AMVETS Riders Convention June 17, 2017 5:08 PM The meeting opened with the invocation by our Chaplain, Heather Stretar Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ron Hoban The mission statement was read by our President, Jenna Attendance was taken and All Officers were present Guests: The Juniors-Introduction of the new officers and the National officers(5) National 2 nd Vice Commander- Thanked us for our service and the good work we do. Larry Via, our Past National President for the Riders was introduced. AMVETS National 2 nd Vice-Rege Riley Wanted to thank us for all we do in Florida and acknowledged how important the Riders are to the AMVETS. Past National President of AMVETS Riders, Rob Quick was introduced. He stated that Don Cox sends his regards. He is in Ohio and unable to attend. He sends his praise and respect for what we do in Florida. He also stated that he is here to reinforce communication and contact. Be are a brotherhood bound by a flag and a pledge. Florida Riders were founded in 2008 by Larry Arnett and several of our Florida Riders have held offices at National. He met Vince Stretar and worked to do the right thing. Dept. of Florida became a model. He shared that Florida is now in a disruptive state. Information is being spread as fact which are strictly opinion. He stated that he and the National Sargeant at Arms have been greeted with hostility and disdain. At the Mid Year Rally, AMVETS President asked Riders National to fix the issues that the Florida Riders are dealing with that are affecting all of AMVETS. He made it clear that disrespect and various forms of conflict will no longer be tolerated. He also stated that they would be here all weekend should anyone need to discuss anything. National Sgt. At Arms is also in attendance, Larry Sad. Minutes were printed in the book and corrections will be made to amend incorrect spelling and names. Serianni was misspelled., Phil from chapter 86 (Not Bill), JA, Don Fiore was nominated by Randy Jordan not nominated by Joker. 1 st Vice-Report Mike Mouse Munoz 433 renewals. The totals sound skewed but it has to do with renewals that did not report AMVETS, SONS, Ladies, etc. 672 Riders in Florida have been confirmed with Karen Cox of National. As far as we can confirm, all numbers are correct. Motion to accept the report, 2 nd by Wills (60) Motion passed to accept the report as written. Mouse shared that his health has gotten so bad he is now scheduled for a heart transplant and will check himself into the hospital in Jacksonville on Tuesday to wait for the heart he needs. He stated that this organization has been his heart for the last 16 years. He asked to remove his name from consideration for any offices. LRB and LRS are more than words. Learn and understand what they mean and practice them everyday. AMVET Riders was built for the purpose of building programs to help veterans, not being a political forum. Our membership has dropped by 50%. We should not be fighting with each other or amongst ourselves. He urged us to re-evaluate. He asked permission to leave the
meeting for his health and well-being. His support will always be given to the riders. He is hoping to see us next year. He asked that nothing is posted on Facebook out of respect for him. 2 nd Vice-Kurt Knechtle We have issues with reporting. There are 26 Chapters but only 20 reporting. Last year we had $751,000 in reporting but this year we are showing $445,000. That is way down, along with membership. We do not have 100% reporting. Kurt offered his support. He also has National gun raffle tickets, which are a part of the criteria to gain Quality Chapter status. He stated that Chapters 44,2,312 and 86 are killing it and many other are probably doing well but just not reporting. 9, 14, 24 and 34 see Kurt. He d like to help us with reporting. Motion to accept the report was seconded by? Chapter 301. Jenna shared that Mouse did a great job putting together a book that made registration much easier. Treasurer s Report-Tom Serianni His report is in the book that shows our checks and deposits since the 1 st of the year. We are not spending the money on the cane program, so we really need to get the canes out to those who need them. The service Foundation has been generous so let s get them out to our Veterans. We paid much more for memberships (665) to National but only showing (375) paid in Florida. Nothing unusual about the budget. Tom also wanted everyone to know, that the only deposits he makes are for his own chapter. Mary makes deposits for memberships. He said a discussion took place at the E-Board meeting about how to resolve this issue. Check the report for yours. Tom also said that next budget year we will likely need to buy a laptop, quickbooks and some software as he is using all his own stuff, but because Quickbooks is not supported he can not go on line with it. Chapter 34 has 2 outstanding checks. Mary has the checks and will need to speak with them after the meeting. Mary shared that checks are still going to Bronson a year after it went somewhere else. Also, Checks are being sent in incorrect amounts. Therefore they are not being cashed. She has 3 chapters checks and will see them after the meeting. Also, some chapters are saying they are not getting e-mails. Mary has 4 pages of e-mail addresses so getting correct e-mail addresses is the only way to get accurate information out to the group. Motion to accept the report, 2 nd by Tim Morris. Report accepted. Don Joker Fiore SOP s were sent out but only got back 2 or 3 responses for the Proposed SOP s to start us off. SOP s are items that are not covered in the CBL s to assist others who follow in offices. Later we will vote on what has been proposed then try to edit and make changes at some point later. Don has received only 4 chapters that have SOP s on file. We will also vote on membership dues which we agreed we would do annually. Motion to accept the report was 2 nd by Richard Mann (44) Motion carried to accept the report. Chaplain Report-Heather Stretar She considers it an honor to serve and mentioned that our website and facebook is where she posts prayer requests as well as support for those who need us. Heather asked us to please keep sending her information to keep her informed. She asked that you see the website Chaplain s Corner. Prayers for Mouse are especially needed. The Last Chapter
section on the national website has information on Riders who have passed. As we loose members, we lose brothers/sisters. WE are family and we work hard to support our veterans. Be proud of what we do and how important our work is. We are doing what we do for our veterans and to support those who sacrificed for us. We lost 4 riders this past year. Motion to accept the report, 2 nd by FL 2. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Mid Year Rally at Post 48 (Kurt gave an informal Report) was organized, food was great, entertainment was good and meetings were productive. 125-150 people in attendance. Ideas were shared with people from around the country. It was good to meet the many riders from around the nation. Net year s rally will be in Florida at Kurt s Post(113) so he is excited to welcome everyone next year. There is a lot to be learned at the national meetings as well. Chapter of the year criteria needs some discussion. Don and Kurt reminded Jenna that we decided to move the award until October but that new criteria was decided on. This was tabled until October. Walking canes for Veterans-Year to date we have given out 16 canes but new applications will likely double that number. We have 300 canes and applications (On the Riders website). Forward applications to Kurt Knechtle who will get those out to Veterans who need them. Don-SOP s. The e-board met and had issue with the uniform item (Item 4) and it was decided that we would have more discussion so that item will be stricken from the SOP s to allow time to review and amend the items. Don motioned that we accept the SOP s, 2 nd by Tom Serianni. Motion Carried. Bottle Raffle announcement for those who didn t get tickets. Also tickets for the TV are still available. Chapter reports-keep it brief (2 minutes). Motion by Cowboy to table chapter reports, 2 nd Brian Frater (chapter 301) Motion carried. Motion by V. Stretar to give Jr.s Money for the National Convention ($500) 2nd by Trout (26) Tom stated that we are holding over $6000 so we have the money. Motion to include money is for Jr s only, not family members who travel with them. Motion carried. Vince stated that the Jr. s don t have a flag. Motion by Stretar to donate a flag. Mary McCarthy to donate a flag. Larry Vie will work to assist with a pole/stand. Motion was recinded. Larry Vie mentioned that Larry Arnett from the service foundation is running for President of the Service Foundation and could use our votes. Vince mentioned that Larry Arnett was the one who gave us the seed money to start our cane program.. Last year we decided to change our dues structure and also that we would revisit that each year. Dues went from $12.00 to $17.00 to include $5.00 per member to department. Tom reminded us that we just voted on the SOP s that include the dues structure. Stretar motion to continue with that. Chapter 422, 2 nd. Motion carried. Previous (February)Nominations: President-Jenna 1 st Mouse
2 nd Kurt JA-Joker Treasurer-Tom Sergeant at arms-mark Chinault and Ron Hoban Nominations: Round 2 President- Robert Dolphin Wills (Jenna declined her nomination) 1 st vice-don Joker Fiore (Trout 26) (Mouse Withdrew) 2 nd Vice- Ben Westerly by Stretar, Kurt Knechtle Treasurer- Tom Serianni(No other nominations) JA-Richard Mann (44)(By Kurt) Brian Train Frater(301) Don Fiore Declined his previous Nomination Sergeant at arms-ron Hoban (60), Chris Hammer(2) and Eric Pickles Gallant (44) Mark Chinault declined his nomination. Secretary cast 1 unanimous vote for Robert Wills for President Secretary Cast 1 unanimous vote for Don Fiore for 1 st Vice Vote was taken for Ben Weterly and Kurt Knechtle for 2 nd vice. Results: Ben ( 10) Kurt (21) Kurt is our 2 nd Vice for Department of Florida Secretary cast 1 unanimous vote for Tom Serianni for Treasurer JA candidates introduced themselves: Brian Frater, Richard Mann, Votes: Brian ( Richard( Majority vote) Richard Mann is our New JA Sergeant at Arms Candidates introduced themselves: Ron Hoban, Chris Hammer and Eric Gallant. Vote was taken: Ron (4) Chris Hammer (13) Eric Gallant (18) New Segeant at Arms is Eric Gallant Motion to buy Shirts for the Jr s by Stretar, 2 nd by Richard (44) up to $500 to get shirts for their 50 th anniversary. There are 58 Juniors. Vince says they are about $5 per shirt, but there was some reminders that the actual cost is closer to $7-$8 Discussion included passing the hat, fundraisers, etc. It was also discussed that our funds would be significantly depleted if we did this as our funds for this type of donation would leave us with only $200 until end of the year should we need it for another program. Kurt suggested that the chapters might donate to cover the cost. Motion was rescinded after chapters offered to donate: Chapter34-$50-pd Chapter2-$100 Chapter26-$50-pd Chapter44-$100-pd Chapter113-$100 Chapter9-$50 Chapter 88-$100
Total of $550 in donations were Send to the Department PO Box (on the webpage) We need to discuss getting a flag and POW table so we don t have to run our meetings without them as they are generally removed during our meeting for use at other AMVET meetings/dinner. Chapter 34, Chapter 301- Please see Mary after the meeting. Anyone who needs gun raffle tickets see Kurt Jug raffle-mad Hatter (44) (Carl) TV Raffle-Mike Lawson - Phone number only (Need to call) Jenna passed the Roberts Rules of Order book she was given (Very Old) along with a newer version over to the New President, Robert Wills and congratulations. Dolphin thanked everyone and committed to make the organization better every day that he is in office. Benediction Motion to adjourn, 2nd and Carried National Sgt. At Arms-Final Salute to the flag Installation of new officers by Rob Quick followed the meeting.