Meeting called to order at 0755 hours by Chairman Stipe. Roll was called. A quorum of voting members was present.


Chairman Stipe 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. No corrections or additions were noted. A motion was made to accept the minutes of the April 23, 2005, general membership meeting as written. Motion carried.

TREASURER REPORT:(Mr. Lemus) A summary of current account status was presented to the group and no questions were posed.

OUTSIDE COORDINATOR:(Mr. Northrop) The Group received the following correspondences:

NAME	ORGANIZATION
Bill Anderson	Ephrata, WA
Al Newman	N.I.V.N.
Dennis Elliott	N.I.V.N.
VVA	Petaluma
VVA	Chapter 205
Frank Schoch
Rev. Dugdale	N.I.V.N.
Robert Miller
Danny Williams	N.I.V.N.
Tony Thompson	N.I.V.N.
Ewen	Card from Irag
Judith Manley
VVA	Chapter 20
Paraglide
McGrogan’s Military Patches
Static Line
Bob Hayes	NESHV Bunker Director
Richard Becker	82nd Airborne Association
VVA	Zephyr Chapter 223
Eugene Moore	Stamps For Soldiers
Swords to Plowshares
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
Morton Tallen

SPECIAL NOTE: The V.V.G.S.Q. wanted to express its fondness of Mr. Chivars “Shaky” as he was transferred to Lancaster State Prison. Individual comments were requested and a majority of the members wished “Shaky” a speedy recovery and well wishes. Specifically, member H. Barton wanted to send these comments, “I wish you all the best and speedy recovery”. Additionally, member L. Faison “Popeye” stated, “Take it slow from now on.” Finally, member D. Carder, stated, “Stay strong Navy – you are missed and I wish you well. We were assured that these minutes would be delivered to “Shaky” at Lancaster State Prison. Again, we all wish you well “Shaky”!!


COMMITTEE REPORTS:

BY-LAWS: (Mr. Haskin) Nothing to report at this time.

HAPPY HATS: (Mr. Barton) Mr. Barton stated that he called Denver, CO and talked to Ms. Dell to request catalogs for machine and talked to Betty in Sacramento to request information on machines, too.

NON-PROFIT: (Mr. Singler) Mr. Singler noted that no response from the 14 questions we have about the non-profit status from VVnW has been received. After numerous letters to VVnW, we do not have a contact person yet.

SOCIAL (Scholarship Presentation 2005):(Mr. Northrop) Mr. Northrop reported that tentatively we have 40 to 60 guests attending the Scholarship Social scheduled for June 11, 2005. The Social itinerary was passed out to the general membership and a reminder to the cleaning crew about the duties was reiterated.

FOOD SALE/FUNDRAISER: (Mr. Lemus) Members were reminded that our next scheduled fundraiser/food sale event would be delivered August 27, 2005. The items for the food sale have not been finalized, but Mr. Lemus assured the membership that items will be finalized by mid June 2005. Please send your suggestions to Mr. Lemus as soon as possible.

JOINT VENTURE PROJECT/VIDEO CAPTIONING: (Mr. Haskin) Nothing to report at this time.

COLOR GUARD: (Mr. Caffale) Mr. Caffale noted that the Color Guard will be used on June 15th and 16th for the scheduled Graduation Ceremony. Ducats will be issued for Color Guard members to attend.

CAMARADERIE NIGHT: (Mr. Faison) Nothing to report at this time.

R.E.A.L. CHOICES: (Mr. Stipe) On May 27, 2005, Group “C” of the C.H.O.I.C.E.S. program hosted kids that arrived at San Quentin. Additionally, Mr. Stipe noted that any new potential members were encouraged to volunteer and further guidelines about new members are forthcoming.

STAMPS FOR SOLDIERS: (Mr. Leavitt) Mr. Leavitt explained to the membership that stamps are continuing to be received and will probably have a count on all stamps by next meeting.

GRANTS: (Mr. Langnese) Mr. Langnese reported that letters have been sent out for information on sponsors, but no response has been received.

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE: (Mr. Leavitt)Mr. Leavitt stated that the Scholarship committee met on May 25, 2005. The winners of the V.V.G.S.Q. Scholarships were Amanda Martinez from Casa Grande High School, Petaluma, CA ($1,750.00) and the Mary Manley Scholarship Award winner is Stephanie Gibson ($1,000.00). Chairman Leavitt read the essays to the general membership and both essays touched many hearts in the group. Committee members were commended on a job well done and suggestions for improving the scholarship application process was discussed.

SPOOKY LOGO: Mr. Barton opened the floor for discussion about the Spooky logo the Petaluma Chapter wanted to use in their T-shirts at their last National meeting. Mr. John Chaney sent a letterhead memo to the V.V.G.S.Q. in which the spooky logo was seen and the group was a bit baffled at the logo. Members noted that the logo on the letterhead was not the agreed upon logo the V.V.G.S.Q. voted on. To clarify the confusion, members were asked to hold off on their questions until we personally ask Mr. Chaney about the Petaluma Chapter / Spooky logo. This issue was tabled until the next meeting so we may get further clarification from Mr. Chaney.

NEW BUSINESS:

ROSTER REMOVAL: Mr. Oatis was removed from the V.V.G.S.Q. rosters due to housing concerns. Per V.V.G.S.Q. by-laws, Mr. Oatis may be able to re-apply in a year for membership. All members were reminded that they must attend more that 2/3 of all functions of the V.V.G.S.Q. to be in good standings.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTIONS: Mr. Stipe listed the candidates for the Executive Committee of the V.V.G.S.Q. and reminded members that the elections are held during our July 2005 general membership meeting. SO PLEASE BE READY TO VOTE.

The candidate for Chairman of the V.V.G.S.Q. is Mr. Renteria (Mr. Stipe can not run again due to term limits); The candidate for Vice Chairman is Mr. Portune (incumbent); The candidate for Secretary/Treasurer is Mr. Lott; The candidate for Outside Coordinator is Mr. Langnese. Finally, candidates for Members at Large (North Block) are Mr. Barton and Mr. Mortensen and candidate for Members at Large (H-Unit) is Mr. Atkins. We all take our “hats off” for these members by stepping up to the challenges we will encounter in the near present.

PROPOSED DONATION TO OPERATION:MOM: Mr. Stipe opened the floor for discussions to donate $500.00 to Operation:MOM. After numerous positive feedback about Operation: MOM, a motion was made to agreed upon the $500.00. A majority of votes was received and the motion carried.

V.V.G.S.Q. SCHOLARSHIP: A few members wanted to increase the amount of the Annual Scholarship Award and the floor was opened for discussion. After the completion of the discussions, two options were selected and voted on: Option 1 – Increase the amount to the Mary Manley Scholarship Award by $500.00. Option 2 – Split the $500.00 among both awards. Option 2 was selected by a majority vote and motion carried.

CLOSURE: A motion to close the meeting at 0908 hours was made, motion carried and meeting closed at 0910 hours.

NEXT MEETING: SUNDAY, June 26, 2005.

F. A. Lemus
Secretary/Treasurer

W. Jeppeson, CCII Specialist
V.V.G.S.Q. Sponsor

Comittee Activity	Chairman	Housing
By-laws	Mr. Haskin	1-N-16
Camaraderie Night	Mr. Faison	1-N-65
Color Guard	Mr. Caffale	3-N-63
Food Sale/Fundraising	Mr. Lemus	2-N-92
Grants	Mr. Langnese	3-N-92
Happy Hats	Mr. Barton	1-N-35
Joint Venture	Mr. Haskin	1-N-16
Non-profit	Mr. Singler	3-N-39
Public Information	Mr. Northrop	3-N-71
R.E.A.L. Choices	Mr. Stipe	3-N-25
Scholarship Committee	Mr. Leavitt	3-N-89
Social	Mr. Northrop	3-N-71
Stamps for Soldiers	Mr. Leavitt	3-N-89
VOC Video Captioning	Mr. Singler	3-N-39

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:

Veterans Information Project- VVGSQ
Laura Bowman, Coodinator
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin, CA 94964
Phone: 415-455-5090
Fax: 415-455-5180


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