Sunday, August 5, 2007
General Membership Meeting Postponed from 29th July, 2007

     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 along with appropriate sponsorship, one of who, Correctional Sergeant E. Schroeder, touched our group by intoning, with respect and long-held appreciation, a most supportive statement.


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 June 2007 meeting.


TREASURER REPORT: (Mike Northrop) There has been no movement status post our scholarship award.


OUTSIDE COORDINATOR: (Jeff Langnese) We received correspondence from the following:

-Harvest Vision Church, Livermore, Kentucky.
-Frank Schock, 82nd Airborne Static Line - Airborne newspaper.
-Chaplain Raymond O Dugdale - Mission of Faith, Richfield, Washington - Your work with honorably discharged, incarcerated veterans is commendable and appreciated.
-Colonel William E. Weber (USA-RET), Airborne Quarterly - Your letter was read before the assembled during our recent scholarship/Operation MOM event. Thanks, Bill.
-Zig Boroughs,82nd Airborne, 508th Association.
-Carrie Cutting, 82nd Airborne Association, Golden Gate chapter - Your letter was read also during our event of 30th June. We missed your peerless company all day.
-Ron Trovato, VVA chapter number 20, Rochester, New York, Between the Lines and letter.
-Judith Manley - Great letter, postcard, and card thanking our group for being able to attend our June 30th event with her brilliant and kind friend, Karen.
-Tony Thompson, NIVN, 548th Combat Engineers, Hays State Prison, Georgia - You're one of the hardest working veterans working to help other veterans. Thank you so much.
-Tony Thompson, NIVN, 548th Combat Engineers, Hays State Prison, Georgia - two letters.
-James Lyman, Jr., Norfork, Massachusetts, NIVN, Vets News. We greatly appreciate your recent newsletter.
-Robert D'Avarzo, VVA chapter 371, Southern Michigan Correctional Facility - Thanks for the update on last month's meeting. We look forward to hearing from you when you resettle.
-Barney McClendon - Thanks, Barney, for the Red Cross address for fund drive donations.
-The Ivy Leaves - IV Infantry Division's official Publication, John Barclay editor.
-VA Vanguard - US Department of Veterans Affairs, featuring Marian Kerbleski and VVGSQ.
-Ed Mentz, Sr. - California State Council, VVA Central District Director, Veterans' Chair, and POW/MIA Chair - letter.
-Marian Kerbleski - thank you note.
-James Weber, Veterans Workforce Specialist.
-Staff Sergeant David Terry, USMC, Marine Forces Reserve, Lathrop, California - magazines.
-Bobby Lee, Bobby Lee's Barbecue - photograph of himself with his certificate and letter of appreciation from our group.
-Bill Anderson, NIVN, former prison chaplain - letter. We deeply appreciate your constant prayers for our group, especially our new members.
-Richard Becker, 82nd Airborne Association.
-The Rakkasan, 187th Airborne Association.
-Christine Lopes, as we save the best for last (hello, Baskin/Robbins), our 2007 scholarship recipient - Photo with award and presentation box - All of our best agape goes out to you, Christine. Again, congratulations. We're convinced you'll make a difference out there.


Operation MOM - Our most profound gratitude is extended to Gloria, Dottie, Linda, Judith, and the supporting membership of your magnificent organization for blessing us with the opportunity to serve our deployed troops. An uncommon goodness is your common virtue, the value of which could never be overstated. Thank you.



Committee Reports:


BYLAWS: (David Leavitt/Duane Butler) Some items need to be redressed.

FUND RAISER: (Mike Northrop) Narrative returned for changes. Seems to be a new criteria. Narrative is being redone in an attempt to comply.

SOCIAL: (Mike Northrop) Our most sincere apologizes to Bill Fort for a snafu on the gate pass for our June 30th event.

CAMARADERIE NIGHT: (Larry "Popeye" Faison) Nothing to report at this time.

R.E.A.L. CHOICES: (Eddie Renteria) Passed our information sheet for Choices members.

HOLLIDAY TOY PROGRAM: Must get started now.

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

GRANTS: (Jeff Langnese) Nothing happening. All suggestions more than welcome.

TSUNAMI RELIEF: Relief donations are being looked into. They are still not where they belong. Joseph Diggs shall pursue this matter.



Old Business: No old business.





New Business: Election of New Executive Body: After a brief preparatory period, the following candidates were brought into office: Dave Miller, Chair; Kevin Hagan, Vice-Chair; Robt. "Tuna" Portune, Secretary/Treasurer; JB Wells, Outside Coordinator; Diggs, Member-at-large, North Block; and Dennis Marshall, Member-at-large, H Unit.


Ron Singler - Thanks for the memories. Probably, Microsoft could have made it without Bill Gates. We'll never know. Thank goodness, however, you were on board for us. Thanks, Ron, one last time, at least for now.

Lieutenant Cramer expressed gratitude and appreciation for a job well done at the event.




Eddie thanked our group again for our support and cooperation throughout his tenure as chair. We adjourned at 0856 hours. All are reminded to inform the secretary of cell/dorm changes.

NEXT MEETING: Sunday, 26th August 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
Social Committee                 (stand down)      Thanks, David and members... 	
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