VR Veterans Club Secretary Secretary Reports

Meeting opened at 1600 with eleven officers and board members present.

Tom Wood was introduced as the new Membership Chairman, taking over for Greg Russell who has resigned the position due to health reasons. A letter of thanks is being forwarded to Greg in recognition of his outstanding efforts in this capacity since the club's inception. On Greg's watch our membership has grown to over 150 veterans.

An update was provided on the BJ's Card Project by our President. Chuck Demosy has volunteered to be the Project Chairmans. BJ's is offering new members who join via our Veteran's Club program a 15 month membership for $40. Normal membership fees are $50 for 12 months. Current BJ's members may also extend their membership and enjoy the same discounts. In addition, BJ's will donate $5 to the Wounded Warriors of South Florida for each member signed up and for each current membership extended. The sign-up period will run for two weeks from November 1st to the 15th, and a sign-up station will be set up in the lobby of the clubhouse and manned by our members during this period. The program will be publicized throughout the VR community in Reflections, on VR Channel 63, via posters and E-Mail blasts.

It was noted that our "Heat Wave" desert and dance party yielded a $1193 profit that will be added to our donations fund. It was decided that we would run the party again next year.

Upcoming events were discussed and scheduled. Planned events and their dates include:

--Blood Drive on October 24, 2014 and May 1, 2015

--Flagpole Dedication Ceremony on November 11, 2014

--Dance Party and Auction on November 11, 2014

--Car Show on March 8, 2015 (tentative date)

--Canned Food Drive on March 19, 2015

A discussion was held regarding the feasibility of adding additional veteran's organizations to the roster of programs that we currently support. It was decided to continue focusing on the Wounded Warriors of South Florida as our primary benefactor, but to also consider additional organizations on a case by case basis. The Board felt that it was important to be sure that organizations that we make donations to have a high percentage of their donations going to veteran's support with a relatively low percentage of donations going to overhead expense.

Officer and Board Member elections, scheduled for our December Veteran's Club meeting, were discussed. Norman Beck is the Chairman of our Election Committee. It was noted that our By-Laws now provide for staggered Board Member terms to prevent a situation where the entire Board is turned over at the same time resulting in a loss of continuity.

Plans for the November Dance Party and Auction were discussed and refined. It was decided that this year we would add an antipasto course to our usual desert offerings. Vice President Goody Morrison will manage the party preparation, and Program Chairman Roger Ruddick will manage the auction portion of the program. The event is scheduled to run from 1830 to 1000 on November 11, 2014. Letters to potential auction donors from our President soliciting donations with supplemental documentation certifying our not-for profit status and indicating that donations support the Wounded Warriors of South Florida have been prepared and were distributed to Board members. Additional copies are being prepared for further distribution. Flyers publicizing the event are being prepared.

The Treasurer's Report was presented and discussed. Treasurer Steve Rosenthal noted that our club has now been registered with the Florida Department of Revenue to collect sales tax. Our current tax liability for past sales is approximately $350 which will be remitted to the Florida Department of Revenue.

An update was provided on our Flagpole Project. The project is on track and will be installed well before the scheduled November 11th dedication. There was some discussion regarding a suggestion to install a concrete bench in the vicinity of the new flagpole, but this was voted down by the Board.

The Flagpole dedication ceremony to be held on the afternoon of Veteran's Day, November 11th was discussed. Our President has secured an Honor Guard from the Deerfield High School to participate in the event, and a donation to the school of $200 was approved by the board. The initial ceremony will be held in the Social Hall, followed by a ceremonial flag raising at the flagpole site in front of the clubhouse. Home Owners Association President Gloria Zack will be a featured speaker representing the VR community at the event, and two military speakers have been confirmed, including Silver Star holder Army Sargent Eric Geressy and Marine Captain Sharon Baker. Music will be provided by members of the VR Band. It was noted that 75% of the funds donated for the flagpole installation were provided by veterans from our VR community. Flyers publicizing the dedication ceremony are being prepared. It is requested that our membership wear their club logo hats and shirts at the event.

Congressman Ted Deutsch is scheduled to come to our October Veteran's Club meeting to present a flag that has been flown over the US Capitol to be used at the flagpole dedication.

The Wounded Warriors of South Florida Annual Ball to be held on November 15th was discussed and a contingent of Board members was assembled to represent us at the event. Our club will present a donation check to the Wounded Warriors at the event.

The meeting schedule for the balance of 2014 was finalized as follows:

--September 11: 4-6 PM

--October 9; 4-6 PM

--November13: 4-6 PM

--December 11, 4-6 PM

All meetings will be held in the Social Hall.

Meetings for 2015 will be held on the second Thursday of every month from 4-6 PM in the Social Hall.

The next Board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 23rd at 1600 to review the progress of the Flagpole Dedication Ceremony and of the Veteran's Day Dance and Auction preparations.

The meeting secured at 1745.

Minutes submitted by Tom Nowak, Veteran's Club Secretary