Veteran's Club Meeting Minutes from October 9, 2014
Meeting opened at 1600 with 50 members and guests in attendance. Total club membership is now 153 members.
An informal "Meet and Greet" with refreshments was held from 1600 to 1620.
Formal business commenced at 1620 with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The President's Report was presented. It was noted that member Jim Armstrong recently passed away, and a minute of silence was observed in his memory. A donation will be made to the Wounded Warriors of South Florida by the Veteran's Club in his memory, and a certificate recognizing the donation will be provided to his family.
The Secretary's Report was presented and the minutes of our last meeting were voted on and accepted by the membership.
The Treasurer's Report was submitted.
BJ's Card Project chairman Chuck Duboise provided an update on the project. Volunteers were solicited to man the sign-up table in the clubhouse lobby from Monday November 3rd through Friday November 7th. Those interested in volunteering to assist should contact Chuck directly.
Joe Franze provided an update on our Flagpole project. The hole for the flagpole has been dug, and as soon as the permit is available to post on the construction site the work completed to date will be inspected and the concrete work will begin. It is anticipated that the flagpole installation will be completed by the end of next week and the monument will be delivered and installed as soon as the flagpole work is completed, followed immediately by the electrical work to install the flagpole lighting. All work should be completed well in advance of the flagpole dedication ceremonies on November 11th.
Preside Jules Harper provided an update on the Flagpole dedication ceremonies to be held on Veteran's Day November 11th. The ceremony will begin at 1300 in the social hall of the clubhouse. Featured speakers will include an Army Master Sergeant with a Silver Star from Iraq, USMC Captain and Wounded Warriors of South Florida board member Sharon Baker and Valencia Reserve Home Owners Association President Gloria Zak. An Honor Guard from Del Ray High School has been scheduled to participate. A flag raising ceremony outside will immediately follow the dedication. All Veteran's Club members are encouraged to attend. Those attending should wear their club shirts and hats and khaki trousers if possible--no shorts please. A group photo will be taken immediately after the the formal flag raising ceremony is completed. All members of the Valencia Reserve community are invited to attend. After the dedication and flag raising ceremony Veteran's Club members are encouraged to help the board members and officers set up the social hall for the dance and auction to be held that evening.
Program Chairman Roger Ruddick provided an update on the November 11th dance party and auction preparations. Members were reminded that their efforts to solicit donations of auctionable items from vendors, restaurants and other establishments, whether gift cards from restaurants or merchandise or tickets from businesses, would go a long way to ensure the success of the event. Each member is encouraged to solicit at least one item for the auction. Our goal is to exceed the amount of funds raised for the Wounded Warriors of South Florida at last year's event.
Norm Beck, Chairman of our Election Committee, provided an update on the upcoming officer and board elections to be held at our December 11th general meeting. Seven board member and four officer positions will be filled by the election. Any member is eligible to run. Those interested in running should contact Norm and advise him of their interest in running.
Blood Drive Chairman Marty Marluzzi provided an update on the upcoming blood drives to be held on October 24th and May 1st, from 0900 to 1600 on both days, Donors are being scheduled by appointment to minimize waiting time. Members interested in assisting at the event should contact Marty as soon as possible. Two to three members volunteering to assist would be ideal.
A Chairman for the upcoming food drive was solicited and Steve Osterman volunteered to assume the position. HOA Chariman Gloria Zak has asked us to coordinate with all of the other Valencia Reserve clubs with a view towards maximizing participation in the event across the VR community.
The 50/50 drawing was held.
Program Chairman Roger Ruddick introduced our guest speaker Congressman Ted Deutch. Congressman Deutch made an interesting and informative presentation providing background on the 21st Congressional District, and detailing his successful efforts to spearhead legislation that resulted in the award of the Congressional Medal of Honor to twenty-four Korean veterans who had earned the Medal through their heroic combat actions but who were denied the Medal as a result of discriminatory policies that were prevalent at the time. He also discussed the current Veteran's Administration scandal and steps that were being taken to address it.
At he conclusion of his remarks Congressman Deutch presented the Veteran's Club with a United States flag that was flown over the United States Capitol building. Veteran's Club President Jules Harper greatfully accepted the flag on behalf of the Club. It will be flown on our newly installed community flagpole when it is formally dedicated on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2014.
The meeting schedule for the balance of 2014 is as follows:
--November 13: 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 President noted in his concluding remarks that our next meeting would be held on November 13th in the Social Hall.
The meeting concluded at 1715.
Minutes Submitted by Tom Nowak, Club Secretary