Washington Chapter, VHPA

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Meeting Minutes, 2nd Quarter

Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association

Meeting at, Olympia Airport, Gathering of War birds, WA.

Subject: Minutes of business meeting and other notes of interest.

Opening of the meeting:

1. Chapter president, Paul Fleming was not able to be here today so Dave Eck (VP) opened the meeting. Since this is also “Flag Day” Bob Brown our Sgt-at-Arms, lead us in the pledge of allegiance, holding the American flag. We also observed a moment of silence for those who ‘have gone before us’.  [This also Fathers Day Weekend, happy Father’s Day].
2. Old Business:

a.              Paul asked if anyone remembered who had volunteered to be the coordinator with the VA American Lake to arrange visits or take stuff there, or remember anything about it.  This is a follow up on a request by Jack Salm last year that we have a POC with the VA American Lake or elsewhere to take magazines and other things to those hospitalized locally. [This is in addition to the gifts that we gave last year.]  Steve Garber remembered some of the discussion, and others brought up some comments and info. Paul also asked if we want to do something with this project. No committee was set up. Paul will contact VA to see what we can do. 

[1]        Dave brought up this subject but no one had any input. Later, Jack Salm said we can bring fairly new magazines and soft back books to give to the VA and they can hand them out without accountability.

b.              Paul introduced an idea that is part of an earlier idea that we follow the lead of some other on-line veteran groups to have a “Bio and photo” page on our web site that each member can fill out and send the data to a ‘screener’ who would then send it onto the web master for posting. Included in this is for us to use the web site more for interactive RSVP. The consensus of the members was to go ahead and set it up, those without an Internet connection would get a phone call or card as a reminder.   [This was urged onward by the passing of Mr. John Ness, A photo was at the sign in table. John Ness died Feb 13, 2008.] 

[1]        Dave brought this subject up, after some discussion, Bob Brown will send out a format to everyone for us to respond to for posting to the web site. Bob & Bill Vaughn will get together on this.

c.              Paul asked the members if they would go along with us purchasing a small cargo trailer i.e.: 4x6 foot or 6x8 foot to put the chapter equipment in for better storage and always ready to go for each meeting. This was approved and the members were asked to keep an eye open for a used one to keep the cost down.

 [1]       Dave asked about this subject. Not much discussion on this subject, no one had done anything about it. Doug Decker explained some of the background on it. No resolution at this time. 

• New Business:

  • Dave asked that members who brought a guest, to introduce them as well as identify themselves. Also, new members joined today and introduced themselves and were welcomed.
  • Skip Blaksley our Treasure reported we have $3900 and change.
  • Skip went on to report on our membership as being fairly steady in numbers and that with the help of Jack Salm, Skip is in the process of mailing out about 700 mailings to prospective pilots in our area. Possible expected return would be 10%.
  • The next meeting location is TBD the date is Sep 13, 2008 Saturday; info will come out later via email and/or card.
  • Some discussion on what we plan to do as an organization for the future and what we plan to do, some thoughts were to keep it as a social group, veteran’s parade and other similar events.
  • Dave asked what we were doing between meetings as for as the council was involved and said we don’t have much, the only met like this was Chris’s meeting a year ago in Feb.
  • Bob Brown mentioned that we could be invited to speak at schools if some one in our family, grand kids, were to invite us. Doug Decker mentioned Curt Pore'e has done this in the past. He also mentioned that all of the minutes are posted on the web site and we can keep up on news with reading it there. Dave asked who had been to our web site and about 7 people raised hands. Pat mentioned our web site and the address was repeated a couple of times so all could hear it.
  • Tim Locke mentioned, a retired VHPA pilot Jim Bush, died of pneumonia in May this year, he was 67 years old. He was not a member of our chapter.
  • Pat Staeheli mentioned the Auburn Veterans Day parade [November 8, Saturday this year] that we march in each year. Pat Staeheli said we have some new black windbreaker jackets in & for sale with the VHPA logo on the back. Chapter “T” shirts are also available & on sale at ½ price, smaller sizes as a ‘stock inventory’ clearance. You can contact Pat_ pgstaeheli@yahoo.com the jackets are $35. Pat is our current “PX officer”.
  • Tim Locke reported about the Special Forces picnic, which will be Aug 16^th with 4 Medal of Honor men there this year. A $15 charge this year, but the beer will be flowing freely. Crest field east of Kent. Tim will provide the info to the web master.
  • Jack Salm talked about a fellow who lives in Olympia, but is a VHPA member who is able to donate some land in Dothan, AL, to the VHPA National for some use but not to be sold. The question of national meetings was brought up; Jack repeated the info in the new VHPA Aviator magazine. The next year national meeting is in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Meeting concluded and we went out to enjoy the airplanes and show.

Other event notes of interest: See photos.

(Only Current & New Business will be read at the meetings.

Ongoing notes:

22 members and  2  guests attended.  New members:  3           27 total on record.

I ‘think’ some didn’t sign in so they aren’t counted. I have one corrected now. Does it really matter? It could matter in planning future events, for size of location, number of seats, tables, how much food to have, to name a few things, you do count.

WA Chapter, Secretary,

Doug Decker _date/time: 6/17/2008 8:24 PM.  E-mail: dougdecker1@comcast.net    

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