Minutes of the General Meeting of

The Southeast Texas Air Force Academy Parent’s Assoc.

July 24, 2005

Fuddrucker’s on Kirkwood

 

 

The meeting was called to order by President Michael Berry.  A formal welcome was given to the new class of 2009 parents.  Club officers were introduced.  Michael asked that all members check and/or update their information on the club roster and  take a look at the copies of the minutes from the last meeting.

 

Treasurer’s Report.  Frankie Berry reported for Nelly Pena a balance in the account of $2,053.92 less $64.00 due in expenses.  Frankie asked all new and current members to pay their dues since that is the only source of funds for the club.    Members paying dues today can give their checks to Peggy Omohundro and go to the website to fill out form.

 

Graduation Information (’06.)  Marian Getzelman reported hotels fill up quickly for graduation and suggested an all suites hotel and would give information and phone number after the meeting to anyone interested.

 

Goings-on at USAFA.  Michael updated the members on the parent’s weekend schedule, noting there will not be a football game or tailgate party. 

 

Approval of minutes.  Michael asked for corrections or motion for approval.  No corrections were noted, motion was made for approval, seconded, and approved.

 

Appointee Party.  John Omohundro reported approximately 14 appointees attended the pool party at the Omohundro’s home on June 5, 2005.   Their son, Garret, was home during this time and was on hand to answer questions.  A good time was had by all in attendance.

 

Mentor Moms.   Sandy Carp introduced herself and Elizabeth May.  Sandy asked if anyone has not received a call from their mentor mom.  One new member stated she had not and Frankie Berry assured her she would get her a mentor.  Sandy asked all mentors to stand and be recognized.   Michael explained the mentoring program is especially for helping new parents “cope” with the first year at the academy.

 

Ball Update.   Michael explained AF is the host for this year’s ball and told a little about the ball in general.  He recognized Louanne, Sandy, and Elizabeth and co-chairs.  Louanne explained several committee members are at the Navy parent’s club meeting today.  She stated the ball takes a lot of people and a lot of money to put on, with half the money raised through ticket sales, and half through solicitation of donations.  She announced the ball to be Dec. 26 at the Woodland’s Waterway Marriott.  The event will be a formal family event.  This year will be the 20th annual ball and the committee is working hard to make it special.  Louanne announced all ball information is on the club website.   Sandy asked for help with solicitations and asked any of the new parents who might have contacts to please let her know.   All letters have gone out to past sponsors but new sponsors are needed.   She explained we hope to give all cash prizes to cadets instead of gifts; however, if someone donates an item, we can use it in the silent auction.  She announced sponsors will be listed on the club website and asked that members please support these businesses who are making donations.  Sandy asked John Omohundro to tell members how he went about securing a donation from his employer, Anadarko.  John stated Anadarko has made a verbal commitment of $5000.  He suggested going to a company’s public relations group and giving a letter to them requesting a donation.  Sandy has a list of companies contacted if members want to check to see if a particular company is listed.  She announced Silver Eagle has committed to a donation of $2,500.

 

Elizabeth May spoke for Carol Murphy about the silent auction.  She asked for any members with contacts to please secure an item if they can.

 

Louanne reminded everyone of the crystal plate being sold as a fundraiser.  She introduced Terry Hart (filling in for his wife, Cathleen) who displayed the plate and stated he has plates with him to hand out to those who have ordered previously.  He suggested the plates would be a great gift for sponsor gifts.  Sandy announced orders will be taken for the plates until mid-September.  The order form is on the web site.

 

Louanne asked for volunteers to help on committees and solicitations and asked them to see the co-chairs after the meeting.

 

Bruce May spoke on the golf tournament.  He reminded everyone of the up-coming tournament at Timber Creek Golf Course on Saturday, August 20th.  He stated he has 17 teams but needs 20 plus.  All 17 teams have made verbal commitments but none have actually paid.  He announced several hole sponsors and Coca-Cola to let him know tomorrow what they will be able to do for drinks. He stated a box lunch and a bar-b-que dinner will be served.  He also stated a silent auction will be held at the tournament and players will receive goodie bags.  Bruce has flyers with him and the information is also on the website.  Elizabeth passed around volunteer sheets for the day of the tournament.

 

Louanne announced the price of tickets would probably remain at $45.00 before Dec. 1 and $50. after.  Invitations will be handed out at the October meeting.

 

Birthday Cards.  Kay Scully announced the club sends birthday cards each year to cadets and asked everyone to update their cadet’s information (i.e. birth date, box number, etc.)  She read a list of names of several cadets whose cards were returned last year and asked those parents to talk to her after the meeting.

 

Laser Graphics.  Sandy Carp explained the purpose of the Rando Fund and stated due to lack of club funds, the club has made little or no donation the last couple of years.  The reason for starting up the laser graphic fundraiser was to use the proceeds to make a club donation.  To date, the profit is $503.49.and a check in that amount will go to the Rando Fund.  She invited the members to view the items available or to check them out on the website.  She noted they make great gifts and sponsor gifts.  She also asked if anyone would volunteer to take over the fundraiser since she is currently working on the ball.  Frankie thanked Sandy for her efforts in creating and administering this fundraiser and “finding” the funds to make the donation with.

 

Tri-Academy Non-Profit Organization.  Michael announced the possibility of the three major parent’s clubs (AF, Army, and Navy) forming a separate non-profit organization for the ball only with an ongoing bank account instead of being transferred between clubs each year.   Doing so would possibly offer continuity to sponsors and contacts and would be possibly better coordinated.  There was not enough time to accomplish this task this year, but all three clubs feel this would be a good idea.  Representatives will be needed from all clubs.

 

Academy Website.  Michael advised parents to routinely check the academy website to keep up-to-date on academy happenings such as the recent TB scare.  He then asked for questions or comments from members.  None were noted.

 

ALO’s.   Lt. Col. Gary Morgan congratulated the new parents.  He introduced Lt. Col. Ray Taylor from the Humble area, Maj. Steve Vorhies from the northwest area, Maj. Mark Teel from the Pearland are, and himself, from Friendswood.  He also announced for the second year in a row, his group is number one in the country for numbers of new cadets going into the academy.  He noted our area usually sends approximately 45 cadets to the academy each year; however, this year the number is 50.  He asked any new parents of dissatisfied cadets to have their cadet contact him as he has a lot of experience talking to cadets in that situation.  He asked for questions and one parent asked about the delays in mail delivery at the academy.  Lt. Col. Morgan explained it is necessary to keep new cadets very focused but the mail delivery will level out. 

 

Online Newsletter.   Michael stated there has been a printed newsletter in the past.  A suggestion has been made to post the newsletter online only.  He asked for a motion, motion was made, seconded an approved.  Frank Buehner, webmaster/communications, asked for updated email information.  He stated the website address for the members.  He asked for previous years ball photos to be sent to him to post on the website to encourage attendance.  He also noted less than half the new cadet families have registered on the website.

 

Class of ’09 Reps. Michael asked for parent volunteers for the class of ’09.  Steve and Brenda Vorhies volunteered.

 

Next Meeting.  John Omohundro announced the next meeting will be October 23rd at Nit Noi Restaurant on  FM1960.   The restaurant is normally closed on Sundays but Doi Heckler, an academy grad, opens it for our meetings.  No credit cards, only cash for meal at $10-$12 per person.  He noted this is the meeting we bring bags of Halloween candy to box up and send to our cadets.

 

Michael asked if there were any other questions.  There were none.  He asked for a motion to adjourn, motion was made and meeting was adjourned.