Meeting opened at 1:00

Keith Dawg Jones Welcomes and thanks everyone who attended the Romp. Motion was made to waive reading of the minutes of last years meeting,
Motion seconded
Motion Passed

Founding Members and Advisory Board introduced. Explanation given to membership about what the Advisory Board does.

Bill Sloan National ALR Liaison was introduced. He explained his position as the Liaison, National AL current position on the ALR and information on the Legacy Run. After a question and answer period, the floor was turned back over to Dawg.

An amendment to the By laws from the By Law Committee was read as follows:

2.3 Each member of the ALR shall have a unique membership number in order to facilitate membership audits and tracking by The Legion. To this end, each Chapter of the ALR shall use the following convention when forming member numbers.
2.3.1. The first segment shall consist of the two letter abbreviation of the Department (state) in which the Chapter exists, followed by a hyphen.
2.3.2. The next segment shall consist of the Post number of the sponsoring Post, followed by a hyphen.
2.3.3. If the member is a supporting member, the next segment shall consist of the word SUPPORT, followed by a hyphen.
2.3.4. The next segment shall consist of a four-digit member number formed by adding one to the preceding member's number.
2.3.4.1. The first member number issued by any chapter shall be 0001.
2.3.4.2. Membership numbers are not re-issued in the event a member leaves the Chapter for any reason, including voluntary quit, death, or expulsion. (Membership numbers are "non-retiring".)
2.3.4.3. Chapters having had over 9999 members may use an appropriate number of digits in order to uniquely identify each of their members, past and present.

Motion was made to make the current ALR back patch sold by emblem sales the ONLY authorized patch recognized by the general membership of the American Legion Riders, and to deny the grand fathering in of any other variation of the American Legion Rider patch.
Motion was seconded
Discussion: While many members agreed, a few who had made some changes questioned the need for the motion. Dawg commented that the history of the patch, which was designed by Bonnie Kaledas, a founding member, has become the emblem known internationally as that of an ALR member. A patch worn with pride by many and he feels strongly that there should be no changes made to the patch. A Florida patch as well as the patch of Bill Sloan (Connecticut's) was displayed as examples of how people have made changes to the patch and are considered incorrect patches. The motion was brought to a vote, passed and carried.

A motion was made to make Apple Pie the official drink of the ALR.
Motion seconded
Motion Carried

Motion made to hold the 10th Anniversary Romp in Ferdinand, Indiana at the same location as the First Romp, to be sponsored by the Indiana ALR.
Motion seconded
Motion carried.

Announcement was made for the 2008 Romp to be held Aug. 28, 29, 30 31, in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Willard, Ohio suggested they would host the 2009 Romp. They will contact the Advisory board of final decision.

Explanation and history was given of the American Legion Riders of Honor (ALROH) award. ALROH was started by Iceman at the 2003 Romp in Indiana to recognize those members that go above and beyond to further the future or growth of the ALR. The cut off date for nominations for the ALROH award will be April 30, 2008. There will be 1 award per 100 chapters to be determined by the number of chapters existing on Dec. 31 of the current year. There is only 1 nomination per state. A nominee must have 3 years membership.

Dawg emphasized the importance of filling out the Data sheets every year.

Motion made to adopt Legion Rider Response written by an Indiana member as follows:

We your American Legion Riders
Ride for God and Country,
The American Legion Family and
Allied Veterans everywhere.
Protect those that protect us. Amen

Wisconsin asked to host the 2010 romp.

Explanation asked to be given by Tramp about the meeting held in Indianapolis last March.

His response was that National asked how they could best support the ALR from the National level. To avoid unwanted rules and regulations that could be directed from National AL, the suggestion made was to give administrative support. They could do this by helping to get the word out about National runs, such as the Romp or the Legacy Run. Also there is the possibility that they could help with developing a National ALR membership card. With some discussion the general consensus is that the ALR membership in attendance does not want to be governed by National.

Motion to adjourn the meeting
Motion seconded
Motion carried
2:35 pm