Sunday, January 28, 2007
General Membership Meeting

     Executive Committee Present:          Eddie Renteria               Chairman VVGSQ
                                           John Blair                   Vice-Chairman VVGSQ
                                           Mike Northrop                Secretary/Treasurer
                                           Jeff Langnese                Outside Coordinator
                                           Harry Barton                 Member-at-Large (North Block)
                                           Mike Atkins                  Member-at-Large (H-Unit)



Meeting called to order at 0809 hours by Chairman Renteria. Roll was called. A quorum of voting members was present.

Chairman Renteria asked everyone to remove their hats for a moment of silence for America’s Prisoners of War, her Missing in Action, those Killed in Action, and our troops deployed around the world.

Members were asked to indicate if they received their minutes of the last meeting. A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes from the November 2006 meeting. Motion approved. Our new chief sponsor was one of the founding sponsors of the VVGSQ, and prior to Counselor Jeppeson's retirement, interviews for chief sponsor were conducted. Lieutenant Cramer was recommended to the Warden for the position by our retiring chief sponsor.


TREASURER REPORT: (Mike Northrop) Currently, we balance at $1,900 plus. Future expenditures include, but are not limited to, group covers (hats).


OUTSIDE COORDINATOR: (Jeff Langnese) There is extensive correspondence this meeting, since we missed our meeting in December. After reading several letters and thank you's, Jeff informed us that correspondence was received correspondence from the following:


Col. William E. Weber, USA (ret.) - Two letters (Airborne Quarterly) - New Windsor, Maryland.
Frank Schock, Static Line and wife, Irene - Leesburg, Florida - Two letters and a card, plus (Some are not so lucky) column - Thanks for your energy, Frank.
VVA chapter 20, Ron Trovato - letter. Writes the incarcerated section of Between the Lines.
Ron and Carrie Cutting - Golden Gate chapter of 82nd Airborne Association - Christmas card and letter.
James L. Weber, Veterans Workforce Specialist - Two letters.
John Burkhart, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Christmas card.
Don Lassen, Static Line, College Park, Georgia - Christmas card.
VVA Chapter 205 N.I.V.N., Auburn Correctional Facility, Auburn, New York.
Jim Kenny - Veterans Service Officer, San Mateo - Two letters - Your thank you's touch us.
Reverend Raymond O. Dugdale - N.I.V.N., Richfield, Washington - Two letters.
Reverend Miller, N.I.V.N., Las Vegas, Nevada - Christmas card.
Harvest Vision Church - Newsletter and Christmas card from Livermore, Kentucky.
Bill Anderson - N.I.V.N. Ephrata, Washington - two letters.
Hope and Help Ministries - Christmas card and three letters.
American Airborne Assoc. - The Airborne Quarterly New Windsor, Maryland.
Dick Taylor - Editor, The Ivy Leaves, Las Vegas, Nevada - Letter.
Fourth Infantry Division - The Ivy Leaves - Thanks for publishing letter, Dick.
VVA chapter 20 (November and December) Between the Lines - Rochester, New York.
Colonel Joseph R. Franklin - N.I.V.N. - Pensacola, Florida - Two letters - Thanks for your support, Ross.
Tony Thompson - N.I.V.N. Smith State Prison, Glennville, Georgia - Christmas card and two letters.
Newman, N.I.V.N., Fort Bragg, North Carolina - Christmas card.
Vincent Milo, Fourth Infantry Division alumni, Hillsboro Beach, Florida.
Chuck Massey, Eighty-second Airborne, Golden Gate chapter - Christmas card.
John McLoud, N.I.V.N., Massachusetts - Christmas card.
Jesus Wept Prison Ministries and Missions, Richardson, Texas - Strongly supported by Colonel Franklin.
VVA chapter 190, Atmore, Alabama, Holman Unit, The Eagle, Craig McLaren, President - Two letters.
VVA chapter 371, Ross-Fallon Southern Michigan Correctional Facility, Jackson, Michigan - Two letters, several months of meeting minutes, and Michigan's VVA news that is similar to our state's The California Zephyr.
The California Zephyr - Official publication of the VVA California State Council - Good info.
Vets News - Compiled by veterans for veterans, Norfork, Massachusetts.
Deryk Wells, Eighty-second Airborne Assoc., Leicester, England - Christmas card.
VVA chapter 223, Santa Rosa, California, California Zephyr. Barney McClendon - Christmas card. Howdy, Barney.



Committee Reports:


BYLAWS: (Jeff Biggs) Jeff transferred and chairman Renteria appointed Wolf Stipe to serve until a new official chair is found.

FUND RAISER: (Mike Northrop) Narrative has been approved, and sale-item list is almost complete. Sponsors are currently obtaining prices and nailing down the precise scheduling.

SOCIAL: (Mike Northrop) The executive body met with the Community Partnership Manager (herein after CPM). The question concerning annual banquets/socials was answered, and we may continue to hold our annual scholarship social ans well as our annual Veterans Day social.

SCHOLARSHIP: (David Leavitt) Stand down rescinded. All briefly noted at this time.

CAMARADERIE NIGHT: (Larry "Popeye" Faison) Currently attempting to reschedule.

R.E.A.L. CHOICES: (Wolf Stipe) Currently quiet, nothing to report.

STAMPS FOR SOLDIERS: (John Warren) Nothing to report at this time.

HOLIDAY TOY PROGRAM: (Wolf Stipe) We're grateful for the success we were able to enjoy. Almost four hundred children were provided Christmas toys. Big kudos to sponsor Loretta Shaeffer. And strong work to you, Santa and elves.



Old Business:


Thanks you letters to trust office.
Apology letter was sent to Tiburon Baptist Church concerning the Christmas incident.
A second letter to Tiburon Baptist Church was sent thanking them for their $1,300 donation to our Holiday Toy Program.



New Business:


Al Tupling and Bruce Peterson voted aboard. Welcome and thanks to your interest and diligence.
The secretary/treasurer gave the history of membership applications and the updated procedures adapted over the years by the group membership.
Fernando Lemus requested a group donation unto Paralyzed Veterans of America, reading a pamphlet to members present. Matter tabled until after fundraiser by majority vote.
The caveat was raised of the possibility of a single fundraiser per year and the consequences of this upon our outgo. This concern was addressed with the CPM by the executive body. The current rotation for activity-group fund drives has not been changed (the schedule). We shall hold two per year.

Of particular note is that no meeting was held in the month of December due to extraordinary events within the prison.
Moreover, we wish to commend both Debra Sheldon and Jacob Graham's attendance at this meeting. We appreciate your peerless sponsorship.
Ron Singler - these minutes would not be possible without your intrepid service. Thanks, Ron.





We adjourned at 0905 hours. All are reminded to inform the secretary of cell/dorm changes.



NEXT MEETING: Sunday, 25th February 2007.




MIKE NORTHROP                                       M.W. CRAMER
Secretary/Treasurer                                 Correctional Lieutenant
                                                    Chief Sponsor


Comittee/Activity                Chairman                   Housing

By-laws                          Wolf Stipe                 1N30
Camaraderie Night	         Larry "Popeye" Faison	    1N65
Color Guard	                 Geo Caffale      	    3N63
Fundraising	                 Mike Northrop   	    3N71
Grants	                         Jeff Langnese              3N92
Public Information               Jeff Langnese	            3N92
R.E.A.L. Choices	         Wolf Stipe	            3N25
Scholarship Committee            David Leavitt              1N81 	
Social Committee	         Mike Northrop	            3N71
Stamps for Soldiers	         John Warren	            4N92
Holiday Toy Program		 (Stand down)                 



Attention: Outside Correspondents:

If you would like further information on any of the projects, activities, or goals of the V.V.G.S.Q., or would like to participate, please contact the following:

Community Partnership Manager's Office
Attn: Carol Jackson/VVGSQ                Phone:      415-455-5090
San Quentin State Prison                 Fax:        415-455-5180 
San Quentin, CA 94964


For further information about the Vietnam Veterans Group of San Quentin (VVGSQ), please see our web site at: http://vvgsq.tripod.com