Minutes, 15 March 2012

Call to Order was at 18:01, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Prayer. Chaplain Jim Kelley offered the invocation, followed by a moment of silence for POWs and MIAs.

Darrol Brown: Requested a point of personal privilege to ask the chapter to remember Tom George from the Las Vegas chapter, who is having medical issues.

Roll Call. All officers present. Total attendance, including AVVA and guests from Carson City Chapter 388: 35 present

President Bob Sperry asked vice president Gary Fink to run tonight’s meeting and requested members follow the rules of order.

Guest Speaker. Glenna Smith, military and veterans’ representative from Sen. Dean Heller’s office addressed the chapter on SB344, [Summary: the Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2011 – Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more). Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans’ disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability]. The bill, introduced in February 2011 by Nevada Senator Harry Reid, has gained sponsorship from less than 1/3 of the senate. Harry Reid is the principal sponsor. Other sponsors now include:

Max Baucus (D-Montana) Frank R. Lautenberg (D-New Jersey)

Mark Begich (D-Alaska) Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey)

Michael F. Bennet (D-Colorado) Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland)

Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)

Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) Bill Nelson (D-Nebraska)

Barbara Boxer (D-California) Mark L. Pryor (D-Arkansas)

Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) Bernard Sanders (I-Vermont)

Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pennsylvania) Charles Schumer (D-New York)

Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi) Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire)

Susan Collins (R-Maine) Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)

Kirsten Gillabrand (-New York) Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan)

Tom Harkin D-Iowa) John Tester (D-Montana)

Dean Heller (R-Nevada) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island)

Tom Johnson (R-Illinois) Ron Wyden (D-Oregon)

Ms. Smith also mentioned the True Grit volunteer program under Mary Harrison. Volunteers spend time with terminal patients to assure that no veteran dies alone.

Darrol Brown asked what will be happening with Tri-care premiums. Ms. Smith replied budget problems meant the premiums will likely go up.

Darrol Brown announced he will be on Capitol Hill next week and invited the membership to bring him any issues to present.

Minutes. Minutes were distributed to the membership electronically and was made available at the meeting.

Motion. Norm Graham moved to accept the February minutes, seconded by Rick Shuster (unanimous).

Reports.
Treasurer’s Report. Treasurer Bob Marshall presented the treasurer’s report.

Motion. John Sheets moved to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Mike Miller (unanimous).

Petty Cash. Bob Marshall presented the petty cash report.

President’s Report. Bob Sperry presented the president’s report. He called for committee volunteers.

Outreach Committee. Jim Hanson reported the committee will increase its outreach inventory and has scheduled 2 outreaches. He reported plans for a Tip-A-Vet continue to move forward.

Horticulture Committee. Larry Runyon reported prep work was in progress. He reported the committee needs $250 for topsoil and seed. It was proposed to write a check but Rusty Bolton stated he did not want a check. He stated he would make the purchases and bring the treasurer the receipt. He stated we have a discount at Moana Nursery. A discussion of suppliers, including Minden Vets Org, followed during which Moana Nursery emerged as the preferred vendor. Jim Hanson stated we need to be good stewards and must plan so produce does not rot on the vines. Todd Brill suggested we have a combination barbecue and farmer’s market to distribute goods. Bob Marshall reminded the membership the purpose of the garden is therapy, not profit.

Motion. Clay Coleman moved to fund the horticulture committee’s budget at $250, seconded by Bob Marshall (unanimous).

Vietnam Memorial. Rick Shuster reported the land dispute continues.

Chapter 388 Report. Terry Hubert and Darrol Brown reported on a finance committee meeting in February. Among the issues was

-a proposed joint barbecue in August

-a $2,000 set-aside for a future memorial

-set aside funds for the next leadership conference in Irving, Texas

-Next month’s elections

-State council meeting in June, Darrol will not run again.

Veterans’ Guest House Radiothon. Rick Shuster offered thanks to all who helped at the Radiothon. He reported VVA members brought in $3,200 and the whole event brought in a total of $42,000.

Home Depot Aprons Across America. Rick Shuster reported last month the Guest House won a $25,000 gift certificate. This month the guest house is in the lead for the next gift, worth $250,000. Voting continues as before through 31 March. Jim Hanson reported he informed Dick Southern and now the whole region is informed.

Motorcycle Run. A motorcycle run is scheduled for 23 June, benefitting the Veterans Guest House. More information to come.

State Council Meeting. John Sheets reported on the meeting and changes in the by-laws:

-Travel policy. Dick Southern wants all region chapters to be on top of IRS
requirements.

-At Large members: there are approximately 30 in our area, We should try to bring them
into the chapter

-Insurance: we have life and theft and can get up to $20,000 free from National. We can
also get free liability coverage as well.

-Next meeting will be 16 June in Tonapah with an informal get-together on 15 June.

Nominations for Officers and Board Members. Tod Brill chaired this portion of the meeting.

Nominations for president. Sitting President Bob Sperry declined re-nomination. Bob Marshall and Rick Shuster nominated Gary Fink for president, seconded by Greg Montalvo, accepted by Gary Fink.

Nominations for Vice President. Sitting VP Gary Fink declined re-nomination. Norm Graham nominated Bob Sperry, seconded by Greg Montalvo and Rick Shuster, accepted by Bob Sperry.

Secretary. Sitting Secretary Michial Nolan was re-nominated by acclimation, accepted by Michial Nolan.

Treasurer. Sitting Treasurer Bob Marshall was re-nominated by acclimation, accepted by Bob Marshall.

Board of Directors. Rick Shuster described the board structure and current membership.

-Members serve 2-year terms

-Chapter officers are automatically board members

Rick Shuster called for 4 nominees in order to elect 3 board members. The following were nominated: John Sheets, David Billau, Greg Montalvo, Mike Miller.

Darrol Brown asked who is listed on the Secretary of State website. Bob Marshall replied he had all the information.

Darrol Brown stated we also needed to elect a chapter delegate to State Council. Bob Marshall nominated Jim Hanson, seconded by Mike Miller, accepted by Jim Hanson. Mike Miller was named alternate.

Membership Committee. Gary Fink asked Jim Kelley to chair the membership committee and he accepted. Jim Hanson and Greg Montalvo volunteered for the committee. The chapter currently has over 100 members but 70 do not show up.

Darrol Brown stated all chapter committees should have a designated contact person so National can disseminate information. Bob Marshall complained to Darrol that National is not communicating with him or with the chapter. Darrol Brown replied they are re-doing their computer system and should have it together next month.

Guest Speaker. Terry Hubert of Chapter 388 is National chair of the Veterans Incarcerated. He reported we are losing 6 chapters in the state, leaving 4. This announcement led to an extended general discussion of the incarcerated veteran problem. Glenna Smith stated she has an IRS specialist on staff to help with issues to reinstate the chapters.

Birthdays. The following members celebrated birthdays in March:

Rick Arnold George Bower Rudolph Calderon Bill Everett

Norm Graham David Jenner Gary Kruger Charles Shepard

Johann Sprenger

Good of the Chapter

Jim Hanson displayed hand-made flowers suitable for use at outreach.

Motion. Jim Hanson moved for the chapter to purchase $150 worth of handmade flowers, seconded by John Sheets (unanimous).

Motion. Rusty Bolton offered a motion to adjourn, seconded by John Sheets (unanimous).

Meeting adjourned at 19:45.