MINUTES OF BRANCH 024 GENERAL MEETING 12 NOVEMBER 2013

Shipmate President Richard Bonnett called the meeting to order at 1900. S/M MAA William Maxey introduced visiting Shipmates & Guests: National President (NP) Virgil Corneya, National Chaplain Dana Wallace, Past Regional President East Coast (PRPEC) Don Hoover, and PRPEC Claire Purdy. After appropriate opening ceremonies, the meeting was declared convened.

Shipmates Tim Colson, Richard Wallace and Dana Wallace were initiated as new members of Branch 24. Welcome aboard!

The minutes of the preceding meeting, Oct 8, 2013, were provided for review. Motion to approve as published: 2nd/approved.

The minutes of the BOD meeting, NOV 5, 2013, were provided for review. Motion to approve as published: 2nd/approved

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Americanism/Patriotism: S/M Chris Erickson will be judging the Americanism/Patriotism essays. The deadline for submission from students is Dec 1.

The Veterans Day Ceremony was successful. Thank you to those who arrived early to get all our tasks completed. The weather was lovely and the food afterwards was fantastic.

December 7, 2013 is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day at our branch. The keynote speaker will be Grant H. Walker an Education Specialist from the USNA. He will present a slideshow; we need to provide a screen/projector.

Audit, Budget and Finance: Copies of the budgeted expenditures through October 31 were handed out.

Bylaw/Standing Rules: NTR

Hospital, Welfare, & Rehabilitation: Shipmates McMurtry and Lester are under the weather; cards will be signed by shipmates at tonight’s meeting and mailed out.

Legislative Services: NTR

Membership & Retention: Chairman William Maxey noted that there are 1923 total members in Br. 24. We need to focus on retaining our members; pay your dues on time, update your mailing and e-mail addresses; call 800-FRA-1924 ext. 1

Public Relations: Posters for Veterans Day were provided by the VA; we can expect to receive posters from them each year. Branch 24 will need to add the time/date/location and have them posted around town. Youth Activities: The Children’s Christmas party will be on December 15th. Children must be signed up in advance at the FRC. Over $1000 will be given to the organizers to purchase age appropriate gifts. Gifts will be wrapped Sunday, December 8th at 1pm; please save your comic pages from Sunday as this is used as our eco-friendly gifting paper.

Contributions: NA

Adopt-A-Highway: Clean-up crew organizer Fred Grady along with Claire Purdy, Valerie Reed, Steve Toulotte, Jack O’Neill and Greg DeVeau picked up litter on 2 miles of Cape St. Claire Rd. just S/W of the Route 50 on/off-ramp.

FRC Liaison: There is a brand-new deck. The Parade-of-Lights on December 14th is a ticket-only event. NYE will be crowded, but no ticket is required. The City Dock Master Plan was reworded to take the “Fleet Reserve Club” out. The City of Annapolis has a new mayor.

The Dining room will have a dedication ceremony for Shipmate Kenneth Carter on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 7pm.

A Motion was made to suspend the order of business to hear Shipmate National President Corneya: 2nd/approved. NP Corneya thanked Branch 24 for the hospitality and commented on the club’s location and friendly staff.

Treasurer’s Report: No bills need to be paid. A Motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented: 2nd/approved.

Communications: An invitation for Branch 24 to march in the Military Bowl on December 27th was received. The parade will run from City Dock to the Navy/Marine Corps Stadium. Volunteers to march in the parade were: Valerie Reed, Greg DeVeau, Claire Purdy, Chris Erickson and William Maxey

TWO BELL CEREMONY: The Two Bell Ceremony was conducted in memory of the following shipmate now serving on the staff of the Supreme Commander:

FRA, Past National President(1985-86) T.I. King

Unfinished Business: Holiday Party: The Holiday Party, Saturday, December 8, 2013 at 7pm will count as the Branch Meeting; there will be no business to conduct. The LOG book will be available to sign in for meeting attendance. Tickets for the party are $30; also, it is requested that you bring a new un-wrapped children’s gift for the Marines’ Toys-4-Tots program.

NEW BUSINESS: N/A

GOOD OF THE ORDER: Recruiting awards were presented to shipmates in attendance.

Next Branch Meeting: is the Holiday Party, Saturday, December 7th (no business). The next business meeting will be January 14, 2014, 7pm at the FRC.

ADJOURNMENT: After appropriate closing ceremonies, the meeting adjourned at 2010.

Submitted: Approved: Valerie Reed Richard Bonnett Secretary/Treasurer President