Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting November 6, 2005

The Executive Committee [ExCom] of the Military Officers Association of America [MOAA], California Council of Chapters [CAL-MOAA] met at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 333 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 on Nov. 6, 2005.

Voting Members Present:

Cmdr Robert Burke, USN [Ret.]
President: Lt. Col. Lawrence Stumpf, USAF [Ret.]
Vice President: Cmdr. John Sammons, USPHS [Ret.]
Director Area One North Counties: Col. Warren Enos, USAR [Ret.]
Director Area Two, Bay Area: Cmdr. David C. Faul, USN [Ret.]
Director Area Three, Central Coast Area: Cmdr. Gene Talmadge, USN [Ret.]
Director Area Five, Mission Trail Area: Capt. Al Ashurst, USN [Ret.]
Director Area Six, Southwest Area: Chief Warrant Off. Herbert Zimmerman, USN [Ret.]
Director Area Seven, Inland Empire Area: Capt. James Cahill, USNR [Ret.]
Director Area Eight, San Diego Area Voting Members Absent: Capt. David Albizo, USMC [Ret.]
Director Area Four, San Joaquin Valley Area Non-Voting Members Present: Col. William Gavitt, USAF [Ret.]

Past President/MOAA Board of Directors:

Col. Arthur Isensee, USMC [Ret.], Treasurer
Cmdr. Earl Gustafson, USN [Ret.], Secretary

Others:

Capt Warren McDonald, USCGR [Ret.], MOAA Board of Directors
Col. John Loughran, USAF [Ret.], MOAA Board of Directors
Cmdr. Bill Manes, USN [Ret.], Legislative Officer CSCVC
Cmdr. Leighton Royston, USN [Ret.], President MRBF
Capt. Tim Richards, USN [Ret.], Golden West Chapter
Capt. Norm Channell, USN [Ret.], Monterey County Chapter
Ann Patton, MOAA Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee
Mary Kalinyak, Monterey County Chapter
Chief Warrant Off. Robert Ramirez, USN [Ret.], Palm Springs Chapter
Lt. Col. John Nowlin, USA [Ret.], Rio Hondo Chapter

The meeting was called to order by the president at 8:08 p.m. Stumpf led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance. Burke called for a moment of silence following which he outlined the agenda for the meeting. He noted that Brig. Gen. Paul Monroe ARNG would be briefing members on Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve [ESGR] Monday for a period of about 15 minutes. MOAA has signed a memorandum of understanding regarding this program.

It was determined that a quorum was present. The agenda for Monday Council of Chapters meeting was reviewed [Attachment A]. Installation of new officers will take place during the evening on Monday.

The meeting was opened for comments from the assembly. Burke noted the long service of Isensee as Council of Chapters treasurer. He noted the presence of Capt. Warren McDonald, newly elected national director of MOAA as will as national directors Col. William Gavitt and Col. John Loughran. Together they represent one-twelfth of the board.

Gavitt reported on correspondence from MOAA indicating that 24 chapters in California were weak or ailing. His opinion was that the list was not entirely accurate and was based on criteria considered relevant by MOAA, i.e., submission of chapter roster and officer list, applications for awards, copies of chapter newsletter.

Isensee distributed the Finance Report [Attachment B] and the Treasurer's Interim Report [Attachment C]. He explained that the ExCom budget expense was based on a total of 16 Council officers expending $7,800 per year. This has been capped at 75 percent of actual allowed expenses to stay within budget. In practice, only about half of the ExCom members actually claim expenses and the ExCom has met only once during 2005.

Isensee noted that annual decrease in membership now exceeds 6 percent resulting in less funds being available. He recommended that the ExCom members in attendance at the Nov. 7, 2005 Council meeting be allowed $150 plus 12 cents per mile. Motion to accept the recommendation was made by Enos and seconded by Zimmerman. Discussion followed. Stumpf recommended all should submit claims whether or not they wish to keep the money. Sammons indicated he would not claim expenses. Motion carried 7 to 2.

Isensee indicated that $200 would be allotted to the CSCVC. Gavitt discussed contributions to support of legislative advocate. Contribution by CSCVC has been $6,000 of which $5,000 has been supplied by AFRAC. This may no longer be available.

Sammons recommended CAL-MOAA continue to contribute $1,000 per year. Cmdr. Bill Manes, CSCVC Secretary advised that it is permissible for 501c[19] organizations to advocate legislation and that, in the past, CAL-MOAA has given money to the CSCVC who, in turn, gave the money to the legislative advocate with the CSCVC filing the required reports.

Motion was made by Talmadge and seconded by Zimmerman to authorize the treasurer to move funds to USAA Savings Bank or MBNA as federally insured deposits depending on interest quotes on certificates of deposit. Motion carried unanimously.

There were self-introductions for other attendees not members of the ExCom.

Discussion in relation to the status of women officers and auxiliary members took place. Burke stated there are less than 30,000 regular MOAA members and 9,000 auxiliary members in California. 4,000 auxiliary members are members of chapters. Sammons expressed the view that auxiliary members should be regular members.

Gavitt pointed out that 90 percent of MOAA members must be military veterans to remain qualified as a 501c[19] organizations. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Earl F. Gustafson, CDR, USN Ret. Secretary CAL-MOAA

Attachment A - Council of Chapters Agenda for Nov. 7, 2005
Attachment B - Finance Report, Oct. 31, 2005
Attachment C - Treasurer's Interim for Feb. 26, 2005

For Amendments and Financial Reports, please download the complete PDF file.