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
7 June 2017

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 1725 at the Sagebrush Restaurant in Boone, North Carolina.
   
   


2. Officers Present:

COL John Alley, USA                                       Director
LTC Ron Branch, USA                                      ROTC/JROTC Coordinator
LtCol George Brudzinski, USMC                     Director
COL Ben Covington, USA                                Personal Affairs
CPT Nick Friedman, USA                                 Director
MAJ Bob Gibbard, USA                                    Past President
LTC Mike Halus, USA                                      Personal Affairs
MAJ Dinah Pinney, USAF                                Treasurer
CAPT Chuck Rhodes, USN                               2nd Vice President
CAPT Fred Schmitt, USCG                               President
MAJ Marv Williamsen, Ph.D., USA                  Secretary



Officers Absent:

Maj James Bell, USMC                                     Chaplain
LTC Dave Garvin, USA                                     Director
LTC Ed Groff, USA                                           Treasurer, Public Relations
Capt Doug May, Ph.D., USMC                         1st Vice President/ Web Master




3. Approval of Minutes: MAJ Marv Williamsen, Secretary

A motion of Approval for the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting on 3 May 2017 was put forward by Nick Friedman and seconded by Mike Halus, motion was unanimously approved.



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

Accounts status as of 07 Jun 2017

1. Chapter Checking Account -    $14,593.19
2. Chapter Scholarship Account -   $3,306.86
3. Total -                                        $19,479.31


4. Expenses (since last report):
1. $19.60 - Stamps.
2. $610.00 - ASU Mountain Man Fund.
3. $500.00 - Gabe Long Scholarship.


5. Revenue (since last report):
1. $50.00 - Donation to scholarship fund - Charles E. McCartney Jr.
2. 10.20 - Interest income from both accounts.



5. Old and Standing Business:


1. Veterans Memorial Update: Ben Covington announced that 19 design proposals were reduced by Executive Committee decision to 6 semi-finalists and then to 3 finalists. A mock-up sill be prepared for each of the final memorial designs, and these models will be on display at the JONES HOUSE in Boone on 4 July 2017 for public view. The Memorial Executive Committee will meet to develop the final plan for advancing the Memorial Project and coordination with the Boone Downtown Association.
   General discussion followed. Topics introduced included some ideas regarding possible donors and the opportunity to enhance donations at the Jones House event on July 4th.


2. Fund Raising/Revenue Enhancement:


1. Bob Gibbard explained again the underlying conception of the STRIKES FOR TROOPS bowling proposal. After extended discussion the Board settled on August as the best option for this event. Bob suggested that it will be important for each bowler to line up support from as many donors as possible. The more donors who agree to support the bowler's performance, the more dollars generated by each participant. Corporate sponsors would be especially helpful in generating revenue. Bob will be prepared to "roll out" the complete conception of the STRIKES FOR TROOPS event at the August meeting of the Board of Directors. Necessary coordination with the bowling center, communications and advertising will be developed by Gibbard and the rest of us in the interim.


2. Nick Friedman has begun conversation with David Buchanan about the possibility of replay of the successful Pancake Breakfast enterprise of the past. Mr. Buchanan's restaurant, located along Highway 105 seems a viable, attractive location, our best option to date although some concern was mentioned about adequacy of parking and the restricted access at the Highway 105 entry. Re-opening the possibility of the breakfast during March of 2018 is a very promising prospect for the High Country Chapter and was gratefully received. Nick was highly satisfied with Mr. Buchanan's responses about food costs and scheduling flexibility; he will continue the negotiations and report back to President Schmitt "within days, not weeks".


3. Nick Friedman has also explored basic ideas about a golf tournament which might be held at the Hound Ears course; he explained his perspective and potential ideas that have emerged with his contacts at the Hound Ears Club. Generally speaking a golf tournament is perceived by Board members with previous experience to be problematic and fraught with unavoidable difficulties born of weather, access costs, among other concerns. No decision was achieved on the question of High Country Chapter sponsorship of a golf tournament as a fund raising event.
   
   The discussion of the Friedman initiatives was lengthy and very fruitful in stimulating realistic ideas and a host of considerations of potential benefit in confronting revenue issues.




6. New Business:


1. HCCMOAA Scholarship Presentation: LTC Gerald Harper, Senior Instructor, USMC Junior Marine unit at Watauga High School introduced this year's scholarship recipient, Mr. Malcolm "Gabe" Long to the Board of Directors. Mr. Long shook hands with each member of the Board and expressed his appreciation for the award.


2. July 4, 2017 Jones House appearance in support of VETERANS MEMORIAL promulgation: volunteers needed. Ben Covington and George Brudzinski will be present to advocate and to answer questions. Board members are encouraged to attend.


3. Relay for Life Survivors Lap: Event is scheduled for 6:00pm June 16th, at the Watauga High School Track. The Chapter will not host a tent this year but will continue to support the survivors lap. Volunteers include: CAPT Fred Schmitt, COL John Alley, MAJ Bob Gibbard, LtCol George Brudzinski LTC Mike Haus, CDR Bill Carr


4. Blood, Sweat, Gears Cycling Race: BSG support for June 23 and 24. Six needed for start of race on 24th (5:45am to 8:30am). Our past volunteer support has resulted in a significant donation from BSG back to our Chapter.
   
   Three volunteers will manage the meals for "Valor in the Valle" riders dinner Friday 6/23 and breakfast 6/2:4 CAPT Fred Schmitt, LtCol George Brudzinski, LT Bob Love.
   
   April Wagner will be available to provide veterans info on Friday.
   
   Blood Sweat and Gears Volunteers will direct traffic during the race Saturday morning (early!) MAJ Bob Gibbard, Dr. Lynn Gregory, CPT Nick Friedman and Spouse Mary Brooks, COL John Alley, COL Ben Covington.




7. Adjournment:  There being no further business, the Board of Directors meeting of the High Country Military Officers Association, Inc. was adjourned at 1850 to meet again on 12 July 2017 or at the call of the President.

Submitted By:

Thomas Marvin Williamsen

Thomas Marvin Williamsen,
MAJ, USA (Ret)
Chapter Secretary