JULY 1975 TO JULY 1976
National Convention was held in Baltimore, Maryland on July 24-26, 1975. Officers elected/appointed:
President - Vic Mercer
1st Vice - Lee Newton
2nd Vice - Floyd Stevens
3rd Vice - Floyd Fletcher
Treasurer - Townsend Stancil
Secretary - E. J. Grayckowski
Chaplain - Johnnie White
Sgt-At-Arms - Brownie Edmonds
3-Yr. Trustee - Gene Henning
2-Yr. Trustee - Dean Sorell
1-Yr. Trustee - Tom Abbott
Legislative: Second Vice President John Harrell gives his report on legislative workshop. He elaborates upon the need for the legislative chairman to know the Senator and Representatives. He further relates the need of the legislative chairman of each Chapter to know their Senators and Representatives and to keep abreast of all legislative matters, especially those pertaining directly to the military and the military retiree. Mr. Harrell stresses the need for our own legislative lobbyist in Washington, D.C. He further points out that this man does not have to have the experience of the diplomatic school, but to be friendly yet effective. He is to be cooperative with other military organizations.
By-Laws: Trustee Abbott mentions that as a result of the executive meeting just prior to the Convention, the executive committee adopted a change in the By-Laws. This change regarded the use of proxy votes. The present By-Laws state proxy votes are permitted to Chapters more than 500 miles from the site of the Convention. He added those chapters exercising proxy vote/votes must have a delegate present at the Convention.
It is most important that each Chapter have its own By-Laws. It is a guideline to operate the Chapter by. These must comply with the laws of the state in which the Chapter is located.
Dual Compensation Law is still in effect. Vice President Harrell admits being a bit skeptical by admitting defeat in this matter. He made reference to Chapter 18's continued effort to accomplish their goals via court action. Their case is now pending the appeals' decision of the Newport News, class action James A. Carini, et al, Plaintiffs vs. United States of America, et al, Defendants, Civil Action No. 74- 88-NN.
Vice President Harrell reflects on the seriousness of the MIA problem. He feels there is some way to put pressure on the Vietnamese so as to get proper response. Vice President Harrell refers to the Hatch Act. He wished H. Washington was present, as this was his request, but if the Act is amended, it would permit civil service employees to be more active in politics. He felt that it had a good chance for an amendment.
Vice President Harrell feels that amnesty is more undesirable than ever and fears that with the present law signed by President Ford giving General Lee amnesty, that will in some way allow our present deserts a free ticket home.
Old Business: On supplemental insurance, Mr. Grayckowski reports that he felt that the endowment plan that he had investigated recently was not proper for the REA. He would not recommend it.
National Charter: Mr. Orsak reported that the government had not issued a national charter for ten years and did not want to issue any more.
Trustee Grayckowski reported on the lifetime membership over the past years. He pointed out the problems of continuing at the present rates.
Awards: President Henning appointed a committee to study the matter of trophy awards. Delegate Orsak as chairman with Delegate Murphy (Chapter 3) and Delegate Welch (Chapter 9).
President Henning brought up the subject of a uniform cap. Delegate Stancil (Chapter 1) advocates the fore-and-aft cap as it was adopted and money spent for same. President Henning recalls a letter circulated to various Chapters suggesting that each Chapter select its own cap as long as the color and emblems are similar. Delegate Abbott (Chapter 4) to add an amendment that in order to assure uniformity, that each Chapter choose its own, but that within Chapter all would be the same. Motion was made and carried. Delegate Abbott proposed that Chapter 9 be the procurement agent for the beret. Delegate Newton (Chapter 9) accepts. Delegate Reed (Chapter 3) suggests that Chapter 1 be the procurement agent for the fore-and-aft cap.
Scholarship Fund: Mr. Skonce made a motion to reopen the scholarship program. Delegate Abbott (Chapter 4) seconded the motion and it was carried. Mr. Orsak made a thorough and lengthy report on the scholarship program. He made a motion that this program be for the REA members and their dependents only. The motion was seconded by Delegate Stancil and carried. We were informed that bingo funds may go into the fund by donating to National Scholarship Fund and National donates to scholarships as needed. Delegate Skonce made a motion that scholarships be awarded by next June. Delegate Edmonds seconded and proposed an amendment to read: Let the committee continue working on it.
President Henning placed the question inquiring who was the first president for the REA to Convention delegates. He stated a committee was formed at the February Executive Committee. Trustee Sorell gave an investigative report. He read excerpts from REA minutes for the years of 1963, 1964 and 1965, where Delegate Skonce acted in the office of president of the REA. Delegate Edmonds (Chapter 19) made a motion that we accept Mr. Skonce as the first Chairman of the REA and Mr. Orsak the first duly-elected President at a National Convention. Delegate Reed (Chapter 3) seconded the motion. Delegate Abbott amended the motion to read, that Mr. Skonce was first National President of the REA. Delegate Tankersley (Chapter 3) seconded the motion. The amendment was defeated. The original motion was carried.
Delegate Fletcher made a motion that REA give a plaque to the outgoing president in recognition of past services. Motion was seconded by Delegate Tankersley.
Delegate Skonce (Chapter 1) made a motion that the Convention be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado for 1976. The motion was seconded by Delegate Fletcher (Chapter 1) and carried.
Mr. Harrell reported on prior resolutions status. He mentioned that one of the previous resolutions had been acted upon and amended so that the military retiree while working federal civil service and should become injured in the line of work, he may now receive workers' compensation without forfeiture of his military retired pay.
Delegate Skonce (Chapter 1) made a motion that the officers' travel be paid in accordance with National's ability to pay them for the 1976 Convention. The motion was seconded by Delegate Abbott (Chapter 4) and carried.
Delegate Davis (Chapter 9) made a motion that National Headquarters have a banner to read: National Headquarters, REA Inc. - W/Emblem. The motion was seconded by Delegate Galmore (Chapter 9). Delegate Abbott (Chapter 4) amended the motion to read: Adopt and purchase a banner for National Headquarters. The motion was seconded by Delegate Welch (Chapter 9) and the motion was approved and carried.
Delegate Orsak (Chapter 1) proposed that an active office should be maintained at National Headquarters. Delegate Edmonds (Chapter 19) made Mr. Orsak's proposal into the form of a motion. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stancil (Chapter 1). President Mercer stated that the Executive Committee had taken action on this matter. President Mercer asked that the motion and second be withdrawn.
MINUTES OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1976
Mrs. Carman Jopling of El Paso, Texas, President of Carman and Associates, a wearing apparel manufacturer, made a presentation to the executive board of a cap, shirt, vest, officer tabs for the caps, neckties, flags and banners. All products carry a ten year guarantee matching the colors on fabrics. Details of the products will be described in separate correspondence with color pictures.
A motion was made by Trustee Abbott (Chapter 4) and seconded by Vice President Fletcher (Chapter 1) that Carman and Associates of El Paso, Texas shall be designated the supplier of authorized REA wearing apparel. The procurement of REA flags and banners shall be optional items to the Association. The motion was seconded and carried.
Mr. Thomas Langley of Northwestern National Life Insurance Company presented a Disability Income Plan (DIP) to provide a benefit to the membership. This plan would provide financial support for a family budget in the event of serious sickness or disability of the bread-winner in a family. This benefit was developed for the REA, as partial supplement to CHAMPUS. The highlights of this plan are: pays in or out of the hospital; pays even though you are in a military hospital, gives additional life benefits, cost is low for the protection offered, in many cases no physical is required, renewable to age 65, guaranteed non-cancelable, waiver of premium included, payment by allotment and tax deductible.
A motion was made by Secretary Grayckowski (Chapter 1) and seconded by Trustee Abbott (Chapter 4) that National Headquarters accept this Disability Income Plan for the REA membership from the Northwestern National Life Insurance Company and it shall be known as DIP. The motion was seconded and carried.
President Mercer (Chapter 1) gave a briefing on the national Scholarship Program. He announced the committee voted to present four scholarships of $500.00 each this year. The selection board for this year's scholarship program will meet shortly after the first of April, 1976, so the recipients being awarded the scholarships and their respective schools may be notified prior to this year's commencement exercises.
President Mercer (Chapter 1) briefed the board on the progress of the National Charter since the last convention. A couple of very dismal replies were received from the Colorado Representatives Frank Evans (D) and William Armstrong (R) that no new National Charters have been granted in recent years. A request has been sent to Representative Armstrong to procure the latest requirements for a National Charter.
A plan to provide additional revenue for National Headquarters Newsletter through advertising route was presented by Secretary (editor) Grayckowski (Chapter 1). A motion was made by Vice President Fletcher (Chapter 1) and seconded by Sgt-at- Arms Clark (Chapter 1) that an attempt be made to procure advertising for a couple of issues of the National Newsletter. The motion was seconded and carried.
A motion was made by Trustee Sorell (Chapter 1) and seconded by Trustee Abbott (Chapter 4) that the board reject a proposed By-Laws amendment from Chapter President Edmonds (Chapter 19) of adding a new paragraph to Article XI: Each National Officer present at the National Convention will be allowed one vote each, on all motions or amendments coming from the floor of the convention. The National Officers would not be allowed to place any motions or amendments on the floor. The National Officers voting will not in any way change the present procedure of selecting the number of allowable delegates from the various chapters to attend the National Convention. Each National Officer attending the National Convention will pay the standard delegate registration fee. The motion was seconded and carried.
A motion was made by Trustee Sorell (Chapter 1) and seconded by Trustee Henning Chapter 18) that the board accept the proposed By-Laws amendment from Trustee Abbott (Chapter 4) which would add new paragraphs to Article XX - Obligations to National Headquarters: (5) The first chapter granted within any state shall be designated as state headquarters and such designation shall remain exclusive as long as the chapter remains active. (6) If a state headquarters becomes inactive, the National Headquarters shall designate another chapter to assume the duties of the state headquarters. After much discussion on the subject of state headquarters, a motion was made to table a final determination until the Executive Board meeting on July 22, 1976 by Vice President Fletcher (Chapter 1) and seconded by Sgt-at-Arms Clark (Chapter 1). A tabling motion carried.
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING JULY 22, 1976
Trustee Sorell stated that the By-Laws on state headquarters had accidentally not been placed on the current By-Laws when they were redone while he was President. He made a motion that the following two paragraphs be added to the current By-Laws under Article XX - Obligations to National Headquarters: (5) The first chapter granted within any state shall be designated as State Headquarters and such designation shall remain exclusive as long as the chapter remains active. (6) If a State Headquarters becomes inactive, the National Headquarters shall designate another chapter to assume the duties of the State Headquarters. The motion was seconded by Chaplain White (Chapter 3) and carried.
After much discussion, it was decided that the Chapter presently being formed in Atlanta, Georgia by Smaj Joe Bussey would have the designation of Chapter 21. This was agreed by all present.
A motion was made by 1st Vice President Newton (Chapter 9) that active chapters would be assigned numbers chronologically from number 21 to number 50 and after reach 50, the defunct chapter numbers would be issued. The motion was seconded by Trustee Henning (Chapter 18) and carried.
A motion was made by Secretary Grayckowski (Chapter 1) that members of the Executive Board be paid $.10 per mile for travel (not locally) and would be paid upon submission of a report to National Headquarters. The motion was seconded by Chaplain White (Chapter 3) and carried.
Mandate was made at the last National Convention in Baltimore that separate lifetime account (for funds received at National) be established. Treasurer Stancil stated that such an account had been established.