SEPTEMBER 1996 TO SEPTEMBER 1997
The National Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 4-7, 1996. Officers elected/appointed:
President - Dottie Holmes
1st Vice - Dave Pahl
2nd Vice - Ralph McCutchen
3rd Vice - Fred Athans
Treasurer - Bill Everet
2 Yr. Director – J. H. "Jack" Jackson
2 Yr. Director – Manuel Sanchez-Rivera
1 Yr. Director – Oscar R. Hinson
1 Yr. Director – Isidoro Cerpa-Alicia
Memorial Foundation – Daniel J. O'Connell
PPAC - Jack Cotton
TSCL Chair - Al Ybanez
Parliamentarian – George Miles
TREA Headquarters goes on-line(Jan '96). It was announced that TREA has established a web presence. The administrative staff looking forward to on-line membership applications, TREA Wear orders and paperless document transfers from Headquarters to the Government Affairs Office in Washington, DC.
MID TERM MEETING MAY 16, 1997
TREA Raised $50,000 for relief from the flood of Hurricane Hortense in Puerto Rico.
Mr. Ybanez reported that the TSCL has recruited 437 members during the first quarter of 1997 and that TSCL has brought in a little over $400,000.
A new award was established known as the Community Service Award.
FIRST BUSINESS MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 1996
President Holmes appointed Vincent Niski as Sergeant-at-Arms.
1995 Convention minutes were reviewed and approved.
Nominations for National Officers and Directors were taken.
Nominated for President: Dottie Holmes Nominated for 1st. Vice President: Dave Pahl Nominated for 2nd. Vice President: Ralph McCutchen Nominated for 3rd. Vice President: Fred Athans Nominated for Treasurer: William Evert & William DeBoer Nominated for 2 year Director Positions: Jorge Blondet Isidoro Cerpa John Luperalli Collins Dupree "CD" Rice William Volm Henry "Woody" Woodward
National Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Evert stated that the following figures were from December 31, 1995 financial report from the auditors: Cash on hand $ 506,202 Investments $1, 264,155 Accounts Receivable $ 174,469 Inventory $ 30,628 Land $ 125,000 Building and Improvements $ 158,222 Furniture and Equipment $ 178,192 Less Depreciation $ 107,571 Other Assets $ 10,887 TOTAL ASSETS $2,340,184
Liabilities: Accounts Payable General $ 60,362 Accounts PayableChapters $ 8,400 Accrued Vacations Payable $ 11,604 Other Accrued Liabilities $ 11,222 Deferred Life Membership Dues $1,705,270 TOTAL LIABILITIES $1,796,795
Membership as of June 30 79,308 adjusted for complimentary members. This is up 3%.
It was announced that in a meeting on July 13, 1996 the Past Presidents Advisory Counsel (PPAC) has changed it's name to the Past National President Counsel (PNPC).
It was announced that the TREA Memorial Foundation funded 30 scholarships in the amount of $30,500. 29 for $1,000 and one for $1,500.
In a meeting on March 15, 1996 the Bylaws & Rules Committee made changes to standing rule 8, 9 and 18 which were approved by the Board of Directors on May 18, 1996.
The Build a New Chapter (BANC) Committee has been considered a success with the chapter in San Antonio and the forming of a chapter in San Diego.
The Athletic committee announced that the bowling team did very well with two members coming in second in the doubles.
In March of 1996, Past National President Otho Lister met with the National Association of State Directors, the Veterans Administration and with Secretary Jessie Brown and his staff in Washington DC on the VSO program. He shared TREA's objectives and goals for representation of TREA members. He discussed the need for Veteran Service Officers and how important it is for TREA members.
PRE-CONVENTION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 1996
Treasurer Bill Evert reported that as of 9/1/95, TREA had $1,510,238.22 and that as of 9/1/96 TREA had $1,804,793.27. TREA also had Deferred Revenues in the membership accounts of $1,705,270. TREA made $40,000 in interest in it's investments.
As of this meeting TREA had 79,308 members and this figure was adjusted to omit the complimentary members of 2,019. Break down of membership was as follows: Air Force-45,000, Navy-10,000, Army-17,000, Cost Guard-384, Marines-750, Widow-2,127 and unknown service-2,877. In the last 12 months 12,000 new members were brought in but in the same time 10,000 members did not pay their dues.
The TREA Memorial Foundation announced that the scholarships would be reduced from 30 to 15 next year because of money concerns.
Al Ybanez announced that Vantage, TSCL's insurance company donated a 12-day cruise to TSCL and that TSCL donated it to TREA and that Squires and Heartfield are sponsoring a Hospitality night.
Three top recruiters were announced: 1st. top recruiter was Bob Holtz, Chapter 3, 2nd. Was Gerald Folansby, Chapter 29, and 3rd. was Bob Covington, Chapter 72.
Past President Otho Lister announced an agreement with over 10 states to provide service through the VSO program. The states included were: Arizona, Florida, Maryland, South Dakota, Colorado, Georgia, Nebraska, Texas, New Hampshire and New Mexico.
President Holmes discussed how the convention site selection method used this time has saved TREA approximately $10,000.
1st. BUSINESS MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 1996 TSCL Legislative Director Mike Zabko announced a cruise donated by Vantage Travel to be given away at this convention.
It was announced that Chapter 29 of South Dakota donated a quilt and the proceeds of the raffle would go to the Memorial Foundation.
During the discussion of the five year plan, it was announced that the plan was amended to move the installation of a new sprinkler system at Headquarters to next year to accommodate repairs to the roof.
Co-founder Dean Sorrell stated that the bowling team did very well and that two members came in second in doubles.
It was announced that Virgil Tate from Chapter 29 donated $500 towards hospitality.
2nd. BUSINESS MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 1996
It was announced that the site for the 1999 Convention would be Los Angeles, CA.
President Holmes stated that the National Staff would purchase a POW/MIA Flag for use at the convention.
POST-CONVENTION MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 1996:
President Holmes announced the following Committee Chair appointments: Bylaws & Rules – Fred Athans Convention – 1st Vice President Dave Pahl Finance – Treasurer Bill Everet 5 Year Plan – Director Isidoro Cerpa Scholarship – Director Manuel Sanchez Membership – Director Jack Jackson BANC – Director Ralph McCutchen Public Relations – Director H. E. "Woody" Woodward Legislative Affairs - Director H. E. "Woody" Woodward Athletic – Co-Founder Dean Sorell Credentials – Past President Jack Cotton Nominations – 3rd. Vice President Fred Athans VSO – Past President Otho Lister
President Holmes appointed George Miles as TREA Parliamentarian.
The TREA Past Presidents Advisory Council overwhelmingly approved an honorary life membership to be given to Representative G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery. This was presented to the Representative, who spoke of his appreciation of TREA and our continuing efforts to inform all about our National agenda. Representative Montgomery, the author of the "Montgomery" G.I. Bill, has announced his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives when his tern ends. (Voice Jan/Feb'96, p4) (Ed – just a few short years ago Rep Montgomery was instrumental in getting the National Charter past for TREA)
Director Sanchez suggested that TREA National Headquarters should have a "Hall of Flags" containing a state flag representing each chapter.