CANORA – President Cathy Trach of the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion welcomed all the delegates and guest to the Legion District 4, Zone 1 Rally on April 12 in Canora.
At the head table were: Zone 1 Commander Gerald Hoffman, District 4 Commander Comrade Allan Hodgson, Zone 1 Deputy Commander Comrade Halley Hilts, Comrade Cathy Trach, and Canora Branch Secretary Comrade Kylee Toffan.
Comrade Hoffman read and filed the zone commander report:
-Thanks to Comrade Hilts for his assistance over the year with branch visits and carrying out duties as deputy zone commander.
-Branches are doing a good job providing many services to their youth and supporting members by giving out bursaries, visiting the sick, and recognizing and supporting veterans.
Comrade Hodgson read and filed the district commander report:
– Mentioned he is not a Veteran, and explained how he joined the Legion and how he was made yard chair.
-July 17 marks the 100-year anniversary of the Legion. He added that small groups were advised at that time to form one larger group so their voices would be heard and they met in Winnipeg in 1926 and formed the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. This is how veterans got support. In 1959 they were able to remove “British Empire” from the name, in 1960 they received permission from Queen Elizabeth to use “Royal” and in 1961 they renamed themselves the Royal Canadian Legion.
-Mentioned that when he first joined the Legion, there were over 20,000 members in Saskatchewan, it went down to 8,000 members two years ago, now has around 10,000 members.
-Our unwavering support to veterans has not changed, we continue to aid veterans and their families. We hold many fundraisers, and involvement in the community, we thank you all.
-There are many choices for attire and pins to show legion support.
-Use of the Poppy Fund: There are only certain places Poppy money can be spent. Sask Command office can help and guide where funds can be used, including emergency services, assistance, mental health programs, transportation to appointments, and so on. You can get help from surrounding branches for certain things (such as veteran transportation to appointments) if the local branch does not have the means. Contact Command if assistance is needed.
-There are Veterans who may not have a local branch – we will help a Veteran.
-Legion National Track & Field Championship will be held in Regina for under 16- and 18-year-old athletes, providing a stage for nearly 1,000 competitors. In the 1950s programs designed to engage youth were started by Veterans that returned from the Second World War. These championships represent Leadership, Teamwork, Remembrance. If you’re interested in sponsorship opportunities reach out to Provincial Command.
The Resolution Committee report was made by Comrade William Lesko:
Legion branches are having a hard time keeping up with operations and donations to community projects. Legion branches are having a hard time bringing in younger generation into branches and are losing them due to other organizations seeming more appealing by investing more money into community projects. Legion Branches do not have any Veterans left in their community to support.
Be it resolved the Poppy Fund be amended to use a percentage of Poppy Funds for community projects like senior vans, children’s sports, food banks.
The resolution was submitted by Comrade Halley Hilts from the Foam Lake Legion Branch.
All three committee members said “No” to the resolution.
Reasoning: In the Poppy Fund book it states that the Poppy Fund is strictly for Veterans and their families. The government has changed the definition of veteran to include any member that wore a military uniform, including RCMP. We do not want to be short on money when their time comes.
The floor was opened, resulting in one question: When we talk about Veterans, are they only Veterans that are members of the Legion, or all Veterans?
Answer: It’s all veterans, they do not have to be Legion members.
The reports were accepted.
Comrade Gerald Hoffman was acclaimed as zone commander.
Comrade Halley Hilts was acclaimed as deputy zone commander.
District 4 Commander Comrade Allan Hodgson, assisted by Sgt. at Arms Ron Wunder, installed the new Zone 4 & Deputy Zone Commanders.
Halley Hilts accepted the position of deputy zone commander of District 4 Zone 1. Gerald Hoffman accepted the position of zone commander of District 4 Zone 1.
A call for hosts for the Zone Rally 2027 was made. Comrade Sherry Fielding expressed interest for the Foam Lake Branch to host with Comrades Gerald Hoffman and Ron Wunder offering the Sheho Branch as a backup host branch.
Closing ceremonies were conducted by Host Branch President Cathy Trach with Branch 356 Sgt. at Arms Ron Wunder marching off the Colours after the singing of God Save the King.
Minutes of the district rally were submitted by Kylee Toffan, Recording Secretary from the Canora Legion.
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