Veteran's Club Meeting Minutes for October 8, 2015
Meeting opened at 1600 with 36 members in attendance. Total club membership is 165.
An informal "Meet and Greet" with refreshments was held from 1600 to 1630.
Formal business commenced at 1630 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 279 reservations have been sold to date for our November 11th Veteran's Day Dance, with 300 seats being the maximum available. Our cash balance on hand was $8,200.00, much of which were receipts for the dance reservations.
The President's Report was presented. Preparations for the Veteran's Day Dance were reviewed. It was noted that one sample of the ten watches donated for the Veteran's Day Dance silent auction is available for purchase by our membership at a discounted price. Our next regular meeting will be on November 12h, the day after the Veteran's Day Party.
Members were reminded that Table Reservation Forms for our Veteran's Day Dance are available on line on the Veteran's Club website under the "Upcoming Events" tab. The cost is $20.00 per person. Only 21 seats are still available.
Additional items are being sought for our auction at the Veteran's Day Party. Getting restaurants to donate dinners for two or four, or encouraging local golf courses to donate course fees are examples of ideal items for auction. Members can find a copy of our non-profit certification letter that potential auction prize donors will look for on our website under the "Bylaws" tab. In previous years the auction generated significant funds for donations to the Wounded Warriors, and we're looking to raise even more money at this year's event.
Tom Wood, Event Chairman for the Veteran's Day Superbowl Party, briefed on the preliminary preparations for the event being planned jointly with PAP. All proceeds would be shared on a 50/50 basis with the PAP Corps. Cost was anticipated to be $25.00 per person, with at least 150 attendees needed to make the event a success. Deli and refreshments will be served, and non-Valencia Reserve residents are welcomed as well as those from our community. The party is scheduled for Superbowl Sunday, February 7th.
Blood drive chairman Marty Merluzzi reminded all hands about our blood drive planned for Friday October 30 from 0900 to 1600, and solicited additional volunteers to help with the event.
Dennis Flier surveyed our members regarding possible interest in a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center. Preliminary planning for the event suggests a cost of approximately $92.00 per person with a 36 person minimum needed. Members only or members with spouses has not yet been decided. A tentative date in the February 2016 timeframe would be set and the members again surveyed to determine if there was enough interest to organize the trip.
President Jules Harper recognized the many contributions of Dennis Flier's daughter in providing prizes donated for our auction, as well as for her other numerous contributions and support for our Veteran's Club initiatives over the years.
Vice President Goody Morrison updated our members on plans for this year's Fleet Week scheduled for Tuesday May 3rd, with a 0830 departure from the clubhouse. Five ships will be available for boarding this year, their names and types yet to be announced. Additional details will be provided when they become available.
Goody Morrison also noted that the date of this years "Heat Wave" dance party will be moved to April 30th in an effort to increase attendance.
President Jules Harper advised members that the date of our next Car Show would be March 20, 2016.
Jules also noted that on November 30th, 2015 a changing of the flag ceremony would be held at 0830 at the clubhouse. A new flag will be raised to replace the current one which has become weathered from the elements. All members were invited to attend.
Members interested in running for officer or board member positions being voted on in the elections to be held at our December meeting should contact Elections Chairman Norm Beck.
The 50/50 drawing was held.
Scheduled Sunday breakfast meeting dates for 2015 are indicated below:
--Sunday December 13, 9-11:30 (Annual Meeting)
All meetings will be held in the Social Hall.
Scheduled Sunday breakfast meeting dates for 2016 are indicated below:
--Sunday January 10, 9:00 AM--12:00 noon
--Sunday April 10, 2016, 9:00 AM--12:00 noon
--Sunday June 12, 2016, 9:00 AM--12:00 noon
--Sunday September 11, 2016, 9:00 AM--12:00 noon
--Sunday December 11, 2016, 9:00 AM--12:00 noon (Annual Meeting)
All meetings will be held in the Social Hall.
Scheduled Second Thursday of the month meetings for 2015 are as indicated below:
--Thursday November 12, 4-6 PM
All meetings will be held in the Social Hall.
Scheduled Second Thursday of the month meetings for 2016 are as indicated below:
--Thursday February 11, 2016, 4-6 PM
--Thursday March 10, 2016, 4-6 PM
--Thursday May 12, 2016, 4-6 PM
--Thursday October 13, 2016, 4-6 PM
--Thursday November 10, 2016, 4-6 PM
All meetings will be held in the Social Hall.
Scheduled events for the remainder of 2015 include the following:
--Blood Drive: October 30: Chairman Marty Merluzzi
--Veteran's Day Dance: November 11: Chairman Goody Morrison
2016 Projected Schedule of Veteran's Club Events is indicated below:
--Car Show: March 20, 2016 (this date may be subject to change)
--Blood Drive: March 11, 2016 and October 28, 2016
--Canned Food Drive: March 17, 2016
--Veteran's Dance Party: April 30, 2016
--Fleet Week in Fort Lauderdale: May 2 to 9, 2016
--Pool Party with HOA: May 30, 2016 (Memorial Day)
--Veteran's Day Dance: November 11, 2016 (3-11 PM)
Roger Ruddick introduced guest speaker Tom Geary from "Standown", a non-profit veterans support organization dedicated to helping veterans successfully transition back to civilian life and obtain jobs. Tom made an interesting and informative presentation. He reviewed the history of his organization and the services that they provide to veterans. He noted that of the 135,000 homeless people in Palm Beach County, approximately 7,000 are veterans. His presentation was well received by all hands, and was followed by a lively question and answer period.
The President in his concluding remarks noted that our next meeting will be on Thursday November 12, 2015 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Social Hall.
The meeting concluded at 1745.
Minutes submitted by Tom Nowak, Veteran's Club Secretary