Sunday, February 25, 2007General 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)
Dennis Marshall Member-at-Large (H-Unit)
Meeting called to order at 0803 hours by Eddie Renteria. Roll was called. A quorum of voting members was present.
Members were asked 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 January 2007 meeting. Motion approved. Gloria from Operation MOM and Debra Sheldon, group sponsor, welcomed.
TREASURER REPORT: (Mike Northrop) We continue at our current balance.
OUTSIDE COORDINATOR: (Jeff Langnese) We received correspondence from the following:
-Frank Schock, Static Line, (Veterans Corner) and "Some are not So Lucky" Airborne Quarterly column .
-Karen Stanley, PhD, Fisher, West Virginia, Dr. Stanley now writes for the "Some are not So Lucky" column featured in the Airborne Quarterly.
-VVA chapter 20, Ron Trovato, Rochester, New York, writes the incarcerated section of Between the Lines. A strong VVA chapter with incarcerated veterans interests at heart. Please accept our boundless gratitude. Thank you so much.
-Don Lassen, Static Line, College Park, Georgia.
-Reverend Raymond O. Dugdale - N.I.V.N., Richfield, Washington (please excuse our reference to Richfield). As chaplain, Rev. Dugdale is a constant communicator within the network of Washington VVA chapters. We salute your tireless efforts.
-Harvest Vision Church, Livermore, Kentucky.
-Bob Hayes, N.I.V.N., Massachusetts.
-Zig Boroughs 1/508 Airborne, South Carolina.
-One Eighty-seventh Rakkasan Airborne Association
-Bill Fort, Outback Steakhouse, Marin City, California - Cordial and supportive letter relating his enjoyment of our last packing day with Operation MOM. We loved those ribs.
Committee Reports:
BYLAWS: (David Leavitt/Duane Butler) David Leavitt appointed to co-chair bylaws committee along with Duane Butler. Wolf Stipe was transferred and is no longer a member of VVGSQ.
FUND RAISER: (Mike Northrop) Sales form has received approval and volunteers for tier representatives include: Stan Baer, Kevin Hagan, Leavitt, Dave Miller, Anthony Parker, Bill Roberts, and Scott Stetler. Condemned prisoners may be approved to purchase food-sale items from fundraisers. The Ranch is excluded; Firehouse is approved. The potential problem of purchasers housed in H Unit being moved to Ranch before delivery date needs to be delved into.
SOCIAL: (Mike Northrop) Per prison administration, we are permitted one social and one banquet per year. Consequently, we are planning an event that would combine an OPMOM packing day with our annual scholarship award presentation. Gloria shall confirm the date proposed. The repast for this event shall be determined by the dollar amount of donations from our membership. Currently under consideration: Outback Steakhouse and Panda Express.
SCHOLARSHIP: (David Leavitt) Operation MOM agreed to help us get the word out regarding our scholarship award. This is terrific news for which we are profoundly grateful, especially since we're behind schedule in this highly significant program.
CAMARADERIE NIGHT: (Larry "Popeye" Faison) Nothing to report.
COLOR GUARD: (Gio Caffale) Currently quiet. Happy to see you back in the pink, Gio.
R.E.A.L. CHOICES: (Eddie Renteria) The fresh agents assigned to Team C are: Caffale, Miller, and Roberts. Way to step up and be responsible, men.
STAMPS FOR SOLDIERS: (John Warren) Nothing to report at this time.
GRANTS: (Jeff Langnese) Nothing currently, all's quiet.
Old Business:
-Dennis Marshall replaces Mike Atkins on the executive committee. Welcome Dennis. You'll be a genuine asset to us as Member-at-large, H Unit.
-Regrettably, we have lost our sponsorship of Loretta Shaeffer. Every good wish for success in her future endeavors.
-Question was raised regarding embroidery. This operation has been stood down for a mumber of months.
New Business:
None.
Ron Singler - You accurately grab words from the air and document them for our benefit. Thanks Ron.
We adjourned at 0834 hours. All are reminded to inform the secretary of cell/dorm changes.
NEXT MEETING: Sunday, 25th March 2007.
MIKE NORTHROP M.W. CRAMER
Secretary/Treasurer Correctional Lieutenant
Chief Sponsor
Comittee/Activity Chairman Housing
By-laws Leavitt/Butler 1N81/2N17
Camaraderie Night Larry "Popeye" Faison 4N90
Color Guard Geo Caffale 3N63
Fundraising Mike Northrop 3N71
Grants Jeff Langnese 3N92
Public Information Jeff Langnese 3N92
R.E.A.L. Choices Eddie Renteria 4N96
Scholarship Committee David Leavitt 1N81
Social Committee Mike Northrop 3N71
Stamps for Soldiers John Warren 4N92
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
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Thursday, February 22, 2007
Meeting with Chief Sponsor
Executive Committee Present: Eddie Renteria Chair, VVGSQ
John Blair Vice-Chair, 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 1426 by Eddie Renteria. Roll was called. A quorum of voting members was present.
Lieutenant M.W. Cramer introduced himself to our group, making certain that every member knows who he is. He informed our group that he had been a founding sponsor of VVGSQ. He mentioned that recently there have been some bad apples in our group, but they but they have been sorted out, one hopes. The lieutenant spoke to us concerning the need to police ourselves in order to keep our reputations unsullied. We were informed of our standing within the community of activity groups, that Officer Pennington again wishes to involve himself with our group. Our chief sponsor is pleased with our community outreach programs and the manner by which we handle our financial affairs. We were warned against members making false claims regarding their service related activities. Lieutenant Cramer wants to be actively involved with our group. He said that if we needed something from him, simply to let him know via mail or phone. He will check on the issue of receiving medals through the mail. Our current chief sponsor is a Navy veteran, Vietnam era, and is a true patriot of the USA.
We adjourned at 1445 hours.
MIKE NORTHROP M.W. CRAMER
Secretary/Treasurer Correctional Lieutenant
Chief Sponsor
