Approved Minutes

FORT RUCKER CHAPTER

MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

10 March 2008

The meeting was called to order by President Charlie Block at 11:30 am, on 10 March 2008, at Aviators Landing. In accordance with chapter bylaws, Charlie assumed the presidency upon the recent resignation of Richard Fougeron.

Attendees were Charlie Block, Lucy Fields, Marie Wilkins, Ann Boswell, Jim Mellish, Loel Ewart, Othan Gilbert, Joe Rutkowski, Mike Abbott, Joe Adams, and Bill Carter.

Mike Abbott delivered the invocation.

Old Business:

Minutes of the February meeting were approved as submitted.

Loel Ewart reported a chapter net worth of $7,027.95 including our checking account and a Certificate of Deposit. Our dues to the Alabama Council of Chapters have been paid, and Form 990-N was submitted electronically to IRS for the 2007 tax year. This is the first year for using e-postcard for filing. The financial report was accepted as presented.

The VA Book Drive has ended and was very successful with the collection of over 1700 books, plus CDs, tapes, and puzzles. Mike Abbott delivered a portion of the books to Tuskegee and a thank-you note has been received from the VA. The remainder of the books will be delivered in the near future.

Joe Rutkowski reported that he has contacted the all-ladies Lillian Dillingham band and reserved the Aviators Landing ballroom for the our 50th Anniversary dinner in February 2009. We must have a certain number of attendees at the event to use the ballroom and hire the band. A photographer will be available that evening to take photos also. Following a discussion of table items that the chapter might want to use as mementos, the Board voted to purchase candy bars at an approximate cost of $1.00 each. The candy bar wrappers will be printed with our MOAA info noting the special celebration. Joe will attempt to publicize the event on marquees at Aviators Landing and elsewhere on post the night of the dinner meeting.

As a scholarship fund raiser, our chapter will again conduct the Hole-in-One contest at the Gulf Coast Retirees Golf Tournament on 14, 15, and16 May at Silver Wings Golf Course. Charlie Block and Jim Mellish have volunteered to help Joe Rutkowski score the competition on the designated hole on the 15^th and 16th. A third volunteer is still needed to help Joe on the 14th. As in years past, an anonymous member of our chapter has donated $1000 to be given to the winning golfers. The money collected from golfers entering the competition is donated to National MOAA for the scholarship fund.

New Business:

Charlie Block distributed copies of Board Officers’ job descriptions and asked that they be reviewed and advise Charlie if any changes should be made. Jim Mellish will prepare a description of actions required to mail out the chapter newsletter to recipients.

The Board voted to appoint Othan Gilbert as the Membership Chair following the resignation of John Anderson due to health problems. Othan reported there are 136 regular members, 109 Life members, 110 widows, 11 sponsors, 1info, and 1 honorary, for a total of 377 newsletters being mailed out. The regular membership application has been updated to show that membership in National MOAA is required for all chapter members, and the application is on the chapter website.
Charlie Block will take over the Legislative duties in addition to President.

The Board appointed Jim Mellish to serve out the current term as Vice President; but at his request, Jim will not be the President-Elect.

Charlie Block will submit our chapter for the Chapter of Excellence award.

Oscar Fann, Chief Meteorologist for Channel 4 TV, Dothan, is scheduled to present the program at our April dinner meeting, and Joe Rutkowski is finalizing the menu with the club. Charlie asked that the Membership chair, Legislative chair, and Treasurer be prepared to give a report at all future dinner meetings.

Charlie Block has met with the two candidates running for the House seat. House Bill 509 is pending action in the Alabama Legislature. The legislation was drafted by the Alabama Council of Chapters to request state and local tax exemption for our MOAA chapters. All chapter members are urged to call their elected house representative and ask for support of this bill. Rep. Terry Spicer has told Charlie that he will support the legislation.

Joe Adams offered to publicize anything the chapter wants in The Sun newspaper and also submit articles to the Daleville and Enterprise newspapers. Charlie Block will e-mail Joe a picture of him and Jim Mellish with books for VA book drive for publication.

Input for the April newsletter is due to Lucy Fields by 21 March. Jim Mellish will check with the Daleville post office for the specifics of bulk mailing regulations and costs and which of the zip codes on our newsletter mailing list can be included in the discounted mailing.

The Board voted to purchase two $100 EE bonds for the amount of $50 each to be presented to the adult and student post volunteers of the year during the Volunteer Appreciation Day on 31 March at Aviators Landing.

Ann Boswell reported that ROWA will meet on Tuesday, 12 March, at 10:30 am, at Aviators Landing.

Charlie said he will talk with the club manager and request permission to re-hang three MOAA pictures that once were in the Dawn Patrol room.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 PM.

Lucy Fields

Secretary