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Minutes
of the 2003 Kickoff Meeting Bill Cook called the meeting to order at 0945 and read the acclamation. Role call was conducted - all members of the Steering Committee were present with the exception of Elma England. Elma and her son, John, were in attendance at lunch. She did not arrive in time to participate in the voting. TREASURER'S REPORT: Bill Cook led a discussion on the current balance in the treasury and stated that according to our mission statement and the initial understanding that members have when joining, these funds are ear-marked for upcoming expenses for the web site, newsletter, recruiting and publicizing reunions. Bill read the financial report. It was accepted as read. Bill stated that the financial report can be read online at www.UssTidewater.org/finances/. NEW BUSINESS: The floor was opened for new business. A discussion about incorporating the Association as a tax-exempt corporation resulted with Lois Murray volunteering to assist in this task. Lois is an attorney, licensed to practice law in the state of Wisconsin. The mission statement was reviewed and membership requirements were discussed. The mission statement was approved as read. Bob Hall led a discussion on memorabilia and where it could be stored and displayed. He talked about the shipyard and a memorial that is in the planning stages at the shipyard. Bi-laws were discussed - the preparation of bi-laws should be kept to a minimum but should serve the purpose of this organization. Paul Witkowski volunteered to help on the bi-laws. He related his experience with the USS Owens Association and he has access to other association bi-laws, which might prove to be helpful. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: The possible need for a board of directors was discussed. Should there be an interim board which would be an outgrowth of this meeting, or should we elect officers and form a board from that body? A discussion on what offices would be needed resulted in Lois Murray advising us that we needed 4 positions to be legal. They are President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. They can be combined, but the President cannot be the Secretary. Gene Shelton moved that officers be elected from the Steering Committee. Al Murray seconded the motion and after a discussion of what the offices would entail and the length of the term of office, it was unanimously approved. Paul Witkowski moved that we have a reunion next year and every two years after that. This was seconded by Al Murray and approved unanimously. Paul then moved that the term of our first officers be three years and then subsequent terms of office be two years, running from reunion to reunion with a reunion every two years. The motion was seconded by Al Murray and approved unanimously. The floor was opened for nominations for President. Bill Cook was nominated by Tom Olson. The floor was closed for nominations. A vote ensued and Bill was elected President. In like manner the offices of Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer were filled by Chuck Girnius, Bob Hall and Mike Warman. The Steering Committee developed the following as definitions of tasks for our new officers: President: Conduct
meetings, sign contracts, appoint committees, define tasks, follow up. COMMITTEES: In his first act as President, Bill Cook appointed Paul Witkowski Bi-Laws Chairman. He then appointed Bob Hall Reunion 2004 Chairman. Bob Hall asked Lou Spatholt to be on his committee - Lou agreed. Bob Hall was appointed Ship's Historian. There was a discussion on Tidewater memorabilia, in general. If anyone wants any information on how to forward memorabilia to the association, they should contact Bob. MEMBERSHIP FEES: Membership fees were discussed. It was agreed that they should be raised after the founding memberships are sold out. That would be beginning January 1, 2004. Paul Witkowski moved that effective January 1, 2004, fees be increased for Annual Memberships to $20 per year and for Life Memberships, to $100 per year. Tom Nolan seconded the motion and after a brief discussion, the motion was passed unanimously by the Steering Committee. OTHER ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Paul Witkowski suggested that we should decide on our official name. He moved that we adopt the name "USS Tidewater AD31 Association" and that our motto be "dedicated to officers and men who served aboard the Tidewater." Mike Warman seconded the motion. There was a brief discussion. And the motion was approved unanimously. Online voting was discussed. Quorum requirements were discussed. These items were tabled for development and discussion for by-laws and for future meetings. Bill Cook announced that patches are available for sale in the Ship's Store. They cost $10.00 each with a shipping charge of $2.00 per order. Non-members may purchase these patches for $15.00 each. Other items to sell through the Ship's Store were discussed. Lou Spatholt will investigate the cost of hats. Bill is working with a vendor to supply window decals that will be similar in appearance to the AD31 patch. It was suggested that a way to cut costs for the Association is to put the newsletter on line. This would reduce printing and mailing costs. Bill Cook will continue to edit the newsletter for another year and will investigate putting it online. In the event that the newsletter goes online, hardcopy will continue to be sent to those members who are not online. Door prizes were awarded. An AD31 cap went to Bob Hall who traveled the furthest to the meeting. Bob Branch won the Iraqi playing cards. Bob Hall presented Bill Cook with a certificate of appreciation signed by all the members of the Steering Committee. Gene Shelton suggested that we not compete against each other when bidding on E-bay for Tidewater items if we are, in fact, bidding on items for the Association. Bob Hall discussed a book on the Charleston Shipyard which is offered through one of our members, Gerald Teaster, who sells books on Charleston and Naval subjects. Gerald is located in Summerville, SC and can be reached through the roster via e-mail. Bill Cook suggested keeping e-mails up to date for purposes of posting on the web site. We need to stay in touch. Our guest speaker, Eleanor Wimett, Director of Communications and Collections, USS Yorktown CV10, gave a talk on activities at Patriot's Point. The meeting was adjourned at 1445 after which the members of the Steering Committee toured the Yorktown. Respectfully submitted, Bob Hall, Secretary |