Welcome to the Minutes Page

The first quarterly meeting, hosted by Charlie and Connie Craven, in Summerfield, FL, was held on 28 February 2004 and was attended by approximately 30 members. See Charles Hildibrandt's article on the meeting for the names of those attending.

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 pm by President Bud Nelson. Committee reports followed. Vice-President Bob Murty had nothing new to report. Treasurer Al Byers was not present, but sent his financial reports. They were passed around. Web-master Mark Copeland asked for more information and photos for the web site, www.flmvpa.org.

A clarification of the definition of a Life member and an Honorary member were discussed. Life member is a regular member who due to his contributions to the club is given the title Life Member and no longer needs to pay dues. An Honorary member is an outsider group/individual that has done something for the club to deem the title of Honorary Member, but has no voting privileges and does not pay dues.

Calling cards were discussed at the meeting in Sarasota. George Hecht was to make some up. Dick Deren will check into this.

T-Shirts - George Hecht has the art work, and will send it to Bud Nelson to have the shirts printed up.

Rotating Meetings to different areas of the state will continue. The next meeting for the second quarter will be held on May 1, 2004 in the S.E. Region, at the home of Fred Perkins. Fred is trying to set up a side trip to Sarafan's, a local surplus vehicle parts dealer who recently moved to Florida from New York.

A standing Nominating Committee will be kept, since nominations (for 1/2 of the officers) are held every year during the 3rd quarter. Bud Nelson will be the chairman, and Dave Simmons and Mark Stinnett will serve with him.

Crestview Rally will be held on 3/27/04. Our club is a co-sponsor of this event. Dick Deren has volunteered to chair the vehicle judging and needs help.

There will be a FFC table at the Crestview Rally, the East Coast Rally and the National Rally. Please come by, sign in, and take a turn manning the table.

If anyone has not received the latest (#95) On-line Schedule, please let Diane know what you current e-mail address is. Besides the schedule, many other items of interest are forwarded including Want-ads and Sale-ads.

Bud Nelson has volunteered his museum as a location to hold a regional meeting. (Probably the 4th quarter). Also, Bud needs donations (or loans) of vehicles or items. He will have a 80-100 seat theatre, a meeting room, a FFC room. It will be open every day (6 days to the public). Carpenters are now making the display cablinets. Bud has received support from Adm. Stockdale, John McCain and Gov. Bush, amongst others. The FFC library will go on display there - books, letters, manuals, paintings, etc.

Dick Deren motioned to amend the by-laws, with the following changes:

Amend Art. II, Sec. 1B to read as follows - Family membership shall include the regular member, and either a spouse or one child. The second member, if over the age of 16, has the right to vote. A family membership shall receive a single copy of the chapter Newsletter (Southern Outpost), and up to 2 regular membership ID badges.

Establish Art. II, Sec. 1E - An Associate Member is an organization or a company with 1 vote. They will receive one copy of the Newsletter (Southern Outpost), and up to 5 ID badges. An additional $10 charge is applicable to cover the cost of the badges.

These By-law changes will remain on the table until the next meeting and at that time will be discussed and voted on. If anyone who will not be attending the next meeting, wants to comment on these By-law changes, please send your comments and suggestions to the Secretary prior to 1 May. Your comments will be read at the meeting.

President Nelson wants your input on establishing regular monthly meetings in each region.. Does the club need Regional meetings? Only the SE Region presently conducts regular local meetings. Send your opinions to the Secretary to be read at the next meeting.

Bill Hines was the Northern Region Coordinator, but has asked to be replaced. Bernie Mortensen was suggested, and will be asked. Guy Moore was the S. Georgia Region Coordinator, and has also asked to be replaced. Bud Nelson would like volunteers interested in the position.

Member H. A. Parramore has volunteered to host a quarterly meeting at his surpus yard. Campers will be welcome.

Mark Stinnett was notified of new restrictions for the Collectors' Day event held each year at the University of FL, Gainesville. NO GUNS, NON-GUNS, BAYONETS, ORDINANCE, TRENCHING TOOLS will be allowed on any vehicles. The Univ. Police Dept. has said that our display could be a hazard to public safety. It was voted on that the FFC not participate as a club. Individual members may attend on their own.

Rita Lammers has received a letter from SUPPLY LINE, and has agreed to write an article on the FFC. She will include the history of the chapter and event info, and will be contacting Earle Byers and the Regional Coordinators for input. Rita also will do a write-up on different individuals for our SOUTHERN OUTPOST.

Todd Hansford's step-son has passed away. The club would like to offer its condolences.

Some members of the club were concerned that people were going to "mud bogging" events with their military vehicles. It was decided that if a member wants to participate in this type of event, the club has no business objecting to it.

The Military Relics Winter Show in Orlando will be held on 6 & 7 Feb 2005. They will provide motel room and food for vehicle displayers, or we can camp there. Selling of items outside of the Bahia Shrine Auditorium is permitted, if it does not compete with the vendors inside.

The new Newsletter Editor is Bob Notman. Bob will write the newsletter, so please send all articles and/or photos for the newsletter directly to him ( notmanr7@comcast.net ). Dick Deren and his assembly team will continue to have it printed, assembled and mailed.

President Nelson and the assembly expressed their thanks to the Craven's for hosting the meeting and serving a great lunch. Also, thanks to those members who brought a side dish.

If you have any new business you would like discussed at the next meeting, write, call or e-mail ( bcandb@bellsouth.net ) President Nelson.

Having no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.