Virginia State AFA                                                                      13 March 2010

Quarterly Meeting                                                     Randolph-Macon Academy

CY10 Q1 (Jan-Mar)                                                           Front Royal, Virginia

                                                                                       MEETING MINUTES

 1.  OPENING

·         The meeting was called to order by State President, James “Randy” Hobbs.  Randy welcomed the attendees to the 1st quarter VA State AFA Meeting and led the assembled group in the pledge of allegiance.

·         State Chaplain, Bill Cuthriell provided the invocation.

·         No. Shenandoah Valley Chapter President, Norm Brader, welcomed the State EXCOM to Randolph-Macon Academy and reviewed the logistical details for the day and evening events.

 2.  OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

·         Secretary’s report/roll call – Bart Barton

·         Agenda was previously provided to the EXCOM along with notice of the meeting in an email from Randy Hobbs.

·         Chapter roll call was completed with all chapters represented by their president or designated vice.

·         State Officer roll call was completed with a majority of officers present or represented by proxy.

·         A quorum, as defined in the Constitution and Bylaws, Article X, section 6, was confirmed

·         Minutes from the Nov 9, 2009, 4th Quarter Meeting in Hampton, Virginia, as posted on the VA State website, were reviewed and approved on motion by Jim Hannam, second by Goldie Golden and voice acclamation.

 

·         Treasurer’s report – Jim Holt

·         Reviewed the 4th Quarter VA State Financial Report, at Tab 1.   The balance as of the EOY was $12,722.73.

·         Jim also reviewed the current state of the FY 10 Budget.  He noted that funds were sufficient to retain all planned programs for FY10 but that additional proceeds would be required to continue these programs into FY 11.

·         Jim reviewed the new Quarterly Financial Report, at Tab 2, that is due from the Chapters.  He noted that it is very close to the previous format with the main difference being the breakout of educational expenses for National’s 501(c)(3) reporting requirements.

·         Jim noted that the Chapters had agreed to reimburse the State for the purchase of a paver in the Walk of Honor at the VA War Memorial at the rate of $15.00 each.  He encourage those Chapters that had not sent in a check to do so soon.

 

·   VP/Admin – Al Berg

·         Al presented the revised Meeting Schedule for 2010 through 2012 at Tab 3.

·         A March revision to the EXCOM social roster was provided to participants by direct email and is available by request to Al.

  

3. OLD BUSINESS

·         AF JROTC Drill Meet:  Bill Cuthriell and Al Berg reviewed the details of the upcoming 5th Annual statewide drill meet.  The event will be held on Saturday, 24 April at Atlee High School.  It is anticipate that over 26 Virginia high schools will participate in completions covering six categories and for overall state ranks and the state championship.  In addition there are individual awards for top six cadets and for the winners of the junior and senior division “knock outs.”  The day will end with the State President presenting the individual awards and the team trophies. Financial support was acknowledged and appreciated from Langley, Steele and Gabriel Chapters towards a total budget of $2,250.

 On motion by Jim Hannam, seconded by Chip Moran, the EXCOM approved $300 from the 2010 Educational Funds to support the Virginia State Drill Meet.

·         Hospitality Suite:  The continuation of a Hospitality Suite at State functions was discussed and the sense of the EXCOM was that it should be continued and hosted by the Chapter in charge of the function.  The hosting Chapter will be responsible to provide beer, wine, sodas, mixers and snack foods.  On motion by Peter Jones, seconded by Nick Abate, the EXCOM approved the expenditure of up to $400 per event to reimburse Chapters for overall expenses.  Jim Holt agreed this was within the budgeted figures for 2010.

 

After continued discussion on required changes to the State Operating Procedures, the EXCOM requested Chip Moran and the Secretary work on revisions to Sections 4.3 and 5.0 and submit these via email for EXCOM review and approval.

 

4. CHAPTER REPORTS:

 

5. REGIONAL REPORTS:  

  • VP North:  Tom Shepherd reported that all 3 chapters are performing well
  • VP East:  no report
  • VP West:  Jim McGuire reported that the Roanoke Chapter continues in good health and is working on a new website.  This site might be available to the other Chapters in his area.  Still looking for additional participation and leadership for the Danville and Jones Chapters

 

6. STATE REPORT:  Randy Hobbs presented the state of the State.   

The Orlando Symposium on 18 – 19 February went extremely will and while I heard some grumbling about the fact our speakers had no good news, I believe that is our current USAF budget problems.

I wanted to make sure you all got a chance to hear some of the most noteworthy quotes to come from the presentations.  Here are some excellent ones: 

"We've also added four RQ-4 Global Hawks and graduated our first class of RPA only pilots.      Later this year Air Combat Command projects that we will have more RPA pilots than F-16 pilots in our Air Force. To support this expansion we've added two new RPA facilities at Cannon and in Syracuse, and the mission at Syracuse is being accomplished by the Air National Guard."- Honorable Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the Air Force, AFA Air Warfare Symposium, Feb 18.

"Therefore, our efforts to protect these interests in space and cyberspace must be as ambitious as our reliance on these domains. We must be able to deter and to defend against attacks on our space and cyber capabilities and fight through any degradation, disruption or even denial of vital capabilities." – Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, AFA Warfare Symposium, Feb. 18

"Certainly our reliance on space and cyber power is well established because our nation's diverse interests -- diplomatically, financially, economically, and yes, militarily -- exist around the globe. We have an enduring need for robust space and cyber systems and the inherently globally oriented capabilities that they provide. It would be fair to say, I think, that space and cyber power affects the lives of virtually all Americans every day; keeping us connected and shaping the ways in which we all view the world."– Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, AFA Warfare Symposium, Feb. 18

My favorite quotes from the event came from MG Curtis Scaparrotti, CG 82nd Airborne and CJTF-82 [in Afghanistan] and Gen Gary L. North, Commander PACAF.

"...the way we operate could only be done with air power, with what the Air Force brings to this fight.  There's no doubt in my mind about it." – Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, Commander, Army 82nd Airborne, AFA Air Warfare Symposium, Feb 18.

"What we want to do is to make sure that those who take off in airplanes against our United States Air Force and particularly if they know the F-22 is airborne or in the future the F-35, they will remember that the most feared words that an enemy pilot will ever hear are "Cleared for takeoff." –Gen. Gary L. North, Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Air Warfare Symposium, Feb 18.

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Aerospace Education: Jim Hannam presented the briefing at Tab 14.   He emphasized that no “voting member” of a Chapter’s EXCOM (or their extended family) can be the recipient of a monetary award or scholarship from Aerospace Education funds.  Jim noted that the Arnold Air Society would be discussing a STEM pilot project for elementary schools at their upcoming conclave in April.  This might be a good project for the AAS Chapters at VT and UVA.  Jim has recently completed the new Education Program Guide and it is posted on the State website.  The State EXCOM was then treated to a briefing by  telecon with Sandy Schlitt on the CyberPatriot program, at Tab 22.

 

  • Membership – Nick Abate presented details on the Virginia and CER Awards Handbook, at Tab 15.   Additionally, he provided and reviewed a work sheet for chapter use in completing their annual awards, at Tab 16.

 

  • Leadership Development: Scott Van Cleef reported as the VP for Leadership Development and provided a briefing, at Tab 17. 

 

·         Membership: Chip Moran, as the new VP for Membership, highlighted that lack of new members is the greatest issue facing AFA today.   He recommended that Chapter Membership VPs routinely check the national membership list for upcoming expirations and contact those listed.  Chip offered to support any and all Chapter activities with a membership table/booth and noted “he will spend the entire day in support.”

 

·         Virginia Joint Leadership Council of VSOs Report: In Jeff’s stead, Bart Barton attended the quarterly meeting of the JLC.  As this council is appointed by the Governor to provide input on veteran’s issues, its primary focus is on passing of legislation and budget amendments.  To this end, they approve their 2010 Legislative Objectives, at Tab 18.

  • Fundraising: Mac MacAloon provided an update briefing on the status of the Virginia Suite at the National Convention, at Tab 19.  He noted that National AFA officials were helping with the negotiations with the Gaylord based on the importance of maintaining the Suite.  Mac encouraged Chapters to seek potential sponsors and contact him with POCs.

 

8.  NEW BUSINESS:

 ·         Quarterly Newsletter Excusals:  Randy noted he had not received any to date and none were brought forward from the floor.

·         Virginia USAF License Plate: Lt Col Dave Kolmer, USAFR, provided the EXCOM with information on the proposed USAF vehicle plate, at Tab 20.  He stated that their needed to be 350 prepaid applications received by 15 Dec 2010.  With that achieved, he anticipated a statue in place by July 2011 and the plates available by December 2011.

 On motion by Chip Moran, seconded by Goldie Golden, the EXCOM approved a statement in support of the project and recommended all Chapters encourage their members to sign up for the new USAF vehicle plate as soon as possible.  Further, Richmond Chapter 243 will serve as project POC and receive all applications with accompanying deposit checks.

·         Request for Funding for CAP 2010 Summer Encampment: EXCOM discussed a request from Tidewater Chapter #242 for use of Educational Funds to support the CAP 2010 summer encampment.   The suggestion was withdrawn and additional information will be provided at the next EXCOM is funding is requested

·         Model Aircraft for Floats: Tidewater Chapter #242 requested the status and availability of any remaining aircraft models from the parade float that was previously maintained by No. Shenandoah Valley Chapter #435.  After some discussion, it was agreed that a search would be made and any available models would be provide to the Tidewater Chapter for their parade float.

·         AFA Update Briefing: Jim Lauducci, AFA Vice Chairman of the Board for Field Operations, provided an AFA Update briefing, at Tab 21.

 

9. ADJOURNMENT:

 

  • Randy announced that the next quarterly EXCOM Meeting would be hosted by the William A. Jones, III Chapter #345 on Saturday, 12 June 2010, and that registration details would be sent by email as soon as possible.  He hoped to see everyone there.
  • Having completed all the official business on the approved agenda of the EXCOM, a motion to adjourn was forwarded by John Murphy, seconded by Al Berg and approved by voice acclimation.  The first quarter EXCOM Meeting was adjourned to begin the planned social events of the evening.
  • The host Chapter invited everyone to attend a banquet at Randolph-Macon Academy with Gen Speedy Martin, USAF, Retired, as guest speaker.

            Respectfully submitted,

 Harold H. Barton, Jr., Virginia State Secretary