Minutes of District V Convention at Bangkok, Thailand. Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. District V, Department of Pacific Areas

Transcription

1 Minutes of District V Convention at Bangkok, Thailand Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States District V, Department of Pacific Areas Date: 17 May, 2015 Location: Taipan Hotel Hosted by: VFW Post 9951 Bangkok 1. Call to order: The District V Convention, Department of Pacific Areas was called to order by District CDR Al Serrato at 0900 hours this date. He introduced distinguished members present: Seam Squirrel PT 6 MOC Bob Owens; Barry Moshinsky Assistant SVO DPA. 2. Roll Call of Officers and Posts: All District Officers were present except for the following: John Muller CDR VFW Post UNEXCUSED, Trustee 2 Year Falk - Resigned, Trustee 1 year Horner Medical Excuse. There were 19 members present. 3. Credentials Committee. ADJ Hart presented the Credentials Committee report. He advised that all posts submitted a delegate letter signed by the Post Commander with the exception of Post Phnom Penh. The Post Commander was not present. The District Quartermaster reported that no Post eligible to vote at the convention was in arrears for membership fees, supplies or other financial obligations; failing to hold a Post Quartermaster bond, or failing to have submitted quarterly Trustee Reports of Audit. Delegate strength was determined based on the month end membership report immediately prior to convening the convention. As no member of the District Convention is entitled to more than one individual vote at the convention, a poll was conducted to determine which members with separate votes were present. A report of the Credentials Committee was presented indicating the total delegate strength by post and convention and the total number of votes was determined to be 57. A motion was made by SVC Berg and seconded by Comrade Cooperman to accept the Credentials Committee report. Discussion was held by members of the convention. Motion carried. 4. Reading of Minutes: Moved by ADJ Hart to accept the minutes as published and to waive reading of the minutes. Motion by SVC Berg, seconded by Comrade Mayeaux. Motion carried. 5. Quartermaster Report: QM Larsen gave his report, including disbursements and receipts and totals of all accounts. Moved to accept subject to audit by Chaplain Miller, seconded by SVC Berg. During discussion, it was there was only 1 Trustee available for audit review. Motion carried. CDR Serrato appointed Comrade Holub as temporary trustee to review the QM report.

2 6. Reading of Bills: A. SVO Duffy presented a bill for 5,950 baht for cost of travel and restoration materials used for restoration of the VFW District V memorial in Kanchaniburi. Motion to pay the bill made by Comrade Reece and seconded by JA Nestle. Discussion was held concerning procedures to ask District for money first prior to any financial commitments by a post or individual. District V bylaws commits to maintenance of the memorial. Motion carried. B. A bill was submitted by Post 9951 for 800 baht for a District V wreath. Motion by Comrade Reece, seconded by JA Nestle. Motion passed. C. A motion was made by Trustee Moshinsky for travel expenses for Post members Barry Moshinsky and Fred Berg to attend a meeting in Bangkok with national VFW leadership, seconded by Surgeon Petrides. Discussion was held concerning the lack of preapproval, fiscal limitations; and that the expense would have to be extended for everyone who attended if approved. Motion failed. 7. Reading of Communications: None. 8. Post Reports: Pattaya: CDR Larsen reported on the post s 30 th anniversary party attended by 75 members and guests, preparations for annual Memorial Day ceremony and buffet, community events, and buddy poppy sales. We are assisting the new Post in Ban Chang by providing an honor at memorial for their deceased member Comrade George Warford. Our post also provided an Honor Guard at the memorial service of deceased member Comrade Bob Reinhardt. He reported that membership stood at 100% Bangkok: CDR Reece reported on participating in the annual ANZAC Day ceremony at the War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, the great job the post volunteers did in upkeep and repairs to the District V monument at the Bridge over the River Kwai. Post has donated $850 for purchase of flags for upcoming celebrations. The post performed Honor Guard services for a deceased Texas post VFW member Comrade George Combs living in Petchaburi. He reported that membership stood at % Korat: CDR Berg reported on Post activities such as Military Funeral Service for Ken McCarthy, a Vietnam combat veteran, assisting senior citizens with tax returns, and other community services. Projects included a BBQ for Marines participating in Cobra Gold, advisor to Khao Yai National Park search and rescue, and donations for renovations at a local wat. His post won was recognized again as being All State. He reported that membership stood at % and with the addition of several new members could be selected as an All American post Udon Thani: Comrade Moore, Post SVC reported on Post activities such and local community events. The post installed a VA grave marker plaque for deceased Comrade Wages. He reported that membership stood at 99.63% Phnom Penh: CDR Muller submitted an report which was read by SVC Berg. Post officers spent most of the last quarter organizing the 40 th anniversary of the Mayaguez Event the last battle of the Vietnam War. This event took several months to develop the agenda, arrange plaques commemorating

3 the fallen, boats to take 30 people to Koh Thang Island, and the US Embassy flag raising ceremony. The Post donated $800 for the ceremonies. SVC Berg attended the ceremony and spoke about the veterans who participated. He reported that membership stood at 99.02% Chiang Mai: JVC Mayeaux reported on Post activities such as continuing their great work with the APO room at U.S. Consulate, working with the consulate to develop plans to better serve US veterans in Northern Thailand, and assisting post members. He reported on plans for the upcoming Memorial Day service. He reported the post membership stood at 94.74% Ban Chang. Comrade Cooperman reported on efforts made to establish the post and training members on VFW procedures. He thanked the Pattaya for assistance rendered for a memorial service of one of their members. The Post worked with the Father Ray Foundation to collect donations for a local school. Official membership stood at 27 members and as of this meeting the post is up to 56 members. 9. Service Officer Report: SVO Duffy reported that training has been held using Google Hangout. VA has implemented quite a few changes concerning claim processing and training ensures that SVO s are better prepared to assist veterans. Anyone is invited to listen in on training. If a veteran thinks that at some point in time that they will be submitting a claim, they should submit a new form VA This form allows you to file anytime within 1 year and the start date of your claim will be backdated. He advised veterans to be aware of what local hospitals accept FMP. Payments cannot be made into a joint account. 10. Comrades or Family of a Comrade in Distress: Comrade Marhol Post reported that Post Commander Merritt had undergone double heart bypass surgery and recently had to back into the hospital. Comrade Mayeaux Post reported that Comrade Sapp is still fighting the effects of his brain tumor. Comrade Sandlin has terminal cancer. 11. Reports of All Committees: - Membership: Membership statistics were read by SVC Berg. District has 1381 members and membership stood at %. - Community Service: JVC Owens reported that the District had 238 projects, 763 volunteers, with 2,293 miles, driving 12,054 miles for a total value of $10, Historian: No report. - Safety: Information was presented by Surgeon Petrides concerning BBQ safety. First and foremost, remember that time-temperature danger zone is between 40 and 140 degrees. Foods should not be left in this temperature range for more than 2 hours. On very hot days (90 degrees F) food should not be left out for more than one hour. Use a meat thermometer to ensure foods are fully cooked. Internal temperatures should be 165F for poultry, and at least 160F for burgers and egg products, and at least 140F for steaks and chops. - Awards: None were presented.

4 - POW/MIA: Chairman Reece reported that 21 service members were identified in the last quarter and their periods of service were read. 83,216 still remain missing. - Cooties: SVC Owens, Seam Squirrel of PT 6 MOC, advised that no degree work was completed. Everyone had a good time at the meeting. Ed Moore submitted an application and was approved. 12. Old Business: None. 13. New Business: - A motion was made by SVC Berg and seconded by Comrade Mayeaux requesting that elected and appointed District V officers and District Post Commanders be offered a $100 stipend for attending the District Convention. Discussion was held as the reason for the stipend and its use to ensure that a quorum of officers were present at the District Convention. Payments are not intended to be made to every member of the District governing body. A show of hands was taken and the vote was 10 ayes and 5 nays. Motion carried. - Election of District V officers. The following comrades had been previously nominated and accepted for Commander: District SVC Fred Berg Post No new nominations were received at the convention. Motion to close nominations was made by QM Larsen, seconded by Comrade Friend. ADJ Hart cast 1 unanimous vote for SVC Berg. Senior Vice Commander: Comrade Tom Friend Post No new nominations were received at the convention. Motion to close nominations was made by QM Larsen, seconded by JA Nestle. ADJ Hart cast 1 unanimous vote for Comrade Friend. The following comrade had previously been nominated and accepted for Junior Vice Commander: Comrade Ernie Mayeaux Post No additional nominations were received. Motion to close nominations was made by QM Larsen, seconded SVC Berg. ADJ Hart cast 1 unanimous vote for Comrade Mayeaux. The following comrade was nominated for Quartermaster: Comrade Bill Bear Hudson. Comrade Hudson withdrew his nomination for Quartermaster. Nominations were requested and Comrade Marohl nominated Ed Moore Post Comrade Moore accepted the nomination. No additional nominations were received. Motion to close nominations was made by QM Larsen, seconded SVC Berg. ADJ Hart cast 1 unanimous vote for Comrade Moore. The following comrade had previously been nominated and accepted for Chaplain: Comrade Miller Post No new nominations were received at the convention. Motion to close nominations was made by QM Larsen, seconded by SVC Berg. ADJ Hart cast 1 unanimous vote for Comrade Miller. The following comrade had previously been nominated and accepted for Judge Advocate: Comrade Nestle Post No new nominations were received at the convention. Motion to close nominations made by QM Larsen, seconded SVC Berg. ADJ Hart cast 1 unanimous vote for JA Nestle. The following comrade had been nominated and accepted for Surgeon: Comrade Petrides Post No new nominations were received from the convention. Motion to close nominations made by QM Larsen, seconded by SVC Berg. ADJ Hart cast 1 unanimous vote for Surgeon Petrides. The following comrade was

5 previously been nominated for and accepted Trustee 3 Year: SVO Robert Duffy Post No new nominations were received from the convention. Motion to close nominations was made by QM Larsen, seconded by SVC Berg. ADJ Hart cast 1 unanimous vote for SVO Duffy. Nominations were requested from the floor for Trustee 1 Year as Trustee Falk had previously resigned. Comrade Mayeaux nominated Comrade Mike Cooperman Post and he accepted. No new nominations were received from the floor. Motion to close nominations was made by QM Larsen, seconded by SVC Berg. ADJ Hart cast 1 unanimous vote in for Comrade Cooperman. - All newly elected officers had previously submitted DD 214 s to the Adjutant for verification except for Quartermaster elect Moore. Newly elected officers were installed IAW VFW ritual and procedure by District V Commander Serrato with the exception of Comrade Moore who was not installed pending submittal of a copy of his DD214 to the Adjutant in accordance with the VFW Manual of Procedure. 14. Good of the Order: - SVC Berg spoke about a request from Comrade Zaher about advertising DPA convention booklet. - SVC Berg relayed information that the incoming DPA Commander would like to hold the midwinter convention in Ban Chang and the DPA convention in Phnom Penh and would like District support. Discussion was held concerning manpower requirements, financial obligations, and coordination efforts. District members were concerned about potential financial costs to District. - District CDR Serrato appreciated all the support given to him over his years of service as District Commander. He spoke about accomplishments the District has made and gave his best wishes to the Commander-elect Berg. - ADJ Hart reminded all posts of requirement to submit new delegate letters, post election report, and general order #1 for newly elected officers. - CDR Serrato advised that anyone considering attending the DPA convention in Angeles City to review the DPA website for information. 15. The meeting was closed by District CDR Serrato per IAW VFW ritual at The next meeting of District V will be on August 15, 2015 in Korat. FOR THE COMMANDER Harold Hart, ADJ Distribution: All District V Officers All District V Post Commanders