Quarterly Meeting: by Harold Brent Secretary/Treasurer

Date: 18 October 2008

Location: Gary Granade's Ranch VIC. HWY 6 and FM 105

Attendees:

1. Manny Mermea President - Excused
2. Scott Smith Vice Pres. - Present
3. Harold Brent Sec./Treas. - Excused
4. Eric Hitchcock National Pres., Chapter Past President - Excused
5. Gary Granade National Treas., Chapter Past President - Present
6. Dusty Jarnagin Chapter Past President - Excused
7. Robert Ybarra Sergeant at Arms (Acting) - Present
8. John Rolfe Editor Newsletter - Present

I. Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 14:35 hours by Chapter Vice President Scott Smith. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Scott Smith. The Invocation was given by Paul Reed. An opening statement was made by Chapter Vice President Scott Smith. NO introductions were made as the meeting started late, there were numerous items to cover, and all members & spouses were familiar with each other. A rough headcount of approximately 28 members and guests.

II. Previous Meeting Minutes: Meeting minutes from the quarterly meeting at VFW Post # 3827 in Corpus Christi, TX was read by John Rolfe , a motion was made to approve by Gary Granade and seconded by Jim Pfiel, was voted on and passed.

III. Reports of Officers

1. Chapter President - Manny Mermea: No Report
2. National President - Eric Hitchcock No Report
3. Financial Report read by Gary Granade, account as of:
• 10/01/2007 $ 11,357.97
• Corpus Christi Meeting 08/01/2008 $ 8,234.26
• 10/01/2008 $ 7,953.05

The report was discussed; a motion was made by John Barthelemy to accept and seconded by Jim Pfiel. It was voted on and passed.

IV. Reports of Committees

1. Scholarships - Chairman Dusty Jarnigan. No Report
2. Fund Raisers - No Report
3. Regional Representatives
   • Killeen/ Central Texas- Scott Smith- Waco VA Hospital doing well & new construction progressing. New PTSD patients may be put on a waiting list.
   • San Antonio- Manny Mermea/ Frank Martinez-No Report
   • Houston- Gary Granade/ Eric Hitchcock- Continues to meet about every 6 weeks Nothing new to report
   • Valley Area- Augustin Soto/ Santiago Krummel - Plans for new VA Hospital stopped, but Clinic is stiil running.
   • Dallas/ Ft. Worth- Dusty Jarnigan/ Bud Sourjohn - No Report
   • Gold Star Mothers- Susan O'Donnell Sourjohn - No Report

V. Unfinished Business

1. Anyone needing assistance on Veteran affairs can call Ranger Bob Cantu (254-248-1013 or 254-223-2454) for help. This new Board is looking for area Representatives to help in explaining the program on a local level.
2. A motion was made to buy a mobile BBQ Grill Pit. R. M. Heyman, III, has made a $ 500.00 donation to the general fund. It was discussed to use this money for the new grill. The motion was seconded, voted on and passed. Gary Granade will look for the mobile Barbecue Grill.
3. Gary Granade - During the Alaska cruise we neglected to make any donations. Scholarship Fund: $ 1173.00 Motion made, seconded by John Rolfe, voted on and passed. Gold Star $500.00 Motion made, seconded by John Rolfe, voted on and passed.
4. Manny mentioned a letter on Sgt Dennis Bryant, from San Antonio, who has cancer of the lungs and kidneys. Keep him in your prayers.
5. Jerry Colwell - Had a Commemorative Medal made for Herd Brothers who give of their time and effort. No action taken
6. Scott mentioned that many Vets die leaving incomplete records at the VA. Volunteers were needed to assist families in registering and keeping their records current.
7. We need to do some fund raisers to continue to support Charities: The Herd Troops, Abused Kids, Herd members in need. Motorcycle Raffle has been very successful. Shall we try another?

VI. Miscellaneous Business

1. The following chapter meeting were scheduled:
   • San Antonio February 21, 2009 Firm
   • Kerrville/ Uvalde May 16, 2009 Firm
   • Waco August 15, 2009 Firm
   • Gary Granade's Ranch October 10, 2009 Firm
2. National Reunions
   • July 29 thru Aug 2, 2009 National Reunion Daytona Beach, Florida
   • 2010 Myrtle Beach, S.C.
   • 2011 California Tentative
   • 2012 Texas Tentative/ Hopeful
3. Association Mid -January 2009 Conference: The Mid-Winter conference will be held at Myrtle Beach, SC this year on 24 and 25 January 2009. Chapter 30 will be hosting this event. The Executive Committee will meet on 23 January 2009 in the late afternoon. The Main meeting, all the Presidents and appointed officers will meet Saturday, 24 January 2009. Meeting will start about 0900 and adjourn about 1700 with time for lunch. The meeting will resume on Sunday, 25 January 2009 about 0900 and will end not later than 1200.

VII. New Business

1. On the 8th of November 2008, the 173d Airborne Brigade in Afghanistan will be hosting the 1st Annual Running of the Herd, a 24 hour assault run to commemorate the Battle on the 8th of November. They will have 7 man teams. Each team will have a man running all the time, for 24 hours. The team that completes the most laps around the base wins. There will be T-shirts for all runners in 1st, 2nd, 3rd place prizes for the winners (7 each). Chapter XIII donated $300.00 towards this noble effort.
2. A well done metal placard of the Brigade patch was donated by Charlie Phillips. Rather than auction the ornate item, it was decided to procure a table at the 2009 reunion and raffle the placard. Additionally, we will bring [new design] Chapter T-shirts, Chapter challenge coins, and whatever else we can scrounge to generate revenue for the Chapter.
3. Our Chapter website is currently under-utilized. An effort to update the member database, bring more attention to the potential of this site, and make our newsletter less expensive via e-mail will make this valuable tool in the future. John Barthelemy has done a great job of developing the site and continues to devote individual effort. For this enterprise, John was reimbursed $90.00 for annual web server fees.
4. A motion was made by Gary Granade to eliminate all members who are two [2] years in arrears from our Chapter newsletter mailing list. Motion seconded by Augustin Soto, voted on and passed.
5. Annual elections were held - a motion to maintain current officials failed. A motion was made by Ruben Dimas to elevate Scott Smith to the office of President, seconded by Paul Reed, voted on and passed. A motion was made by Gary Granade to elect Augustin Soto to the office of Vice President, seconded by John Rolfe, voted on and passed. Harold Brent continues as Secretary/ Treasurer by acclimation [plus he wasn't there to defend himself].

VIII. Good and Welfare of the Society

• The 50/50 raffle was won by Mary Soto, $80.00 /2 = $40.00 to the Texas Chapter.
• Raffles: Charlie Phillips won the donated book given by Leo Herrera $?.00 to General Fund.

IX. Adjournment

• The next meeting is scheduled to be at San Antonio on February 21, 2009.
• Details will follow in the Chapter News Letter.
• The invocation was given by Evelyn Rolfe.
• Meeting was ended by Scott Smith at 16:15 hours.
• A general bull session followed. The pony keg, provided by Charlie Phillips, did not float.