Board of Directors / Delegates Meeting Minutes 69th Annual National Convention Orlando, Florida August 14, 2015 Meeting called to order by President Allen Schoppe at 1000 hours. Invocation by Chaplain, Major Emmitt Furner and Pledge of Allegiance by all. Roll call of Officers and Directors (Attachment 1). President Schoppe noted that minutes of the 68th Annual National Convention Board of Directors / Delegates Meeting were in everyone s packet and asked for a motion to approve them. Director Steen moved to adopt the minutes as submitted. Director Rezabek seconded. The motion carried. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Treasurer s Report Treasurer Lawrence Slavicek presented a State of Financial Position as of May 31, 2015 showing total assets of $238,945; total liabilities of $156,742; and total net assets of $82,202. Current liabilities, in large part, still consisted of chapter rebates payable of $68,545. Long term liabilities of $77,254 consisted of loans payable to the 82nd Airborne Association Wounded Warrior Fund; 504th Association; and a personal loan from an Association member. Discussion shifted to a budget spreadsheet comparing 2015 Budget to updated 2015 Budget figures and to 2014 actuals. Updated 2015 Budget figures showed projected revenue of $260,148; projected expenses of $241,595; with a balance of $18,553. In summary, the Association financial position is trending upward with revenue from sponsors and web-site advertising, continued cost cutting and despite declining membership. b. Chapter and Membership Executive Director Bill Bauer reported that bills are payed up, things are looking up and there is money in the bank. Membership renewals as of the Convention numbered 251 veteran and 261 active military. Membership enrollment of active military is getting better, but there is still room for improvement. There was lengthy discussion of JAG restrictions on active military membership solicitation. Bauer also reported that USAA is working to increase credit card sign-up, which results in a corresponding increase in the money USAA pays to the Association. c. By-Laws Director Steen moved to table discussion on most of the changes presented to the Board at AAW till later on the agenda. Director Herlihy seconded. The motion carried. Consideration of changes to convention SOP was discussed below under convention planning. A committee chaired by President Schoppe was formed to review Article V in the By-Laws about the Military Control Group. d. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Slavicek had no report.
Page 2 69th Annual Convention Directors and Delegates Meeting e. Convention Planning Committee Chairman Bill Eberle reported that more than 500 are registered for the 69th Annual Convention. He reviewed preparations to date for the 2016 Convention to be held in Louisville, Kentucky and presented a report of his efforts to find a sponsor and location for the 2017 Convention. The deadline for bids to host the 2017 Convention was April 31, 2015. As of May 10, 2015, he had not received bids from any of the Association chapters. At AAW, the Board had asked Eberle to investigate the possibility of one hotel chain hosting multi-year conventions. Eberle said that he was not successful in that effort. It was, clear to him, however, that many individual hotels would be very interested in multi-year contracts with their facilities. At the AAW meeting, the Board also discussed the desirability of holding conventions at locations within driving distance (6 to 7 hours) of Fort Bragg in order to attract more active military participation. Director Severino reiterated the importance of veteran and active military interaction in promoting Association membership benefits. Since AAW, Eberle visited or communicated with six properties in the general area of Fort Bragg including: Myrtle Beach, SC; Savannah, GA; Columbia, SC and Hilton Head, SC. As of the present, Eberle had received one bid from a Marriott Hotel in Columbia, SC with agreeable terms and conditions. Eberle emphasized that the bid comes from the hotel and city and did not have an Association chapter or chapters supporting it. After discussion, Director Herlihy moved to accept this proposal for the 2017 convention. Director Steen seconded. The motion carried. f. Public Relations Committee Chairman Rezabek had no report. g. Internal Affairs Committee No report h. Awards Committee Director Herlihy reported that Harris Rosen was chosen at the AAW Board Meeting to receive the All American of the Year Award. The award will be presented at this convention s Memorial Dinner. i. Resolutions Committee Judge Advocate and Committee Chairman Young had no report. j. Historical Committee Historian Stonerock had no report. k. Western Area Coordinator No report. l. Veterans Affairs Committee VSO Crouse had no report. m. Legislative LNO Past Director Sumner submitted a written report relating to National Airborne Day efforts. n. Insurance Committee Director Glancy reported that negotiations are in process for policy renewal. o. Bequest Planning At AAW, the Board had instructed Director Copening and Director Holmes to look at the possibility of merging two fundraising plans described in great detail (see AAW minutes) at that meeting. At the convention, they reported that the two plans were different Copening s plan involves fundraising through bequests and depends on the Association successfully applying for 501(C)19 status, while Holmes s plan involves annual pledges from the Association membership. Start-up costs for both plans need to be determined. President Schoppe will review the plans again and report to the Board at a later date. p. Advertising and Marketing Committee Past President and Committee Chairman Harold Schroeder reported the consideration of ad ideas for the Association website. Form letters for advertiser solicitation have been
Page 3 69th Annual Convention Directors and Delegates Meeting prepared to ensure there is consistent information in the appeals. Director Copening suggested that our legal consultant review the letters. OLD BUSINESS a. By-Law Changes It was decided that the proposed by-law changes would be presented for discussion and vote at the membership meeting on Saturday, August 15. b. Cleveland Chapter Name Change -- At the AAW Board of Directors meeting, Director Rezabek submitted a request to clarify the official name of the Cleveland Chapter. The Board voted to approve the change to the John Towle Medal of Honor Cleveland Chapter and submit it to the delegates at the National Convention for approval. Director Copening moved to approve the change. Director Steen seconded. The motion carried. c. Francis Marion Chapter -- A request to dissolve the Francis Marion Chapter submitted to the Board at AAW was tabled because there might be some unresolved issues. The request was to be considered at the National Convention. Because no issues were found, President Schoppe declared the matter resolved. He stated that he would send letters to the remaining members of the dissolved chapter detailing the options for affiliation with other chapters. d. All American of the Year Award -- At AAW, the Board voted to change the All-American of the Year Award from a plaque to an award that could be worn a medallion suspended from a ribbon. Director Copening was commissioned to create the new form of the award. He reported that it was ready to be presented at the Memorial Dinner. e. 82nd Memorial -- At AAW, Richard F. O Hare presented a plan to create and install at Arlington National Cemetery a memorial honoring 82nd Division soldiers from WWI to the present. O Hare acknowledged that there was much to be done before the memorial becomes a reality including: Federal approvals, land acquisition, fundraising, etc. President Schoppe said that the Association will monitor progress on this initiative, but no other action will be taken at this time. f. Paraglide Status Director Holmes reported that only 200 members had subscribed to date. That number is far short of what is necessary to resume printing of the Paraglide. Holmes said that a flyer was being prepared for mailing to a scrubbed list of Association membership. A ten percent response to that mailing would be necessary to make it possible to print the Paraglide. President Schoppe asked whether there was a timeline for mailing and response. He further suggested that we walk away from the project if there were insufficient subscriptions by the end of the year. After much additional discussion, Director Herlihy moved to end the subscription effort immediately and return the money of those that have subscribed to date. Director Severino seconded. The motion carried. g. Status of Trademark Application President Schoppe reported that Doug Andrews has submitted the application and all necessary fees. There is no indication of when a reply might be expected.
Page 4 69th Annual Convention Directors and Delegates Meeting h. Database Changes Executive Director Bill Bauer reported that substantial changes to the database have been completed, but won t be apparent until January 1, 2016. NEW BUSINESS a-1. Delegates Report A spokesperson for the delegates presented a lengthy report about issues discussed at the delegates meeting. Highlights of their discussion, concerns and ideas are as follows: 1. Question about status of 501(C)19 application and question about IRS requirements concerning combat veteran percentages necessary for qualification. President Schoppe said that, regarding the combat veteran percentage, the Association qualifies and that he would check with the Association s accountant about application status when he returns to Houston after the convention. Executive Bauer said that it could be a 3 to 12 month waiting period from application to approval. 2. Delegates wanted to know status of by-law changes. President Schoppe said that the proposed changes would be discussed and voted on at the membership meeting on Saturday. 3. The Association treasurer was asked to clarify the difference between promotional and advertising expenses. Slavicek said that promotional costs are related to the cost of efforts to reach out to active military. Advertising expenses relate to costs of advertising the Association. This related to the question of whether the Association convention could be advertised in publications of other veterans organizations like the VFW. 4. The delegates suggested that the locations of local chapters be made available to active military considering separation perhaps through a large map displayed at the 82nd Airborne Division Museum. 5. The idea of local chapters issuing temporary membership cards for qualified applicants to use until receipt of their cards from National was mentioned. 6. The delegates asked about getting the option of printing one page of the on-line Paraglide. They were told that this could be done. 7. The delegates also offered kudos to the Association webmaster for the new website. a-2. Association By-Law Changes President Schoppe read the lengthy list of Association by-law changes to be considered. After some discussion, it was agreed that the changes needed to be studied further to make certain that they didn t conflict with other parts of the by-laws. Director Herlihy moved to table the changes till the 2106 AAW Board of Directors meeting. Director Rezabek seconded. The motion carried. b-1. Chapter By-Law changes Michael Oesch, Vulcan Chapter Chairman submitted a request for approval of three amendments to their chapter by-laws. Director Steen moved to approve the changes. Director Copening seconded. The motion carried. b-2. Pete Long, Chairman of the Phoenix Valley of the Sun Chapter submitted a request for approval of a name change to Phoenix Joseph P. Schwan Chapter. Director Herlihy moved to approve the change. Director Steen seconded. The motion carried. c. Wounded Warrior Fund By-Law changes President Schoppe reported that there are no changes. d. Convention SOP changes Previously discussed.
Page 5 69th Annual Convention Directors and Delegates Meeting e. 501(C)19 Efforts Previously discussed. f. Nomination for Honorary Life Membership There were none. g. 2017 Convention Bid Previously discussed. h. Education Fund President and Education Fund Treasurer Allen Schoppe presented a detailed Cash and Investments Report for the 82nd Airborne Division Educational Fund. It showed the locations of all of the Fund s cash and investments and a total balance as of June 30, 2015 of $1,004,350.68. Schoppe reported that $150,000 in scholarships were awarded in 2014 and he anticipated about the same amount will be awarded in 2015. Schoppe also said that he was going to tighten up the application procedures and that might necessitate some flexibility of application receipt deadlines. i. Multiview Partnership Executive Director Bauer reported making efforts to increase e-news. j. Changes in Association Sales The Board voted to partner with Military Marketplace for the sale of Association merchandise. Residual inventory will be turned over to Military Marketplace. This action will remove inventory expenses from the Association s Balance Sheet. Only sales revenue will now appear on the Association s Balance Sheet. Military Marketplace will pay the Association 80% of sales from the existing inventory. The Association will then get 20% of sales from new product sales. Military Marketplace reported $9,000 in sales as of the Director and Delegates Meeting at the convention. k. Proposed 82nd Airborne Division Statue for Those Killed in Training This is an initiative by the 82nd s Commanding General to create and install this statue at Fort Bragg. Funds will be solicited from all paratroopers. The intent is to complete and install the statue by 2016 All American Week. More information will be available in the Paraglide. The Association intends to support this initiative. OTHER BUSINESS Director Herlihy moved to form a committee to consider offering the new All American of the Year Medallion to past recipients. Director Rezabek seconded. The motion carried. There was no further business, so Director Rezabek moved to adjourn. Director Steen seconded. The meeting was adjourned. Allen E. Schoppe National President Respectfully submitted on September 14, 2015 by: Jose Aguayo National Secretary
82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS & DELEGATES MEETING 2015 69 TH NATIONAL CONVENTION ORLANDO, FLORIDA Roll Call August 14, 2015 1000 TITLE / NAME President Allen E. Schoppe Vice President CSM Brian Severino Secretary José Aguayo Treasurer Lawrence Slavicek Director Michael Briseño Director CSM Alexander Barnett Director Steven Copening Director Randy Glancy Director T. Ed Herlihy Director Justin Holmes Director Steve Jessie Director SGM William Vintson Director CSM Scott Lesch Director CSM Andre Machado Director José Perez-Ortiz Director Gary Rezabek Director CSM Rucker Director Joe Steen Director CSM William Yeargan Director James O Connor Executive Director Bill Bauer Past President Harold A. Schroeder Past President William Eberle Past President David Foy Past President Steve Fraser Past President Ben Beekman Past President Duke Armendariz Past President Rich Becker Past President Tom Graham Past President Ron Rath Past President Mel Greene Past President Charles Anderson PRESENT ECUSED ABSENT Roll Call taken by: Executive Director, Bill Bauer