High Country Chapter NC 21

HIGH COUNTRY MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, Inc.
A 501(c)19 Taxes Exempt Veterans Organization
Military Officers Association of America
Post Office Box 3312
Boone, NC 28607

Draft

Minutes

Board of Directors Meeting
2 May 2018

1. The Board of Directors meeting for the High Country Military Officers Association, Inc. was called to order by CAPT Fred Schmitt, USCG, (RET), President of the Association, at 1721 at the Sagebrush Restaurant in Boone, North Carolina.
   
   The Board Meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
   



2. Officers Present:

COL John Alley, USA                                       Director
MAJ Ted Alley, USAF                                      Director
LTC Ron Branch, USA                                      Director, ROTC/JROTC Coordinator
LtCol George Brudzinski, USMC                     Director
COL Ben Covington, USA                                Director, Membership
MAJ Bob Gibbard, USA                                    Past President
LTC Ed Groff, USA                                           Treasurer, Public Relations
Capt Doug May, Ph.D., USMC                         1st Vice President/ Web Master
MAJ Dinah Pinney, USAF                                Director
CAPT Chuck Rhodes, USN                               2nd Vice President
CAPT Fred Schmitt, USCG                               President
MAJ Marv Williamsen, Ph.D., USA                  Secretary


Officers Absent:

CDR Jim Tabor, USN                                         Director




3. Approval of Minutes:

A motion of Approval for the minutes of the April 2018 Board of Directors meeting was unanimously approved.



4. Treasurer's Report: LTC Ed Groff, Treasurer

Account status as of 02 May 2018


1. Chapter Checking Account -      $13,701.38


2. Expenses (since last report):
1. Cash for Cashiers Box for Pancake Breakfast $ 100.00
2. Applebee's Cost of Breakfasts served $ 426.59
3. Watauga County Veterans Memorial $ 442.00
4. Stamps and Mailing Costs for Breakfast $ 89.00
5. Boone Area Chamber e-blast ad for Brkfst $ 75.00
6. Edward E. Groff, Treasurer. Postcard stamps $ 35.00


3. Revenue (since last report):
1. $22.00 - 2018 Dues - Charles E. McCartney Jr.
2. Placemat Ads & Tickets collected by Brudzinski $2,472.00
3. 2018 Dues. 6ea Trado, Clem Harper, Gerald Harper, Rhodes, Burrell and Reneau. $ 132.00
4. Ads for Breakfast, Williamsen (3), Peppers Restaurant, North Fork Farms. $ 250.00
5. Donation to Memorial - Short $ 20.00
6. Tickets Timmons, Richardson, Rhodes, Fisher, and North Fork Farms. $ 208.00
7. Proceeds from Breakfast $2,842.00
8. Interest on checking $ 5.70


4. Notes:
   The Board approved and accepted the budget report as of 2 May 2018. The Board approved request submitted by the Funding Committee for a grant of $100. for the State Employees Fund with a vote of 9 in favor, 1 opposed.



5. Old and Standing Business:


1. Veterans Memorial Update: Comments presented by COL Covington detailed the status of planning for the formal program to be enacted on 4 July 2018 at the dedication ceremony. LtCol Brudzinski observed that fund raising activity has increased noticeably now that ground has been broken on site. Commercial enterprises are stepping forward with financial commitments. Thirty seven HCC members (of 58) have made donations. Discussion over planning elements associated with blocking off King Street (U.S. 421) within existing North Carolina DOT regulations and coordination with scheduled parade participants and schedule of distinguished visitors. The dedication will precede the parade, ensuring an interval of at least thirty minutes to allow participants to relocate.


2. Second Quarter General Membership Meeting: Capt May reported on his solicitation efforts in search of an appropriate venue for the next meeting. Doug suggested dates that seem workable given the upcoming travel/vacation summer schedules and the several restaurant locations that are available. Late May seems the optimal time. CAPT Schmitt requested advice from the Board on the late May date, considering short time for advertising; the Board approved the 25/26 May time frame. A decision on a restaurant/caterer will be made ASAP and notice sent to the HCC general membership.


3. Memorial Day Ceremony Monday May 28, 2018: CAPT Schmitt reporting of effected coordination with the Watauga Community Band, with the Boone Mall and the USMC Junior ROTC color guard. Four hundred chairs from Cove Creek will be picked up by Freedom Farms personnel. The local chapter of the American Legion will again present the popular and educational Flag Folding Ceremony as scheduled on the agenda. Remaining organizational efforts include publicity, printing flyers, printing and sending letters of invitation. HCC volunteers are needed again this year to set up/break down chairs and to meet & greet guests.


4. Level of Excellence Award Submission: CAPT Schmitt announced that the HCC 2018 documents were submitted electronically on April 11 and acknowledged by MOAA on April 13.




6. New Business:


1. Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, after action comments LtCol Brudzinski: expressed appreciation for the combined efforts of many members that resulted in revenue of $5348. Twenty five new ads were solicited, in spite of the hiatus last year. In addition, $2078 was contributed directly for the Veterans Memorial.


2. Blood, Sweat and Gears Disabled Veterans Project: LtCol Brudzinski reported that arrangements for dinner for the Veterans the night before the race still stand. Most recently the previous owner of the Valle Crucis restaurant, Sarges Diner has worked out an agreement with the new owners. He will cook for the veterans again this year, providing breakfast by 0530 hours. Brudzinski will pick up and deliver the food. CAPT Schmitt mentioned once more the need for volunteers to help out with the cycling event on June 23. Please notify him if you are able to help.


3. MOAA Leaders Workshop: CAPT Schmitt announced that MOAA is sponsoring a Leaders Workshop September 7 & 8 in Greenville, South Carolina. MOAA will pay hotel and food costs for three representatives from each chapter. Board members are invited to discuss attendance with CAPT Schmitt.


4. Appalachian State University Fundraiser, Wednesday, May 23: The Appalachian State University Military Affairs Committee and the Student Veterans Association will sponsor a fund raising event at the APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN BREWERY from 1730 to 1900 hours in support of the Veterans Memorial Project. Please make an extra effort to participate; Bar B Q chicken is on the menu at just $5.00 a plate. Let's support this fine effort generated at the university by people doing what they can in support of our veterans.


5. After Action Report, Boone Chamber of Commerce Business Expo: CAPT Schmitt reported that the High Country Chapter was ably represented today at the Boone Chamber of Commerce EXPO held today. The MOAA table promoted MOAA presence among the Chamber organizations and advocated donations for the Veterans Memorial Project. Our representatives were well received and their attendance appreciated.



7. Other Business
1. HCC MOAA Women's Auxiliary: A brief discussion of the topic continued previous considerations. COL Ben Covington will act to investigate possible interest in the potential creation of a local Auxiliary unit.


2. WALMART will organize and support a fund raising event in their parking lot on Memorial Day. Hot dogs and accouterments will be sold and the revenue donated to the Veterans Memorial Project. No resource support from our chapter is requested.




8. Adjournment:  There being no further business, the Board of Directors meeting of the High Country Military Officers Association, Inc. was adjourned at 1823 to meet again on 6 June 2018 or at the call of the President.

Submitted By:

Marvin Williamsen

T. Marvin Williamsen,
MAJ, USAR, USMC (RET),
Chapter Secretary