Minutes, 19 December 2013

 

Call to Order was at 17:59, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for POWs and MIAs.

 

Prayer.  Chapter Chaplain Jim Kelley offered the invocation.

 

Roll Call.  All chapter officers were present.

President: John Sheets

Vice President: Ronald Reinhardt

Secretary: Michial Nolan

Treasurer: Gary Fink

Sergeant at Arms: Norman Graham

Attendance:28 members, 11 guests.                                         

 

Minutes.  The minutes were distributed electronically before the meeting.  One correction- changing the date from October to November, was noted.

Motion: Rick Shuster moved to accept the minutes with corrected date, seconded by Norm Graham (unanimous).

 

Glenna Smith.  Senator Heller’s representative, Glenna Smith, was honored by Vietnam Veterans of America with a plaque containing the organization’s motto (Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another) for her ongoing support of veterans and veterans issues.  Chapter 989 honored her with a Coin and Stand with the inscription “Glenna Smith: Thank you for your support and helping all veterans past and future.  Photos were taken of Ms. Smith surrounded by the chapter Honor Guard, in front of the raffled scooters.  All members then took time to individually embrace and thank her for her contributions.

 

Reports.
Treasurer’s Report.  Treasurer Gary Fink presented the treasurer’s report.  One query proposing reimbursing Roger Sanchez for hauling the scooters around during the raffle, was generally received favorably but was tabled for the moment.

Motion: Eric Hobson moved to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Linda Dickinson (unanimous).

 

Petty Cash.  President John Sheets presented the Petty Cash report.

 

President’s Report.  President John Sheets presented the president’s report.  John reported chapter member’s efforts with pride and thanked UNR, TMCC, and WNCC reps for their contributions.

 

State Council Report.  No report: State council president Terry Hubert was not in attendance at this meeting.

 

Board of Director’s Report. Rick Shuster deferred to Eric Hobson to report for the Finance Committee.  His report focused on acquiring necessary software for financial accounting and reporting.

Motion: Rick Shuster introduced a motion for the chapter to spend up to $300.00 for a Quickbooks system, seconded by Tom Iorio (unanimous).

 

Chapter 388 Report.  No report at this meeting.

 

Agent Orange Report.  Rick Shuster reported the Agent Orange Quilt national tour will come to Reno in 2014, hosted by VVA Chapters 388 and 989, and by the UNR School of Medicine.

 

Outreach Committee.  Report postponed.

 

Northern Nevada Veterans Coalition.  Bill Drummond reported on upcoming activities.

 

Parade Committee.  Roger Sanchez reported no parades are planned until Memorial Day.

Brent Butler: Roger announced a memorial service for Brent Butler to be held 3 January

2014 at the Bunker, chapter chaplain Jim Kelly presiding.  All members welcome.

Rick Shuster called on the chapter to recognize the contributions of Roger Sanchez and his wife, Barbara, to the good of the chapter.  The chapter recognized Roger and Barbara for their efforts regarding the Honor Guard and especially the scooter raffle.

 

Stand Down Committee.  Chair Ron Reinhardt reported he was expecting a bigger turnout next year and money will be raised early.

 

Veterans Guest House.  Monk Mann reported the winner of their recent raffle was an air force veteran who always buys multiple tickets.

 

Banquet Committee.  John Dickinson reported a great turnout with great organization.  John called out Jay Jamison for his food donations.  John suggested a competitive chili cook-off with the chapter’s college affiliates.

 

Old Business.  None Reported.

 

New Business.
Video.  Eric Hobson reported on a new video of WWII and Korean veterans.  John Dickinson and Jim Kittrell reported they went to Lockwood schools and met w/ these vets.  Both members expressed interest in telling the vets’ stories.

Motion:  Eric Hobson introduced a motion to endorse a video history of WWII and Korean veterans, at no cost to the chapter, seconded by John Dickinson (unanimous).

 

Fire Victim.  Pat Moran reported Ken Voorhies, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran living in Red Rock, lost all his belongings in a fire.  Pat was seeking donations that could be taken to the Red Rock fire dept.  Pat stated Ken suffered some smoke inhalation but is doing better.  Ron Coleman suggested the chapter could do an outreach with proceeds donated to the veteran.  Eric Hobson observed expenditures in excess of $500 must go to the board for review.  Senator Heller’s representative, Glenna Smith, suggested she could call the relevant insurance companies if that would be useful/necessary.  Michial Nolan suggested the chapter could mobilize for an outreach by Saturday if necessary.  Ron Reinhardt stated he would contact Elizabeth Dorway at the VA for stand down leftovers.  A hat collection among present members and guests yielded $380.25.

 

Guest.  Eddie Dupas, who served in Vietnam in 1971 – 1972, came to Reno following Hurricane Katrina.  Eddie stated he came to see what the chapter was about.

 

Legislative Report.  Glenna Smith reported on the recent Patti Murray/Paul Ryan budget bill, which passed the senate on 18 December.  Glenna stated Sen. Heller voted against the bill because the budget reduced Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLA) for retired veterans.

 

Good of the Chapter

 

Birthdays.
The following members celebrated birthdays this month:

Richard Babcock Craig Beck Rusty Bolton Tod Brill

Charles Burr Richard Caudill Michael Hawe Red Kittell

Samuel Knipmeyer Edmond Masson Robert Lane Michael McDonald

Greg Montalvo Dennis Romeo

 

 

New Veteran’s Home.  Rick Shuster announced the governor’s office called on chapters 989 and 388 for their views and participation in the new Veterans Home.

 

Scooter Raffle.  President John Sheets called on Glenna Smith to draw the winning tickets for the 3 scooters.  He reported the chapter sold enough tickets to pay for the scooters, 3 $1,000 scholarships, and a net of approximately $2,300.  Norm Graham asked members to think of other ways to make money next year.

 

The winners were:

Nicki Sillipi

Eric Hobson

Glenna Smith

Glenna donated hers back to the chapter to be used for an additional fundraiser.

 

Christmas Cards.  John Sheets distributed Christmas cards created by elementary school students to honor veterans.

 

Motion.  Eric Hobson moved to adjourn, seconded by Norm Graham (unanimous).  Meeting adjourned at 19:16.