MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING
SOUTHEAST TEXAS USAFA PARENTS’
ASSOCIATION
APRIL 25, 2004
On motion made, seconded and
unanimously approved, President John DeFilippo called the meeting to order at
2:45 p.m. First item of business was to recognize the new appointee parents, 35
present today.
Next, John asked Treasurer,
Nelly Pena, to give a treasurer’s report. Nelly reported the account balance was $689.00. Nelly also
reminded members and other present that it is time to renew membership and pay
dues - $20 per family and order name tags at $10.00 each.
John then spoke to the members
about usual club expenses - Rando Fund, tailgate party, recognition coins,
butter bars. These are expenses the club has every year and we need to always have
money for these items.
Announcement was made by John
and Peggy Omahundro for all attending the meeting to stop by the Firstie
Parents’ displays of their graduating cadets set up at a table at the front of
the meeting room.
Matt Goddar asked the members
to please update their contact information. There is a form available in the
newsletter.
Next, John recognized the
class reps for each class and asked them for updates:
2004 Class Reps - Suzie Phelps
and Dorothy Finch -
2005 Class Reps - Matt Godar
2006 Class Reps - Jody Ripma
and Nelly Pina- map on display for parents to look at and mark where their
Cadet would be spending Ops this summer.
2007 Class Reps - Sandy Carp
and Elizabeth May-reported all freshman cadets received their recognition coins
and prop & wings the previous Saturday. John thanked Sandy and Elizabeth
for their hard work on getting these to the cadets. It was reported that the
club also gave coins to Generals Rosa, Weida, Waggie and Montfred this year.
Letter of appreciation had been received from General Rosa and was read to the
membership.
John then recognized Mary Pope
and Paula Hubbard from the West Point Parents’ Association who were there to
speak about the military ball coming up December 26, 2004. The ball will be
held at the Sugarland Mariott. The ball committee believes $50,000.00 must be
raised to fulfill the financial needs for the ball. This year crystal bowls
will be engraved with each academy’s seal and sold at a cost of $50.00 each.
Limited number of 200 will be available for purchase. Mary Walter is
chairperson for Air Force ball committee.
John reported to the
membership that Don Aviles, a retired AF Maj. General who now owns his own
engineering company in Houston, has been appointed by President Bush to the
Board of Visitors at USAFA. He was
formerly in the corp at Texas A&M, and was on their Board of Regents. He is
also a retired Army General. He is a great selection for the Academy board of
visitors (similar to Texas A&M board of regents).
Next, discussion was had on
forming an “advisory group” which would be a group of people who could be
called on as needed to fill certain positions. This would make the board
broader and also make it easier to fill certain committee positions when
needed. A sign-up sheet will be circulated and all members are encouraged to
sign up.
Once again, John asked for a
volunteer to chair the tailgate and take the job over from Michael Berry.
Michael will still be available for support and has prepared a notebook that
outlines everything needed for the tailgate.
John announced that the
football game will be September 4, 2004. Tickets will be available starting
June 21st, however, all members interested in attending the game
Parents’ Weekend need to have order submitted by June 10th. Order
forms available in newsletter and at our website. If your cadet will be sitting with you, please indicate
their name on order form.
The floor recognized Michael
Berry who announced that either a cadet or sponsor family was needed to
volunteer to store the club’s Texas flag pole. It’s easier to have someone in
the Springs keep it rather than haul it back and forth every years. The Berrys’
Firstie Cadet, Michael, has been storing the flag and pole these past years.
John announced it was time to
decide whether or not to place our usual ad in Polaris. He outlined the
different sizes and prices. After motion made and seconded, the members voted
to place a half page ad at a cost of $300.00.
John recognized Barbara
Westmoreland, Mentor Moms chairperson and thanked her for her service to the
club in this capacity. Barbara thanked all members that had helped her over the
years and encouraged the ‘07 parents to participate in this program for the
incoming ‘08 parents as they would be the most versed in the changes at the
academy.
John then recognized Sandy
Carp and Elizabeth May as the new co-chairs of the Mentor Moms committee. Sandy and Elizabeth asked for volunteers and
asked that all interested fill out forms they had available. Sandy explained
she and Elizabeth would take the information from the forms and try to match
the mentors with parents of cadets with like interests.
Next, John thanked Fred and
Dorothy Finch for all the support they have given the past four years,
especially for preparing the chili each year for the January meeting! Since Fred and Dorothy are “graduating” Kay
Scully will be taking over Dorothy’s job of sending out the birthday cards to
our cadets.
John announced the new
appointee meeting with the ALOs would be held on May 23rd at St.
Luke’s Methodist Church in Houston. He also asked for volunteer to host the new
appointee party to be held in June prior to the cadets leaving. Volunteer just
needs to provide house, association will provide food.
John announced the next
meeting would be July 26th, 2:00 p.m. at the Fudruckers in the
Woodlands.
Next John introduced Maj. Gary
Morgan, leader of the ALOs to the members and turned the floor over to Maj.
Morgan. Maj. Morgan introduced Pedro Rivera and his wife, Elsie, to the
members. Capt. Rivera will now serve as our association’s liaison. Capt. Rivera
lives in Pearland and works at NASA. Capt. Rivera will be replacing Maj. Kathy
McDonald, who is retiring. Gary also announced there would be four new liaison
officers coming in and each would be assigned 7-12 schools. Three other ALOs
are retiring. Last year, our area had 43 appointees; this year 35 of the 38
appointees have been accepted. Gary asked that we call ALOs if we know of any
prospective appointees, or, if any parent has a cadet that is having problems
at the academy, to let him know. The proper chain of command is to contact John
DeFilippo who will then contact Gary.
John and Marilyn DeFilippo presented gifts to
the following outgoing senior parents and officers - Suzie Phelps, outgoing
Executive VP, Fred and Dorothy Finch, and Michael and Frankie Berry. These
parents have selflessly contributed their time and support.
On motion made, seconded, and
unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
Approved on
__________________________________.
_______________________________
John
DeFilippo, President
Attest:
_______________________________
Lynn Brooks, Secretary