August General MeetingHeld in the Library on August 29, 2010
| Chairman | Fernando Lemus | |
| Vice-Chairman | Duane S. Butler | |
| Secretary/Treasurer | John Warren | |
| Outside Coordinator | Jeff Langnese | |
| North Block Member-at-Large | Chris Schuhmacher | |
| H-Unit Member-at-Large | Anthony Parker |
Chairman Lemus called the meeting to order at 0800 hrs. Roll was called: 30 members present, 5 members excused - there was a quorum. Our Chief Sponsor, Lt. K. Evans was present. Two of our outside sponsors were present: J. Manley (our webmaster) and Gloria Godchaux (from Operation MOM). Thank you all for joining us.
All present were asked to remove their hats for a moment of silence for those Missing-in-Action, those Killed-in-Action, and all other service members deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. .
All members were asked if they received the July 2010 General Meeting minutes. All members did receive their minutes and no corrections were requested. A motion to accept the minutes was requested by Mr. Baer and was seconded by Mr. Hagan. A vote was taken and the motion passed.
SECRETARY/TREASURER'S REPORT :
Mr. John Warren: We have $115.75 in our account as of 8/27/2010. We are still trying to figure out how the new hats were paid for.
OUTSIDE COORDINATOR’S REPORT :
Mr. Jeff Langnese: We have received the following correspondence during the month of August 2010:
| Airborne Quarterly: Thank you always for the And Some Are Not So Lucky articles on incarcerated vets. |
| V.V.A. Chapter 371 - Ionia Maximum Correctional: Thanks guys for the new stationery. |
| G.O.G.I.: Therapy Techniques & card from Coach Mara and Coach Davida. |
| N.I.V.N.: Letter from Bill Anderson in Ephrata, WA. |
| N.I.V.N.: Letter from Rev. R. Dugdale in Ridgefield, WA. |
| Letter from Tony Thompson, a Vet at Macon State Prison in Oglethorpe, GA. |
Thank you all for corresponding with us!
COMMITTEE REPORTS :
BY-LAWS:
Mr. Fernando Lemus: Mr. Fernando Lemus passed out our approved Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Constitution and By-Laws. Mr. Harry Barton was appointed as the new By-Laws Committee Chairman. Mr. David Basile and Mr. Glen Spillman were appointed as committee members.
FOOD SALE:
Mr. John Warren: The next food sale narrative has been submitted for approval. The finalized product lists have been submitted as well. All members will receive a copy of the preliminary lists. The proceeds from this sale will be split 50-50 between the Toy Program and Operation Mom. This food sale will run during the month of October. The delivery day is scheduled for December 5, 2010. Lt. Evans stated that the Fruit & Nut Medley is no longer allowed due to abuse of same.
SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET:
This committee is on stand down until next year.
COLOR GUARD:
Mr. Stanley Baer: We are still awaiting our instructions on the tentative Run-to-the-Pen event on September 11, 2010 chaired by Capt. Facio. Mr. Baer will continue as the Color Guard Committee Chairman. Mr. Harry Barton, Mr. Lawson Beavers, Mr. Geo Caffale, Mr. Trenton Capell, Mr. David Elmore, Mr. Ahmad Polley, and Mr. Joe Robinson were appointed as committee members.
SCHOLARSHIP:
This committee is on stand down until next year: Mr. David Basile was appointed as the new Scholarship Committee Chairman. Mr. Stan Baer, Mr. Geo Caffale, and Mr. Trenton Capell were appointed as committee members.
STAMPS for SOLDIERS:
Mr. Pete Rooke: All is going slowly but okay. Mr. Rooke will continue as the Stamps for Soldiers Committee Chairman.
CAMARADERIE NIGHT:
Mr. Fernando Lemus: Sgt. Moore made himself available for this event and we watched Blood Alley with John Wayne and Lauren Bacall. Mr. John Warren was appointed as the new Camaraderie Night Chairman. Mr. Ahmad Polley and Mr. Joe Robinson were appointed as committee members. Our next camaraderie night will be September 25th and we will be enjoying two short documentaries: Vietnam: the Chopper War (released in 2005, in color, 53 minutes) and Prelude to War (an Army training film released in 1942, in b&w, 50 minutes). Thanks again Sgt. Moore for your dedication to us old vets.
R.E.A.L. CHOICES:
Mr. Harry Barton: We have nothing new to report at this time. Mr. Barton will continue as the R.E.A.L. CHOICES Committee Chairman. Mr. Lawson Beavers, Mr. Kevin Hagan, Mr. Anthony Parker, and Mr. Joe Robinson will continue as committee members.
TAB'S FOR TOT'S:
Mr. Rooke: All is proceeding well. Mr. Rooke will continue as the Tabs for Tots Committee Chairman.
TOY PROGRAM:
Mr. Kevin Hagan was appointed as the Toy Program Committee Chairman. Mr. Stan Baer, Mr. David Basile, Mr. Geo Caffale, Mr. Anthony Parker, and Mr. Glen Spillman were appointed as committee members. The narrative for the 22nd Annual San Quentin Holiday Toy Program has been submitted for approval. Copies of this narrative will be passed out to all members for your perusal. The toys will be distributed on December 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, and 25th.
GRANTS:
This committee is on stand down until further notice.
PRESENTATION BOXES:
Mr. Chris Schuhmacher: Nothing new to report at this time. Requests for more boxes need a two-month lead. Mr. Schuhmacher will continue as the Presentation Boxes Committee Chairman.
HISTORIAN/WEBSITE:
New committee formed by Chairman Lemus. This committee will liaise with our webmaster J. Manley. Mr. Kevin Hagan was appointed as the first Historian/Website Committee Chairman. Mr. Stan Baer and Mr. David Basile were appointed as committee members.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chairman Lemus asked if there was any Old Business. It was brought to the attention of the general membership that the new V.V.G.S.Q. hats are in stock. After passing out four hats to members who had not previously received a new hat (Mr. Kess, Mr. Snider, Mr. Spillman, and Mr. Willis), selling one hat (Mr. Parker), and passing out two hats to new members (see New Business section), we are left with 7 member hats, 19 sponsor hats, and 1 lone white-front member hat.
Mr. Diggs remains in the hospital. Mr. Parker volunteered to circulate a card for Mr. Diggs.
The V.V.G.S.Q. Color Guard had previously made a request to the V.V.G.S.Q. members who were vocational Machine Shop students (Mr. Butler, Mr. Langnese, and Mr. 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. The old plastic ball is broken beyond repair. Mr. Baer requested that a work order of some sort be generated to make these pieces out of aluminum. C/O Moore out of MVB will follow through on it after the request is generated. Chairman Lemus directed that Secretary Warren write an official request for manufacturing of same. On other news, the eagle’s wing has been re-glued and the ornament placed back in the archives.
Mr. Baer requested an update on getting new clothing for the Color Guard. Lt. Evans will look and see where the request is.
NEW BUSINESS
Two probationary members were voted in. A big WELCOME ABOARD goes out to Mr. Richard Arnold and Mr. Ronald Self.
Mr. Leavitt has transferred - farewell and following seas Dave! The Executive Committee then appointed Mr. Warren as Secretary/Treasurer Pro-Tem. Chairman Lemus made a call for nominations for the vacated office. None other were tendered. A vote to elect Mr. Warren as the group’s Secretary/Treasurer for the next fiscal year was made. Mr. Warren was elected in a unanimous decision.
North Block is looking for a new Facility Captain and until there is one, our member cards await his signature. Currently, the following members are awaiting a member card: Mr. Arnold, Mr. Kess, Mr. Self, Mr. Snider, Mr. Spillman, and Mr. Willis.
Chairman Lemus opened the floor to any New Business. Mr. Self has taken over from Mr. Diggs as the Veteran’s Information Project Secretary. Mr. Self would like to set up more Friday workshops between VA staff and group members. He is seeking to have staff from other counties (such as San Diego, L.A.) come and hold meetings with any veteran that would be paroling to that county. Please let him know what county you are from so that he may compile a list of which counties need to be represented by the VA. On another note, on Friday September 17, the next local VA workshop will feature media access to profile veterans transiting into society. If you want to come but do not wish to be filmed, just let Mr. Self know at the beginning of the workshop. Lt. Evans said that this could be a good opportunity to show the parole board that you are taking an active stand.
Mr. Self has gotten the publisher of Once a Warrior always a Warrior to donate 25 copies of this book. He will give some copies to the mainline library for general lending and other copies available through the Veterans Information Project for loan to members.
Mr. Self passed out some info on the Veterans’ Issues Group. Mr. Hagan maintains the waiting list for the VIG. This is a closed group with 15 members that meets every Wednesday night with various representatives from the VA and veteran community. See him if you wish to be added to the list.
The current members of the VIG are looking to get an additional group going if enough staff can be arranged. Ms. J. Manley volunteered to help.
Lt. K. Evans does not work inside the compound anymore. Capt. Facio never got back to him about the Run-to-the-Pen event. Ms. Gloria Godchaux has also tried to get in touch with the Captain.
Ms. Gloria said a few words about other Operation Mom events around the bay area. She is amenable to a packing day sometime in February when not many people send stuff to the troops. She will get us a firm date for a V.V.G.S.Q. & Operation Mom packing event. We look forward to it!
Ms. Manley is looking forward to working with the new Historian/Website Committee.
Vice-Chairman Butler stated that everyone would receive a copy of the narrative for the 22nd Annual San Quentin Holiday Toy Program. This is so that members learn how to do one.
Mr. Hagan praised the group on its new transparency. He stated that we need to help each other out, show your appreciation to one another. We all need to participate!
Mr. Caffale requested that the group get involved with fixing the television reception throughout mainline. This matter has been tabled for further study.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Barton and was seconded by Mr. Baer. A vote was taken and the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 0915 hrs.
NEXT CAMARADERIE NIGHT: Sunday, September 26, 2010.
(SIGNED) (SIGNED) J. WARREN K. EVANS T-86358 Correctional Lieutenant V.V.G.S.Q. Secretary/Treasurer 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
Brothers Helping Brothers
September 11, 2010 Remembrance Day. September 25, 2010 Camaraderie Night - at 1700 hrs. or when the Lower Yard opens. September 26, 2010 Monthly Meeting @ 0800 hrs. in the Library. October 1, 2010 Food Sale Forms passed out to the General Population. October 30, 2010 Camaraderie Night - at 1700 hrs. or when the Lower Yard opens. October 31, 2010 Monthly Meeting @ 0800 hrs. in the Library. October 31, 2010 Last Call for Food Sale Forms to be Picked Up and Turned in. November 8, 2010 Money for the Food Sale goes to Trust Office. November 11, 2010 Armistice Day(1918) / Veteran's Day(1954) & Condemned Keepers Run to the Pen for Operation MOM's. November 20, 2010 Camaraderie Night - at 1700 hrs. or when the Lower Yard opens. November 21, 2010 Monthly Meeting @ 0800 hrs. in the Library. November 25, 2010 Turkey Day Holiday. November 26, 2010 Day After Turkey Day Holiday. December 4, 2010 Delivery of Food Sale Dry Goods. December 5, 2010 Food Sale Delivery to the General Population. December 11, 2010 USMC and Iron Pigs MC Toy Run. December 11, 2010 V.V.G.S.Q. Toy Program in Visiting Rooms. December 12, 2010 V.V.G.S.Q. Toy Program in Visiting Rooms. December 18, 2010 V.V.G.S.Q. Toy Program in Visiting Rooms. December 19, 2010 V.V.G.S.Q. Toy Program in Visiting Rooms. December 25, 2010 V.V.G.S.Q. Toy Program in Visiting Rooms. December 26, 2010 Monthly Meeting @ 0800 hrs. in the Library.