Southeast Asia ASA Veterans Association
Business Meeting Minutes
Saturday, June 23, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 1301 by President Dave Parks. Harlan Olson opened with an invocation, and Jack Waer led the membership in the flag salute. Dave Parks welcomed all in attendance, and asked new members and attendees to stand and be recognized.
Secretary Gene Richert read the minutes of the 2006 business meeting. It was moved, seconded, and carried to accept the minutes as read.
Treasurer Bob Shields brought his report. The fiscal year has been changed to the calendar year because after reunion bills have been paid, there is usually no significant financial activity until we start preparing for the following year’s reunion. At the end of December we had $9683.26, including $1522 in future dues, and a $200 commitment to the orphanage (Arthur Wayne Glover) fund. Bob noted a significant rise in paid memberships after Harlan invited new website participants to become dues-paying members. It was moved, seconded, and carried to accept Bob’s report.
Wayne Munkel reported as Auditor. Everything is correct to the penny, and all documentation is correct and in proper order. It was moved, seconded, and carried to accept Wayne’s report.
President Dave Parks reported as the Webmaster. Harlan Olson is stepping back for personal reasons, and Dave is taking a greater responsibility along with the help of another member.
Treasurer Bob Shields informed us that he did not have a membership report prepared at this time. It will be posted at the banquet later this evening.
OLD BUSINESS
- Service Projects: Jim Flynn reported that he sent 84 phone cards to a Military Intelligence unit in Afghanistan. Members have delivered aid kits to a number of VA hospitals around the country. Wayne Robertson stated that a VA hospital representative told him we couldn’t give sharp objects, including razor blades, to the patients. Dave Parks thanked him and Jim Flynn. The audience applauded.
- Orphanage: Gary Spivey reported that we actually gave $500 last year instead of the $400 that was budgeted. The overage was due to some excess funds we had, along with some specifically designated donations. He also reported that Wayne Glover’s grave has been cleaned up and maintained since the residents of Bristol, TN have learned of the fund established in his name. There was a question from a member: If we made the fund a separate tax-free entity, would we be able to collect more money for the orphanage? Answer: The purpose was not to create a huge fund. The money we donate annually is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals we support. Gary also noted that the money generated by the auction sale of plaque this evening will go to the Glover fund.
- Auxiliary: Becky Waer thanked Janelle Olson for keeping the email net going. She invited any other wives, significant others, and children of members to participate.
- TANS 2: Wayne Munkel reported that there has not been much contact between himself and Wayne Rupp in the past year. He will try to put something together by next year.
- 2008 Reunion: Tom Kemper reports that the Oklahoma City Convention Bureau keeps changing personnel, and that a lot of continuity has been lost. Communication is difficult at this point. He says that bids are coming in. Sheraton’s bid is $109 per night. The airport hotels have come in with the low bid so far, but they want $750 for the hospitality room, so they are out of the question. He will work on others when he gets home. He hopes we can get the Marriott, but he isn’t very hopeful. He commented that our website helps hotels see what we’re all about. His plan is to have the issue resolved by September. The OKC veterans memorial is easily accessible, and there is no problem with us having a wreath-laying ceremony there.
NEW BUSINESS
- Jim Flynn asked for proposals for service projects for this year. There were no immediate suggestions, so Jim asked members to contact him any time with ideas.
- Dave Parks announced that Mike Conaghan has resigned as TANS judge. Jack Waer has volunteered to take over.
- Dave Parks led a discussion about 2009 reunion sites. The results follow.
- Wayne Munkel for Wayne Rupp: Carlisle, PA. There are lots of historic places to visit. The hotel has bid $85 per night June 17-20 with 160 room-nights guaranteed. There will be a car show concurrent to our reunion. The hotel prohibits incoming food and drink. A hospitality room is to be determined later. More negotiation is necessary.
- Dick Amick: 18 facilities in Williamsburg, VA can handle us. Many of them are located around Historic Williamsburg. The locations are also close to Jamestown. He didn’t have any prices. The closest airport is Newport News.
- Dick Amick informed us of a reunion planning company called Armed Forces Reunions, which does reunions all over the country. They only charge $1.00 per head for planning a reunion. Their income comes from the hotels and tour companies. They do not require a minimum for number of rooms or tour bookings. There is no up-front guarantee required. This item was tabled for future consideration.
- Dave Parks invited any member to step up and volunteer to be a reunion pointman.
- The membership voted 19-13 in favor of Carlisle for 2009.
- Jim Pierce urged negotiating the hospitality room issue very soon.
- Randy Hartley was detailed to get together with Wayne Rupp soon regarding the 2009 Carlisle reunion.
- A member suggested video live streaming of some reunion events so that members who are not able to attend could view what is going on. Discussion: live streaming may not be very difficult, but complexity can come quickly. Why not just make a DVD of some parts of the reunion? A DVD is more complicated. Dave Parks stated that he did not want anything else on his plate. It was moved, seconded, and carried to let the matter be considered by the Board in the future.
- Jack Waer wanted to know what happened to the wheelchair we procured for Jerrell Pickett after his death. Harlan reported that he told Jerrell’s wife to give it to another veteran.
- Duane Vincent took a headcount of people desiring to attend a lunch at his house on Sunday.
- Rick Merz, our historian, suggested that the organization needs the ability to record, by audio or video, stories that are better suited for verbal TANS. It was moved, seconded, and carried to form a committee to research this and report its findings to the Board for action.
- Wayne Robertson would like to see all TANS entries made available for members to view. There was discussion about whether we want the stories on the public domain or not. It was suggested that the portion of the website containing TANS entries be passworded. It was agreed to password the material. (NOTE: This was not presented in the form of a formal motion, nor was it voted upon.)
- ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
- Non-members were asked to leave.
- The election was handled by Randy Hartley, due to hoarseness on Dave Parks’ part.
- Gene Richert was re-elected Secretary by acclamation.
- Bob Shields was re-elected Treasurer by acclamation.
- Dave Parks was elected Webmaster by acclamation.
- 2nd Vice President:
- Jerry Frankenburger
- Ken Hoggard (withdrawn)
- Wendell Davis
- Harlan Olson – majority of 29 votes
The meeting adjourned at 1446.