Minutes of Meeting February 3, 2015
General Meeting called to order at @ 6:55 PM by President Gene Goldsmith
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation by Tom Darling
Moment of silence for POW/MIA
Roll Call of officers
Gene Goldsmith, Pres Present
Ken Richardson, VP Present
Bill Cox, Secretary Present
Tom Modica, Treasurer Present
Jim Pace, B of D Present Fiscal 2016
Tom Darling, B of D Present Fiscal 2015
Richard Martinez, B of D Excused Fiscal 2015
John Bradshaw, B of D Present Fiscal 2016
Randy Elmore, B of D Present Fiscal 2014
Greg Bremer, B of D Excused Fiscal 2016
Steve White, B of D Emeritus deceased
Guests
James Cool
Gerard Sidel
New members present
Dave Sovey
Secretary’s January minutes were reviewed prior to the meeting by the membership. Minutes were approved as drafted.
Treasurer’s January report was read by Tom Modica. The report was approved as read and the report is attached.
Membership Update was given by Jim Pace. The chapter currently has 175 members. This gives the chapter seven votes now on state voting matters. This increase in membership from 117 this time last year reflects the hard work of Jim Pace. Jim is requesting volunteers to stuff envelopes to prospective new members. An email will go out setting up the time and place. It takes eight delegates for one chapter to control the State Council elections.
Old Business
The Bottle Auction was discussed by Randy Elmore. This year Kirk Lyon, Richard Martinez and Randy will coordinate. Randy will be master of ceremonies assisted by Kirk and Richard. The Bottle Auction is scheduled for February 13th at the VFW Hall. Dinner is $10 per person and will be a choice of curried turkey or meatloaf prepared by Ken Payne. Dinner is at 6 PM and the auction starts at 7 PM. The Bottle Auction is to be paired with snack night in order to possibly increase attendance. All members are strongly encouraged to attend. Invite a friend.
Election of Officers will occur at the April chapter meeting. Randy Elmore discussed the importance of new members assuming officer and board positions.
Children of Vietnam Charity was discussed by Richard Brummett. Veterans groups currently support scholarships for about 21 children. Our chapter contributed $850 last year which supports 5 of those children. Discussion ensued about making a similar contribution this year. Motion was made by Ken Richardson to contribute $850 this year from the Scholarship Fund. Motion seconded and passed. Randy Elmore made a motion to make this contribution every year. Motion seconded and defeated. Richard is going to Vietnam in March and will bring back pictures of the children for a later chapter meeting.
New Business
Snack Night will be the same night as the Bottle Auction.
Coffee Stop on I-5 was discussed by Tom Modica. Discussion ensued and it was determined that there would be too little financial return to the chapter to justify the effort. There is no interest in manning a coffee stop at this time.
The National VVA Convention Delegates were discussed by Jim Pace and Gene Goldsmith. The National VVA Convention will be held July 21 to the 25th in Springfield, Illinois. Gene Goldsmith will be a delegate. Other chapter members are encouraged to be delegates. Jim Pace will be running for reelection to the National VVA Board of Directors. The amount of financial reimbursement to national delegates is uncertain at this point but partial or full reimbursement will be discussed at future meetings.
The Scholarship Program was discussed. Bill Bowen and Gene Goldsmith are in charge of the chapter sponsored college scholarship program this year. They intend to recruit potential candidates more aggressively this year. Three candidates will each be awarded $500.
The Chapter Delegate Count for State Council voting purposes was discussed. Based upon current membership the chapter delegate count should be seven with two alternates. One additional delegate is needed due to membership growth. Discussion ensued and the seventh delegate selected was Kirk Lyon. A motion was made to accept Kirk Lyon as a seventh delegate. The motion was seconded and passed. Bill Cox was directed to send an updated list of delegates and alternates to both National VVA and the State VVA Council when the official membership roster is distributed. Bill Bowen will notify him of when to send the updated delegate list.
Boonie Hats and VVA Pins were discussed by Ed Simmers. See him after the meeting if you would like one.
The Car Show was discussed by Tom Modica. It will be held on Sunday July 19. Tom needs volunteers for the 19th as well as earlier in order to get out posters and to obtain raffle and auction prizes.
Memorial Day was discussed by Gene Goldsmith. It will be on May 25th. A motion was made to fund $1,000 to Ken Payne for food and beverages. Motion seconded and passed.
Next meeting is March 3, 2015.
Good of the Order
First, Gene Goldsmith requested that all members check their VFW calendars for events. Get on John Ferdon’s email list if you are not already receiving it. Contact Ray Radke to get on the email list.
Second, Gene Goldsmith reminded the membership that VFW Post 9301 has a breakfast on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
Third, Gene Goldsmith reminded the membership that the Faith Equestrian Ride and Pot Luck is scheduled at 6 to 9 PM on February 7th.
Fourth, Gene Goldsmith and Ken Richardson discussed the Whatcom Allied Veterans Council (WAVC). The WAVC mission is to preserve and improve Veterans Memorials in Whatcom County and to establish a perpetual fund for this purpose. Brick orders can be placed through Gene or Ken in order to help support the WAVC.
Fifth, Gene Goldsmith discussed the annual banquet of the National Rifle Association. Tickets can be purchased through Gene.
Motion to adjourn meeting at 7:55 PM. Motion passed and meeting adjourned by Gene Goldsmith.