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Posted by: Kate on 10/19/2007 08:34 PM
Updated by: Kate on 10/19/2007 08:34 PM
Expires: 01/01/2012 12:00 AM
Draft Minutes for Thursday, July 26, 2007
DRAFT *** DRAFT *** DRAFT *** DRAFT *** DRAFT
Veterans Memorial Foundation Committee (VMFC)Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2007
Co-Chairman Bill Gilmer called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM (in the absent of Chairman Larry Davison who came in a few minutes late) at the Oconee Commission Chambers after Rev Ed McConnell offered a prayer and Gilmer led the Pledge of Allegiance to our US Flag. He passed around a sign-up sheet and called the roll..
Present Members:
Jeff Benko
Don Walter
Larry Davison
Ed Kennedy
Mike Ginn
Kate McDaniel
Bill Gilmer
John Roberts
Pete Shelnutt
Ed McConnell, DAV Representative
Brad Wilson, Oconee Enterprise
Absent Members:
Bob Smith
Beth Gilmer
John Gentry
Vinnie Williams
David Kilpatrick
Jim Alexander
David Williams
Co-Chairman Gilmer then turned the meeting over to Chairman Davison.
A motion was made and seconded to excuse those who were absent.
A motion was made to accept the Minutes for June 28, 2007 Meeting as written.
REPORTS FROM THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES
1. Memorial Committee
Don Walter reported that he had contacted the various vendors for building the memorial and that they were waiting on the official word from the Foundation Committee to start the project. The area in the Oconee Community Complex designated for the memorial has been graded.
2. Finance Committee
In the absence of Chairman Matt Alexander, Chairman Davison reported that a few more checks had been received ($100 and $75-Iris Place) during the past month.
3. Fundraising Committee (November GALA)
Beth Gilmer, chair of the Fundraising Committee was not present. A general discussion ensued concerning the type of GALA event that would be appropriate – a semi-formal or a casual event. There were pros and cons for both types. See Program Committee Report below.
4. Publicity Committee
Miss Vinnie has been reporting the actions taken by the VMFC each month in weekly articles in the Oconee Enterprise. Last month, a very well written article by Christopher Butler was printed in the ABH.
Bill Gilmer stated that he planned to write an article and wanted the permission of the Committee to include each Committee member’s name at the end of the article. A motion was made but failed for lack of a second. Some members objected. Bill agreed that he would not use anybody’s name but his own.
Jeff Benko suggested that we need to move along on definite plans because by next month’s meeting on the 4th Thursday in August, we will have only 3 months left before the GALA event on November 8, but more like a little over 2 months (77 days).
5. Program Committee
In the absence of Chairman John Gentry of this committee, Kate McDaniel reported that she had received an e-mail from John which she read. Re: John’s suggestion for the Program. It described the evening as an event faintly resembling a coat&tie military ball. After discussion, Committee members wanted to take the recommendation of Don Walter who described a casual event - a fundraiser that he attended and had been successful in reaching their goal. The event is to raise lots of money and the attendees will know precisely why they were invited so they are less concerned about a $100 plate that they must get in line to fill. They also felt that a more formal affair would be very costly. See attachment for John’s suggested Program items.
6. Old Business
a) Replica of the Memorial
SignWorx offered to build a replica of the Memorial which was scheduled to be completed by this meeting date – no report available in the absence of John Gentry who was the liaison with the owner of SignWorx.
b) Bids for the GALA meal
Chairman Davison had received 3 quotes last month (listed below). The Committee asked him to contact Tom Little again and find out the cost if Tom served as well as prepared the food for 300 to 400 people. He reported that Tom would do everything for $20/person, but he was to meet with Tom again after tonight’s meeting to confirm (contract) the agreement. The Committee by consensus gave the Chairman authority to sign a contract with the vendor.
Quotes at the June 28 meeting:
1) Holiday Inn $9,822.60 or $32.14 per person
2) Ed’s son’s Catering Business $9,396.29 or $31.32 per person
3) Tom Little cost of prepared food only - $10.00 person which does not include the serving & clean-up.
c) Featured Speaker for GALA
Chairman Davison reported that he had contacted several high level individuals who had planned to approach Former Governor Zell Miller, but they had no firm answer for him by meeting time. He will keep trying but if unsuccessful, the second name on the list might be called.
Pete Shelnutt was present but no report was given on the August Chicken B-B-Q fundraiser.
6. New Business
Mike Ginn announced that his VFW 2872 had recently sold 5 acres of their acreage that had been used for a practice ball park for 1.6 M. After congratulatory remarks from members, a motion was made by Jeff Benko and seconded by Bill Gilmer that Mike approach the VFW group and ask for a substantial donation to the Foundation. He agreed.
Chairman Davison reported a letter he had received from Miss Vinnie requesting that her name be removed from the VMFC list because she has limited her time to going out only in the daytime.
John Roberts suggested that Miss Vinnie remain on the list and that the Secretary write her a note stating that she is excused from future meetings unless she feels inclined to attend and thanking her for all her efforts in the past.
Ed McConnell handed out information describing a golf tournament to benefit local veterans. Proceeds will go to purchase a 12-passenger van to transport veterans to and from the Athens VA Clinic. The event will be held September 17 at Lane Creek Golf Club, Bishop, GA
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.
Kate McDaniel
Secretary, Oconee Veterans Memorial Foundation Committee
July 26, 2007
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E-mail from John Gentry:
From: John Gentry
Date: 7/12/2007 3:11:59 PM
To: Kate McDaniel
Cc: Jeff Benko
Subject: RE: June 28, 2007 draft minutes
Mrs. Kate and Jeff:
I will be out of town the next 2 weeks and will not be available to discuss the program for the Gayla. My thoughts are to use a standard Military type dining out format. The key item the committee needs to answer is do we want a speaker or do we want entertainment. I do not believe we need to have both. Once that is decided then the program will flow something like this:
Reception in the lobby
Receiving Line by the committee
Seating
Brief welcome
Invocation
Presentation of the colors
National Anthem (Singer)
Intro the head table (if decided to use) and special guests
Meal
Toasts (?)
intro to speaker
speaker
Presentation to speaker
Auction items
Retire the colors
Possible have a ball room dancing band ?????? or dismiss
John T. Gentry, Jr.
Director
Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department
Work 706-769-3965
Fax 706-769-3967
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