VETERANS’ WEEK AND BEYOND

VETERANS’ WEEK AND BEYOND

  Veterans’ Week is November 5-11, 2018. Our Branch will hold its annual Vets’ Dinner and Dance on November 3. Cocktails will be served at 5 p.m., followed by the dinner, presentations, and then the dance in the Club Room with the musical stylings of the Marvels. Tickets in advance; phone the Branch at 204-467-2261.

  It is wonderful to see the young people taking an interest in the Legion. Bobby Bend School has requested a veteran to speak to the students about Remembrance Day. The teachers would also like to have the entries to the annual poster contest displayed around the Hall for our Remembrance Day Service on November 11. Be sure to get there early – it fills up quickly! The service begins at 10:45 a.m.

  In other youth news, our very successful Cadet program feels the need for more space. Executive will look into this and see what else we can offer them.

  The annual Poppy Campaign will kick off on October 26. Poppies will be boxed and ready to go to those businesses that have requested them. Support the Legion -- wear a poppy! This is an act of remembrance for all of those who have made the supreme sacrifice so that we could live our lives in peace. It is NOT a glorification of war. I am sure that if you ask any veteran, you will learn that war is anything but glorious. And yet the men and women of our Armed Forces are ready and willing to defend our freedom in every way necessary. Show your respect. Wear a poppy!

  Bells of Peace:  For the 100^th anniversary of the end of WW1, on Remembrance Day at Sundown church bells are to be rung 100 times. Cde Tim Williams will be in touch with the town regarding the Marking of the Graves of WW1 Vets with flags. Flags can be ordered through Command. Bells of Peace Lapel Pins will be sold at the bar in the Club Room. 

  Regarding the Hong Kong War Plaque, we have a letter from Jim Trick to receive a plaque to be hung in the Legion on display.  Cde M. Pull looking into this. 

  Our Ladies’ Auxiliary requests the assistance of all of the Membership with baking for special events such as funerals and fund-raising teas. They were quite disappointed with the turnout at the Seniors’ Tea that was held recently. There was some confusion over the advertising of the event; hopefully this can be remedied next year so that we can have the excellent attendance that we are used to having. 

  One of the highlights of the pre-Christmas season is the annual Craft Sale put on in the Hall on November 24 by the Seniors’ Group. This is a good fund-raiser and awareness-raiser for our Branch. Donations for the Brown Bag Auction are welcome, and so are the many hands that make light work of setting up and taking down the tables and so on. Set up begins on Nov. 23; hope to see you there!

  Crib has begun for the winter season. Be at the Club Room on Thursday nights to begin play at 7 p.m. sharp.  On Nov. 10 our Darts League will be under way once more, playing on designated Saturday nights. Check at the Club Room bar for the schedule 204-467-2261.

  Our Meat Draw is held every Friday night. Ticket sales begin at 6:30, with draws starting at 7 p.m. The Meat Draws are followed by the 50-50 Draw. We have added an extra Meat Draw each month – on the last Saturday of each month, at 3 p.m. 

  Planning will soon begin for our annual Bonspiel in mid-February. But first, a party! A Grey Cup Party! This will be held in the Club Room on Nov. 25 with game-watching, nibbles, and prizes. Call the Branch for details. 

  Come out to the monthly meeting on Nov. 13 in the Club Room, at 8 p.m. It is that time of year again – elections for our officers will take place soon. Have your say. Help your Branch.  Vote. 

  Remember to pay your Membership Dues. Early Bird pricing is in effect until the end of November, and your name will be entered into a draw to win a free membership for 2020. 

AND THAT BRINGS US TO DECEMBER

  We kick off December with the annual Breakfast With Santa in the Hall, on December 1. Will the Jolly Fat Man make an appearance? Come out and see …. Call for further information 204-467-2261.

  The General Meeting is at 8 p.m. on December 11. We hope for a good turnout for the voting for the 2019 Executive. 

  Bingo on Monday nights continues to hold its own. This event is much-beloved by a certain group of participants, and we do our best to keep it going for them. Tuesday afternoons there is another Bingo – this one for the Seniors’ Club who meet in the Club Room at 1 p.m. and enjoy an afternoon of socializing. On Wednesday nights the enormously-popular Chase the Queen drawing is between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings we have Crib, Friday is Meat Draw night, and select Saturdays see the Darts League take to the floor. It is a busy week at Branch Number 52 in Stonewall!

  Each year we hold Christmas Eve in the Club Room on Dec. 24, generally from 2-6 p.m. Come out to socialize and enjoy nibbles and prizes! The Club Room closes at 6 p.m. that night. 

  Our New Year’s Eve celebration will take place in the Club Room on Dec. 31 with music by Halo Jump. Call the Branch 204-467-2261 for details and tickets.  And then it is on into the New Year!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Nov 03  Vets Dinner and Dance with Band the Marvels

Nov 09  MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Nov 10  Darts League starts 7 pm

Nov 11  Remembrance Day Service 10:30

Nov 13  Exec Meeting 7 pm, General Meeting 8 pm

Nov 16  MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Nov 23  MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Nov 24  Craft Sale in the Hall presented by Seniors Club

Nov 24 MEAT DRAW starts 3 pm in the Club Room

Nov 25  Grey Cup Party in the Club Room

Nov 30  MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Dec  01  Breakfast with Santa

Dec 07  MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Dec 11   Exec Meeting 7 pm, General Meeting 8 pm

Dec 14  MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Dec 21  MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Dec 24  Christmas Eve in the Club Room 2-6pm

Dec 28  MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Dec 29  MEAT DRAW starts 3 pm

Dec 31  New Year’s Eve in the Club Room; entertainment by  Halo Jump

Reminders

Bingo – Mon nights at 7 for the Early Birds

Seniors' Bingo – Tues afternoons at 1:30

Chase the Queen – Wed evenings 7:30 – 8:30

Meat Draw – Friday nights starting at 6:30; last Sat. of each month 3pm

Crib - Thurs. nights 7 pm sharp

Darts League - schedule available at the bar

ALL COMMUNICATION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE BRANCH OFFICE,
email rcl52@shaw.ca
phone 204-467-2261.

Key Principles of Hospitality - S.E.R.V.I.C.E.

S.E.R.V.I.C.E.

  How can we gain new members, and encourage existing members to stay?  The Legion has developed the following Key Principles of Hospitality – S.E.R.V.I.C.E. – to create a more welcoming and hospitable Legion environment.

  Legion Branches are the cornerstone of communities across Canada, and provide one of the largest volunteer bases in the country. With more than 1400 Branches from coast to coast to coast, our members provide local services and supports to build a stronger Canada. Whether helping local Veterans, supporting seniors, providing youth sports programs, raising funds, volunteering to help those in need, or simply offering a place to gather for fun and celebration, Legionnaires provide essential services in their communities. 

 We need to remember and recognize these core values cannot be achieved without active participation from thousands of Legion volunteers who subscribe to these founding principles.

S  is for SMILE. Each person (member or visitor) who enters your local branch should be greeted with a smile. Ensure the local branch key personnel are aware of the importance of greeting all with a smile. A smile provides a degree of comfort for anyone entering your branch. Always attempt to reach out to the guest before they reach out to you.

E  is for ENQUIRE. Attempt to take time to enquire about all present in your branch. Get their name. How have you been? What are your plans for this weekend? Engaging your membership base automatically creates a more welcoming environment by creating a personal connection.

R  is for REMEMBER.  Not only is this one of our core Legion values but it also is important to remember your members and follow up on any previous conversations you have had. Did your plans for the weekend work out? Did you speak with your wife about attending our Friday night dinner? Remember important dates. Reach out on special birthdays or anniversaries to show recognition of these accomplishments. Again, a key component of creating a personal connection.

V  is for VERY NICE TO SEE YOU. This statement goes hand in hand with a smile to create a more welcoming environment. When followed up with remembering a previous encounter it further demonstrates a welcoming environment. Treat everyone with the same level of engagement and courtesy.

I  is for INTRODUCE. Make an effort to introduce your members to other people in your branch. The more people one has met the more comfortable they will be on returning, as they will feel part of a larger organization.

C  is for CONNECT.  Aside from the initial conversations it is important that your branch stays connected to your members when they are not at your establishment. This can be accomplished by having a branch website promoting upcoming events and a regular email newsletter, which are highly cost efficient and proactively keep your members updated on upcoming events.

E  is for ENTICE TO JOIN.  The chances of attracting new members to join are greatly enhanced once all of the above have been accomplished. If you have created a welcoming environment, your chances will be much higher of signing up new members and retaining current members. Do not be afraid to ask members to join, as it is through our members that we are able to achieve our core values as an organization.

Mid-September Update

MID SEPTEMBER UPDATE

  In celebration of Legion Week, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 52 will hold its annual Legion Week Tea in the Legion Hall on September 19 from 2-4:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. There is no cost; donations for the Alzheimer Society are gratefully accepted. If you require a ride, please call the Branch at 204-467-2261.

  NEWS FROM THE SEPTEMBER MEETING

  President Tim Williams wishes to thank all who contributed to the success of Quarry Days. Draft beer from Trans Canada Brewery was well-received at the Beer Garden.

  There will be no Fall Supper this year. There are many suppers locally, competing with ours, so we will try having a supper in the spring instead. Stay tuned for further developments!

  Crib starts on October 4; play begins at 7:00 sharp, so do not be late! Also in October, with dates to be determined, darts will start up again. Call the Branch at 204-467-2261 for further information.

  Legion Membership Cards are now available in the Club Room. Early Bird pricing is $35.00 for those over 70 years of age, and $40.00 for regular members. Early Birds will have their names entered in a draw to win their next year’s Membership FREE!

  On November 3 we will hold the annual Vets Dinner and Dance, preceded by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new, all-access Hall doors at 4:30. Cocktails will be at 5:00 and Dinner at 6:00, followed by speeches and presentations, and then on to the Dance in the Club Room with the Marvels. Tickets are $15.00 in advance; call the Branch.

  The October meeting will be held on OCTOBER 16, not on October 9 as previously scheduled. Don’t miss it!

ALL COMMUNICATION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE BRANCH OFFICE, email rcl52@shaw.ca phone 204-467-2261.