General MeetingDecember 28, 2008
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS PRESENT
CHAIRMAN M. NORTHROP
VICE-CHAIRMAN R. SINGLER
SECRETARY/TREASURER R. PORTUNE
OUTSIDE COORDINATOR F. LEMUS
MEMBERS AT LARGE
NORTH BLOCK S. BAER
H-UNIT A. PARKER
Chairman Mr. Northrop calls the meeting to order at 8:14 hrs. Roll was called, 32 members were present; a quorum. 12 members were excused and 2 members were absent and an appropiate sponsorship was present - Debra Sheldon.
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 troops deployed around the world.
Members were asked to indicate if they received their minutes of the last months meeting. There was a mistake made in the Tabs of Tots last month. It shoudl have said that there was nothing to report. A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes from the September meeting. A vote was taken and passed to accept the minutes.
TREASURER'S REPORT: (R. Portune): We have a balance of $366.00. From this money $200.00 is reserved for the Hat Fund, which leaves $166.00 for useable funds.
OUTSIDE COORDINATOR: (J. Langnese read a list of correspondence for F. Lemus):
| The Ivy Leaves | 4th Inf. Div. Publication | |
| V.V.A. Chapter #20 Newsletter | Between the Lines | |
| Ron Trovato | Letter V.V.A. Chapter #20, Rochester, NY | |
| Bill Anderson | Letter, Ephrata, Washington | |
| Jesus Wept Ministries | Richardson, TX | |
| N.I.V.N. Rev. Dugdale | 2 letters & Christmas Card, Ridgefield, WA | |
| Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Cutting | Golden Gate Chapter 82nd Airborne Div. Assn. | |
| Jeffrey J. Brodeur | Letter & photo, KWVA National Director | |
| Luis J. Gutierrez Command Sergeant Major | U.S. Army Special Forces (Ret.) | |
| Millard R. Ball U.S. Sergeant Major | U.S. Army (Ret.) letter | |
| Richard J. O'Donnell | Chairman F&F 508 PIR Association letter | |
| Mr. Richard G. Becker | 82ne Airborne Division Association | |
| Robert E. Gagnon Secretary/Treasurer | 82nd Airborne Golden Gate Chapter. A special thank you for supporting the Christmas Toy Program and Run To the Pen. | |
| American Airborne Association | Airborne Quarterly | |
| Colonel William E. Weber | U.S. Army Ret. | |
| Gerret, Wilma & Nancy | Hope & Help Prison Ministries | |
| Chaplain Dugdale | NIVN | |
| Nancy Verespy National Executive Director | Veterans of the Vietnam War, INC. | |
| Vietnam Veterans of America | Chapter 205 Attn: Andy Restive President | |
| Robert W. Hayes | 508th 82nd Airborne Association, letter & photos | |
| Bill Anderson | NIVN | |
| Airborne Static Line | ||
| Mr. & Mrs. Terry Wolfe | ||
| Fran Lafferty Niagara Frontier Chapter | 82nd Airborne Association | |
| Barney McClendon | ||
| Frank Schoch | Veterans Corner | |
| Coach Taylor | Getting Out By Going In | |
| Mr. & Mrs. Deryk Wells | 82nd Airborne Association, England | |
| Harvest Vision Church |
We mailed out over 80 Christmas Cards to all the groups Out Side Supporters.
KWVA National Director Mr. Jeff Brodeur gave one of our VVGSQ member's membership in the Korean War Veterans Association.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
BY-LAWS: Mr. Hagan: there is nothing to report.
FOOD SALE: Mr. Portune: the food sale narrative for our next food sale is in, awaiting approval. We will deliver on March 1st, 2009. As soon as the list is approved we will have the lists printed to be passed out to the main line. Mr. Portune asked for volunteers to both pass out and pick up the lists.
| Mr. Faison | Mr. Byars |
| Mr. Jones | Mr. Green |
| Mr. Leavitt | Mr. Hickman |
| Mr. Roberts | Mr. Parker |
| Mr. Rooke | |
| Mr. Stetler |
SOCIAL: We are going to try and have Operation Mom and the Scholarship Social on the same day which will be on June 27th. We will try to have this event in the State Building 98 on the lower yard.
COLOR GUARD: Mr. Baer: there is nothing to report. A discussion took place regarding the group buying special gear (white gloves and dickies) for the members of the color guard. We will check in to the prices and discuss this matter at a later date.
STAMPS FOR SOLDIERS: Mr. Schuhmacher: We sent out approximately 25000 stamps out this month. We would like to clarify that the stamps for soldiers program is used stamps still on envelopes. These stamps are peeled off envelopes and are used as therapy for wounded soldiers.
REAL CHOICES: Mr. Renteria: nothing to report.
GRANTS: Mr. Singler: we received one response.
TAB'S FOR TOT'S: Mr. Sanders: there is nothing to report.
TOY PROGAM: Mr. Renteria: Debra Sheldon spoke about the donations by the Education Staff, and other people who wish to remain annonymous. The group would like to thank the member who gave of their time and volunteered to work in the visiting room to pass out the toys. Great job! The Toy Program will be on stand down until next year.
PRESENTATION BOXES: Mr. Roberts: boxes were given to Bud Ash, Millard Ball, Fort Campbell, O'Donnell, Friends and Family of the 508th, Michael Blecker and Janice Yee, MS. MFT, Swords to Plowshares to support the silent Auction as we have for many years. Janice presented one on our behalf to Mr. Blecker. We are making a box for Janice.
One plaque with engraving was given to the Golden Gate Chapter members to thank them.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Mr. Leavitt: we are printing the forms and getting ready to mail them out. Mr. Bill Roberts donated seven books of postage stamps for the mailing of the scholarship forms. Thank you Bill.
CAMARADERIE NIGHT: Thanks to Debra Sheldon, Camaraderie night this month was a great success. All had a good time. A vote was taken for the movie to be aired on January's camaraderie night. The movie will be the thin Red Line. Mr. Portune talked to Mr. Roberts, Principal of San Quentin's education department concerning allowing our group the use of the education building C-I class room for our next camaraderie night. Mr. Roberts gave his permission to use this class room.
OLD BUSINESS:
No old business.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Torkelson, a new member, has completed his probationary period. He gave a brief statement. A secret ballor vote was taken. Mr. Torkelson was unanimously accepted in to the group. Congratulations Mr. Torkelson.
Chairman Mr. Northrop gave out applications for the group to the H-Unit member at large Mr. Parker. The Executive Body clarified the DD-214 must have an embossed seal on it, in order to join the group, no exceptions.
The group presented a ring to Ms. Debra Sheldon to show our appreciation for her service to the group.
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting and seconded. The motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:54 hrs.
NEXT MEETING
Will be on January the 25th 2009.
Robert Portune M.W. CRAMER
Secretary/Tresurer Correctional Lieutenant
V.V.G.S.Q. Chief Sponsor
VIETNAM VETERANS GROUP of SAN QUENTIN WEB SITE http://vvgsq.tripod.com Telephone (415) 454-1460, EXT. 5309 or 5757 FAX Telephone (415) 455-5049 ATTN: D. Sheldon SIA