June General MeetingHeld June 27, 2010
| CHAIRMAN | JOHN BLAIR |
| VICE-CHAIRMAN | FERNANDO LEMUS |
| SECRETARY/TREASURER | DAVID J. LEAVITT |
| OUTSIDE COORDINATOR | JEFF LANGNESE |
MEMBERS AT LARGE
| NORTH BLOCK | CHRIS SCHUHMACHER |
| H-UNIT On Quarantine | ANTHONY PARKER |
Chairman Blair called the meeting to order at 0845 hr. Roll was called, 24 members were present, a quorum. All 6 members from H-Unit were excused due to being on quarantine status. 1 member was excused. 5 members were AWOL. 1 member has requested to be placed on voluntary termination. Our Chief Sponsor Lt. K. Evans was present. Sponsor/Supporters J. Manley, the V.V.G.S.Q. Webmaster was also present Thank you both for your dedication to the V.V.G.S.Q., for getting up so early, driving such a long distance, and even having to go out and buy a pair of special state approved shoes to walk in here in. Thank you for all that you go through to spend this time with us.
Members were asked to remove their hats for a moment of silence for the American Prisoners of War, those Missing in Action, those Killed in Action, and for our Marines, and all other service women and men deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world.
All members were asked if they received their minutes from last months meeting. All members did receive their minutes of last months meeting. Mr. Elmore mentioned that we had an incorrect date for the next food sale on the Upcoming Events page. We were hoping to change dates with another group, but it did not work out that way. We are back to the original schedule of selling in October and delivering in November. Mr. Diggs made a motion to accept the minutes, with changes. Mr. Baer seconded. The motion to accept the May 2010 General Meeting minutes passed.
TREASURER'S REPORT :
David J. Leavitt: We have absolutely zero in our trust account. We gave $6,000.00 in scholarships and all other debts have been paid. We will receive a bill for 2 dozen member and 1 dozen sponsor hats. When we get this bill, it will be paid by the donation of two members. At the end of the meeting, trust withdrawals were circulated for anyone wishing to donate funds to the V.V.G.S.Q.
OUTSIDE COORDINATOR :
Mr. Jeff Langnese: received the below listed correspondences during the month of June 2010.
| The Veteran,,/u> May – June 2010 issue. This is the official publication of the Vietnam veterans of America. |
| Between the Lines, June 2010 issue. This is a V.V.A. Chapter 20 publication.. |
| Between the Lines VVA Chapter 20 Publication from Rochester,NY. Letter from Ron Trovato who writes the Incarcerated section for this publication. |
| Mrs. JLynn Manley,USMC Mommy,V.V.G.S.Q. Webmaster, 2 letters with information on USMC Christmas Toy program, and the local place to send the tabs we collect for the Ronald MacDonald Charities. |
| Col. Franklin, U.S. Army Retired, Pensacola FL, a letter. |
| N.I.V.N., Tony Thompson, Hays state Prison,Trion, GA, a letter. |
| N.I.V.N., Bill Anderson, Ephrata, WA, a letter. |
| Dick Taylor,Sgt., 4th Infantry Div., Las Vegas, NV.,a letter. |
| James Smith,Sgt., 4th Infantry Div.,Hickory valley,TN.,a letter. |
| The Ivy Leaves,a 4th Division,U.S. Army publication. |
| Sister Vicky, Jesus Wept Ministries,Richardson,TX. |
COMMITTEE REPORTS :
BY-LAWS:
Mr. Fernando Lemus: A discussion and clarification on a point brought by a member: Probationary members have the same rights as full members with the exception of voting. This right includes all functions of the V.V.G.S.Q. including banquets and food sales.
FOOD SALE:
Mr. David J.Leavitt:
The following suggestions were made for our October food sale. They will be communicated to our outside sponsors for discussion, pricing, and availability. We must keep in mind that it is not possible to sell a lot of products that we would like to. The distance required to pick the merchandise up, season available, and the size of the product all come into play.
The Suggestions are:
Gummy Bears, Cheese Cakes by Jack and Jill, Muffins from Costco, Snickers with almonds, black licorice, red vine licorice, trail mix w/ M&M’s, and caramel apple pops.
SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET:
Mr. David J. Leavitt: The V.V.G.S.Q.’s 24th Annual Scholarship Banquet was a huge success. During the Patten College graduation on June 24, 2010, V.V.G.S.Q. Color Guard members spoke with Dr. Gary Moncher, the President of Patten College, about our recent Scholarships and extended an invitation to him to attend our next one. Dr. Moncher stated that he would love to attend our next scholarship awards banquet, and further offered to match us on a dollar for dollar basis for our next awards of College Scholarships to the children of honorably discharged veterans. Wow! We will be able to give even more College Scholarships now. A huge THANK YOU goes out to Dr. Gary Moncher and all of the dedicated people at Patten College.
COLOR GUARD:
Mr. Stanley Baer: We presented the Colors at the Graduation on Thursday June 24th, 2010. As we five Color Guard members marched down the isle to post The Colors, the crowd was so very quiet that you could hear a pin drop. We are a crack drill team now, and everything went off perfectly. Warden Cullen, who was an official present at the graduation, arranged for Lt. Luna to get the V.V.G.S.Q. Color Guard members sizes for new matching clothes.
SCHOLARSHIP:
Mr. Fernando Lemus: The Scholarship committee is now officially stood down.
STAMPS for SOLDIERS:
Mr. Pete Rooke: We have slowed down considerably since we lost Eddie. Stamps can be sent to the Education Department, attention Mr. Joe Diggs, V.V.G.S.Q.
(We would like to clarify that the stamps for Soldiers Program is used stamps still on the ripped off corners of the envelops. These stamps are peeled off the envelopes, then used as therapy for wounded Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers.)
CAMARADERIE NIGHT:
Mr. Fernando Lemus: We watched Commando’s with Lee Marvin. Due to the late unlock and the length of the movie, we do not know how it ended. Did we win this war II? Our next one will be on Saturday July 24th, 2010. We will see about doing an out count for this event from now on.
R.E.A.L. CHOICES:
Mr. Harry Barton: We have nothing new to report at this time. Thanks for putting our picture in last months minutes.
TAB'S FOR TOT'S:
Mr. Rooke: We are having to deal with the loss of our equipment. Units and signs are being pulled of the walls, velco is taken, etc. It does seem unusual for someone in prison to have things stolen though. We will keep a better watch out and continue to repair and replace as we need to.
PRESENTATION BOXES:
Mr. Chris Schuhmacher: We have two upcoming events that we will need presentation boxes for. First, on 9-11, we will be doing a Run to the Pen. This one will be sponsored by Capt. Facio and the CONDEMNED KEEPERS. We should be getting their logo soon so that we can carve it into a commemorative box. Our second event will be with C/O Pennington and the IRON PIGS. They will be doing a Christmas Toy Run. We will get their logo also. It has also been suggested by a box maker that we provide various unit insignia and he will make a custom box with the unit insignia carved into the top. These can then be presented to individuals in those units. Contact me with the info.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chairman John Blair asked if there was any more Old Business. A discussion took place about how much better it is to use the Visiting room for our Scholarship banquets. We did such a good job cleaning and setting up afterwards that we will have the opportunity to use it again.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman John Blair opened the floor to any New Business. Nominations for Executive Body members were taken for FY 2010-2011. They are as follows:
Position Nominee Nominated By Seconded By
Chairman Barton Rooke Beavers
Lemus Blair Schuhmacher
Vice-Chairman Butler Leavitt Polley
Secretary/
Treasurer Leavitt Langnese Elmore
Member at Large
North Block
Schuhmacher Spillman Jones
Rooke Langnese Polley
Member at Large
H-Unit Warren Blair Jones
All H-Unit members will have the opportunity to make nominations as soon as they are off of quarantine status. They will be added to the above list and be on the ballots for next months vote. We vote at the July 2010 General Meeting. The new Executive Body takes office August 2010.
The V.V.G.S.Q. Color Guard made a request to V.V.G.S.Q. Vocational Machine Shop Students, namely Dwayne Butler, Jeff Langnese, and Philip Kess, to forge and machine a new Eagle for the United States flag, and a new ball with Spooky and VVGSQ for the POW / MIA flag. Since all of the Education Department is on a two week vacation right now, Mr. Butler stated that he has taken the request under advisement, and will talk with his instructor and see what can be done when they get back to the shop
Three probationary members were voted in. A big WELCOME ABOARD goes out to Philip Kess, James Snider, and Glenn Spillman. You will receive your new VVGSQ hats as soon as they come in. It must also be noted here that four sponsors, two representatives from the VA, and two from the Salvation Army Homeless Program, that come in to San Quentin through the VIP program have also requested sponsor hats.
A huge round of applause went to Jlynn Manley and Lt. K. Evans. Our very first Inspirational Award Winner, Cpl. Mary Manley, USMC, left her children with her husband in Utah, and flew in to be with us for our 24th Annual Scholarship banquet. She came to share her experiences with the Scholarship Award winners, offer them any advise they might need, and to spread a lot of sunshine with her tremendous smile. Congradulations Mary! Your third child is on the way? And it did not even slow you down. Such dedication and loyalty is hard to find. Thank you for all that you do for us.
The schedule of upcoming events, and the 90 days prior dates to turn the paperwork in by was discussed and will be included on the Upcoming Events page attached to these minutes.
A motion was made by Mr. Harry Barton to adjourn the meeting at 1003hr. The motion was seconded by Mr. Joe Diggs. A vote was taken and the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 1004 hrs.
NEXT MEETING: NEXT CAMARADERIE NIGHT Will be on Sunday, July 26, 2010. will be on Saturday, July 25, 2010. This will be an abbreviated meeting We should have plenty of snacks to munch for this Held before we begin on handing month’s camaraderie night. out the food.
David J. Leavitt LT. K. EVANS
Secretary/Treasurer CORRECTIONAL LIEUTENANT
V.V.G.S.Q. CHIEF-SPONSOR
VIETNAM VETERANS GROUP OF SAN QUENTIN
San Quentin State Prison
1 Main Street
San Quentin, CA 94964
WEB SITE - http://vvgsq.tripod.com
Chief Sponsor Lt. K. Evans, (415) 454- 1460 (Extension 5051) 1430 – 2200 hr Mon - Fri
Co Sponsor, Sgt. D. Moore, (415) 454-1460 (Extension 5861) 0800 – 1430 hr Mon - Fri
FAX Telephone (415) 455-4113 ATTN: Lt. K. Evans