MINUTES EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION 17 MAY 2012
(An orientation for new Council Members was conducted prior to the convening of the Executive Council meeting.)
The Executive Council met on the date indicated above on call of President Ronnie Honeycutt. The meeting was held at the NCNGA Headquarters, Raleigh, NC, and the following members were present or submitted proxy votes:
President Ronnie Honeycutt; Vice President Bernie Williford; Secretary-Treasurer Adene Tyler; Judge Advocate Rick Fay; (30th HBCT) Scott Schnack, Bobby Lumsden; (60th TC) Tom Holcomb (proxy); Dale Baker (via-telecon); (130th MEB) Diana Stumpf, Russell Thorington; (449th TAB) Tom Underwood, Stephen Davis; (113th Sus Bde) Billy Hill, Stephen McCormick; (JFHQ) Charlene Johnson, Wes Morrison; (139th Rgt) Ron Hill; (Air Guard) Wendy Larsen, Scott Harrell (via-telecon); (Associate) John Sweat; (Junior Council) Lonnie Brooks, Leverne Jackman.
The following Council Members were unable to attend: Past President Fisk Outwater; Chaplain Carl Singley; (139th Rgt) Todd Helms; (Associate) Al Rose.
President Honeycutt declared a quorum present and convened the meeting at 11:15 a.m. President Honeycutt gave the invocation.
Upon motion, the following Consent Agenda was approved for the record:
Financial Statement for March 2012 Informal Investment Schedule as of 31 Mar 12 2012 Convention Financial & Attendance Statement Convention Planning Committee minutes dated 29 Mar 12 and 11 Apr 12 EANGUS Liaison Committee minutes dated 4 Apr 12 Nominating & Credentials Committee minutes dated 6 Apr 12
Judge Advocate Fay briefed the members stating that they represent the members in their command and have a fiduciary responsibility to all members of the Association. He referred to the Conflict of Interest Statement that each Council Member must sign and adhere to, as well as the dress code for Council meetings. He asked that each one adhere to their unit’s or companies time off policies when attending Association meetings and suggested that personal vehicles be used when traveling to Association meetings. The Council then approved the following committee minutes. Committee recommendations and action taken by the Executive Council are indicated below. (Only recommendations that affect policy or unbudgeted funding require Council approval.)
(1) Communications Committee minutes dated 22 Mar 12 - Chairman Jeremy Davis
(a) Recommendation: Do not reduce the FY 12-13 budget. Sustain the Tarheel Guardsman as it is and keep the marketing funds reserved.
Discussion: Councilman Schnack stated that the website is still being developed and current data doesn’t support eliminating the magazine. It was also noted that if the magazine is emailed only to members that family members would not be able to read the magazine, and retired members prefer a printed version of the magazine. Williford commented that we need to continue to encourage members to sign up for the digital version.
Action Taken: Upon motion, the Council unanimously approved the committee’s recommendation.
(b) Recommendation : Hire a professional design consultant to redesign the cover page and landing pages at a cost not to exceed $1,000. (Funding is available in current budget if not amended in above recommendation.)
Action Taken: Upon motion, the Council unanimously approved the committee’s recommendation.
(2) Finance Committee minutes dated 26 Apr 12 - Chairman Phillip Kerr
(a) Recommendation: Move funds from Lawson Financial to Park Ridge Asset Management effective 30 Jun 12.
Discussion: Vice President Williford stated that diversification of funds was discussed during the Finance Committee meeting and one of the reasons for having two investment advisors. However, the Association’s Investment Policy Statement provides sufficient guidelines for diversification and allocation guidelines. President Honeycutt related that two investment advisors were chosen after the market downturn in 2008.
Action Taken: Upon motion, the Council unanimously approved the committee’s recommendation.
President’s Honeycutt then reviewed his goals for the year as follows:
Membership - Improve our bottom numbers. Updating our Unit Rep monthly brief. Use Retirees more to target the Units below 70% membership. (Vice President Williford volunteered to contact the Recruiting & Retention Officer and encourage them to offer the free insurance coverage to new recruits.) Junior Council o Develop a POA for increasing involvement.
Finance o Continue the strategy of making our Association financially stronger.
(At this time, the Council adjourned for lunch and also to have a Council photo taken by Tori McKoy. President Honeycutt reconvened the meeting at approximately 1:00 p.m.)
Communications o Facebook, Webpage and Twitter o Email database. o E-Commerce on website to sell our own NCNGA products. (Councilman Underwood noted that Amazon.com will store and ship promotional items. Councilman Leverne also suggested Printfection and Cafepress as two other options.) o Routine updates informing our members what we are doing other than committee minutes. Visits to units, trips to NCGA, welcome home ceremonies, Update on NCNGA Convention/ Combined Ball, meetings.
Judge Advocate Fay suggested we publish articles on website such as “Why Should I Join the Association and Why Should I Remain a Member.”
Legislative and Resolutions o New Chairperson o POA to work with Dick Carlton and NCGA. Detailed plan will be presented from New Chair.
Develop a plan of action with Executive Council o Build relationship and work as team with Commanders and Unit Reps. o Contact (Call, visit and email) your Legislators and develop relationship o Visit Units during your non Drill weekends to promote our Association.
The Executive Council was informed of the following:
Legislative Breakfast scheduled for 12 June 12. Council is invited to attend. Information will be sent out at a later date. Combined Ball 2013. Council discussed the need to continue supporting the Educational Foundation during this function. Council Member Stumpf suggested we consider offering child care during the function and contact the Family Readiness Group to determine if they could assist in this endeavor. Discussed NGAUS Resolutions process.
Tentative Executive Council meeting dates: 9 Aug 12, 16 Oct 12 (mid-year conference), 12 Dec 12. (Once convention dates are established, other meeting dates will be determined.) There was no further business to come before the Executive Council, and the meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
______Adene T. Tyler, Executive Director