The following SEC minutes have not been approved by the members. This is for your information to read
AMVETS
DEPARTMENT of MASSACHUSETTS
SEC
23 March 2010
Meeting Time: 1300
Meeting Location: Natick
Prior to the SEC Meeting, Commander Sancranti opened the floor with a brief presentation given by Greg Arabian of Belmont Post 2008. The topic of the discussion is Cruise Fund Raiser. The highlights of the cruise are presented by Ruth Rudnick of Travel Showcase Travel Agency.
SEC Meeting; opened by Commander Sancranti according to standard rituals performed by the Provost Marshall and Chaplain.
Roll Call:
Department Officers: (including District Commanders and Chaplain)
Post Delegates and alternates:
Previous Department Commanders: (not representing posts)
Guests: National District 1 Commander; Doug Newell
Total Voting Strength:
Total Attendance: (including guests)
PDC & other substitutes:
1. Post 29: PDC Proctor
2. Post 32: PDC Veator
3. Post 147: PDC Burnell
4. District 6: Chpl. Tofteroo
5. Post 4 Alternate
6. Post 100 Alternate
Page 1
SEC Continued
Minutes to the previous meeting:
Motion; J. Dineen
Second; J. Blake
Minutes accepted
Correspondence:
1. Thank You received from Mel Pelletier
2. Joint Testimonial Announcement Flyer
3. Announcement of Drawing for the Sons of Raffle to be held today
4. Announcement District 3 Spaghetti Dinner
Officer’s Reports:
Commander: A note of thank you from Carol Mazone to all of you that have thought of her while she was in the hospital. She is doing real well. She had a pace maker and triple bypass. Think about attending Friday and Saturday Night Convention events. You will have a great time.
1st Vice: Please accept my report as printed in the report book. In addition;
1. We have several posts that are behind in membership renewals. I am hopeful that when our secretary gets back from vacation that the renewal numbers will increase.
2. At the upcoming State Convention, I will be collecting old cell phones for a program called “Cell phones for Soldiers” The old phones are taken and converted into phone cards and are given to the troops departing for oversees duty.
Question: What is breakdown for the new Life Membership?
Answer: $90.00 to National HQ, $45.00 to the State HQ, and the remainder of the funds stays at the post level. That formula has not changed just the amounts increased.
Announcement: Commander Sancranti: I request that we cancel the May SEC since it will fall just 2 weeks before State Convention. This will be brought up under New Business for SEC Approval.
2nd Vice: Please accept my report as given in the report book. In addition;
1. The ROTC Awards Banquets; are fast approaching. I ask that those who have participated in the program in the past would continue to do so.
2. Department Golf Tournament: I ask that all of you look for new sponsors for this program. It falls on September 11th this year. Last year, we had 15 teams and this year we hope that a few more posts will get involved so that we can reach our maximum of 20 teams.
Comment from the floor; we already have 20 teams promised for this year but what they are short of is sponsorships.
Question from the floor; How much are sponsorships?
Answer: $50.00 per hole
Question from the floor; is there going to be information passed out to the posts?
Answer: yes, we will have it in the News Letters and on the web site as well as sent to the individual posts and districts.
Suggestion from the floor: Slip it into the bulletin.
3rd Vice: Please accept my report as written. In addition;
1. In regards to the hospital funds for West Roxbury, the Fisher House is due to officially open at the end of June. We currently do not have a VAVS Rep for that hospital. I request someone to step forward because once the house does open we will have opportunities to do some work there. They will be looking for help there.
Page 2
SEC Continued
Officer’s Reports:
Motion: J. Dineen; suspend regular order of business to receive guests
Second: J. Blake
With unanimous consent
1. Body recognizes; Georgia Gadbois in regards to the Auxiliary Raffle. The raffle cannot be drawn today due to lack of funds. We are 37 tickets short of our goal. Since many of you have purchased tickets and plan on attending the Joint Banquet we would like your permission to hold the raffle at that event.
Motion: A. Temple to approve the new drawing date
Second: received
With Unanimous approval
2. At that time if we still have not reached our goal, whatever money we do collect will go towards prizes.
Question from the floor: How much are tickets?
Answer: $25.00
Motion: J. Dineen; revert to regular order of business
Second: J. Blake
With unanimous consent
Adjutant: My report is one of progress. Additionally; I am looking forward to retiring this year
Finance: Please accept my report as presented
J/A: As we enter the final quarter of this year it has not been without controversy, disruptions, change and distractions. We are however doing the things to keep this organization going.
1. The Ovessen Mater has reached a conclusion and we have received our funds that were misappropriated. These funds have been distributed to the appropriate committees and the matter is now closed. The decision was reached by all parties from the Department Commander on down. We are in possession of all documents pertaining to this matter and they will be available at the State House for future review.
2. 1st Nominations shall take place today for all positions in the department for the up and coming year. Let’s take the time to reenergize ourselves and get involved. We need to find our way with new leadership and new energy and ideas to get us back on the tracks as a bold and imaginative Veterans Organization. I sincerely believe we have many people in this organization who are more than capable of being dynamic leaders in our future.
3. There are still some posts that have not completed their paperwork as required and therefore will not have delegates seated at this upcoming State or National Conventions. Please contact me so I can assist you and get you back in the fold. I’ve talked about this the entire year. I have received little response from anyone in these delinquent posts.
4. It has been an honor and a privilege serving this department these past 20 years. I’ve made a decision to take some time off to recharge my batteries and see if I might be of some use sometime in the future. I will not be a candidate for any office next year. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the support you have given me throughout these years and I will be around.
5. Any candidate seeking Amvets Office or position must show me their DD-214 or similar documents proving eligibility before the election.
P/M: Please accept my report as printed
Chaplain: one of progress
Q/M: I have been working on an inventory report and should have a summary soon. At the last SEC I reported 4 or 5 outstanding bills. I am happy to report that they have all been taken care of and are paid. Everything else is one of progress.
Page 3
SEC Continued
Officer’s Reports:
NEC: The Spring NEC we attended was very productive. Along with me was Alt. NEC Temple who went down Thursday and attended the NSF Meeting. The fate of the Brockton Thrift Store was discussed at length. The manager has been replaced along with some of the staff due to poor management, and thefts. They are closely monitoring sales from the store and currently have a temporary Management Team running the store presently. The NSF is hopeful to place a permanent team in the future. I am happy to report that our portion of the income has increased from the store. Profits had declined from $1,600.00 a month down to $1,100.00 and have rebounded to around $1,500.00 per month this last month. At the Membership Round Table Meeting; The approach of the meeting was recruitment and was hosted by Phil Ledwell; National Membership Director who put on a great presentation on recruitment of younger veterans. Part of the presentation involves his plan to utilize the National Service Officers to help aid in recruitment of younger veterans. He also reported a surge in Life Memberships prior to the January 1 deadline. There are 2 new membership pamphlets available; 1 for women veterans and 1 for men. Each Post may obtain 50 free pamphlets and may purchase additional ones for an additional .35 cent each. The Programs Reporting has increased since the winter NEC across the entire nation. The district also reported an increase from all the departments within it. I emphasize the importance of reporting what your post has done and is doing. Take credit for what you do. April is “WE CARE MONTH” All VAVS Reps are encouraged to make sure they get their boxes and get them distributed to the hospitalized patients. The National Organization is now on Face book and Twitter social networks. There is also a Blog on the Web Page to comment to. National Convention this year will be in Louisville Kentucky. During the convention, the National Symposium will be held. The symposium will be under the control of the National Legislative Director. For those wishing to attend for the 3 day event, it will cost approximately $900.00. He had suggested that we reach out to some of our younger members to see if they would be interested in attending and have the department sponsor that veteran to attend. The Silver Helmet Banquet was very good. There were over 500 people attending. I want to thank Alternate NEC Temple for working with me this past 4 years. It has been an honor and a privilege serving as your NEC. I go out of office at the State Convention. I ask you all to support Al Temple as your next NEC.
Question from the floor: What the $900.00 includes?
Answer: it includes air fare, and logging for the 2 days
Alternate NEC: The 66th National Convention shall take place from August 7th through the 14th 2010 at the Galt House 140 North St. in Louisville Kentucky. Registration number is: 1-800-843-4258. Logging costs: $109.00 plus tax. For seniors, if you call down to the hotel you will probably get it cheaper. Cut off is 09 July.
The 2010 Fall NEC will be held at the Washington Dulles Airport in Herndon VA. When booking your flights; make sure you book for final destination of the Washington Dulles Airport and Not the BWI Airport.
Reservations: 1-800 445-8667
Date: Dec. 3 - 5
State Service Officer: excused
National Service Officer: absent
State Saddest: absconded with the dog. Snoopy needed a flea bath
District 3: Please accept my report as written. Report highlighted
District 4: Absent
Page 4
SEC Continued
Officer’s Reports:
District 5: Continue to hold Bingo Parties and one is going on right now in Bedford. We have held several parties which were successful. The regularly scheduled party for December was cancelled due to the weather. We held our Christmas Party and distributed gifts to the veterans there. We are planning a future Lobster Shoot Fundraiser. More to be announced at a later date!
Our next District Meeting will be 14 April 1930 in Marlborough 1980. I urge all the Post Commanders or representatives in the district to attend this meeting. We will hold nominations for District Officers for the coming year.
District 6: one of progress
District 7: excused
District 8: please accept my report as written in the book
District 9: absent
Motion: J. Dineen to accept all Officer Reports
Second: J. Johnson
Unanimously approved
National District 1 Commander Comments:
It is a pleasure being here today. I grew up in Charlestown and attended Charlestown High School so this is like old home week. I have a few comments to speak on today. First;
1. District 1 should be a leader in Programs Reporting. We do a tremendous amount of work for the veterans out of District 1. But if it goes on unreported, no one knows what you’re doing. I’d like to see District 1 at 100% for reporting. It is easy to do and we can do it.
2. The next District 1 meeting shall take place in Biddeford Maine on May 15 and 16. Dinner choice will be Steak for $15.00 or Steak & Lobster for $20.00 or Twin Lobsters for $25.00. Cut off is April 1st if you are planning on attending room rates are only $70.00 plus tax. Comfort Suites Biddeford ME. Phone 207-294-6464
3. At our last District 1 meeting we had a gentleman; Al Meadows from Sheldon Connecticut representing the Military Order of Purple Hearts and the DAV, and as of last month he is now an AMVET, that has been going to Walter Reed Hospital & Bethesda every month for the past 4 years distributing gift cards to the injured OEF, OIF Veterans at the hospital. Each month he goes down with representatives from the various Veterans Groups, Social Groups etc, these groups contribute $1000.00 each. And they go and walk around visiting wards and distributing gift cards. These patients are the ones that have lost limbs or suffered severe head trauma as a result of IED devices. Each patient receives at least $60.00 in gift cards to use at the PX. In addition, they distribute other gifts including hygiene products and Girl Scout Cookies. I don’t know where he gets them from but his van is full of them. There are a couple of Fisher Houses there at Walter Reed and the families of these patients can stay there free while he or she recovers. Some of the things that are donated include Laundry Detergent or whatever they need to get through the week so they don’t have to go out and buy it taking time away from their loved ones recovering from their wounds. Going through the wards, I want to tell you it is an emotionally draining experience seeing kids 18, 19 20, severely maimed and scared for life. At the last District 1 meeting we had about 35 – 45 people there. We passed the hat for his cause and collected over $800.00 to go toward gift cards and other things. Now, I attended this last NEC where there was approximately 200-300 people attending. They passed the hat for Camp Hope and they only collected $400.00. Pitiful! So, it just goes to show that we in the 1st District really think and care a lot about our country’s veterans.
Page 5
SEC Continued
National 1st District Commander Report
Now, with this $800.00 donation, we get to have 2 people from the 1st District make the trip with Al to Walter Reed. We had 2 people sign up to go; Jim Blake and Ken Montgomery from Massachusetts. It is a 2 day trip. You stay over at a Holiday Inn arriving Sunday and you get up early Monday and start your day. There is a great deal of walking around involved so I hope you are both in good shape. The real shame of this is that we have senators and congressmen in Washington DC who don’t even know that these veterans exist at Walter Reed & Bethesda, and have never even visited the place. That is terrible! To think that these elected officials don’t even think so much and care so little as to visit these combat wounded and thank them for their service! So, remember this when it comes time to vote for a reelection, this is a question that should be posed. The next trip to these hospitals is in May if you are available. Mr. Meadows will be attending your State Convention in June. I want to thank you all for your hospitality, continued support of our Nation’s Veterans and continued dedication to AMVETS and National District 1.
Alt. NEC Temple: As a member of the Massachusetts Delegation that was present at the last NEC where Al Meadows spoke about this, I as the head of the Convention Corporation brought this back to the corporation where it was discussed at length. The Corporation Membership decided and voted to donate $1,000.00 toward “Operation Gift Cards.” We as a corporation cannot directly donate the funds however, we can gift them to the department and the department can donate the funds which is appropriate. This shows that Massachusetts Veterans do care.
National District 1 Commander:
I want to thank Massachusetts for this generous donation.
Alt. NEC Temple:
I forgot to mention that Al Meadows will be a key speaker at the Opening Ceremonies on Saturday at the convention 1000.
VAVS Reports:
Boston:
One of progress
West Roxbury:
Vacant refer to 3rd vice report
Bedford:
One of progress
Brockton:
One of progress
North Hampton:
One of progress
Manchester:
One of progress
Chelsea Soldiers Home:
Excused, No report
Page 6
SEC Continued
VAVS Reports
Holyoke Soldiers Home:
Please accept my written report with the following addendum;
1. 26 February: held a bingo with 75 patients attending. We held several games and in addition held a drawing for 6 gifts.
2. 17 March: held a Spaghetti Dinner at Post 12 sponsored by the Post 12 Riders serving 9 patients.
Motion; R. Jordan to accept all VAVS Reports
Second: L. Proctor
Unanimously approved
Committee Reports:
Finance:
Next Meeting: 1st Tuesday in May Post 51 1900. Important Meeting to discuss the proposed budget for 2010-2011
Thrift store:
One of progress
Service Foundation:
Next Meeting: 1st Tuesday in May after the Finance Committee Meeting
Convention Corporation:
1. Convention Pin: picture will be in the bulletin and I have a sample here to show you. The price for the pins will also be available in the bulletin. Minimum order is 10 pins. Please see Pin Chairman Jim Blake.
2. Friday Night: Country & Western Theme, Menu; Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Baked Beans, Pasta Salad, Potato Chips, Corn on the cob, Fried Chicken, Steak Tips, Watermelon, Blueberry Pie, Coffee, Iced Tea and Soda so don’t buy soda. Doors open at 1730 and serving begins at 1800.
3. Bids: We have 3 bids submitted for the 2010-2011 convention, one of which will need to be ratified. We will supply you with paperwork showing the differences pro’s and con’s. This will be at the front desk of the hotel when you register. The 3 hotels to be considered:
A. Sturbridge Host
B. Sheraton Springfield
C. Double Tree Milford
4. Saturday Night: Opening Ceremonies; Singer State Trooper Dan will sing the National Anthem and a medley of songs from the Armed Forces
5. Tickets: are still available for both Friday and Saturday Night.
Questions from the floor:
1. How much are the pins going to cost?
Answer: undecided still awaiting a final cost from the pin manufacturer. A rough estimate range though is, between: $1.00 to $1.25 each. Nothing Drastic!
2. Will the price of the pins be in the bulletin?
Answer yes
3. Can you give me the information so I can get it on the web page?
Answer: yes
4. Beer Pricing?
Answer: we will have a Beer Special for Thursday and Friday night with costs approximately $1.75 to $2.00 per cup.
Page 7
SEC Continued
Convention Corporation:
5. Question: What is the deal with Sad Sacks Night?
Answer: It is the same as in the past Doors open at 1700 and it ends at 2200. Anything else as far as details is up to the Sad Sacks.
6. When is the hair cut on Santa Ralph going to occur?
Answer: again, that is up to the Sad Sacks
Tom Davitt: While we are on the subject of Sad Sacks, Saddest Boothby had a death in the family and that is why he is not here today. He asked me to convey to you all that the next Fund Raising Event for the Sad Sacks will be on April 11 being held at Pilgrim Lanes in Haverhill 1030-1230 and there will be a Spaghetti Dinner immediately following the bowling at Post 147 beginning at 1300 Cost for 3 strings is: $15.01 and Sponsorship is $25.01
Honors & Awards:
The next Pilgrim Award Banquet is scheduled for Saturday 06 November at the Franco-American AMVETS Post 161 Lynn beginning at 1800. The committee had scheduled to meet at 1030 this morning however; there was just too much going on today so the meeting has to be rescheduled for sometime in April. I will get with the commander and I will announce the date once I speak with the commander to find a date that he is available to attend. I have received 3 applications for consideration so far, one for the Rehabilitation Award, one for the Legislative Award Both from Post 79 and another from Post 29 for Community Service. There remain 2 other submissions pending. The members of the committee include; Commander Sancranti PDC Davitt as Chairman, Ken Montgomery as Secretary, PDC Boothby, PDC Burnell, PDC Nishan, PDC Temple and PDC Veator.
Employment & Legislative:
Excused
USO:
I put out some flyers on the table. Everything you want to know about the USO but are afraid to ask. I checked into the location of the USO Office at Westover AFB. There is no office located at Westover.
NE Shelter Boston:
One of progress
Personnel Practice:
Next meeting 06 April 1930 Post 51
Color Guard:
Excused, we need Color Guards for the Memorial Day Ceremonies at the Fens and Bourne. If your post has a color guard, please let the Provost Marshal known if they are available. It is embarrassing being alone without one.
Oral History:
I’ve placed an open invitation in the news letter and have received no responses from anyone. Every one of you has a story to tell. Please don’t wait until you get Alzheimer’s to get it on the record. Let us know your experiences. It is free, you get a free copy for yourself and you get on television. The only requirement is you have to have a DD214. If you don’t want to be on television, that’s ok. This is for the Library of Congress. I have to have at least 6 people to do this. I have 2 television programs going on in Belmont and I can transfer these tapes to your local cable provider to air as well. But I need six of you to step up before State Convention to get the ball rolling. I do have a word or two on recruitment. Belmont Post 2008 has a unique avenue for recruitment. As a graduate of Tufts University of Law and Diplomacy, every year, we now have established contacts with six colonels to attend Tufts because the military wants its upper echelon of officers to have diplomatic skills.
Page 8
SEC Continued
Oral History:
These are the kind of things you need to think about in recruitment. Post 2008 has 2 colonels amongst its life members. I’m very proud of that. We are going to do that every year until we have more Colonels than there are members here. Post 2008 is on the board. The Veteran’s History Project is Important. Please, everyone, get involved by giving us your history. If you don’t then the having this program at conventions isn’t worth it.
Webmaster:
One of progress
Motion: R. O’Reilly, to accept all committee reports
Second: L. Proctor
Unanimously approved
Old Business:
NEC Davitt: National Commander’s Visitation coming up. I will be meeting with the Three Rivers Post Commander after this meeting. Anyone else wishing to discuss the upcoming visit, please; see me directly after this.
The National Commander will be visiting Massachusetts 22 April to 25 April. He arrives Thursday the 22nd and we will be heading out to the Agawam Veterans Cemetery for a tour. Afterwards, we will travel to Post 74 and try to fit in a visit to Post 12 but this is still a work in progress. After Lunch we will come back toward Boston and stop at the McKeon Post 146 around 1730 for a Buffet Style Dinner. After the Buffet Dinner, we will continue the visitation stopping at the Rice Post 28. From the Rice Post we will travel to the hotel. On Friday 23 April; we travel to the Charlestown Navy Yard for a tour of the USS Constitution. Once we leave the Constitution we head to the Chelsea Soldiers Home for a tour and lunch. After the Hospital Tour we head down to Battleship Cove in Fall River to tour the WWII Submarine and the USS Massachusetts after which we will stop at Post 72 Somerset for a visit. Once we leave Somerset, we head toward Post 1977 Stoughton. After this visit we will pick up a police escort and head toward Post 51 Randolph for dinner. Saturday 24 April; we leave for breakfast at Post 79 Natick along with a presentation by the Selectmen of Natick to the commander. After breakfast and the presentation, we head to Post 147 Haverhill for lunch. After visiting Haverhill, we head toward Post 161 Lynn in time for the Department Commander’s Roast. Once there we are there for the evening. Once we leave Lynn we will head back toward Randolph stopping off at Post 51 for a nightcap. On Sunday the 25th of April, his plane departs early so other than taking him to breakfast; we will get him on his way.
Commander Sancranti: Just a word about the visit. If your post is one of the posts being visited by the National Commander, please make sure your membership is there to greet him. There is nothing worse than to show up somewhere and only have a few members present.
New Business:
Motion: to suspend with the regular order of business for the purpose of holding nominations
Second: received
Unanimously approved
Nominations Open:
Alternate NEC:
1. Joe Dineen (Nominated by PDC Charlie Nishan)
2. Leon Proctor (Nominated by PDC Al Temple)
Page 9
SEC Continued
Nominations:
NEC:
1. Al Temple (Nominated by PDC Tom Davitt
Convention Corporation: (2) Positions
1. Richard Burnell (Nominated by Department 1st Vice Commander Marchand
2. Hank Baggs (Nominated by PDC Ray O’Reilly
PDC Scotty Rowbotham was nominated but was not present to accept or decline
Service Foundation: (2) Positions
1. Jim Blake (Nominated by F/O Don Houde)
Provost Marshal:
1. Chuck Eagan (Nominated by PDC Jim Blake)
Judge Advocate:
1. Tom Davitt (Nominated by PDC Al Temple)
Adjutant:
1. Robert Jordan (Nominated by Dean Thayer D8 Commander)
Finance Officer:
1. Don Houde (Nominated by PDC Tom Davitt
3rd Vice Commander:
1. Caroline Kenyon (Nominated by Dean Thayer D8 Commander)
2nd Vice Commander:
1. Charles Studebaker (Nominated by PDC Leon Proctor)
1st Vice Commander:
1. Charles Denmead (Nominated by PDC Ray O’Reilly)
Commander:
1. Gerard Marchand (Nominated by PDC Dick Burnell)
2. Joe Kenyon (Nominated by PDC Ed Veator)
Nominations concluded and closed until State Convention
Motion: Hank Baggs to suspend the May Sec
Second: J. Kenyon
Unanimously approved
Page 10
SEC Continued
New Business:
Motion: PDC Temple to donate $1,000.00 Dollars to: “Operation Gift Card”. The funds will come from the Convention Corporation through the Department and will be presented at State Convention. A picture will be taken in front of the Department Banner with the Department Commander, Auxiliary President, Sons of AMVETS Commander, Saddest, Snappiest, and Riders Commander representing the department.
Second: PDC J. Blake
Unanimously Approved
National District 1 Commander:
I want to thank Massachusetts for doing this. The funds raised go directly into the hands of those wounded veterans. There is no 3rd party here. Each dollar goes directly to them and I appreciate this. Thank You!
Adjutant:
Reminder that delegate fees have risen to $25.00 this year
Good of the Order:
Raffles:
Conducted
District 3: J. Kenyon Invitation to a Spaghetti Dinner and Lobster Roll Off
Motion: PDC C. Nishan to adjourn
Second: received
Unanimously approved
Meeting Adjourned according to standard ritual 1500
Next Meeting:
State Convention
Respectfully Submitted,
Ralph F. Kilcup
Department Adjutant
2007-2010
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