MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA CHAPTER
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
15 December 2016
Call to Order
A meeting of the Board of Directors of The Southwest Virginia Chapter, Military Officers Association was held on 15 December 2016 at 1000 hours Eastern Standard Time at the Hidden Valley Country Club, Salem Virginia.
Directors and Chapter Officers Present:
President, Personal Affairs Officer and Legislative Affairs Representative Jim Flynn, 2nd Vice President and Director Todd Dodson, VCOC Representative John Miller, Public Relations Representative and Newsletter Editor Gary Powers, Chaplain Roger Talmadge, Director and Smith Mountain Lake Representative Art Sommers, Treasurer Scott Van Cleef, Past President and Program Chair Dan Karnes, Director Jim Karlen, Director Emeritus Bill Gore. Secretary Steve Jamison set up the meeting, but had to leave early on family business.
Directors and Chapter Officers Absent:
Directors Joe Obenshain, Roger Burnett, Larry Johnson, Mike Leigh, and Surviving Spouse Representative Joan Washburn.
Call to Order
President Jim Flynn called the meeting to order at 1001 hours. A quorum of directors was present, and the meeting was convened.
Opening Prayer
Chaplain Roger Talmadge led the Directors in prayer.
Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by 2nd Vice President Todd Dodson and recited by all present.
Approval of Board of Directors Meeting Minutes:
• Minutes of the Board of Directors meeting for 15 September 2016, as amended 14 November 2016, were approved as submitted.
Presidents Report
• The Board of Directors approved the recommendations of the Nominating Committee for the slate of Chapter Officers and Board of Directors for 2017. NOTE: At the Chapter lunch following this Board Meeting, Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, MOAA President and CEO, installed the new Chapter Officers and Board of Directors.
• President Flynn reported on MOAA's Annual Meeting and Levels of Excellence Awards Dinner at the Sheraton Pentagon City in Arlington, Va. on October 24-25, 2016. He again congratulated the Chapter on being awarded MOAA’s 5 Star Communications Award for its Web Site and MOAA’s 4 Star Communications Award for its Newsletter with special kudos for Public Relations Representative and Newsletter Editor Gary Powers.
Secretary’s Report:
• Secretary Steve Jamison advised current membership at 135 with 26 December as this year’s cutoff for new member gains and report due to National NLT 1 February 2017.
• Next Chapter newsletter will advise all to bring their membership up to date.
Treasurer’s Report:
• Checking account balance - $4,479.01
• Leadership and savings fund balance - $7,185.16 of which $5,750 is savings.
• Treasurer presented 2016 Profit and Loss Overview which was approved as submitted.
• Treasurer presented proposed budget for 2017; approval deferred pending further cost details of JROTC/SROTC awards programs.
Chaplains Report
• Awaiting follow up regarding possibility of having a representative from the Military Family Support Center (MFSC) attend Chapter Board meetings.
• Awaiting Tom Dalzell for appeal proposal regarding donations from the membership to the MFSC Emergency Relief Fund similar to what was done to get funds for the Dublin Veterans Cemetery mobile vehicle.
1st Vice President’s Report:
• No report.
2nd Vice President’s Report:
• Still reaching out for new members; expects new roster from National in the Spring
Surviving Spouse Representative Report:
• No report.
Legislative Liaison Report:
• MOAA VCOC “Storming the Hill” scheduled for Monday, 23 January 2017, in Richmond.
VCOC Representative Report
• Chapter VCOC Representative John Miller was unable to attend the 5 October Quarterly VCOC due to conflict with AUSA Conference. Jim Flynn, President and Legislative Representative attended the quarterly VCOC meeting, but had nothing to report.
• John Miller reported that 88 attended the 25 October Legislative Update at the American Legion Post 3, sponsored by the Roanoke Valley Veterans Council. Joe Dashiell, WDBJ moderated with Senator Suetterlein and Delegates Habeeb, Head and Rasoul participating.
Public Affairs Report
• Public Affairs representative Gary Powers provided the following items:
a. Communiqué newsletter - suggested four newsletters be published annually and indicated he was working Harris for a larger corporate donation for underwriting the newsletter. He also solicited articles from the Board for the next issue.
b. Chapter Website - Total visitors to date exceeded 900. Exploring a website rebuild using “Wordpress” to enhance graphics and interfaces.
c. Facebook – recently added the wreath laying at Dublin Cemetery. Two recent postings:Wreath Laying Ceremony at Memorial Park and Veterans Appreciation Night at Salem Red Sox.
d. Public Affairs/Media – National Quarterly picked up article and picture regarding Chapter support for Brain Injury Services. Advised National was also expected to publish article on the 10 December Dublin Wreath Laying
e. Welcome Aboard package – working digital edition
Past President’s Report:
• Dan Karnes reported that he had been appointed to a Salem VA Advisory Board (redesignated as Community Veteran Engagement Board) to assist in providing better access to VA problem solvers. The Board was established by direction of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Director Reports
• No reports.
Committee Chairperson’s Report
• Art Sommers, Smith Mountain Lake Satellite representative, reported elections were held and he would maintain his position. He also suggested to Dan Karnes the possible use of one of his guest speakers from the Intelligence Community for a Chapter luncheon.
Old Business
• Vietnam Commemoration: John Miller reported that two additional dates have been established for presentation of the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin—Monday, 13 February 1900 at the American Legion Post 3, Salem, and Friday, 23 March 1400 at the Salem VA Auditorium (Building 5).
• Renovation Alliance, 1 October: John Miller reported 15-18 volunteers showed up for repair on a veteran’s home and grounds.
• Veterans Day Parade, 5 November: Gary Powers reported the “MOAA Jeep” was entered in the parade with sufficient volunteers to man.
• Veterans Ceremony and Picnic, Vinton War Memorial, 6 November: John Miller reported 175 attended the event which included an exhibition of 39 images from the Vietnam Combat Art Collection, US Army Center of Military History; presentation from the Curator of the Army Art Collection; and, presentation of the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to 32 Vietnam-era veterans.
• Dublin Holiday Wreath Program, 10 December: Several reported on the “cold weather” event, but indicated over 700 wreaths were placed in a special service and ceremony.
New Business
• Programs for 2017: Dan Karnes indicated the following have been invited as speakers for Chapter meetings beginning next year:
a. Salem VA Assistant Chief of Staff for February
b. Dr. Havers, Marshall Foundation
c. Randy Foley, Mayor of Salem
d. Lee Clark, the Reserve Mission
• Gold Bar Program for 2017: with National eliminating their incentive program, Chapter voted to discontinue involvement in the program.
• MOAA JROTC/SROTC Award Program: Sense of the Board was to continue the program, pending a relook at the next Board meeting.
•
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 1104 hours. The next Board of Directors meeting will be at 1000 hours on Thursday, 19 January 2017, at Hidden Valley Country Club.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen L. Jamison,