Sunday, January 6, 2008General Meeting
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS PRESENT
CHAIRMAN D. MILLER
VICE-CHAIRMAN K. HAGAN
SECRETARY/TREASURER R. PORTUNE
OUTSIDE COORDINATOR J.B. WELLS
MEMBERS AT LARGE
NORTH BLOCK J. DIGGS
Meeting was called to order at 8:10 hrs by Chairman D. Miller. Roll was called. A quorum of voting members were present 6 members were excused and 7 members were absent. Appropriate sponsorship was present. Debra Sheldon Vice Principal.
Members were asked to remove their hats for a moment silence for America's Prisoners of War, those Missing in Action, those Killed in Action, and for our troops deployed around the world.
TREASURER REPORT: (R. Portune) we have issued checks to the following.
Debra Sheldon Toy Program $500.00
82nd Airborne Charitable $700.00
82nd Airborne Scholarship $1,000.00
Operation Mom Charitable $750.00
To date we have in our account $290
OUTSIDE COORDINATOR: (J.B. Wells was not present at the meeting) Mr. Langnese took his place. We received correspondence from the following:
| VVA Chapter 205 | New York |
| Swords To Plowshares | |
| Richard Becker | 82nd Airborne Division Ass. (2) |
| Airborne Static Line | |
| Harvest Vision Church | |
| Hope & Help Prison Ministries | |
| Mr. & Mrs. Cutting | 82nd Airborne Golden Gate Chapter |
| Rev. Raymond Dugdale | NIVN (2) |
| Bill Anderson | NIVN |
| Airborne Quarterly | American Airborne Association |
| Colonel William Weber | (USA-Ret)(2) |
| Jeff Brodeur | KWVA National Director (2) |
| Deryk Wells 82nd Airborne | England |
| Frank Schoch | Static Line |
| Richard O'Donnell | 508th Airborne Ass. |
| John Burkhard | NIVN |
| VVA Chapter 20 | New York |
| Dennis Elliott | NIVN IL. |
| James Strollo U.S.A.F.R. Ret. | Veterans Residential Program NY. |
| 4th Infantry Div. Assoc. | |
| The Ivy Leaves | |
| Between the Lines | |
| VVA Chapter #190 | Alabama |
| The Eagle Speaks | |
| Ron Trovato VVA Chapter #20 | Rochester, NY |
| Rev. R. Dugdale | NIVN Ridgefield, W.A. |
| Vincent Milo 4th Div. Artillery | Hillsboro Beach, FL. |
| PHD. Mara L. Taylor | Getting Out By Going In |
| Dennis Elliot | NIVN Wayne, IL |
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
BYLAWS: Mr. Northrop. We have received our By-Laws Back. The By Laws Were Changed by administration without the groups approval. Mr. Northrop explained three options we have to deal with the changes made by administration. A vote was taken.
FOOD SALE: Mr. Protune. We are working on our next sale. Nothing to report at this time.
SOCIAL: Mr. Portune, Nothing to report at this time.
CAMARADERIE NIGHT: Mr. Stetler, Nothing to report. Mr. Northrop is working on getting 101 Videos donated to the group for camaraderie night. We have the Wardens approval to receive these videos.
REAL CHOICE: Mr. Renteria. Nothing to report.
HOLIDAY TOY PROGRAM: Mr. Renteria. The Toy Program was a great success. 262 happy children left the visiting room with big smiles on their faces. We would like to thank the following people for their help in making this years program the success it was.
CAROL JACKSON DEBRA SHELDON who spent her own money to buy The Christmas Tree for the Visiting room JOE PETITTI JAMES CONWAY EWEN MCKECHNIE MARIAN KERBLESKI THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HARI LUBIN SERGEANT SCHROEDER M.W. CRAMER LT. V.V.G.S.Q. MEMBERS ED RENTERIA AKA SANTA CLAUS POP EYE FAISON GO CAFFALE KEVIN HAGAN RON SINGLER MARSHALL PARKER SHIELDS
The Toy Program for last year is now stood down.
STAMPS FOR SOLDIERS: Mr. Warren, we have over 8000 stamps we need to mail them out. As soon as we have the funds for postage they will be sent.
GRANTS: Mr. Singler, packages have been sent to agencies, in the hopes that they will be willing to donate funds to the V.V.G.S.Q. No response as yet. Secondary letters are being prepared.
SCHOLARSHIP: Mr. Leavitt is working on the scholarship. He has submitted his proposal to the executive body for approval, on the dates for the awards banquet and the stipend.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chairman Miller brought up the issue of absences. Mr. Miller had the By-Laws concerning attendance to monthly meeting read.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS
Page 7 number 1. Must know. Each member is required to know the Articles of the Constitution and By-Laws. each member shall be provided a copy of the V.V.G.S.Q. Articles of the Constitution and By-Laws upon acceptance as an active member.
FUNCTION OF MEMBERS
Page 8 Active Membership: Members shall attend all meetings, workshops and other V.V.G.S.Q. functions and activities, unless excused. Exceptions camaraderie night.
IN GOOD STANDING DEFINED
A member who actively participates in over two-thirds (2/3) of all scheduled meeting and adheres to the spirit and letter of the Articles of the Constitution and By-Laws of the V.V.G.S.Q.
PAGE 10 MONTHLY MEETINGS.
The general Membership of the V.V.G.S.Q. shall normally conduct a meeting once a month with additional meetings when the necessity arises. Attendance at general membership meetings is MANDATORY FOR ALL MEMBERS with the exception of excused absences. EXCUSED ABSENCE is hereby defined as Visiting, Medical Lay-in, Emergency telephone call, and Job assignment.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Miller made the statement that our meetings are not one hour long. When the meeting is finished every one can leave.
We have two new members. Mr. House and Mr. Rooke both men made a short statement and were welcomed to the group.
Mr Marshall the member at large in H-Unit is paroling. The group thanked him for his service to the group, and wishes him well.
Chairman Miller asked H-Unit members for a volunteer to replace Mr. Marshall as member at large. Mr. Shields volunteered and was appointed as member at large protem.
The group thanked Debra Sheldon for supervising this meeting
Mr. Leavitt, reiterated the need for confidentiality of our meetings
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting, the motion was second. The motion passed
The next meeting will be on January 27, 2008.
Robert Portune M.W. CRAMER
Secretary/Tresurer Correctional Lieutenant
V.V.G.S.Q. Chief Sponsor
