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DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA 2010 STATE
CONVENTION
OPENED W/PROPER CEREMONIES (DEPT. CMNDT.
/SAGUARO DETACHMENT).
Mayor Scott Smith welcomed attendees and
declared the month of June as Marine Corps League month
in Mesa.
Cmndt. Walker welcomed attendees. He
pointed out the positioning of the officers at the front
of the room. This is the SOP for League meetings. The
Cmndt. encouraged detachments to follow the same layout.
MEMORIAL AND POW/MIA SERVICE.
Chaplain Harris, Asst. Chaplain Alger,
Jr. and Adjutant Reese assisting.
INTRODUCTION OF DIGNITARIES (SGT-AT-ARMS
MacTavish)
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:
On File/SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF
PREVIOUS STATE CONVENTION:
Motion made by Marine Silveria to accept
the summary as read, seconded by Marine Boren; approved
as read.
/ CORRESPONDENCE (ADJUTANT Reese): Thank you
letter for assisting a Wounded Marine, Brian Trestee,
who needed financial assistance. PNC MacIntye and other
League members stepped in and helped out. Exactly the
type of thing we need to be known for.
REPORT OF PAYMASTER (MARINE Obrien):
As Of May 31, 2010, our unaudited financial records show
an YTD profit of $6,517.28. Highlights from those
records are as follows. Attached is the financial
statement for your review.
Scholarship Funds received.
Budgeted $2,000
Actual $9,267
Marines Helping Marines funds received
Budgeted $ 0.00
Actual $2,915
PLM Rebate received
Budgeted $2,200
Actual $1,112
Interest Income received
Budgeted $ 760
Actual $ 295
Scholarship Funds dispersed
Budgeted $1,500
Actual $ 0.00
Marines Helping Marines Funds dispersed
Budgeted $ 0.00
Actual $2,915
We started the fiscal year with funds in these
categories and amounts and as of May 31, 2010, we have
the following:
July 1, 2009
May 31, 2010
General Funds $10,458.87 $
9,661.50
Nat’l Conv. Acct $ 2,153.39
Scholarship Funds $ 16,480.83
$25,948.87
Total $
29,093.09 $35,610.37
The transmittals and checks sent to National Hdqrtrs. on
December 14, 2009 and their subsequent loss have not
been completely resolved as of this report. During the
Spring Conference in March 2010, those detachments
included in that transmission were advised to re-submit
their paper work to me. Although some have, with
positive results, others have not. To the best of my
knowledge, with the records sent to me, those
detachments that need to re-submit are as follows.
Thanks to Mike Bellard for his help while she was on
vacation.
In closing, may I thank you for your support. It has
been a year of home runs and strikeouts, ever
challenging, but never boring. I will hand over this
position to my replacement and hope that he or she has
as much fun as I have had, with none of the headaches or
the heartaches.
If you know anything different, please contact the new
Paymaster. My authority and participation end with this
Convention.
AM Bellard
stressed getting the transmittals re-submitted ASAP so
those votes can be counted at the National Convention.
He updated the status of the detachments impacted by the
missing transmittals:
Dean Reiter - no response to request to resubmit
White Tank Mtn. - resubmitted; no response from National
Old Breed - resubmitted as requested by Marine Paul
Hastings per his instructions; lost again
Lake Havasu - resubmitted
Sedona - followed instructions to resubmit; lost again
Wild West - no response to request to resubmit
Cpl. G. Salcido - resubmitted; no response from National
White Tank Mountain - no response to request to resubmit
Pvt. Joe Hardt - no response from request to resubmit
Rim Country - resolved
Saguaro - resolved
Price Page – resubmitted to National; no response.
Tucson – resolved
He has the voting strength and delegate counts for
Detachments that made the decision to participate in the
election process.
AM Bellard processed transmittals while Marine Obrien
was on vacation. He has found incomplete and/or
inaccurate mailing information on rosters. Make sure
your information is correct on Department rosters.
He created a “cheat sheet” for filling out transmittals
to help with the process. He reminded that you must have
your dues current to be a Life Member. Be sure to put
zip +four on the transmittals. He has information on
the website to help find the number.
REPORT OF ELECTED OFFICERS
SW DIVISION VICE CMNDT Phillips:
We are making progress, but still at a
13% delinquency rate. Our goal is 7.5%. He and Cmndt.
Walker are going to be talking regarding some issues
with transmittals that are impacting Arizona
detachments.
Our growth rate is approximately 3.5% in
the past year, which is good. Within the Division there
are four detachments with 100% paid up membership. We
are an organization that every Marine should be proud to
join. We should be a dynamic organization that every
member would want to stay as a member. Mentoring is key
in making sure a member continues to want to be involved
and stays an active member of the League. This includes
following up when a member stops coming to meetings –
are they ill, do they need transportation, have they
lost interest?? (See Attachment A for complete report).
Several years ago, the Department of
California did a survey of why Marines continued to be
members. One answer was for the camaraderie and the
other was that Marines get things done.
We still have a couple weeks to improve
our numbers before year-end. Everyone can get involved
in recruiting new members. Marine Silveria asked about
the lengthy delay in getting ID cards. Can we get to a
point of electronic renewals, or have everything sent to
a Detachment for distribution to members? One of the
issues with electronic renewals is preparing detachments
to do things differently. This would require sending
money directly to National with them returning funds to
Departments and Detachments. This is not something that
will be happening anytime soon. There are still
detachments in Arizona that are not even linked to the
National website.
Marine Phillips addressed the recent
televised political event where League members were
campaigning for a candidate. He reminded that we
cannot get involved in politics when wearing the
League uniform. You can support political causes as
long as you in no way come across as doing so as a
member of the Marine Corps League.
Speaking of uniforms, if you have
questions on the khaki shirt, please talk to Marine
Phillips. There is a proposal regarding the khaki shirt
that will be brought to the floor at this year’s
National convention. He stressed the importance of
wearing the proper Marine Corps League uniform, which is
the League cover. When wearing additional items such as
the white shirt with medals, make sure you are wearing
it correctly. Check the bylaws and administrative
procedures for guidelines. Remember that you cannot
wear pins on your cover, only the gold or brass emblem,
the devil dog patch, your office, detachment, department
or life membership patch.
Marine Cause
– Name Change of Department of the Navy to Department of
Navy and Marine Corps. Passed unanimously in the
House. The Senate Armed Services Committee version is
meeting resistance. Senators McCain and Webb are
opposing it and Senator Levin has not indicated his
position. Log in to
www.MarineCause.com to voice your support for the
change.
General Conway has made remarks that have
upset some in the administration and Secretary of
Defense Gates pertaining to the “Don’t ask, don’t tell”
policy and that the Marine Corps needs to get back to
its roots as a quick strike force. In retaliation,
Secretary of Defense Gates has hinted that funding may
not be available for key equipment in the future.
This is his last meeting as SW Division
Sr. Vice. Thanks to everyone for your support.
Arizona has been the flagship organization in terms of
supporting the Expo in California each year. Thanks
also for the support during difficult personal times as
well.
SW NATIONAL ASST VICE CMNDT. Broderick:
Excused
CMNDT. Walker:
He provided an example of why the problem with
transmittals is not the Department’s fault. National
had a detachment send a renewal return-receipt
requested. The detachment did so and has the signed
receipt. National still has not located that renewal.
Cmndt Walker and the incoming Cmndt. will be discussing
this with National at the convention in August.
He mentioned ad in Semper Fi
magazine from Sprint advertising a 15% discount for
businesses. You can also get it for personal cell
service.
Recruiting Initiatives Award
– Recruit 15 or more new members in a
year and be entered for a drawing for a ka-bar knife
with one of the many famous Marine quotes. This
information comes out with information on the National
convention.
SR. VICE Romero:
Commandant’s Council Update: Diamondbacks game on
August 8th will provide an opportunity for
Detachments with Color Guards to muster on the field
prior to the game. For every ticket sold, one will be
donated to a Wounded Marines. There are many ways to
raise funds for your Detachments: Basha’s program
linked to their shopper’s card, Fry’s is very receptive
to allowing you to raise funds in front of their stores,
work with local restaurants, offer small flags as a
thank you for donating, etc. His main goal in the
coming year will be to help Detachment with retention
problems. If circumstances permit, he’ll hold Officer’s
meeting today.
JR. VICE:
Position Vacant.
JUDGE ADVOCATE Sorensen:
The first thing I would like to report is
there are no outstanding Grievances to be handed over to
the new Judge Advocate. The last grievance board was
held on 29 April, and the incident is now closed. There
are a couple of things I want to bring up about this.
If you feel you need to file a formal grievance, pick up
the Department administrative procedures and read
section 900. Know what is expected of you and everyone
else involved. The whole process is outlined in section
900. Make sure you report all the facts in your
grievance. Don’t just put the facts that you feel are
pertinent to your grievance. These things all get
investigated and the truth does come out by the end of
the hearing. If you bring witnesses to the hearing, be
sure they are going to stand up their previous submitted
statements. And the last thing I got to say on this
issue is don’t bring something to Department that should
be settled at the Detachment level. I’m sure if two
Marines have a dislike for each other there are other
means to settle it than take it to Department. This is
very costly and time consuming for everyone involved.
The second thing I have is that the Marine Corps League
is a non-political organization. I’m sure by now you
have all heard of the gentleman that got up at a
political rally and referred to himself as a member of
the Marine Corps League on several occasions during his
speech, leading everyone to believe he was speaking on
behalf of the League. The Marine Corps League was
forced to write a statement contradicting this. The
National By-laws are very specific on this. The Marine
Corps League shall never take part in any labor or
management dispute or issue, and it shall be ever
non-sectarian, non-political, and non-partisan; nor
shall it be used as a medium of political ambition or
preferment”.
Last, I am missing about five Detachment By-laws. I
have sent emails to each of the detachments and I have
only heard by from a couple. Please, if I sent you an
email about your by-laws make sure you get them to the
new Judge Advocate.
REPORT OF APPOINTED OFFICERS
VAVS (Marine Connell):
As of the 30th of April 2009, the Marine
Corps League – Department of Arizona, had a total of
approximately 193 volunteers on the Regularly Scheduled
Volunteer Rolls at the 3 Arizona VA Health Care System
facilities – 129 for Phoenix; 38 for Prescott and 26 for
Tucson. These figures are based on the Spring Conference
Report since I have not received up to date numbers of
volunteers for Prescott or Tucson. However, the total
number of hours for the period 1 October 2009 to 30
April 2010 reflects that volunteers from the Phoenix and
Tucson VA's total 8,555 hours. We are on track to exceed
the numbers from last year.
I
have sent an e-mail message to the Prescott Marine Corps
League Commandant to urge his VAVS Representative to
send me the necessary VS 26 report that summarizes the
number of Volunteers and the hours served for those
facilities covered by Prescott to no avail. As I have
done in the past, I would urge the VAVS Representatives
for the Prescott and Tucson VA facilities to get to me
the monthly totals of the number of volunteers assigned
to each facility and the total number of hours worked so
I can submit reports to National on a timely basis. If
it is inconvenient for the monthly reports – then I will
accept quarterly ones. It is only a one page report –
VOLUNTEERS BY ORGANIZATION VS 26 – the last page of that
report. These reports are available after the 8th
business day of each Month.
Based on the noncompliance of the VA Representative from
Prescott, I have forwarded a request to the National
VAVS Representative to remove the Prescott VAVS
Representative from his position and have requested a
replacement. Tucson’s future failure will result in the
same action. I have stood up here for the last several
Conferences and Conventions imploring help from these
Medical Centers and I must remind the Commandants of the
respective Detachments that one of their duties is to
ensure that their Representative is in compliance with
the VAVS Regulations.
Please mail me the figures contained in report VS26 –
Volunteers by Organization – to the address for the Old
Breed Detachment listed on the Department Web Site.
Since all the outlying clinics and vet centers for
Prescott and Tucson are incorporated into one system –
there is no need to break down the number of volunteers
assigned and hours worked for each individual entity.
The report kept by the local Voluntary Service is a
cumulative report that encompasses all the individual
clinics and vet centers that fall under their umbrella
of responsibility.
In addition, I have also been informed that Prescott and
Tucson are not conducting their annual Joint Review
Statements for VAVS which are completed by the Voluntary
Staff. Make an appointment with the Voluntary Staff at
your respective medical center and get your Annual Joint
Review submitted. The Marine Corps League Joint Reviews
are due in February of each year.
With the continued cooperation of our volunteers, the
Department of Arizona can remain in the forefront of the
national VAVS Program. This lack of cooperation from 2
of the 3 VA facilities in Arizona is causing us to fall
from the top ranks nationwide for the VAVS Program. I
will not let this happen while I am the VAVS
Representative for the Department of Arizona. I was
charged by the Department Commandant to see that the
VAVS Program is successful and doing what it is charged
to do and I will do everything so that I can to see that
we maintain our standing nationwide as a premier
Department within the scope of VAVS. I know that we as
Marines can do this and take care of not only our fellow
Marines but all veterans that are currently receiving
care from the VA.
Keep up the good work that you all do.
Semper Fidelis,
Patrick J. Connell
10 Min Recess
At Cmndt. Walker’s request,
motion made by Marine Reese for the Department to
purchase name plates for the elected officers,
Paymaster, Adjutant and Chaplain for Department
meetings, seconded by Marine Connell and approved
unanimously.
Cmndt. Walker asked Marine Connell to explain the VAVS
process again as there is some confusion on the process.
Each organization can have one VA representative and 3
deputies.
-
League volunteers specify that their
hours go to the Marine Corps League
-
Volunteer hours are counted at the VA
Hospitals, as well as at satellite clinics.
-
Volunteers log in at the hospital or
clinic EVERY time they go.
-
At the end of the quarter the League
VA representative or deputy goes to the VA Voluntary
Service Office to get the cumulative report (VS26)
of hours donated during that reporting period.
All Marine Connell needs is the LAST PAGE of the
report.
-
That report is forwarded to Marine
Connell to prepare his report for Pat Cody.
LEGISLATIVE
(Marine Bohach): Excused. Written report
provided (Attachment B).
PR REPORT (Marine Boren/AM Bellard):
In accordance with the references, the following report
is submitted to reflect proposed topics for the Public
Relations Committee portion of the Department Conference
Appointed Officers Report:
PR Committee overview:
verbal update (Associate Bellard):
Internet & Communications Technology.
(Passing the word on what detachments are doing).
Continue to pass the word and share info with the PR
Committee.
Opening Report:
(Marine Boren):
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Be sure to recognize sponsors. Give
plaques and certificates of recognitions.
-
Retired Marine Death Notice Form
handout useful to help spouses
-
General Update from the Northern
Region.
Closing Report:
(Associate Bellard): (a re-cap)
-
Power of modern telecommunication
technology.
-
Stress the innovative use of the
computer and the internet.
-
Mention development of our PR
Committee “information tree”.
-
Underscore and highlight that we are
a Dept. staff function designed to expedite
information flow; publicize the existence of the
Marine Corps League; and project a positive image of
the U. S. Marine Corps into the civilian community.
MARINES HELPING MARINES/WOUNDED MARINES
(Marine Crick):
Excused
CHAPLAIN (Marine Harris):
Report of deceased members on file with Adjutant. Death
notices have been coming in timely. If you need
supplies let him know
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE (Marine Vogler)*:
Scholarship Committee report which covers the period of
March 2010 until present.
Committee Members
Bill Ebright, Warren Quirk, Keith Vogler= Chair
Status
More letters were mailed out but no responses have been
received. This activity will continue.
The scholarship committee received 14 applications from
all over the state and selected Daniel Vilaubi, a member
of the Saguaro Detachment, as the recipient of this
year’s scholarship. He is a Marine that is currently
enrolled in Mesa Community College. He works with
disabled wheel-chair athletes while carrying a full
caseload.
Currently there is $25,300 in the account. This year
the scholarship was named to the Frank Wienke Marine
Corps League Scholarship.
Marine Vogler made a motion to make the name change
permanent; seconded by Marine Cheek and approved
unanimously.
Financial
The Scholarship fund as of the end of the convention is
*$25,362.
Future
*The
Department started as”The Hideaway Lounge” scholarship
by PDD Frank Weinke. Last year it was changed to the
“Marine Corps League Scholarship in Honor of Frank
Weinke”. I made a motion that the name be changed to
“Frank Weinke, Marine Corps League Scholarship”.
*Report updated
June 6, 2010
Respectfully submitted,
Keith Vogler for the Scholarship
Committee
WEB/SGT. REPORT (Marine Dalton):
This Convention will complete my sixth
year as your Web/Sgt. Along the way there has been some
bumps, some big, some small, but all in all it has been
my honor, and pleasure to serve in that capacity. I
will continue to be the Dept. Web/Sgt as long as the
current Commandant requests it.
Here are a few things you have heard
before, but I want to bring them to your attention
again.
The Dept. website is not just for the use
of the Dept. Cmndt. and Staff, nor is it just for the
Detachment Commandants. ALL members of the Dept. can
submit items for the site. Of course all items are
subject to the approval of the Dept. Cmndt.
My goal is two fold. One is to keep the
Marine Corps League and the Marine Corps information
current and pertinent. The second is to keep it
interesting with new entries and remove old items that
are no longer pertinent. One way I can do this, is input
from all of you. If you think you have something worth
putting on the site send it to me.
As the Hospitality Room Chair I hope all
of you find it more than adequate for your needs!
Respectfully Submitted,
PDD Don Dalton
Web/Sgt Dept. AZ. MCL
HOMELESS VETERANS (Marine Roy): Homeless
Veteran’s now have a toll-free number to call for
assistance. They will also have access to suicide
prevention information. Homeless Veterans will now have
their paperwork expedited to be completed within 75
days. VA has appropriated $25M for programs.
I’m pleased to report that the Department of Arizona –
Marine Corps League – Homeless Veterans Program is
finally up and running. As of today we have a total of
24 Individuals Coordinators Representing 24 Detachments
throughout the state. We are still waiting from National
concerning a Mandate on how National wishes to deliver
their program, they have a new Chairman and that
committee will receive a copy of this report also.
Hopefully in the near future they will deliver their
program to all Department Homeless Chairperson. In the
mean time here in Arizona we have taken the bull by the
horn or the javelins by its tail and going forward with
the full determination that only MARINES have.
A
Guideline has been sent to all Homeless Coordinators,
Detachment Commandants and Department Officers on how
and what is expected of the Coordinators on this issue.
We are not here to create a new Homeless Shelter, Food
Banks, Social Club or Education Port for the Homeless,
but to utilize all available resources out there for all
the above purposes. We are to get involved in our local
VA Stand-down Program, assist with and volunteer in
feeding the homeless, visiting the shelters and support
transitional housing and educational programs to assist
our homeless Veterans to return and become again a value
and responsible American. Assistance should be in areas
of personal support and compassion in their needs,
volunteering as an individual and on the Detachment
level giving support as in time, financial assistance
and work parties and the involvement in the new H3
Project (Home, Health, Hope).
In the past couple of months I have been in contact and
had personal meetings with Brad Bridwell – Homeless
Veterans Services Coordinator for the AZ Department of
Veterans Services, Arthur Sloane – “Veteran’s Voice”
Columnist Arizona Republic Newspaper and Stand-down
Coordinator, Joan Sisco – President of Veterans First
Ltd – Mary Ellen’s Place – Affordable Housing targeting
Woman Veterans of all ages, Terry Araman, Bruce Roberts
and Frank Leitter of the Madison Street Veterans
Associations – all previous homeless veterans themselves
– operators of the 50 bed Veterans Housing Center with
employment, housing, transportation and social justice
concerns, Janice White-Smith – Female Veterans
Coordinator, to name just a few.
I
fully encourage and expect that all our
Homeless Veterans Coordinators will do the same and
contact their local resources, at shelters, VA hospital,
Veterans Outreach Programs and law enforcement entities.
Set up their own local database resource network with
name, telephone #, e-mail and street address. Send them
to me, with all follow-up on any changes and I will send
them to all Coordinators so that everybody will have a
State of Arizona Reference Guide to assist all Veterans
of all Services.
The AZ MCL List of Homeless Veterans Coordinators have
been given to the AZ Department Veterans Services and to
Art Sloane – Coordinator for the Stand-down for purposes
of sending everybody timely and important information on
upcoming events and/or news about all subject on
Homeless Veterans. Please read and pass onto your
Detachments and follow thru on getting involved.
MISSION:
-
Promote recovery oriented care for
Homeless Arizona Veterans who are homeless or at-risk
for Homelessness.
PRIMARY GOALS:
-
Partner with Department of Veterans Affairs and other
Federal Agencies, State and Local Agencies, Community
and Faith-Based Organizations, Private Sectors and any
others to ensure no VETERANS remain on the streets.
-
Assist our Homeless Veterans by volunteering yourself
and/or your Detachment in your local Homeless Shelters,
Food Kitchens, VA Sponsored “Stand Down” (Veteran
Specific Outreach Events) etc. (List not all inclusive).
-
Compiled an listing of all Service Providers Agencies in
your Regional Area to assist them with Legal,
Transitional or Emergency Housing, Employment,
Education, ID/Licenses, VA Medical or Mental Health and
Veterans Support Services, Social Security, Ombudsman,
etc. (List not all inclusive). List shared with all
coordinators of MCL via Dept. AZ – MCL Homeless Veterans
Chairperson.
-
Collaborate with area Funeral Directors to assure that
any Homeless Veteran receives the proper Military
Funeral and Burial.
OUTCOME:
-
Establish a working and friendly relationship with your
local Police Dept., Fire Dept., State Police, Sheriff
Dept., Tribal Organizations, County Offices etc.(List
not all inclusive).
-
Department of Arizona – MCL – Resource and Reference
Listing.
-
Chairperson will Establish and Share with all the
Department Homeless Veterans Coordinators, Department
Officers and Detachment Commandants. The listing of all
Agencies, Resources, Shelters, etc. that are reported to
the Dept. of AZ – MCL Homeless Veterans Chairperson from
the Local Homeless Veterans Coordinators, for all to use
when the needs arises to assist the Veterans, in or out
of their Regional Area.
-
Locate Homeless Veterans via Local Homeless Veterans
Coordinator and Resource Listing for Emergency or Family
Situations.
-
Work and Communicate with the Area’s MCL Homeless
Veterans Coordinator for expedited and concerted efforts
to assist the Homeless Veteran in need.
-
Homeless Veterans Assistance = Male or Female Veteran,
Spouses, Siblings and or the Immediate Family.
ULTIMATE OUTCOME AND GOALS:
“End Homeless among all Arizona Veterans”
Mary Ellen’s Place will house 15 homeless female
veterans when it opens. The Old Breed Detachment has
been assisting with painting and other prep work. If
all goes well, they will have a limited opening in late
July. They are registered at Target but prefer monetary
donations. A shelter for veterans with children is
planned for Tucson.
Respectfully submitted
Semper Fidelis,
PDD Michael A. Roy
MARINE 4 LIFE (AM Bellard):
There has been little activity since our
last meeting. I am waiting to meet GySgt Marquez’s
replacement. When that happens I have made plans with
Don Dalton, your Department Web Sgt. to start posting
the new announcements from the Marine for Life program
in the blog section of the Department Website. I will
keep you posted of any new developments as they happen.
QUARTERMASTER (AM Bellard):
This is my final report as your
Department Quartermaster. Past Department Commandant
Frank Wienke asked me to serve in this post in 2001 and
he had a vision that we develop a local version of the
Ships Store so that members attending the Department
staff conferences and the State Convention could
purchase items locally when they needed them much like
you can at a National Convention. During this time, I
found many interesting Marine Corps related items to
sell along with the customary items found in the
National Ships Store. What I enjoyed the most over the
last nine years was being able to meet all of you as I
provided the items you needed for those emergency
purchases like a devil dog passport minutes before the
growl or having the sunburst collar devices in stock for
those of you that forgot to bring them. However, the
best part of serving as your quartermaster is all the
new friendships I made as I became more involved in the
Marine Corps League. I will be available to assist the
new quartermaster as they continue to grow Frank
Wienke’s dream of bringing the ships store to you when
you need it. In closing I want to thank everyone that
helped me perform my duties and I look forward to my
continued service to Marine Corps League.
Semper Fidelis.
HISTORIAN (Marine Alger, Jr.):
I will contact Detachments again to get a
scrapbook prepared for the 2011 National Convention.
Detachments can also enter their individual scrapbooks
for National competition.
YOUNG MARINES (Marine Alger, Jr.):
Past year has been very busy. In the past year, we’ve
lost two units due to lack of adult leadership and one
due to improper leadership. We need more adults to help
out.
EASTERN MOUNTAN YOUNG MARINES UNIT
COMMENDATION :
Cmndt. Walker and Marine Phillips have signed and
forwarded the recommendation for the award to National.
The award is based on their efforts when the traveling
wall was in Payson.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT (Marine
Cheek):
As reported at the March Staff Meeting, the Nominating
Committee Report is as follows:
Commandant-Alex Romero
Sr Vice-Comm-Tali Volbergs
Jr Vice-Comm:-Doug Sorensen
Judge Advocate- Bill Bright
As indicated, nominations may be made from the floor at
the Annual Meeting, assuming the nominee is either
present to agree to serve, or a letter to that effect is
presented to the Nominating Committee Chair at the time
of the nomination. He went over the election and voting
process
Semper Fi
W Cheek
UNFINISHED BUSINESS –
None
NEW BUSINESS
Marine Roy made a motion
that the Department of Arizona make a $1,500 donation to
the Mary Ellen shelter for women veterans shelter;
seconded. Discussion: can the department afford that
amount? It was suggested that the detachments contribute
$125 each. The department cannot“ require” detachments
to do so. When is the money needed? Can detachments
volunteer funds then department put in the remaining up
to $1,500? Marine Sekardi of Saguaro will donate $500;
Sedona $500. Marine Silveria called the question -
Department of Arizona will
donate $1,500 to the Mary Ellen shelter for women
veterans. Motion carried.
Anyone that wants to donate additional funds can do so.
TRAVELING TROPHY:
Membership trophy was awarded to the Old Breed
Detachment
DIAMONDBACKS GAME (Marine Ebright):
Diamondbacks are giving us tickets to sell. For every
one we sell, they will give a ticket to a wound warrior
for the game. Every detachment that has a Color
Guard that wants to participate needs to contact him
ASAP. Tickets cost $15-$45; send checks to
Saguaro and include your Detachment number by July 23rd.
San Diego vs. Diamondbacks at 1:20 pm.
GOOD OF THE LEAGUE
Marine Amorose – on page 19 of program book picture of
Marine Gordon Buck Weaver a charter member of their
Detachment. He recommended that the Department
recognize these members.
All Valley Color Guards invited to the Mesa Market Place
on Flag Day.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FALL STAFF MEETING (Marine Connell):
September 10-11, 2010. Cut-off date is September 3rd;
room rate is $69.
BANQUET REMINDER (Marine Sekardi):
Starts at 1915 in the meeting room.
2011 MEETINGS (Adjutant):
Spring-Green Valley; State-Tucson;
Fall-Lake Havasu. Detachments should be thinking about
hosting meetings in 2012.
Recess for lunch
ELECTIONS (Marines Cheek & AM Bellard):
Cmndt. Walker announced that this will be a roll call
ballot. Marines MacIntyre, Reese, Fraiser and Nabors
will tally the votes. Marine Cheek reminded that any
Marine in good standing can be nominated for the four
elected officers of the Department. To be nominated
from the floor must be present or submit a written
confirmation that they wish to serve. Per Department
Bylaws, the following Marines declared their willingness
to serve at the spring staff conference: Marine Romero
for Cmndt., Marine Volbergs for Sr. Vice, Marine
Sorensen for Jr. Vice, for JA Marine Ebright. Marine
Cheek began the elections.
Commandant
– No further nominations; nominations closed.
Sr. Vice
- Marine Connell nominated Marine Mike Roy; no further
nominees; nominations closed.
Jr. Vice
– No further nominations; nominations closed.
Judge Advocate
- Marine Flynn nominated Marine LaVetter; no further
nominations.
For the offices of Commandant and Jr. Vice Commandant,
a
motion was made by Marine Silveria to elect Marine
Romero as Commandant and Marine Sorensen as Jr. Vice by
acclamation, seconded by Marine Pat Connell and approved
unanimously.
AM Bellard read the allocated delegates for each
detachment prior to voting for the offices of Sr. Vice
Commandant and Judge Advocate. Total votes: 1,183; 50%
+ 1 required = 593 votes to be elected. Each candidate
was given two minutes to state their qualifications then
escorted outside of the meeting room. Attendees were
given the opportunity to speak on behalf of the
candidates.
Motion
made by Marine Flynn to take a 10 minute recess to
caucus to determine how to vote on the candidates for
Sr. Vice Commandant, seconded by Marine Carper; motion
did not carry.
Marine Cheek continued with the election process, giving
the Judge Advocate candidates an opportunity to give
their qualifications. Afterwards, they left the room
and the candidates for Sr. Vice returned. Attendees
were given an opportunity to speak on behalf of the
Judge Advocate candidates.
15 minute recess to caucus.
Election for Sr. Vice Commandant; Marine Roy was
elected.
Election for Judge Advocate; Marine Ebright was elected.
Candidates were brought back in and winners were
announced.
Marine Carper made a motion that the
Department select an Associate Member of the Year every
year, seconded by Marine Silveria and approved
unanimously.
MEETING RECESSED WITH PROPER CEREMONIES
UNTIL THE BANQUET @ 1445.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy L. Reese
Kathy L. Robinson, Adjutant
Tucson Detachment, Department of Arizona
and Southwest Division |
