Veteran's Club Meeting Minutes From February 8, 2018
Our meeting opened at 1600 with 42 members in attendance. Total club membership is now 187.
An informal "Meet and Greet" was held from 1600 to 1620.
Formal business commenced at 1620 with the "Pledge of Allegiance".
The Secretary's Report was presented and the minutes of our last meeting were voted upon and accepted by the membership.
The Treasurer's Report was presented. It was noted that we currently have a $3143.64 cash balance, and that our Federal Form 990 and our Sales Tax Forms have been completed and submitted.
The President's Report was presented. Several new members were introduced, and it was noted that as a result of our club's request an HOA policy change has been made that permits us to resume our 50/50 raffels. Accordingly, our 50/50 will resume this month enabling us to further increase our donations to the Wounded Warriors Relief Fund.
Board Member Dennis Flier briefed on our field trip to the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center at West Palm Beach on January 23rd. The twenty-three members participating met with active duty Sailors and Marines, reviewed current equipment and armament, saw how parachutes are rigged and recieved an update on current events.
President Jules Harper recognized Dennis Flier for his outstanding efforts in initiating and coordinating the Reserve Center event. He also mentioned that the Executive Officer of the Marine Corps unit, a Marine Captain and aviator, has agreed to be the guest speaker at one of our future club meetings.
Board Member and Car Show Chairman Mike Heiserman provided an update on preparations for this year's show. It will be held on Sunday, March 11, 2018. Mike reported that the Buick dealership is very excited about holding the show, and they have indicated that they will provide more spaces for show cars this year. They have also provided a check for $1,000 toward the costs of trophies and other administrative expenses. Several cars have already been registered for the event, and publicity for the show is in progress. A thousand flyers have been printed and are being distributed, and posters advertising the event are on display at high profile locations. A DJ has been lined up, and Treasurer Steve Rosenthal has volunteered to manage the registration desk. Plans call for a "Watch Bill" of volunteers and their assignments to be developed, so each member will know their assigned role in advance of the event. Volunteers were solicited from our membership to support the event. It was noted that the VR Car Club has decided not to participate in the Car Show this year. As a result, the show will be sponsored entirely by our Veteran's Club.
President Jules Harper recognized Mike Heiserman for his exceptional hard work in managing the Car Show, and thanked him for his continuing tireless efforts to make the show a great success. He also noted that the Car Show is second only to our Veteran's Day Party as a generator of contributions for the Wounded Warrior's Relief Fund.
Guest Steve Metzger was presented with a plaque In recognition of his years of service helping with our Club's semi-annual Blood Drive. He was thanked for his enormous contribution to the ongoing success of the program, and received a round of applause from our members.
Jules also noted that our next Blood Drive will be on Friday, March 16th, and encouraged all hands to participate.
He also noted that the Board of Directors has voted not to hold a canned food drive this year due to the decreasing level of community participation in the event and the lack of clarity about who the food collected was being distributed to.
All hands were reminded that the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is now offering free valet parking to veterans with scheculed appointments.
Vice President Goody Morrison provided an update on this year's Fleet Week event. The ship visits will be held between April 28 and May 5, with the exact date to be determined. It is anticipated that at least five ships will participate, including one guided missile destroyer, an amphibious assault ship, a nuclear submarine and two Coast Guard Cutters. Plans call for our group to car pool to the event this year, and participants will have the opportunity to join crew members at a "Happy Hour" after the ship tours. All members and guests participating must register in advance in order to obtain a security screening as in past years. Additional details will be provided as they become available. David Weissman is coordinating the event.
Goody also discussed our upcoming BBQ scheduled for Saturday April 21st in the Social Hall. Cost will be $27.00 per person. To date 145 people have signed up for the event.
Goody also noted that the new club shirts are available for order. Members interested in purchasing shirts should contact Goody.
Members were reminded that the Honor Flight Program is now accepting Korean War veterans.
The 50/50 raffel was held, yielding $65.00 to be donated to the Wounded Veteran's Relief Fund.
Vice President goody Morrison made an interesting and informative presentation on the history of the Korean War. He overviewed the history of the Korean penninsula, the progress of the war, and concluded with a discussion of the relative strengths and orders of battle of the United States, South Korea, and North Korea in a modern day conflict. Goody also recognized our members who were Korean War veterans. The presentation was well received by all hands and was followed by a lively question and answer period.
Scheduled Veteran's Club Events for 2018 are indicated below:
--Car Show: Sunday March 11, 2018
--Blood Drive: Friday March 16, 2018
--Spring BBQ: Saturday April 21, 2018
--Fleet Week In Fort Lauderdale: Betwen April 28 and May 5, 2018 (exact date TBD)
--Veteran's Day Dance: Friday November 9, 2018
Scheduled Sunday breakfast meetings for 2018 are indicated below:
--Sunday April 8, 2018
--Sunday June 10, 2018
--Sunday Septermber 9, 2018
--Sunday December 9, 2018
All Sunday breakfast meetings will be held in the Social Hall from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Scheduled Second Thursday of the month meetings for 2018 are indicated below:
--Thursday March 8, 2018
--Thursday May 10, 2018
--Thursday October 11, 2018
--Thursday November 8, 2018
All Thursday meetings will be held in the Social Hall from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
The President noted in his concluding remarks that our next meeting would be held on March 8th at 1600 in the Social Hall.
The Meeting concluded at 1645.
Minutes Submitted by Tom Nowak, Veteran's Club Secretary