The January meeting of the USSVI-Dallas was called to order at The Love Field VFW Post #7471 on January 9, 2008 by Dallas Base Commander Leonard Tunnell at 7:00 pm.

Present were the following members: Kenneth Ballard, John Barber, Ed Belzer, Charlie Cloud, Peter Filidoro, Mark Holland, Ron Jansen, Marv Koch, Shon Lambright, James Lucas, George McDermott, Stan Miller, Frank Morgan, Jeff Morris, Daniel Ottinger, Mel Polen, Leonard Reneau, Michael Snyder, Leonard Tunnell, Fred Williams and Wayne Standerfer.

John Barber led the Pledge of Allegiance and Mel Pollen gave the invocation. Leonard Tunnell read the Submariner's Creed, and then read the names of the WWII boats lost in December while Charlie Cloud tolled the bell.

At this point Leonard Tunnell paused the meeting and swore in the new Base Officers for 2008.

Base Commander – Wayne Standerfer
Vice Commander – Stan Miller
Secretary – John Barber

With the new officers sworn in the meeting continued

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
The following guest were introduced: Rod Sheets, Linda Tunnell, Jo Lynn Standerfer and Denise Miller.

GUEST SPEAKER
 No speaker

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Treasurer's Report: Charlie Cloud reviewed a complete report for the December balance, recent income, 50/50, stores and dues.  He also provided the financial for the year 2007 and furnished the officers with copies.

• Membership: Marv Koch was the previous Membership representative and this was relinquished to Stan Miller due to Marv’s time being spent on the convention.  Stan is assuming the position and so no substantial report was submitted as of this meeting.  Stan has received a list from USSVI that may help in contacting possible new members.

• Storekeeper: Mel Polen had no new business to report for stores.  He did however point out that he had received new calendars, however they were for 2007.  So they are going cheap!

• Convention: Marv Koch reported that he had submitted letters to CEO’s and Executives of area banks for possible donations.  That is still in progress.  If anyone has a contact that either Marv or Jeff could visit please let them know.  There was a promotion in the new American Submariner.  The cover said “See Y’all In Texas” and on page 37 the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau had a partial page spread welcoming the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc on September 1-7, 2008

• Scholarship Committee: Frank Morgan informed us that the Dallas Base Scholarship Assistance program for the next academic year is now available. Its purpose is to help qualified sons, daughters, grandchildren and nephews/nieces of active members of the Dallas Base in furthering their education. The award will be $500.00 for the academic year and is granted in memoriam to a deceased member of the Dallas Base. For the 2008-2009 academic year, the scholarship will be in memory of shipmate Bill Coffey, who passed away last September.

  All applications are due back to the Scholarship Committee not later than April 30, 2008, and the winning applicant will be notified by mail not later than June 15, 2008. Application packets are available from Frank Morgan. Contact him at (972) 866-3421 (days), (972) 690-3156 (eves. and weekends) or via email at famorgantx@yahoo.com to have a packet mailed to you or your applicant.

OLD BUSINESS:

1.  Girl Scout Cookies were discussed and volunteers were solicited.  The dates for the Girl Scout Cookies event are Friday, February 22^nd, Saturday, February 23^rd and Monday, February 25^th.  Volunteers are need for all days as well as relief’s for potty trips and lunches.  A signup sheet was available at the meeting and you can also call or e-mail Wayne Standerfer to get your name on the list.  This is our primary fund raiser for the year, so we need folks to step up and volunteer.

2.  We still have 21 members that have not paid their annual dues.  Please send Charlie Cloud a check and get signed up for the new year.  Remember that you will be dropped from the rolls if you do not pay your dues and this would cause you to have to again start over for the Holland Club.  Holland Club members do not have to pay dues once reaching that status.

3.  A packing day for the troops will be held at Fred and Derla Maples house on Saturday, January 19^th at 1PM.  Wayne Standerfer will publish a map to the Maple’s on the website.  Please contribute to this very important task.  A list of desired items is on the website.

4.  Speakers – We need guest speakers for our meetings.  If anyone knows of anyone that would be appropriate for our group please let us know.  You can contact any member of the board with their name and contact information.  If you have any other ideas that we could do at the meeting besides guest speakers, please give us your suggestion.  DVD’s, etc.

NEW BUSINESS:

1.   A budget meeting will be at 10:00AM at the Oasis Restaurant before our February 2^nd meeting.  It will be presented to the membership at the meeting at 12:00 February 2^nd.

2. Wayne Standerfer has recommended that we find a new location and possibly new time for our meetings.  This was presented to the membership and a motion was made to accept the recommendation and it was seconded with no objections.  That is a work in progress.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

1.  Commander Standerfer pointed out that on April 7 – 12, 2008 there is a combined meeting with the USSVI and WWII groups.  Attendees will be staying at the Hilton Fairfield Hotel in Albuquerque, NM.  All members wanting to attend need to give their name to Commander Standerfer.

2. Our newsletter will be done in the future in PDF format.  If you do not have a computer or have an internet connection that cannot handle large uploads, the newsletter will continue to be sent snail mail.

3. Shon Lambright read a letter from Msgt Ron Peters that he had sent to his fellow workers at AT&T.  Most of you will remember that Ron was one our guest speakers in the past.

4. Computer users - Check the Dallas Base Website often. It is continiously updated with the latest information.

5. There is now a link on the opening page of our website that will take you to the POC (point of contact) page on USSVI's national site. This is where you get the most recent USSVI happenings along with some great nice to know information.

50/50 was won by: Rod Sheets
Rod donated his half back to the base

The business meeting concluded at 8:13 pm.

Next meeting - Saturday, February 2, 2008
at
Oasis Restaurant on Joe Pool Lake.
Meeting will begin at noon.

Click for directions
 

Respectfully submitted by: John Barber, Secretary 01/10/08