<p> MINUTES OF BRANCH 024 GENERAL MEETING 12 NOVEMBER 2013</p><p>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. </p><p>Shipmates Tim Colson, Richard Wallace and Dana Wallace were initiated as new members of Branch 24. Welcome aboard!</p><p>The minutes of the preceding meeting, Oct 8, 2013, were provided for review. Motion to approve as published: 2nd/approved.</p><p>The minutes of the BOD meeting, NOV 5, 2013, were provided for review. Motion to approve as published: 2nd/approved</p><p>COMMITTEE REPORTS</p><p>Americanism/Patriotism: S/M Chris Erickson will be judging the Americanism/Patriotism essays. The deadline for submission from students is Dec 1.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Audit, Budget and Finance: Copies of the budgeted expenditures through October 31 were handed out.</p><p>Bylaw/Standing Rules: NTR</p><p>Hospital, Welfare, & Rehabilitation: Shipmates McMurtry and Lester are under the weather; cards will be signed by shipmates at tonight’s meeting and mailed out.</p><p>Legislative Services: NTR</p><p>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</p><p>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.</p><p>Contributions: NA</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The Dining room will have a dedication ceremony for Shipmate Kenneth Carter on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 7pm.</p><p>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.</p><p>Treasurer’s Report: No bills need to be paid. A Motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented: 2nd/approved.</p><p>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</p><p>TWO BELL CEREMONY: The Two Bell Ceremony was conducted in memory of the following shipmate now serving on the staff of the Supreme Commander: </p><p>FRA, Past National President(1985-86) T.I. King</p><p>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. </p><p>NEW BUSINESS: N/A</p><p>GOOD OF THE ORDER: Recruiting awards were presented to shipmates in attendance.</p><p>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.</p><p>ADJOURNMENT: After appropriate closing ceremonies, the meeting adjourned at 2010.</p><p>Submitted: Approved: Valerie Reed Richard Bonnett Secretary/Treasurer President </p>