Jun 09 2011
Meeting Minutes May 2011
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
21 MAY 2011
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Walt Wise called the meeting to order at 1000 at American Legion Post #1, I-25 and Yale Avenue.
Members Present: Walt Wise, Phil Lanphier, Brian Foote, Fred Lyssy, Ed Fickes, Mike Law, John Grauff, John Hargleroad, Bill Robie, Steve Swaim, Carl Cavalluzzi, Carl Tafoya, Mike Hammer, Bill Spencer, and Jim McNamee. Because we had some returning members, Walt had everyone introduce themselves.
The minutes of the April meeting were approved (Mike Law moved, Carl Tafoya seconded). The Treasurer’s Report for May was approved (Ed Fickes moved, Mike Law seconded).
Tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans at Prairie View High School on April 8th: Mike Law asked how the tribute went. Jim McNamee stated that it was a very impressive and moving event that the faculty and students of Prairie View High School in Henderson gave on Friday, April 8, 2011. Several chapter members attended and displayed the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) for over 2,000 students and faculty during the day. In addition, chapter member Bill McPherson displayed his Huey, which was very well received.
Upcoming Events: Ed Fickes discussed upcoming events and sent around duty rosters. Enough members have now committed to working these events to enable us to commit to them. We can always use more volunteers to docent the museum, of course. Ed will send out the updated rosters with more details and directions via the chapter e-mail and chat page.
June 9th-12th—Fort Carson Welcome Home Ceremony for Vietnam Veterans: We will set up the museum from 1400 to 1700 on June 9th, display it from 0800 to 1700 on the 10th through the 12th, and pack it up late on the 12th. Bill McPherson will display his Huey next to the HWM and the AVTT Traveling Wall will be present. The Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration Commission probably also will participate in this event. The event will take place outside Fort Carson’s Gate 1 on Hwy 115, south of Colorado Springs. The museum will be transported from Greeley to Fort Carson by Shepherd Enterprises of Greeley. The driver then will move to the museum to the Golden storage location for the July 4th celebration (see below).
July 16th—Fly In at the Hays, Kansas Airport: We have been invited by the airport manager to display the HWM at this fly in. The organizers will pay the HWM transportation costs and also provide three motel rooms. We will set up the HWM from 1400 to 1700 on the 15th, display it from 0800 to 1700 on the 16th, and pack for the return trip the morning of the 17th.
Rocky Mountain Region Reunion follow up (see the March and April minutes): Fred Lyssy (who has been doing the research and planning for this event along with Greg Mann) stated that they have talked with the Doubletree and Red Lion Hotels on Quebec Street (south of I-70). He said that both offered very good terms, but that the Doubletree’s terms probably were better. After discussion of the terms, the members agreed with him and decided on the Doubletree. The tentative reunion date is October 8, 2011. Rooms will be priced at $89 per night, and we will have a free hospitality suite.
Draft Meeting Minutes, 21 May 2011, continued
The hotel has no problem with us using the suite for a reception and/or breakfast room where we provide the food, coffee, liquor, etc. They will cater a dinner for an all inclusive cots of less than $40 per person, depending on the entrée/service style, and would provide space for us to display the HWM.
After a discussion of possible activities (a tour of Buckley AFB was one suggestion and the Botanical gardens another) and costs, the members voted to proceed with the event and to provide a budget of $2,000 for notice costs, supplies, down payments, etc. The funds will come from the chapter general fund, and most probably will be recovered by a registration fee and food and drink sales in the Hospitality Suite. There was discussion about how to advertise the event, and Mike Law provided suggestions as to how we could cut costs. Fred and Greg will proceed, but would like to have a volunteer or two to help out.
WWII Honor Flight Welcome Home Reception: Walt Wise talked about the reception, which he stated was a great event for all concerned. Ed stated that the next Honor Flight trip will be on September 11, 2011. He will verify the return date so that we can plan to host the reception.
Channel 7 Interviews follow up (see the March minutes): Walt stated that the Channel 7 News story about Vietnam pilots who didn’t make it back from Vietnam will air on Memorial Day at 1800.
Report on HWM Grant Request Efforts: Phil Lanphier and Fred Lyssy stated that the grant request to the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration Commission was about finished. Fred discussed the items we are asking for in the grant, which tentatively total approximately $20,000. After discussion, the members decided to have Fred talk with Ed about projected transportation expenses and then proceed with the request. Ed and Phil will finish the draft and submit it with Walt’s signature.
July 4th—Independence Day Celebration in Golden: Bill Robie stated that the Golden Lions Club still has to give the final approval to our displaying the HWM at this event, but that it probably would be a go. If we get final approval, we will reposition the HWM from Fort Carson to its Golden location, and leave it there until we transport it to Hays. Bill will arrange to have the HWM positioned in its July 4th location and then returned to its Golden storage location. Bill will get the final okay for our participation from the Lions Club and then work with them on logistics. Once we receive the okay, Ed will send out the details and a duty roster. (Note—subsequent to the meeting, Bill received approval from the Lions Club and sent out a notice.)
Model Sales: Bill stated that he can get 20 models for $29.50 each or 40 for $25.00 each and asked which lot, if either, the members would like him to purchase and whether he should buy a variety of models. The members voted to buy a variety of 20 models (Motion-Mike law, Second John Hargleroad). We will sell the models and use the proceeds for museum maintenance and development, as we have for several years.
Upcoming Elections: Jim talked about the June chapter officer elections. He stated that the current nominees are Phil Lanphier for President, Hal Bergdahl for Vice President and Jim McNamee for Secretary/Treasurer. The election will not be held until the June meeting, so nominations are still open.
Draft Meeting Minutes, 21 May 2011, continued
He also mentioned that the members had voted several years ago to hold an e-mail election if there were multiple nominees for one or more positions and that the new officers would not take office until after the VHPA National Reunion. This sparked a discussion that resulted in the members deciding that only members that are present at the June meeting elections were eligible to vote (Motion-Walt Wise, Second-Phil Lanphier). The members also voted to have the newly elected officers take over their duties at the end of the meeting in which they were elected (Motion-Ed Fickes, Second-Walt Wise). Finally, the members decided that nominees did not have to be present at the June meeting to be elected, but that they did have to accept their nominations.
Chapter Clothing: Jim stated that he has the chapter shirts and hats that members ordered, and also has some extras for sale to members at cost and to non-members at a mark-up. He will have the items at future meetings and chapter events.
Next Meetings:
The June 18th and August 20th meetings will be held at American Legion Post #1, I-25 and Yale. We will hold chapter elections at the June meeting and the new chapter officers will take over at the close of the meeting. As usual, there will not be a meeting in July. John Hargleroad will reserve meeting rooms for the meetings.
Walt adjourned the meeting at 1145.
Submitted by Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer