Fall Conference Department Executive Board Meeting

American Legion Auxiliary Department of Georgia Fall Conference Department Executive Board Meeting Sonesta Gwinnett Conference Center, Duluth

Friday, October 24, 2014

The meeting was called to order at 6:08pm by President Gabriele Barnett at the Sonesta Gwinnett Conference Center in Duluth, GA.

Prayer was given by Chaplain Jane Lawrence.

President Barnett asked Secretary Patty Hawkins for the roll call of officers. The Department Officers present were President Barnett, 1st Vice President Rosa Scott, 2Nd Vice President Miriam Stein, Historian Anitia Owens, Chaplain Jane Lawrence and Secretary Patty nd rd th th Hawkins. The District Presidents were present were; 2 Janice Williams, 3 Vanessa Jackson (late), 4 Sarah Zingarelli, 5 Marilyn Watson, 6th Carrol Griffin, 7th Dot Frazier, 8th Jo Mason, 9th Judy Lively, 11th Patricia Taylor and 12th Joyce Jenkins. The Presidents from the 1st District, Vicki Brinson and 10th, Valerie Brown-Debro was absent. Eleven Past Department Presidents were present: Tillie Davis, Francis Allen, Betty Turner, Deedy Harrell, Nini Lynch, Linda Brock, Kay Kelly, Joann Meadows, Betty Turley, Dot Thornton, Lola Harper and Susie Mash. We had a quorum.

President Barnett asked for consent to delay introductions until Saturday morning, the October 25th meeting. Consent was given. The Post-Convention DEC minutes from June 22nd, were circularized to everyone attending. President Barnett asked if there were any corrections (corrections need to be made to Dept. Convention June 21st minutes). The motion was made to accept the minutes as circularized. A second was made. Motion carried to accept the minutes as circularized.

President Barnett asked Finance Chairman, Gail Ramey to discuss the finance report. Gail went over the reason we had to take the $10,000 from our reserved funds. She also asked for ideas on fund raising. Gail went over the changes in membership and how it had been dropping over the years. She stated this has been and will continue to create a financial burden on the department. Gail stated membership is very important; we must continue to get members to renew and to get new members.

Gail then asked Deana Rowe to talk about “The Fear Not” print that we are raffling off. The Department is raffling off a print – “Fear Not” for a fundraiser. Deana made the motion “To raffle off the print “Fear Not” for $5 per ticket. The proceeds will be divided by 80% to the General Fund, 10% to Reserves and 10% to President Barnett’s project.” Seconded and passed.

Deana Rowe then Discussed Mid-Year and End of Year reports: Differences between National and Georgia dates and information requested. National per plan of Action, Georgia - per the Trophy Rules and Awards. You can add information but you cannot change the information required per the trophy rules. This needs to be brought to the attention of the Chairman, Trophy Rules and Awards.

President Barnett asked if there were any questions. President Barnett would like to entertain a motion to accept the finance report, if there are no objections the report will be filed for audit. Motion was seconded and accepted.

President Barnett stated we are starting something new tomorrow after the meeting. The chairpersons and officers will stay after the meeting adjourns for a question and answer session with the members, one on one.

Is there any further business?

Linda Brock stated she has two changes to make in Trophy and Awards Rules. First Place Auxiliary Emergency Fund donated by Hazel Lewis, Unit 294 states in rule number (5) that a narrative of (1000) words to be written. Patty Hawkins, Hazel’s daughter and Department Secretary, requested it be changed to read up to (500) words, I move that we accept this change.

The other one is the Pat Lanfear Third Place Children and Youth Plaque. I will read it as it now and then read it as Sixth District wants it to read as it.

Old Rules: PAT LANFEAR THIRD PLACE CHILDREN AND YOUTH PLAQUE – Contributed by Sixth District American Legion Auxiliary, in loving memory of Pat Lanfear, for her love and dedication to the American Legion Auxiliary. When and if this plaque can no longer be awarded, it will be returned to the Sixth District American Legion Auxiliary, to replace if they so desire.

This trophy will be awarded to the UNIT with membership of 125 or less having the best Children and Youth Report according to the National Children and Youth Chairman. Reports have to be sent to the Department Children and Youth Chairman and will be judged by the Department Children and Youth Chairman prior to Department Convention. This will be permanently rotating.

New Rules: PAT LANFEAR THIRD PLACE CHILDREN AND YOUTH PLAQUE – Contributed by The American Legion Auxiliary Sixth District, in loving memory of Pat Lanfear, for her many years of love and dedication to the American Legion Auxiliary. This plaque will be awarded for a six year period, beginning in 2013 and ending in 2018. The Sixth District will be responsible for having the plate engraved each year. The plaque is to be retired at the 2019 Convention to the Sixth District for presentation. The Sixth District will be responsible for replacement of this award.

This plaque will be awarded to the UNIT with membership of 125 or less, having the best Children and Youth Report according to the programs suggested by the Department. Judging of reports will be by the Department Children and Youth chairman and committee members on reports received prior to the Department’s deadline date for the reporting prior to Department Convention.

There was a second and motion was accepted to accept the changes.

Linda Brock made the motion we accept the Judy M. Thompson First Place Unit Yearbook Award listed below:

New Yearbook Award: Judy M. Thompson First Place Unit Yearbook Award: Honoring her for contributions to The American Legion Auxiliary, and in recognition for her love, dedication and selfless service for the Auxiliary on a personal, Unit and Department level. This plaque is given in honor by her children Mia Thurmond and Matthew Thompson. The rules of Department shall be used. It is to be permanently rotating plaque and NOT to be engraved. A certificate will be given. At such time the plaque becomes damaged, it will be replaced or retired to the donors.

To be awarded at Department Convention June 2015.

The motion was second and motion carried.

Past Department President Tillie Davis presented a motion to add a new Past Department Presidents Membership Trophy.

Past Department Presidents Membership Trophy will be for the Highest percentage of Renewals as of June 1st. Unit must reach goal by June 1st. The trophy will be permanently rotating and to be engraved with Unit Name, number and year won.

Donated by Tillie Davis, if it needs to be replaced or retired please contact Tillie Davis or her family.

The motion was second and motion carried.

Announcements: Girls State meeting starts after this meeting adjourns. After that adjourns, there is a meeting with The Legion regarding information for the upcoming National Convention.

We will be having a Silent Auction tomorrow.

President Barnett asked Chaplain Lawrence to close with prayer.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:12pm.

Respectively submitted by Patty Hawkins, Secretary

Corrected copy /ph