Sunday, June 24, 2007General Membership Meeting
Executive Committee Present:
Eddie Renteria Chair, VVGSQ
John Blair Vice-Chairman VVGSQ
Mike Northrop Secretary/Treasurer
Jeff Langnese Outside Coordinator
Meeting called to order at 0802 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.
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 May 2007 meeting. Mike Northrop reminded the group that our chair was excused from our May meetings and that members at large, per our bylaws are not included in executive body.
TREASURER REPORT: (Mike Northrop) A current comprehensive breakdown was presented. There were no NSFs for social donations. The sole obligation we have after out social is hats.
OUTSIDE COORDINATOR: (Jeff Langnese) Read recipient letter and distributed photo from Christine Lopes. We received correspondence from the following:
-Harvest Vision Church, Livermore, Kentucky.
-Frank Schock, 82nd Airborne Static Line - two letters.
-Chaplain Raymond O Dugdale - Mission of Faith, Richfield, Washington, letter and great photo.
-Deryk Wells, Airborne Assiciation, Oadby Leicester, England
-Colonel J.R. Franklin (USA-RET), NIVN - two letters
-Colonel William E. Weber (USA-RET), Airborne Quarterly
-Zig Boroughs, 508th Airborne - a book with his letter. We like books.
-Carrie and Ron Cutting, 82nd Airborne Association
-VVA chapter number 20, Rochester, New York, Between the Lines. We like newsletters.
-Judith Manley, no introduction needed. We definitely appreciate the quality of Judith's service.
-Dennis Elliott, NIVN, Rushville, Illinois
-Tony Thompson, NIVN, 548th Combat Engineers, Hays State Prison, Georgia - two letters.
-Norfork, Massachusetts, NIVN, Vets News. We like newsletters.
Jesus Wept, Richardson, Texas - It's the briefest sentence in the Bible, and we definitely like newsletters.
-Karrie Hovey is an artist doing a project on the migration of one hundred veterans from the beginning of their service time until present. Karrie may be contacted via email: migration@karriehovey.com or fax: (415)338-6537. See Jeff for applications.
-Vincent Milo, 4th Infantry Division, early 60s.
-Sergeant James Smith (USA-RET), 4th Infantry Division, Vietnam, 1968-1969.
-Robert D'Avarzo, VVA chapter 371, Southern Michigan Correctional Facility - thanks for the stationary and assorted VVA materials.
-Christine Lopes, our 2007 scholarship recipient - a photo with her letter. We really like photos. Strong work Christine. Congratulations.
-Bill Anderson, NIVN, Ephrata, Washington.
Committee Reports:
BYLAWS: (David Leavitt/Duane Butler) Correct page six shall be distributed soon.
FUND RAISER: (Mike Northrop) Details are assembled and revised, and this narrative is currently being circulated.
SOCIAL: (Mike Northrop) The green light has been given. All VVGSQ members shall muster at Education B at 0830 sharp. Listen up, this is important: Do not even daydream about being late. The fence gate shall open, we enter, it locks behind us, and we shall remain inside until informed we may exit. There shall be zero equivocation to any order. Thanks for getting this correct, men. This will be our twentieth anniversary social, with a history lesson in store for all, thanks to Dave Miller.
CAMARADERIE NIGHT: (Larry "Popeye" Faison) Nothing to report at this time.
COLOR GUARD: (Gio Caffale) Color Guard will meet after adjournment.
R.E.A.L. CHOICES: (Eddie Renteria) Next training scheduled for August. Regular visits continue from youth.
STAMPS FOR SOLDIERS: (John Warren) Seven thousand have been appropriately posted.
GRANTS: (Jeff Langnese) Nothing currently, all's quiet. All suggestions welcomed.
Old Business:
-No old business.
New Business:
-Marcie Orosco, our outside guest from the Northbay chapter of Vietnam Veterans of California, presented an array of current benefits available to paroling, honorably discharged veterans in this state. These include, but are not limited to, temporary and permanent housing, job training, transportation, treatment programs, and work with parole agents. Information fliers were made available. Thank you, Marci, so much for your visit with us today.
-Two new prospective members were introduced, Mr. Clayton and Mr. Smith. Both men's probationary periods begin with this meeting. For those doing the math: Army one (Smith), Navy one. Welcome men. Your interest is laudable and appreciated.
-Nominations were accepted for new holders of elected office: For Chair, VVGSQ: Tharon Hill nominated Stan Baer, Bob Lott nominated Miller, and Harry Barton, Greg Sanders. For Vice-chair, Dennis Marshall nominated Blair and Willie Weeks, Kevin Hagan. For Secretary/Treasurer, Lott nominated Robert "Tuna" Portune. For Outside Coordinator, Blair nominated JB Wells. For Member-at-large North Block, Portune nominated Joseph Diggs. For Member-at-large H Unit, Paul Shields nominated Anthony Parker and Portune, Marshall. With these nominations proffered and seconded, the nominations were closed.
-Ron Singler - That Sacramento infield of yesteryears wants him, the Corvette dealerships want him, not to mention all those lovely song girls. Yet, to our good fortune, we're the ones to have him. Thanks Ron.
-Chair Renteria expressed gratitude to all for their solid support throughout his tenure.
-In closing, appreciation was expressed by the membership for sponsor Debra Sheldon and for the outstanding performance of our current executive committee. Bravo, guys.
We adjourned at 0858 hours. All are reminded to inform the secretary of cell/dorm changes.
NEXT MEETING: Sunday, 29th July 2007.
MIKE NORTHROP M.W. CRAMER
Secretary/Treasurer Correctional Lieutenant
Chief Sponsor
Comittee/Activity Chairman Housing
By-laws D.Leavitt/Duane Butler 1N81/2N17
Camaraderie Night Larry "Popeye" Faison 4N90
Color Guard Geo Caffale 3N63
Fundraising Mike Northrop 3N71
Grants Jeff Langnese 3N92
R.E.A.L. Choices Eddie Renteria 4N96
Scholarship Committee (stand down) Thanks, David and members...
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 VVGSQ, 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
