160907 NL Board Minutes September 7, 2016

UNITED STATES NAVY LEAGUE

EASTERN SHORE COUNCIL

Minutes of Board Meeting September 7, 2016

  1. The Board Meeting was called to order by President Bob Lawrence at 12 noon at the Talbot Country Club. Present were Charlie Brooks,Dick Gnospelius, Steve Slack,John Dillon, Jack Sherman, and Bob L. Absent were Mike Bracy, Art Cecil, and Tom Nelson.
  1. The May 4,2016 BoardMeeting Minutes were approved as written, and distributed.
  1. The loss of Hamish Osborne (VP) was noted. He will be missed. Dick Gnospelius will offer a Remembrance of Hamish at our September 13, 2016 Dinner Meeting.We need to secure several new members for our Board of Directors.
  1. These minutes have been written to accompany the posted Agenda for the meeting. The information within the Agenda stands unless altered by these minutes.
  1. There was suggestion we pursue a member of the USNA Athletic Department (e.g. Athletic Director Gladchuk, or Coach Ken Niumatalola) as a Spring 2017 Speaker.
  1. We should ‘always’ accept a qualified volunteer speaker and set up a special event date when the Dinner Meeting Schedule is Full. Such an invitation will be extended to LCDR Jeffry Gammons (XO) of the USS Maryland, to best accommodate his availability.
  1. There is interest in conducting the Golf Outing at Talbot Country Club during Summer 2017. It will be a combined Services event as in the past.
  1. Resolution: ESC NL will continue to sponsor the USS MARYLAND at Kings Bay, even as we pursue a more accessible ship closer to Easton MD, such as in Norfolk, VA. We will fulfill all our service obligations to the USS MARYLAND as we have in the past. Our Council will entertain sponsoring two ships (such as the ZUMWALT Class etc.) as we go forward. Funds be willing.
  1. Attention: Dr. Rick Heaton (CDR USN Ret., USNA alum) has volunteered to be a reliable visitation officer anytime we need his presence in King’s Bay for a USS MARYLAND event.Rick’s availability and willingness to visit Fernandina Beach assures our Council representation when necessary.
  1. Resolution: Our Council will once again encourage a group attendance at the US Naval Academy presentation of ‘The Messiah’, scheduled for December 3rd and 4th, 2016. Ticket sales start on November 1st. Last year they sold out in less than wo hours….
  1. Steve Slack has been coordinating with both JROTC units. Pocomoke High School MCJROTC has expressed interest in visiting USCG Station Oxford – if such a visit can be arranged. MCJROTC has 50 student members, and is growing.
  1. Action: Steve Slack and Art Cecil will coordinate as feasible. ESC NL will also consider sending a NL speaker over to the High School to apprise the group of the Navy League’s role on the Eastern Shore.
  1. Treasurer’s Report: Charlie Brooks distributed and we all approved. The current Balance Remaining is $6822.55. This is a reduction from the December 31, 2015 Balance of $7744.76. We have charity disbursements exceeding $3000 per year. Charlie will work with Bob L. to introduce these thoughts into the October Dinner Meeting Announcements.
  1. Resolution: To encourage future diners to increase their charity contributions as part of registering for the Dinner Meetings. Starting with the October Dinner Meeting, the registration form will be revised to include a payment portion for Dinner ($35 per person) and a charity portion for desired contribution of $15 per diner. This totals out as $50 per Dinner registration. An end of year letter will advise each contributor of the taxable deductions they can take for the IRS 501 (c)3 contributions made during the calendar year. Larger donations will always be appreciated.
  1. We discussed the idea of adding an annual dues of $50. The idea is not popular and was tabled for ‘later’. All members are encouraged to join the National Navy League (NLUS) at $55 per year. Most of our membership has done this already. The SeapowerMagazine comes with the NLUS membership.
  1. Chief Thomas Pease and the US Coast Guard Station Oxford have nominated BM2 Santo Cafferky as their ‘Enlisted Person of the Quarter’. The presentation will be made at the September Dinner Meeting. Art Cecil will preside, if he is able following his recent surgery.
  1. The USCG will have nine registered diners at the Dinner Meeting. They will be given the choice to all sit together, or be distributed at four different tables. This offersmore opportunity to talk with our local citizens. Chief Pease has been requested to make the decision on seating.
  1. Resolution: ESC NL will submit an advertisement (one Quarter Page) into the Star Democrat Veterans Day Issue.
  1. Steve Slack reports Easton High School NJROTC Color Guard will Present the Colors at our September Dinner Meeting. They will be led by OS1 Gardner USCG Ret.
  1. Steve will also collect our extra SeaPower magazines for presentation to the JROTC units at both High Schools. Volunteers are solicited to underwrite the $55 annual subscription fee.
  1. USS ZUMWALT: Jack Sherman reports our NL Council will be receiving 16 invitations for the Commissioning Ceremonies of the USS ZUMWALT, in Baltimore Harbor, on October 15, 2016. The event will start at 1700 (5:00 PM). No costs have been mentioned.
  1. Our December Christmas Season Gathering will b anchored by the Anne Arundel Area Boys Choir. We will plan a stipend for the Choir as best we are able. This will be an early use of membership generosity.
  1. Action: Bob Lawrence will prepare a photo CD for tentative slideshow display during the September Meeting Social Hour. Location will be arranged with Talbot Country Club.
  1. John Dillon has accepted the role and responsibility of being our Council’s Legislative Affairs Representative. He will deal locally with our Maryland State Representatives, Congressman Andy Harris, and our two Congressional Senators. The National Navy League defines the role as critical to advocating and furthering the strengths and funding of our uniformed Sea Services. We all thank John for taking on this role, at this time.
  1. Upcoming Events:

September 13th Dinner Meeting –

October 5th, 2016 – Next Board of Directors Meeting

October 11, 2016 – Dinner Meeting

October 15, 2016 – Commissioning of USS ZUMWALT

November 1, 2016 – Ticket Sales for ‘The Messiah’ open.

Meeting Adjourned 1345 (1:45 PM).

Minutes prepared by

Bob Lawrence, for

Mike Bracy, Secretary

who was not present.

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