A reminder that ALR MO Rider of the Year nominations are due by Jan 31 2023 so the deadline is now less than a week away. I've only received two nominations so far and I know there are very good nominees in every chapter - get your folks the recognition they deserve.
Also, Chapter membership per capita dues were due on Dec 31, 2022, so any unpaid are now overdue.

The 2023 ALR MO Director's Challenge sign up is open and all registration and rules can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VfUj3vfgFiwa6M6k2nXeJPjPYnfxMlYE?usp=share_link

The American Legion recently launched its 'Be The One' campaign to encourage American Legion Family members, veterans, servicemembers and others to take action when they believe a veteran is at risk of suicide.

Headquarters staff has created a QR Code QR Codes to download - Assets (legion.org) for the Be the One page. This can be used to direct others to find information and resources related to the campaign.

How to scan a QR code:

1. Open the Camera app on your phone.

2. Make sure you are using the rear facing camera.

3. Hold your device so the QR code appears in the viewfinder in the Camera app.

4. Once steady, your device will recognize the QR code and show a notification.

5. Tap the notification to open the link.

Veterans Day Ceremony at Missouri's National Veterans Memorial in Perryville, Missouri. 1172 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Info@mnvmfund.org, (573) 547-2035

Operation Honor KC - This inaugural event will honor all service members, Veterans and their families by generously giving them food and personal care items. November 9, 2022, 11 AM at 1 Arrowhead Dr. Lot L, Kansas City, MO - Caregivers On The Homefront - https://caregivers-homefront.org/

19th Annual Santa's Helpers Memorial Toy Run, November 6th, 2022, Cole Camp Fire Station from 12:30 - 1:30 pm, Sandwiches, chips and drinks will be served, Yeager Cycle in Sedalia from 1 - 2 pm, Rain or shine. All wheels welcome, Police escort from Yeager's Cycle to the Salvation Army at Broadway and Engineer, arriving at 2:15 pm for toy run. All toys and monetary donations go directly to the Salvation Army in Sedalia, "Let's decorate these bikes!" Contest judging at the Salvation Army. For more information call Mike at 660-668-4751 or Shelly at 816-392-7221

The agenda for the American Legion Department of Missouri Fall Conference is attached. Dates for Fall Conference are Oct 21 -23, 2022 at Capital Plaza hotel in Jefferson City. The hotel reservation form is included there as well. Hope to see you all there. As a reminder, there will be an ALR Missouri Executive Committee meeting that Friday evening at 1800 and regular membership meeting (open to all ALR members) will be Saturday morning at 0730. https://www.missourilegion.org/_files/ugd/99c59f_28f43f6114f34914827cc695ef85b083.pdf

SUPPORT THE AMERICAN LEGION VETERANS & CHILDREN FOUNDATION
The first two annual events contributed more than a half million dollars to the Veterans & Children Foundation. American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard is challenging participants to raise $450,000 during the third annual 100 Miles for Hope event. In addition to registration fees, participants can support disabled veterans and military families by encouraging family members and friends to support their journeys with a kind donation.

Operational requirements for Chapters to remain in good standing.

Keep in mind that our ALR of Missouri constitution and bylaws lays out operational requirements for Chapters to remain in good standing. One of these is the requirement for each chapter to have representation at at least one of the three meetings we have each year. Going back to 2019 meeting minutes, the following chapters have not met this requirement: 13, 42, 61, 99, 162, 218, 226, 240, 253, 258, 312, 323, 347, 397, 444, 494, and 639. I know the last few years have been problematic for travel with COVID restrictions so this is your fair warning to make it to convention this weekend or Fall conference in October. If no one from these chapters attends by that time, notice of intent to place the chapter on suspension will be processed in accordance with our C&BL.

Below is the information for the motorcycle ride-in for Veterans Day at the State Fair. Staging begins at 1130 at the MODOT facility at 2200 South Limit Ave, Sedalia MO. Hope to see you there!

Military Appreciation Day at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia will be Sunday, August 14th. This event is to recognize and support our military and veterans for their service. The event will be inside the Mathewson Exhibition Center again this year and will be scheduled on the weekend to provide more comfort and accessibility for attendees.

The timeline and participation are the same as 2021, but please review all details. As always, changes are always possible and will be shared.

Staging will be at the MODOT facility on South 65 (map link below); brief at 1245, and KSU at 1300, for escort through the fairgrounds to the Exhibition Center. We will be parked inside BY 1330 with the ceremony beginning at 1400. The surface will be hard rolled dirt and the Fair Administration will provide some wood blocks for kickstand support. Please bring your own if possible.

After the event, the State Fair Admin welcomes you to remain and visit the fair. Parking details are not set at this time. We’ll update as needed if/when that info is available.
https://goo.gl/maps/hg8m16hBer5Qp2ni6
The Fair Administration understands that any honor missions will take priority.

As of July 4, 2022, here's where all Chapters stand with submission of officer reports and CCR's. I've also included a column so you can see if we have your constitution and by-laws on file. No officer roster = no vote on any business items at convention ALR meetings.

Registration is now open for the 2022 ALR MO Legacy Scholarship ride. Registration packet can be downloaded from the ALRMO Documents page on this site. Please share this with all your members. Hope to see you all out there! Bryan "Java" Sapp

Regarding the July 2022 convention, Department HQ has already put out the hotel reservation instructions for convention in St Louis summer 2022. See attached and get your reservations made early to take advantage of the lower cost rooms. For those that haven't been able to make a convention meeting, our ALR Executive Committee meeting for all state officers, district directors and chapter directors is normally around 5 pm on Friday afternoon and the state ALR business meeting open to all ALR members is typically first thing in the morning on Saturday morning.

The 2021-2022 Missouri ALR Executive Board was elected on July 10th at the Department convention.  Here is a list of your new executive board members: 
DIRECTOR - Brian Sapp, 
Assistant Director -  Bob Norris, 
Secretary -  Sherrie Secrest-Norris, 
Treasure -  Christine Sapp, 
Judge Advocate - Rick Derks, 
Sargent at Arms -  Cecil Goodin, 
Chaplain - David Bentley.
Two appointments were made by the new director. Webmaster, Rick Derks, and Ride Captain, David Bentley (pending).

ALR of Missouri State Director Brian "Java" Sapp has issued a challenge to all Chapters of Missouri for 2021-2022. "Java" is challenge riders of every chapter to participate in at least 1 or 2 events of other chapters. The events can be anything from poker runs, hosted bar-b-ques, indoors poker runs, and other fund raisers. The premise here is to see chapters supporting other chapters in the state.