SEPTEMBER 1999 TO SEPTEMBER 2000
The National Convention was held in Tacoma, Washington on September 22-26, 1999. Officers elected/appointed:
President - Fred Athans
1st Vice - J. H. "Jack" Jackson
2nd Vice - Debbie J. Smith
3rd Vice - Charlie Flowers
Treasurer - Bill Everet
National Director – Preston Hale
National Director – Vince Niski
National Director - Larry Hyland
National Director – Dave Washington
Memorial Foundation – George Smith
Parliamentarian – George Miles
TSCL Chair - Dave Jungemann
National Chaplain – Melvin Payne
National VSO – Otho Lister
Past National President– Dave Pahl
In February, TREA President Fred Athans goes before the Joint Senate and House Veterans Committees to testify on Veterans medical services. President Athans also met with Deputy Secretary Gober and discussed the need to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is fully funded in order to provide quality health care.
National Board of Directors Mid-Term Meeting May 18, 2000
This year a new scholarship program is initiated. It was designated as the George Skonce Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. Donations received in memory of Co-Founder Skonce will become a perpetual fund to provide the award annually.
The 2000 Scholarship Committee will award 40 scholarships, 38 in the amount of $1,000 plus the George Skonce Memorial Scholarship and the Frank Cusimano Scholarship each in the amount of $1,500.
TSCL Chairman Mabry announced that the TSCL was approximately 75-80% complete with the transition to new vendors and that many expected problems had not been realized in the transition.
National Treasurer Evert commented that the life expectancy calculated for life memberships has been reevaluated and increased from 10 years to 27 years based on younger members who are active in the service. This greatly increases the amount of money TREA needs to put away for life memberships.
Sites for the 2003 National Convention were discussed. They include San Antonio, TX, Milwaukee, WI, and Colorado Springs, CO.
PRE-COVENTION MEETING SEPTEMBER 21, 1999
Past National President Otho Lister announced that the VSO Program is processing very well in 45 states. Other 5 states have laws forbidding our type of agreement.
1st. BUSINESS MEETING SEPTEMBER 23, 1999
The TREA Senior Citizens League announced that in the period of January 13, 1995 through May 5, 1999, TSCL has generated 2986 members for TREA at no cost to TREA. Total dollars paid to TREA by these converted members dues paid are $67, 286.46. Other money TSCL has made for TREA from mailings has been $22,205.
TREA receives a trademark fee from TSCL. Last year the 25% fee was over $600,000.
The Memorial Foundation posted a request for donations to a fund for the Columbine High School tragedy. TREA plans to present 13 scholarships, 12 $1,000 and 1 $2,000 from this fund. So far the donations from Chapters and individuals has amounted to $3,461. Donations will still be accepted and the system to distribute these scholarships will be in place in December.
It was announced that the 2000 convention would be held in Kansas City, MO and the 2001 convention would be held in Las Vegas, NV.
Eight chapters were chartered in 2000.