Standing Rules | Pleasure Island Post

The Pleasure Island American Legion Post 129 Standing Rules outline the guidelines that all members and their guests must follow while on Post property and within the Post Canteen. The Canteen is a privilege, not a right, and is afforded to the American Legion Post 129 members in good standing, which consists of: the Legionnaires, Auxiliary Members, Sons of the American Legion (SAL), and American Legion Riders. We are an American Legion Post that holds an Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) permit as a 501 (c) (19), Veterans Organization and we are classified as a private club. We are not open to the public.

Our core values are serving veterans, their families, our community, and supporting the programs nested under the Four Pillars of the American Legion.

1. Eligibility for Canteen Access:

1.1. Post 129 Canteen is governed by North Carolina ABC laws. Members whose membership is on file, including Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, and SAL have access to the canteen and shall be asked to show their current membership card upon entrance to the Bartender if requested.

1.2. Any member of the United States Armed Forces may be admitted upon presenting a valid military ID card. Admitted members must sign the Guest Register. Members of other American Legion Posts will be granted access to the canteen by presenting their membership card and signing in as guests in the Guest Register.

1.3. All Post 129 members will use their key fob or mobile app for entry. If more than one member arrives simultaneously, they should also badge in so that our entry records will reflect their presence in the building. There will be no “tailgating” or “piggybacking.” If a member badges in, this will eliminate the need to sign into the entry book. However, all members with guests must sign themselves in and their guests into the logbook upon entry.

1.4. Only active Post 129 members in good standing may get a key fob or mobile application to access the building.

1.5. Member access to the Canteen will be denied if annual dues are not paid by the first of each calendar year, i.e., Jan 1st. The system will automatically disable your key FOB and Mobile Phone Application.

1.6. The post will provide the initial key fob or mobile phone application, and replacements will cost $5.00.

2. Guest Policy:

2.1. The guest of a member is defined as any person who is a close friend, relative, or significant other of a member in good standing in the American Legion Post 129. Eligible Guests admitted to this Post shall abide by all rules of the operation of a Private Club. It is the responsibility of their sponsoring member to ensure that they fully understand and conform to the policies of this Post including these Standing Rules.

2.2. All Members may bring up to four (4) guests (“member guests”) per visit unless prior approval from the Commander has been obtained in writing, subject to the following conditions:

2.2.1. All guests, including family and friends, must be signed in on the Guest Register by the member who brought the guest in.

2.2.2. The guest must leave the Canteen when the member that signed him/her in leaves.

2.2.3. Only Post Members may purchase alcoholic drinks for their guests.

2.2.4. The member shall be responsible for the conduct of his/her guest.

2.2.5. The Bartender cannot sign in a guest while on duty.

2.2.6. Prior Members who are no longer in good standing in the American Legion, cannot be signed in as a Guest by another member.

2.2.7. Active Military and other American Legion Post members who sign in as Guest as defined in paragraph 1.2, are allowed to purchase alcohol at the canteen.

3. Bartenders Authority:

3.1. The Executive Committee has granted the Bartender complete authority to enforce all ABC, Canteen, and Post 129 Standing Rules governing the Canteen’s operation.

3.2. The Bartender shall have the right to refuse service to any member or guest. The Bartender may after having verbally warned any member or guest engaging in misconduct or violation of any rule, ask the person to leave the premises. If the person refuses to leave after being told to do so, the Bartender may call the authorities to remove the person.

3.3. Any member who refuses to leave when asked to do so will automatically have his/her Canteen privileges immediately suspended until a review can be conducted by the Executive Committee. The suspended person may be requested to appear before the Executive Committee. If the member fails to appear at the meeting, the suspension will be extended indefinitely. The Executive Committee will also determine whether any further disciplinary action is to be taken based on the seriousness of the charge

3.4. The Bartender shall report violations to the Second Vice/Chair of the House and Entertainment Committee and the Commander or any Executive Committee member if one is present. The Bartender must also provide the Second Vice’s name and contact information to any member asked to leave if the member wishes to schedule a meeting with the Executive Committee.

3.5. No one may take alcoholic beverages from the premises at any time.

3.6. Smoking and Vaping is permitted only in designated outdoor areas.

3.7. Only service animals shall be allowed at the Post.

4. Check Cashing Policy:

4.1. Only members may pay their tab by check, and the Bartender may cash the check for an additional amount, up to $50, at the bartender’s discretion, based upon the drawer’s available cash.

4.2. Any member who writes a check that is returned for insufficient funds will be responsible for all bank charges, plus an additional charge of $30 will be assessed for inconvenience. Canteen privileges will be suspended until all charges are resolved.

4.3. The Canteen does not accept any second/third party checks.

4.4. All members or guests must close out their tab/bill at the close of business.

5. Access Behind the Bar:

5.1. No one is permitted behind the bar except designated personnel unless the Bartender has granted/requested assistance from someone.

5.2. No one is permitted behind the bar after consuming alcohol.

6. TV/Radio – Reserved Seating:

6.1. If a dispute arises over what programming to watch, the Bartender shall immediately poll the membership present, and the majority will rule. We have a number of TVs and should be able to accommodate everyone.

6.2. There is no reserved seating. First come, first serve. However, we are an American Legion Post. We serve Veterans and their families. Please extend common courtesy and allow disabled and/or disabled guest veterans a seat at the bar or at the canteen tables.

7. Parking:

7.1. All parking is first come, first serve for all members

7.2. Designated handicap parking. We have 4 NC DMV parking spaces. You must have a NC DMV tag/placard displayed to be authorized to park in this area. Failure to do so, is subject to towing and is a violation of the standing rules, which will result in actions IAW the disciplinary process.

7.3. Disabled Veterans parking. We have spots designated for our Veterans that have physical disabilities, but do not have or qualify for the NC DMV parking spaces. Please do not park in these spots.

7.4. Member of the Month and Member of the Year. There are two spots designated for these outstanding members of our Post 129 as part of our Membership Recognition Program. If you have not been designated as one of these, please do not park in these spots. Failure to do so, is a violation of the standing rules, which will result in actions IAW the disciplinary process.

8. Dress Code

8.1. The American Legion is a family-oriented organization. Members and guests must be neatly and appropriately dressed at all times. Any clothing deemed inappropriate by the bartender or a member of the Executive Committee (referred to hereafter for ease of reference as "management") is not permitted and the individual will be asked to remove it or leave the premises. This would include clothing that is overly suggestive or revealing, vulgar or offensive, in a state of disrepair,

and appears to be in bad taste. The final decision as to what constitutes proper dress rests with Executive Committee. Violations or non-compliance by members or their guests will be brought to the Executive Committee.

9. Conduct and Post Canteen Rules

9.1. The bartender or any member of the PEC who is present, shall have full authority to enforce these Standing Rules while on Duty. Members and their guests understand that the bartender on duty is the person in charge. Members and their guests must abide by the bartender's decision regarding violations of these rules. The bartender or any member of the PEC who is present, may order anyone to leave the Post Canteen who, in his/her judgment, has violated one or more of these rules and/or has engaged in any conduct that is detrimental to the Post Canteen.

9.2. The bartender or any member of the PEC who is present, reserves the right to refuse service to and/or ask anyone to leave the Post whose conduct is such that they think, is detrimental to any person, the Post, or the American Legion. This includes but is not limited to:

9.2.1. Conduct unbecoming a Legionnaire

9.2.2. Verbal and physical altercations or confrontations

9.2.3. Discussion regarding individual’s character

9.2.4. Discussion of the Post’s business with non-members present

9.2.5. Any personal attack concerning sex, race, creed, religion, or personal lifestyle

9.2.6. Loud, profane, vulgar, or abusive language

9.2.7. Lewd, indecent, or sexual misconduct

9.2.8 Intoxication and drunkenness

9.2.9. No lethal weapon of any type, concealed with or without a concealed carry permit, or openly carried, may be brought into Canteen areas, or any areas of Post 129 except by on-duty law enforcement officers. Carrying a small common folding pocketknife does not violate these rules so long as the knife is legal to carry within the scope of North Carolina law

9.2.10. Theft of and/or destruction of Post Canteen/or Post property

9.2.11. Use of, or possession of, illegal drugs while in the Post Canteen or on Post grounds.

9.2.12. There shall be no consuming of alcohol beverages during our Post Monthly Meetings in the pavilion.

10. Disciplinary Process for Members

10.1 Any violations of any of the above rules will incur the following punishments and depending on the severity of the offense, it may warrant a higher-level punishment than what is defined as the series of steps below. The process is:

10.2. The first offense will be a verbal warning.

10.3. The second offense is a written letter/email of reprimand.

10.2.4. The third offense is suspension of canteen privileges for a minimum of 7 days but no more than 30 days based on the severity of the offense as decided by the Executive Committee.

10.2.5. The fourth offense requires that the member appear before the Executive Committee to determine if additional suspension from the Canteen is required or if a formal hearing is required, for the process of expulsion from the American Legion Post 129.

Peter T. Green III

Commander,

Pleasure Island American Legion Post 129

Voted upon by the Executive Committee on _______________________, passed with a majority vote.