Welcome to the Minutes Page

The third quarter meeting was held at the home of Charlie & Carolyn Hildebrant on 1 August 2003, and was presided over by President Nelson. Members who signed in were Dick and Diane Deren, Bud Nelson, Charlie & Carolyn Hildebrant, Mark and Michelle Copeland, Bob & Ann Murty, David Johnson, Joe & Carol Scoglio, Charlie, & Connie Craven, Louis Craven, Ken Klann, Allen Campbell, Michael Gillooley, John Manolis, Ezra Johnson, Bill & Rita Lammers, Tony Arcuri, Margaret Wilson, David Johnson, Carl Ludecke, Joshua McCowen, Glen Hildebrant, Cayla Hildebrant, Adrian Bass, Earle & Evelyn Byers, Jerry Elton, Ed MacKenzie, Rich Brown, George Rensel, Ed Menees, Mike Donovan, Philip Donovan and Spence MacKenzie. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Rita Lammers and the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the last meeting as they appeared in the newsletter.

The next meeting will be hosted by “The Florida - Georgia Cavalry” (Panhandle Region.) Contact person is the Regional Coordinator, Russell Deese rdeese@rose.net . Tentative date is 1 November 2003, to be held in the Tallahassee area.

Charlie Craven will host the first quarter meeting in 2004. More info to follow.

REPORTS

1 - Public Relations (Mark Stinnett) was not present. What is his job? Do we need a job description?

2 - Treasurer’s Report - (Alan Byers) Our treasurer could not attend, but sent the treasurer’s report and it was passed around and approved by the body.

3 - Regional Coordinators - Charlie Hildebrant reported on activities in the Central Region. No other Regional Coordinators were present.

4 - It was suggested that if an Associate Member (usually a wife, but not always) is interested enough to attend a meeting / serve on a committee / hold an office, he/she should also have a right to vote.

5 - Newsletter Editor - (Dick Deren) suggested that Area Coordinators find out the dates, in advance, for large events (such as Air Shows, etc.) so that these dates can be kept open. Maybe, even prioritize events if there are 3 or 4 on the same weekend.

6 - Web - site Coordinator’s Report - (Mark Copeland) Site is growing, and has many new items. Check it out! www.flmvpa.org. Webmaster's Note: If you're reading this, you've already found the web site! :-)

7 - Secretary - (Diane Deren) reported that she had obtained a copy of all MVPA members in FL, and over the past year has sent an invitation to all who do not belong to FFC to join, along with a copy of a newsletter. (Approximately 200 people.) Also, we have obtained Recruiting Cards from the MVPA and they are available.

8 - On-Line Schedule Coordinator (Diane Deren) reported that anyone who had not received Update #75 to please e-mail her flmvpa@flmvpa.org with their correct e-mail address. A problem with her computer had deleted some of the members in her address book. Also, anyone who gets a new e-mail address, please let her know. In addition to updates in the Schedule of Events, a lot of FOR SALE or HELP ads are forwarded through this list.

OLD BUSINESS

1 - By-laws - Michelle Copeland and Carol Scoglio reported on the new proposed by-laws. Copies of them were passed around. Michelle will put recommendations for proposed changes in the newsletter. They will also be posted on the Web Site. The committee will present the final draft to the Executive Board. We will vote on the changes at the next meeting. It was discussed whether a “line item veto” should be used.

2 - A hat was passed for donations to help defray the cost of food for the meeting. The host CAN NOT turn the money back to the club. (Even though some members do bring a dish to share, there is still a considerable expense involved in furnishing the balance of the meal.)

3 - George Hecht is getting estimates for club T-shirts.

4 - An Appreciation plaque to be given to Bill Frederick will be ordered by Charlie Hildebrant. He will arrange a time to present it to him, and would like other members to come along with him. (Bill is the author of the book “Just Jeeps” and is contributing profits from this book to the FFC.)

5 - The idea of a ‘go for broke’ meeting similar to the one held in St. Augustine several years ago was again brought up. No one volunteered to head a committee to research this. Nothing was decided.

6 - Our FFC cannot get a 501C3 tax status, because the individual members own the vehicles.

NEW BUSINESS

Bud Nelson announced that he has filed the papers to start a Military Vehicle Museum. He is getting a building about 30 miles off of I-95, and 30 miles S of 295 in Clay County. Vehicles or other items could be donated or lent to the Museum. He will need volunteers for transport, help, and just moral support. There will be a Gift Shop, and he hopes to have the Museum open for visits by school children. It will have a 501C3 tax status.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE CLUB

1 - Charlie Hildebrant will chair a committee to come up with a Job Description for Area Coordinators. Guidelines would be helpful, especially for new Area Coordinators.

2 - The whereabouts of the “club tent” were discussed. It seems that “it rotted and went to the dump.” President Nelson has a tent he can lend to the club for events. Also, Spence MacKenzie has a tent available to lend.

3 - Rita Lammers questioned whether a tent might be needed for use in each region.

4 - According to the present By-laws, only one vote is allowed per paid membership.

5 - Carl Ludecke, a new member, commented that it was a “good meeting.” He also said that he has a 70 acre RV Park with a Club house, and could be made available for a club meeting ( in Umatilla.)

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.

Thank you to Carolyn Hildebrant, Rita Lammers, and Martha Stisak for all the work they did in preparing food for the meeting. Thanks for all the great dishes that were brought by other club members. And finally, thanks go to Charlie Hildebrant and his son, Charlie, for acting as chefs in slaving over a hot grill, in the rain.