MINUTES OF THE CHAPTER MEETING OF 1-4-10
1.) CALL TO ORDER
- Sergeant-at-Arms Ron Powell calls for order on the floor, no food, alcohol or smoking allowed, no firearms allowed, silence all cell phones and pagers, last call for 50/50 tickets.
- President James Chappelle calls the meeting to order.
2.) OPENING CEREMONIES:
- Pledge of Allegiance.
- Chaplain Len Johnson leads moment of silence and opening prayer.
- POW-MIA missing man chair.
- Remembrance of lost comrades - reading of bios from the podium was done by Gary Siefert. Remembered was Denis H. Hewlett who died at An Khe on 10/8/67 and Charles L. Isley 3rd who died at Chu Lai on 11/20/66
3.) MINUTES:
- Motion to dispense with reading of Minutes and to accept Minutes as written, was made by Jack O’Neal and 2nd by Steve Ostroff.
- Copies of all Minutes available to members for review after the meeting
4.) TREASURER’S REPORT:
- Treasurer Rich Micucci made his report.
- Any questions or discussion
- Copies of Treasurer’s Report and books available to members for review after the meeting
5.) COMMITTEE AND TASK GROUP REPORTS:
A.) STANDING COMMITTEES:
(1.) COMMUNITY SERVICES - Al Mikutis, Al DiPanfilis, Rich Micucci, Sue Justice. Al Mikutis reported that he received 1.5 lbs of stamps to send to the VA and that in spite of the snowstorm the children’s Christmas Party still went on congratulating Sue Justice for her efforts.
(2.) EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING & BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES - Jerome Rudman reported that while the private sector is toiling with high unemployment the public sector has many “mission-critical jobs”. Partnership of Public Service reported that the public sector will need 273,000 in various federal agencies. The greatest needs will be in the health field with at least 54,114 medical and public health jobs need to be filled. This will include 31,455 nurses, 10,626 doctors and thousands of nursing assistants, pharmacists and other wellness professionals. Jobs in security and protection are also in demand; 52,077 positions are available police and transportation officers. Also there are 31,276 jobs in compliance and enforcement agencies and 23,597 in various legal fields, Also 17,287 jobs available in administration and program management fields.
Full Report is in records of the minutes
(3.) MEMBERSHIP AFFAIRS - Steve Uchniat, Fred Rosso. Steve reported that as of 1/4/10 there are 105 VVA members with 1-3 year memberships, 164 life members for a total of 269. AVVA has 22 1-3 year memberships, 16 life members and 2 other members for a total of 43. This gives a total of both to 312 members
(4.) VETERANS BENEFITS - Len Johnson reported National President of Vietnam Veterans of America John Rowan sent out a press release thanking VA Secretary Shinseki for doing the right thing in adding Parkinson’s Ischemic Heart Disease and Hairy-Cell Leukemia to the Agent Orange ‘Presumptive’ List. Full Report included with the minutes on record.
(5.) NOMINATIONS - Cliff Jeffries, Hugh Smith, Sandy Bukowski. Cliff Jeffries reported that next month opens up the period of nominations for board and executive officers.
B.) SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
(1.) COLOR GUARD - Len Johnson reported that the Color Guard was present at the funeral of Tom Finnerty and Tom Dehorsey
(2.) EDUCATION - Len Johnson, Gerry Ney, Jon Wright. Len Johnson reported that the committee is still looking for a school to replace St. Bartholomew for the yearly essay contest.
(3.) FUNDRAISING - Fred Rosso, Steve Uchniat. Steve reported that it was the last week for the football fundraiser, and the last month for the lottery
(4.) CHAPTER NEWSLETTER - Maureen Mc Hale, Steve Uchniat. Sue Justice reported that the newsletter is being worked on.
(5.) CHAPTER WEBSITE - Sandy Wright reported the web-site is looking for additional events to put on the calendar.
(6.) PRODUCT SALES - Len Johnson, James Chappelle. Len Johnson reported that all new products will be put on the website.
(7.) VA HOSPITAL: James Chapelle, Len Johnson, Bob Dott. James Chappelle wanted to give a word of thanks to all the people who have given so much help at the VA Hospital party.
(8.) SUNSHINE: James Chapelle and Del Stones. James Chappelle reported on the deaths of Tom Finnerty, Tom Dehorsey and James Clary. Also I have just gotten off the phone (1/18/10) after talking to Tom Murtha who reported that all the fluid in his lungs has all cleared and that he is going in on 1/20/10 for a heart catheterizing to be followed by a heart valve replacement in the near future. Tom said that he is in good spirits and feeling well and is looking forward to getting the problems taken care of and moving on. “Semper Fidelis” Tom!
C.) JOINT HOUSE COMMITTEE REPORT
Chair: Hugh Smith
VVA 266 Members: Tom Murtha, Len Johnson, Al DiPanfilis, Sheila Rosen.
AL 738 Members: Hugh Smith, Bob Sterling, Tim Hagelin, Jim Smith.
Hugh reported that he is trying to talk to the City Sanitation Dept about getting the mess cleaned up across the street from the building and so far has not been having any luck. He also reported that the repaired floor came out great.
6.) DATELINE:
*NEXT VVA-266 CHAPTER MEETING (1st Monday): 2/1/10 @ 1930
*NEXT VVA-266 BOARD MEETING (3RD Monday): 1/18/10 @ 1900
*NEXT VAMC HOSPITAL VISIT (3rd Thursday) To Be Announced
*NEXT AL-738 MEETING (3rd Tuesday): 1/19/10 @ 1900
*NEXT VMW-6 MEETING (2nd Monday): To Be Announced
*NEXT 173rd AI MEETING (3rd Tuesday Quarterly): 1/17/10 @ 1930
[*DENOTES MEETINGS HELD AT THE CHAPTER HOME 1515 E. LUZERNE STREET.]
NEXT UVC MEETING (4th Wednesday): @ Crestlawn Post AL 832
NEXT VVA PA STATE COUNCIL: 3/6-7/ 10 @ State College PA.
NEXT AL DIST #5 MEETING (2nd Wednesday) 1/16/10 @ Oxley Post @ 1300 / 4636 Decatur Rd.
7.) ADJOURNMENT
- 50/50 drawing by Sergeant-at-Arms. Steve Ostroff won the 50/50 for $36.00
- Motion to adjourn. Motion by Ron Powell 2nd by Bob Sterling
- Chair declares meeting adjourned. @ 2015
After the meeting there was an ad hoc meeting of the Board of VVA in order to vote for the purchase of a brick in the walk way of the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial for $125.00 motion was made by Jerry Rudman and 2nd by Gerry Ney. Passed by unanimous vote by all present.
Respectfully Submitted,
Timon Hagelin
Secretary
Minutes
