April 2008
FINAL NOTICE: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND CHAPTER 96 ELECTIONS
 
The Annual Meeting and Elections of VVA Chapter 96 will be held at 1:00 p.m. on SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2008.  The nominating committee gave its official report at the March 20th membership meeting; however, nominations will continue to be open up to, and from the floor at, the annual meeting.  All candidates for any office must have their DD214 or other acceptable documentation of eligibility on file, or submit it upon nomination and before the election.  Arrive at noon or earlier, and a light lunch will be provided.  Feel free to bring beverages, but no alcoholic drinks are to be consumed during the meeting(s).
SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE
 
A special meeting of the membership of VVA Chapter 96 will also be held at the Hootch at 1:00 p.m. on April 12, 2008.  The purpose of this meeting to to consider a proposed amendment of the bylaws of Chapter 96.  The sole purpose of the proposed amendment is to reduce the annual meeting quorum requirement from 25% to 15% of the membership.


UPCOMING VVA BIG BEND CHAPTER 96 MEETINGS
                                                                                                          
SATURDAY April 12, 2008      -      May 15, 2008      -      June 19, 2008
                                                                                                                               
On these dates (except the annual meeting, which is to be at 1:00 p.m.)
the Board will meet at 6:15 p.m., and Members will meet at 7:30 p.m.  
The Board also meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.
REMEMBER TO BRING CANNED GOODS FOR HOMELESS VETS!


PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Greeting.  Here we are in the land of pollen.  Lots of beautiful flowers.  Dogwoods and red buds trees in full bloom, and lots of sneezing and running eyes.  Springtime Tallahassee was something else!  We sold out, and had a very successful day.  The Springtime Tallahassee Jubilee has been one of our major fund raisers for the Chapter 96 every year for 18 years now. With our big agenda this year the funds from Springtime (and much more) are much needed to prepare for our Veterans Day events.  Anybody with additional fund raising ideas, please contact me.

I want personally thank Reuben Plachy and Charlie Yonts for all their efforts in putting on the car, truck and motorcycle show.  The weather was chilly but nonetheless I really enjoyed it.  Thanks to all who helped.  Tallahassee has some fine automobiles that came out for this occasion.

Our next membership meeting is our Annual Meeting and Elections and it has been moved to Saturday April 12th, to help make attendance easier.  So please come and vote.  We will have food and refreshments. hope to see ya there.  I have decided to seek the office of the president again.  Thanks to all who have served this past year. I think it 's great to have such a diverse board that seeks and listens to the opinions of others and moves on with the business at hand.  If you can stand the punishment, please let be known, we'll get you signed up.  In closing I ask that you keep Mike Rodrique, Larry Ward and Al Olivia and any other members who continue to struggle with health problems in your prayers.  Thanks again for letting me serve.                                                                      
Lest we forget
Rick Clevenger

Chapter 96 Nominating Committee Report

The Chapter 96 Nominating Committee made the following nominations: 

OFFICERS:  PRESIDENT - Rick Clevenger, VICE PRESIDENT - Chuck Royce, SECRETARY - Richard White, TREASURER - Bob Flanagan.

DIRECTORS (five positions):  Ken Ganey, Malcolm Hill, Dallas Miller, John Petriello, Mike Renwick.

STATE COUNCIL DELEGATE & ALTERNATE (two positions):  No nominations made.  Since the nominating committee did not make nominations for these offices, they must be made from the floor.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE (three positions):  No nominations made.  Since the nominating committee did not make nominations for these offices, they must be made from the floor.

All offices have one-year terms except State Council Delegate & Alternate which have two-year terms.
Chapter 96 Annual Financial Report

The following report for the Chapter 96 fiscal year which ended on 29 February 2008 is submitted to the membership in compliance with Section 617.1605, Florida Statutes:

INCOME:
Contributions, gifts, grants, and similar................ $  2,569.23
Special events and fundraising activities (net)...... $ 6,737.85
Program service revenue....................................... $ 3,413.90
Membership dues and assessments....................... $    749.00
Other revenue....................................................... $ 4,742.77
TOTAL INCOME................................................. $18,212.75

EXPENSE:
Program services................................................... $ 4,091.02
Management & General........................................ $18,640.82
Fundraising............................................................ $  1,678.69
TOTAL EXPENSE................................................ $24,410.53

NET DEFICIT........................................................ $<6,197.78>

Chapter 96's web site is - http://vva96.org                                        Veterans' Choice Car Show Award Winner - Photo by Mike Hahn