Welcome to the Minutes Page

The meeting was called at 12 noon at the home of Connie and Charlie Craven. Members present were: Mike Donovan, Charles Hildebrant, Bob and Jo Weeks, Barb and Glen Bach, Lonnie Wilson, Tommy Thompson, Jim Baker, Dick and Diane Deren, Todd and Joanne Hansford, Bob and Ann Murty, Clay and Curten Skeens, Mike and Kathy BlorklundBill and Rita Lammers, Hower Hurst John and Martha McDade, Rocky Bjorklund, John Bolender, Karl Bolender, Mike Parker, Earle and Evelyn Byers, Connie and Charlie Craven. Special guests were W. Schepers and L. Severyns from Belgium and Theresa Selay from the U.K.

The first order of business was to establish a time and place for the next meeting. The object being to have a Quarterly meeting in each region to afford everyone a chance to attend a meeting without having to travel a great distance. It was decided to have the next meeting on 14 April and to ask Fred Perkins and the Southern Region to play host. (The date and location have been confirmed – ed.) Mike Donovan was asked to chair a committee to look into club provided transportation from the West coast to the meeting so members coming from a far would not have to drive themselves.

Terms for the positions of Vice President and Treasurer are ending of the end of the year. Ballots received to date were counted of the meeting. The results were: Vice President - Bob Murty; Treasurer - Alan Byers. The ballots were then destroyed.

President Hansford passed out samples of an updated membership application. A motion was made by Bob Murty and seconded by Jim Baker to accept the new form to be printed an as near to olive drab colored paper as possible. The motion was carried. The President also advised that he has put the member ID badges on the computer thus simplifying the manufacturing process. It was suggested that the club officers be given ID badges of a different color other then white in order to distinguish them as an official of our group. Jim Baker made a motion, seconded by Tommy Thompson, to trim officers’ badges with an olive drab border. The notion was carried. A motion was aim made by Bob Weeks, seconded by Tommy Thompson, to make available a 'guest badge' for members who brought a guest to a club function. This badge would have a space to write in the guest's name and would be available for the cost of $1.00. The motion was carried.

A motion was made to replace existing secretary, Leah Summers, since she is no longer able to fulfill the duties of Club Secretary. The motion was passed. President Hansford asked Joanne Hansford if she would take on the job of Club Secretary until the next election. Joanne accepted the position.

The financial and membership reports were read by President Hansford as submitted by Alan Byers, who was unable to attend (see copies elsewhere in newsletter). A motion was made by Jim Baker, seconded by Tommy Thompson, to accept the reports. The motion was carried.

Regional Reports

Western Region - Dick Deren reported on the upcoming parade in Safety Harbor, a March WII function at the Heritage Village in Pinellas Park and that the Victory ship American Victory has asked us to tow their life boat in the Gasparilla parade. Dick also noted that to date there would not be a MacDill Air Show this year (see future operations section for an update).

Central Region - Charlie Hildebrant reported that the Gainesville Museum needs vehicles on 12 January, 2002.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE CLUB

Jim Baker advised that we needed 6 new banners for coordinators around the state to use. The cost would he approximately $90.00 each. The motion was made by Mike Donovan, seconded by Rocky Barry, to buy 6 banners of an approximate cost of $540.00. The motion was carried.

It was reported that member John DeGrosa has donated to the club, a 48 star flag that flew over Pearl Harbor. President Hansford suggested that the club check with John to see if he had any objections if loaned the flag to the Tallahassee WWII Museum. The Museum has offered to put a plaque beneath the flag mentioning John and The FFC. The President will also determine from John the dates that the flag flew ever Pearl Harbor.

Sadly, Earle Byers has offered his resignation as Editor of the Southern Outpost Earle has done a great job over the years. He will be hard to replace.

Mike Donovan requested that we get or make up an 8 ½ by 11 form to identify our vehicles while they are on display. Rita Lammers volunteered to make a sample to present of the next meeting.

Motion to adjourn was made by Dick Deren and seconded by Jim Baker. The motion carried.

After the meeting, a gastronomical barbeque picnic was put on by our hosts Connie and Charlie Craven.

Respectfully submitted

Joanne Hansford