Sunday, November 25, 2007General Meeting
Executive Officers Present:
Dave Miller Chair, VVGSQ
Kevin Hagan Vice-chair, VVGSQ
JB Wells Outside Coordinator
Meeting was called to order at 0802 hours by Dave Miller. Roll was called. A quorum of voting members were present along with appropriate sponsorship, Correctional Sergeant E. Schroeder.
Members were asked to remove their hats for a moment silence for America's Prisoners of War, those Missing in Action, those Killed in Action, and for 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 October 2007 meeting. Passed with corrections to attendance sheet noted.
TREASURER REPORT: ("Tuna" Portune) Tuna was unable to attend this meeting. Our thought are with him.
OUTSIDE COORDINATOR: (JB Wells) We received correspondence from the following:
| Harvest Vision Church, | Livermore, Kentucky. |
| Frank Schoch, | 82nd Airborne Static Line 82nd Airborne newspaper. |
| Colonel William E. Webber (USA-RET), | American Airborne Association, Airborne Quarterly. |
| Ron Trovato, | VVA Chapter number 20, Rochester, New York, Between the Lines and letter. |
| Barney McClendon - | letter - Thanks and "Hi" Barney. |
| Bill Anderson, | NIVN, former prison chaplain - letter. We deeply appreciate your constant prayers for our group, especially our new members. |
| Richard G. Becker, | 82nd Airborne Association. |
| The Rakkasan, | 187th Airborne Association. |
| Deryk Wills - | 82nd Airborne Division Association, England. |
| Jeffrey J. Brodeur - | KWVA National Director and father of PFC Vincent Mannion, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hosptal. |
| Richard J. O'Donnell | Chair F&F 508th PIR 82nd Airborne. |
| Swords to Plowshares - | two letters - Further, it should be noted that an anonymous donations of $500 to a $1,000 was proffered to Swords on behalf of VVGSQ to provide Thanksgiving dinner to area veterans. |
| Kyle Terzian - | letter, Program Manager of HVEH, Menlo Park, California. |
| Vincent Milo - | letter, 4th Division Artillery, Hillsboro Beach, Florida. |
| Jesus Wept Ministries - | newsletter, Richardson, Texas. |
| Karen Stanley, PhD - | letter, And Some Are Not So Lucky column Airborne Quarterly. |
| Bobby Kullberg - | letter, West Hills, California. Bobby is asking for stories wherein comfort was provided for veterans. |
| VVA chapter number 190 - | newsletter, The Eagle Speaks, Atmore, Alabama. |
| Mara Leigh Taylor PhD - | letter, Getting Out By Going In, Los Angeles, California. |
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
FUNDRAISER: (Tuna Portune) Tuna was excused from this meeting.
SOCIAL: (Tuna Portune)
CAMARADERIE NIGHT: (Scott Stetler) Nothing to report at this time.
REAL CHOICE: (Eddie Renteria) Update presented.
HOLIDAY TOY PROGRAM: List of workers is prepared with approval pending. Request for donation tabled until return of Secretary/Treasurer.
SCHOLARSHIP: (David Leavitt) David was excused from this meeting.
STAMPS FOR SOLDIERS: (John Warren) Nothing to disclose at this time.
GRANTS: (Ron Singler) Update provided. Looking at foundations that might be interested.
COLOR GUARD: (Gio Caffale) All quiet.
OLD BUSINESS:
Noted two thank you cards from Denise Dull and Warden Robert L. Ayers, Jr. New membership hats (covers) noted and approved by membership vote. Amendment proposed and adapted by membership vote to amend Bylaws to require approved VVGSQ cap to be worn at ALL group functions. Bylaws shall be amended within Section Four, Number 11.
NEW BUSINESS
Members shall be required to purchase new hats. In the case of an indigent member, a cap shall be provided. Administration will no longer allow group to purchase covers for members. New color of hats approved by membership vote. Two new members were voted into our group: Hickman and Denton. Both spoke briefly. A third candidate could not be voted upon: Mitchell did not qualify for membership. New candidate for membership was presented: Mr. House. H unit member-at-large will notify. Soda can access tabs and canceled stamps approved for underprivileged children by membership vote. It was suggested that a poster be crafted to induce visiting room collection of access tabs. Chair reminded our group that items for next meeting's agenda require submission to the executive body ten days prior to scheduled date of meeting.
Ron Singler: Ron turned sixty-three during November, and just like fine wine, he gets better and better. Thanks Ron. Where do we find such men?
Meeting adjourned at 0850 hours.
All are reminded to inform the Secretary/Treasurer of cell/dorm changes.
Next meeting will be Sunday, 30th December 2007.
DAVE MILLER M.W. CRAMER
Chair, VVGSQ Correctional Lieutenant
Chief Sponsor
Committee/Activity Chair Housing
Bylaws Mike Northrop 3N71
Camaraderie Night Scott Stetler 3N63
Color Guard Gio Caffale 3N63
Fundraising Tuna Portune 3N33
Grants Ron Singler 3N39
Holiday Toy Program Eddie Renteria 4N96
R.E.A.L. Choices Eddie Renteria 4N96
Scholarship David Leavitt 1N81
Social Tuna Portune 3N33
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), pleae see our web site at http://vvgsq.tripod.com
