Minutes of Meeting 4 April 2017
Vietnam Veterans of America
Ron Davenport Memorial Chapter 165
Minutes of Meeting 4 April 2017
While waiting for dinner to come out of the kitchen, Jackie Thurman was introduced and she explained her background and situation. Then dinner was served.
General Meeting called to order at: 19:20 (7:20 p.m.)
Pledge of Allegiance by: President Gene Goldsmith
Invocation by: Gene Goldsmith
Moment of silence for POW/MIA Gene Goldsmith
Roll Call of officers: term expires
Gene Goldsmith, Pres present 2017
Dave Loomis, VP present 2017
Randy Elmore 2nd VP present 2017
Bill Cox, Secretary present 2017
Tom Grinstad, Asst. Secy. present 2017
Ken Richardson, Treasurer present 2017
David Scattum, B of D absent 2017
Bill Wilcox, B of D present 2017
Richard Martinez, B of D present 2019
John Bradshaw, B of D absent 2017
Tom Modica, B of D present 2018
Greg Bremer, B of D present 2017
Kirk Lyon, B of D excused 2019
Guests: Rosie Loomis, Agnes Kenny, Connie Marich, Jackie Thurman
New members present: Paul Nelson, David Williams, Skip Syvertsen
Secretary’s January minutes: approved Ray R / David L
Treasurer’s January report: approved David L / Ray R
Membership Update: Gene Goldsmith reported 273 members, 1 deceased. AVVA has 7 members.
Old Business:
- Memorial Day 29 May – Jim McKinney, 24 year vet, possible guest speaker. We need help to move to site – pick up at VFW 9am. We need all available members to show up for the Memorial Day service and picnic. Greenacres is trying to put together “Thank a Vet” program and needs representatives from various organizations.
- Wojo is gone for a while need helpers in the kitchen.
- Remember breakfasts are at VFW 9301 on 3rd Saturday and VFW 1585 (Bellingham) on last Sunday of the month.
- Very likely the car show will occur at Barkley this year. Only a few items left to iron out. A suggestion raised by Randy T to make some sort of tribute or recognition of both Gary Lysne and Kenny Paine be incorporated into car show activities. Member are needed at the VFW in the evening 6pm (18:00) of 22 July to pick up items for the car show on 23 July.
- Election of officers for the 2017-2018 year:
President Gene Goldsmith
Vice President David Loomis
2nd Vice President Doug Spangler
Secretary Tom Grinstad
Treasurer Ken Richardson
Board of Directors: term ends
Tom Marsich 2020
Larry Martin 2020
Peter Pavlik 2019
David Osinski 2019
Tom Modica 2018
Doug Spangler 2018
- f. A motion to buy Gary Lysne’s generator for $800.00 was approved. Motion by Ken R / Randy E
New Business:
- VASH (VA Subsidized Housing) bus passes were funded $400.00
- Expenses for delegate to attend State Council meeting in Yakima $390.38
- Expenses for Gene Goldsmith to attend DAR State Convention $ 630.46, motion by Ken R to fund both for $700.00 approved
- Request to buy more banners and sign for the car show tabled Randy T, Doc H, Sam H to bring cost and formal proposal to next meeting.
- VVA originally founded as “last man standing” organization. Now two committees at national looking into maybe making it everlasting.
- Jackie Thurmond is in a bind. Job cut short tossed out of housing, she is seeking help. Motion to assist with $1,300.00 allowing her to get into an apartment with her nephew approved. Tom M / Randy E
Good of the Order:
- Check VFW calendar
- pick up VVA business cards & applications from Gene G.
- c. Gene has 7 cases of Promot and various other medical supplies that are available.
- d. the Festival of Flags needs a representative from each organization. If you know of someone who could carry out the duties, let Gene know.
Motion to adjourn: made at 8:09 pm (20:09) passed unanimously
The raffle netted $110. The winning ticket #783 returned the proceeds.
39 folks showed up for this meeting. They were mostly the same faces. Keep on coming and let’s see some new or infrequent members.
Minutes of March 7, 2017 meeting
President Gene Goldsmith called the meeting to order at 18:40 (6:40 pm civilian time) He led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lonnie Rose gave the invocation and the Moment of Silence for POW/MIA.
Roll Call of Officers & Board of Directors term expires
Gene Goldsmith, Pres. Present 2017
Dave Loomis, V.P. Present 2017
Randy Elmore, 2nd V.P. Excused 2017
Bill Cox, Secretary Present 2017
Tom Grinstad, Asst. Secy. Present 2017
Ken Richardson, Treasurer Present 2017
David Scattum, B of D Excused 2018
Bill Wilcox, B of D Excused 2017
Richard Martinez, B of D Present 2019
John Bradshaw, B of D Present 2017
Tom Modica, B of D Present 2018
Greg Bremer, B of D Present 2017
Kirk Lyon, B of D Present 2019
Guests: Liz Rose
New Member: Ben Brown
Secretary’s Minutes: Moved approve by Ken R, 2nd by Dave L. voice approval.
Treasurer’s Report: Fiscal year-end report by Ken R. ended the year with $9,900+ to the good. Move to approve by Ed S, 2nd by Tom G. voice approval.
Membership Update: President Gene said we are holding at 274 members, with 2 late in paying membership. AVVA remains at 7.
Old Business:
- Memorial Day 29 May – VVA function at the Hovander Park memorial. Allocate $1,000 for food. Anticipate attendance to be in the neighborhood of 170 to 200. (Not a bad neighborhood).
- The bottle auction brought in $1,061 for the BTC Scholarship endowment.
- Don’t miss the breakfast at VFW 9301 3rd Saturday and 1585 last Sunday of the month.
- The car show planning continues 23 July is coming fast. It appears that the K-Mart lot will be too small for the hoped for turn out. A couple of alternatives may be the former Costco lot or Civic Field. Doc H or tom M will further investigate. Bill B posed a question how to continue the car show when we all are aging. (How to get young blood into the operation – or do we let it terminate when we are all too old to carry on?) A somewhat spirited discussion got slightly off track for a while. Gene G will contact the Boy Scouts for possible assistance.
- We need officers for the upcoming year.
President Gene Goldsmith is willing to continue for one more year.
V.P. Dave Loomis is willing to continue.
2nd V.P. Randy was appointed and will not stand for re-election
Secretary Tom Grinstad is willing to serve
Asst/ Secy. Bill Cox will serve one more year (after stepping down from Secy.)
Treasurer Ken Richardson is not standing for re-election (Need to fill this slot)
Asst. Treas. David Scattum – status unknown
Board of Directors:
Bill Wilcox term expires this election cycle
Kirk Lyon term expires in two years
Richard Martinez term expires in two years
John Bradshaw term expires this election cycle
Tom Modica term expires in one year
Greg Bremer term expires this election cycle
This chapter has 274 members. Let’s spread the duties and responsibilities to other members. Remember one of the ways to retain good members is to put them to work.
- Steff with the great help of Liz Rose will step in to cook the meals for the next two meetings. Ed S and Gene offered to assist. Wojo will be off somewhere having a terrific time.
New Business:
- Donations will be readily accepted for Kenny Paine’s service happening 18 March from 16:00 to 19:00 at the VFW. A request for $500 was approved. Motion by Ed s. 2nd by Bill C.
- The acoustic ceiling tile will be removed from the basement meeting room 14 March, and advertised on E-Bay unless someone wants to claim it. Contact Cindy at the VFW.
- The state meeting of the VVA hoo-haws occurs 22 April from 13:00 to 16:00 at the vet’s center in Yakima. President Gene is planning to attend.
- Tom Modica proposed funding two slots for Boys/Girls State. American Legion 154 will have one boy and one girl to attend. The cost is $350 per person, total of $700. This proposal was voted down by a count of hands.
- Ray R donated a sizeable amount to the BTC endowment in honor of his wife Chiyoko.
Next Meeting: 4 April, 2017. Dinner begins at 18:00 (6:00 pm) and the meeting afterward.
Good of the Order
- Remember to check your VFW calendar.
- Take VVA business cards and applications to recruit more members.
- Bill Bowen recommends reading Dereliction of Duty by H. R. McMaster
- Doc H has baseball caps for sale $15.
- David L has VVA cowboy hats for sale as well.
Bottle Auction
On February 25th, the VFW Auxiliary and VVA Chapter 165 hosted a shrimp salad bar and bottle auction. The VVA bottle auction raised $1061 for our scholarship fund at Bellingham Technical College. We did not do a head count. But enough showed up that we made a night. A highlight was the song and dance by Gene and Yvonne (just kidding). A great time was had by all that attended, especially those who ponied up and bid in the auction. Our Chapter’s scholarship fund now has over $50,000 invested with the BTC Foundation which should allow three scholarship to be granted this year. Thanks to all that attended and won auction items and all those that donated auction items. You are greatly appreciated.
Minutes of February 9, 2017 meeting
Minutes of February 9, 2017 meeting
General Meeting called to order at: 18:45 (6:45 pm for civilians)
Pledge of Allegiance led by President Gene Goldsmith
Invocation by: Lonnie Rose with special prayer for deceased comrade Kenny Payne
Moment of silence for POW/MIA
Roll Call of officers:
Gene Goldsmith, Pres. Present
Dave Loomis, VP Excused
Randy Elmore, 2nd VP Present
Bill Cox, Secretary Excused
Tom Grinstad, Asst. Sec. Excused
Ken Richardson, Treasurer Present
David Scattum, B of D Excused
Bill Wilcox, B of D Absent
Richard Martinez, B of D Present
John Bradshaw, B of D Present
Tom Modica, B of D Present
Greg Bremer, B of D Excused
Kirk Lyon, B of D Present
Guests: Liz Rose, Yvonne Goldsmith, Dorothy Rood
Secretary’s minutes
January minutes approved motion by Ken Richardson, seconded by Lonnie Rose, approved. Tom Modica asked for clarity on the statement regarding the $6000, and the plaque. Kirk Lyon advised when $5000 is given in memory of a person, Bellingham Vo-Tech has a special plaque placed on the wall in that persons honor and the mention of the Chapter will be on the plaque too.
Treasurer’s report Ken Richardson gave the report after each member received the January 2017 report. Moved by Kirk Lyon, seconded, approved
Membership Update: by President Gene, 274 members with two late in payment. 7 members of AVVA, including Jim Pace.
Old Business:
- Bellingham Technical College memorial fund at around $9000 which will gain a plaque on the wall.
- 25 February for the shrimp dinner and bottle auction and. Reserve that date for fun and food. It will be a shrimp dinner with the cost a paltry $10 / head. Please bring one bottle, gift wrapped. Kirk Lyon will also have 3 hand-carved wooden items for the auction. All proceeds will go to our scholarship fund.
- Breakfasts: Post 9301, Lynden, 3rd Saturday and Post 1585, Bellingham, last Sunday each month.
- Car show date is established as 23 July 2017. The venue is not finalized yet. Suggested venues; K-Mart, Civic Field or Costco on Meridian. It was brought up by Sam Houston. There needs to be better parking lot control as some entries were not able to register and find places to park.
New Business:
- Special need request from Paul Pilot at WorkSource for a veteran for $358.59 to purchase hard hat and steel-toed boots in order to report to work with Steelworkers union. Moved by Ken Richardson, second Gary Pettigrew,
- President Gene is trying to recruit drivers for the VA van. Elizabeth Rose has filed an application.
- Special request was granted by Board Officers to help veteran Brian Davis, Maple Falls, who lost everything in a fire. Request was to have VVA and DAV each pay one half of hotel for one week, $227.12 and $227.13 respectively.
- Richard Brummet gave brief report of his visit to Chapter 201, in California regarding the 8th Annual American Chocolate Social.
- Randy Turnbull head of the nominating committee is seeking nominations for the election of Officers and Board of Directors to be held in May. The following positions need to be filled: 2nd VP, and Treasurer as each officer is not seeking re-election. Each of you are encourage to ‘dig deep’ and see what you can offer in serving in all of the positions.
- Memorial Day Ceremony, Greenacres, May 29th. Kirk Lyon will compile the work list. Moved by Richard Martinez, second by Randy Elmore to give $1000 for expenses. President Gene asked for suggestions for guest speaker.
- Bellingham Sanctuary City proposal is coming before the City Council, Monday, February 13th. Richard Martinez asked for a definition of what is a Sanctuary City, and several responses were given. Tom Modica spoke out about this issue being political. President Gene encouraged individual attendance to voice concern about this proposal.
- Need cooks and helpers. Wojo will be the Chef in March and then April and May will need a Chef. Tonight’s meal of Corned Beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots was exemplary and compliments to Chef Wojo and Chef Stefano.
Next meeting is, 7 March 2017.
Good of the Order:
- Check your VFW calendar.
- VVA business cards and membership applications available. Get out and recruit.
- George Douglas requested bringing back the 50/50 raffle and everyone agreed.
- Hardy announced the Cooties State Banquet, to be held Bellingham, March 11th.
- Hardy is in charge of the VA Recreational Rehab Raffle, $1/ticket, win a Silver coin. There are 5 coins to be given away in the raffle and you need not be present to WIN.
- Million Vet Program was reviewed by Randy Turnbull
Motion to adjourn: Moved by Ken Richardson, second by Lonnie, passed with ease.
Minutes of January 3, 2017 meeting
Minutes of Meeting 3 January 2017
General Meeting called to order at: 18:45 (6:45 pm for civilians)
Pledge of Allegiance led by President Gene Goldsmith
Invocation by: Lonnie Rose
Moment of silence for POW/MIA
Roll Call of officers:
Gene Goldsmith, Pres. Present
Dave Loomis, VP Present
Randy Elmore, 2nd VP Excused
Bill Cox, Secretary Excused
Tom Grinstad, Asst. Sec. Present
Ken Richardson, Treasurer Excused
David Scattum, B of D Excused
Bill Wilcox, B of D Present
Richard Martinez, B of D Excused
John Bradshaw, B of D Present
Tom Modica, B of D Present
Greg Bremer, B of D Upstairs
Kirk Lyon, B of D Excused
Guests: Liz Rose, Agnes Kenny
New members present: Tony Spagnola, David Stamps
Secretary’s minutes November minutes approved motion by Gene G, seconded by Ed S. Read the spectacular account of the December dinner on the chapter website.
Treasurer’s report Ken was absent sent report by e-mail. Summarized by Gene, moved by Ed S, second by David L, approved
Membership Update: by Gene, 272 members with two late in payment. Gene will follow up with letter or phone call. Seven members of AVVA.
Old Business:
- a) Bellingham Technical College memorial fund at $6,115 which will gain a plaque on the wall.
- b) 11 February is the date for the bottle auction and dinner. Or should that be the other way round? Reserve that date for fun and food. It will be a salmon dinner with the cost a paltry $10 / head.
- c) The VASH party had 23 attendees.
New Business:
- a) President Gene is trying to recruit drivers for the VA van.
- b) Car show date is established as 23 July 2017. The venue is not finalized yet.
- c) Dr. Brown was appointed to the Women’s Veterans Committee in Washington D.C. The state of WA now has two members of the six on the committee.
- d) Speaking of committees Randy Turnbull head of the nominating committee is seeking nominations for the election to be held in May.
- e) Tom Modica announced that VASH will be seeking $400 in funds from the Chapter for this year’s operations.
Next meeting is, 7 February 2017.
Good of the Order:
- a) Check your VFW calendar.
- b) Veteran’s Advisory Board will transport veterans to and from Skagit. Gene distributed cards with contact information.
- c) Gene and David L have VVA business cards and membership application forms. Get out and recruit.
- d) Gene mentioned that the WW1 memorial at Greenacres is looking good thanks to an Eagle Scout Joseph Meuller. The Korea memorial is next in line, then Vietnam a year after. You can buy a brick for the Vietnam memorial at any time. Talk to Gene about process.
- e) Doc has VN Vets baseball caps for sale. David L has VN cowboy hats for sale. Nothing makes you look as good as a Stetson.
- f) VFW #9301 breakfast 21 January 8:00 – 11:00
Motion to adjourn: Moved by Ed S. second by Lonnie, passed with ease