Gray is the Commanding Officer of #2528 RCACC XII Manitoba Dragoons.
15. Hosting at the Oil Caps Games is open to any member who wishes to help out with this fundraiser for the Legion. Contact Comrade Barb Noel if you can help out. It seems to be the same people doing it all the time. It's not a hard task, just walking and letting people know there are hosts to help out and maintain order.
16. The Ladies Auxiliary has one new member in their ranks. They now have 39 members of whom five are Life Members.
17. The Branch's Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting the LA Zone Meeting on Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 in the Assembly Hall. The Zone Commander is Comrade Glynis Whittle.
18. Padre Matt looks after sick and visiting at the hospital. If you know of a Legion Member or Ladies Auxiliary Member in the hospital in Virden then let him know. Padre Matt is the Priest for St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church here in town.
19. A reminder that on December 20th the General Membership Passed a Motion that stated: "A Branch Member can sign in his/her spouse and four guests. A Ladies Auxiliary Member can sign in one guest." Remember to sign in.
If you wish not to be signed in as a guest every time you come, then join the Branch for $50. We welcome you. There are a lot of benefits to being a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Every Branch in Canada is open to you. The VFW Posts in America are open to you. The Legions in the UK are open to you. Just make sure your card is in your wallet. There are other benefits, too. See the Legion webpage or read the Legion Magazine.
20. The WDFD is in dire need of fit volunteers to help man Fire Stations # 1 (Virden) and #2 (Elkhorn).
