March 2011 Newsletter
ANNOUNCEMENT: MN C.O.P.S. President, Linda Parker, resigned in February due to health reasons. Linda will behaving surgery, which will make her unable to finish her term in office. We will miss her smiling face and willingness to help. We all hope for the best for her.
Bonnie Silvera: MN C.O.P.S. current Vice-President is Bonnie Silvera. Bonnie will now step into the President position on the Board of Directors. Bonnie has been active with the Chapter for a number of years. She runs her own day-care center and is a very busy Mom, Grandmom and friend to many. Bonnie’s son, Shawn was killed in the line-of-duty on September 5, 2005.
THANK YOU TO SUE LANGE, OUTGOING SECRETARY: MN C.O.P.S. owes Sue a huge thank you for her time spent on the Board of Directors since the start of the Chapter in 2005. Sue will continue with the Chapter by being on the Advisory Board.
PARENT LUNCHEON: Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.
Axel’s River Grille Restaurant
1318 Sibley Memorial Highway
Mendota, MN55150
For directions check our website. Mendota is just across the Mendota Bridge from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport.
This luncheon is open to all parents and parents-in-law of officers killed in the line-of-duty.
There will be a selection of items to order from the menu, such as Old Fashion Pot Roast, Garlic Chicken, Walleye Sandwich, Harvest Salad, Half Sandwich and Soup and choice of 5 sandwiches. Selection need not be made until the luncheon.
This is an opportunity for some old and new friends to meet and enjoy time together for the afternoon. It’s an opportunity to share stories and memories of our children. We hope to see you there. Please contact Bonnie Silvera, 763-427-0920, for reservations and questions.
MN C.O.P.S. ANNUAL MEETING: Sunday, April 10, 2011, 1:30 p.m.
Plymouth Police Department
Agenda: Election of a Vice President and Secretary.
Appointments to the Advisory Board
Update on Police Week in Washington
Update on MN May 15 Memorial Service
Review of the Parent Luncheon
Announce picnic
Review of MN Chiefs Conference
Misc. other items
ELECTIONS INFORMATION: POSITIONS OF VICE PRESIDENT AND OF SECRETARY
Vice President -Shall act as an official spokesperson for the Chapter, fill in the position of President should the elected President be unable or unwilling to fulfill their term, and perform other duties as assigned.
Secretary -Shall act as an official spokesperson for the Chapter, take and transcribe minutes of all conferences, meetings and Executive Board meetings, submitting the same to the President for additions and deletions and/or corrections, providing copies to the Chapter’s Executive Board and to the National Chapter Coordinator thirty (30) days following the end of each quarter; safely keep the Bylaws of this Chapter and keep records of all official amendments; prepare, file and maintain all permits, forms, registrations, etc. required by the State of Minnesota and its many subdivisions as required by laws; make available any reports of the Executive Board or committees upon request by the National Board or the members of this Chapter; apprise the National Office of any and all changes of the membership including names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. in a timely manner; and perform other duties on behalf o the organization as assigned.
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING: The Advisory Board will be meeting after the Annual Meeting on April 10, 2011.
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK: Police Week in Washington, D. C. is May 12-18. Some of our Minnesota families will be attending. Our Chapter can help with the cost of transportation to Police Week, dependent on Chapter funds available.
MAY 15, 2011 – Memorial Day at the MN Capitol
Begins at 8:00 pm Saturday May 14th through 7:30pm Sunday, May 15th, 2011 at the State Capitol Grounds in St. Paul. There is a candle light vigil on May 15th at 7:30 pm which is followed by a social gathering.
MN C.O.P.S. WEB SITE: This will be up and running soon.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The new Executive Director replacing Suzie Sawyer is Mariah Hughes. She started in this position January 1, 2011. Further information on Mariah can be obtained by going to National C.O.P.S. website at nationalcops.org
MN C.O.P.S. ANNUAL PICNIC: Sunday June 12, 2011 11:00am to 2:00pm
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory – West Shelter
1225 Estabrook Dr
Saint Paul, MN 55103
www.comozooconservatory.org
The West Shelter - located at Midway Parkway near Hamline Avenue across from ComoTown
It has electricity, restrooms, drinking fountain and a play area nearby for children. It will be potluck, and each family should bring their own dishes and silverware.
CONGRATULATIONS: Sarah and Scott Meyer Westphal on the birth of new baby boy.
RENEGADE PIGS RUN – JULY 23, 2011 – The motorcycles will be leaving Cowboy Jack’s in Plymouth and ending at the new Cowboy Jack’s in Bloomington.
6TH ANNUAL OFFICER SHAWN SILVERA 5K MEMORIAL RUN
Saturday, August 27, 2011(see website for sign up information)
Long Lake Regional Park
New Brighton, MN Sign up to help or learn more details at
MN C.O.P.S. is one of the beneficiaries for this fun and growing Twin Cities race. Please show your support by participating in the 5K Run, the 2K Family Walk, or the children’s 50 yard Daisy Dash.
Many kid’s activities are provided which include face painting, a jumpy house and runner bags and medals! Volunteers are also needed for the day to help in a variety of areas.
6th ANNUAL BLUE LIGHT CEREMONY: Saturday November 19, 2011
State Capitol Grounds
Bonnie Silvera, Christine Crittenden and Sandy Salazar are on the committee. They could use more help with this event.
TAX INFORMATION: Special Alert – Remember that if you receive PERA survivor benefits, they are non-taxable for State and Federal Income taxes. If you have any questions, please call your PERA representative.
TELEPHONE: Bonnie Silvera has the Chapter cell phone; 763-269-1000.
If you have questions feel free to contact her.
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS: The Chapter is working to establish payroll deductions through United Way in each community. When you complete your United Way deduction form each Fall, remember you can donate under “Other” and write in Minnesota Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors. The Minnesota Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors contact person for The United Way isBill Breth (763) 772-4196 or Ruth Friedli (507)-288-1471. Bill and/or Ruth can be contacted for information about the Minnesota Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors organization and its tax exempt status (501c3).
ALERT: National C.O.P.S. has been approached by a producer from the Oprah Winfrey Network to take part in a show about Victim Offender Dialogue. Should you be approached by the producer for the show, please note that National C.O.P.S. has DECLINED to be part of this project. I have heard that they are attempting to contact some individuals through Facebook. Again, NATIONAL C.O.P.S. has not endorsed this project. (From Madeline Neumann, C.O.P.S. chapter coordinator)
REMEMBER: ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 10, 2011 AT PLYMOUTH POLICE DEPT.
HAPPY SPRINGTIME TO EVERYONE
BONNIE SILVERA SUE LANGE RUTH FRIEDLI
PresidentSecretaryTreasurer
763-427-0920507-634-4767507-288-1471
GRETCHEN O’NEILGIA NELSONNICOLE WINSLOW
Past President CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES
507-254-9918763-755-6220763-444-8203
MN CHAPTER OF C.O.P.S.
P.O. Box 222, Anoka, MN 55303
IMPORTANT: Please Read