Welcome to the Minutes Page

The meeting was held at the home of Charles & Carolyn Hildebrant & called to order by V.P. Bob Murty, as Todd Hansford was not in town. Officers were introduced. The meeting was attended by the following members: Bill Shively, Dick and Diane Deren, Mike and Travis Parker, Mike Donovan, Tommy Thompson, Homerand Chris Hurst, Glynice and Rocky Barry, Bill and Rita Lammers, Ken Klan, Ed MacKenzie, Bob Murty, Steve Gammon, Connie and Charles Graven, Mark Stinnett, Rich Brown, Earle and Evelyn Byers, Joe and Carol Scoglio, Mark and Michelle Copeland, Ezera and David Johnson, David Riften, Thomas Riften, Charles and Carolyn Hildebrant

OLD BUSINESS

(1) The Crestview, FL Show (sponsored by Alabama's Dixie Chapter) had asked for our participation next year (3/29/03), both financially, and with manpower. It was discussed and agreed that the club would co-sponsor the event and finance up to $250 of expenses. If a profit was made, a refund would be expected. MVPA guidelines are used for judging vehicles at this event. Several members felt that the Crestview Show was too far away to make it worthwhile for most of the members to attend. Many felt that we should organize a show that would be more centrally located within the state. Motion was passed 15 to 2 to support this rally on a trail basis in 2003 only. Support for future years would be discussed and voted on next year.

(2) Buying a copier for club use was decided against. Charles Hildebrant and Dick Deren reported that if we bought a copier out right, for the amount of money allotted, it probably would not be one that would do all the functions that we are getting done now. In other words, we would have to manually collate the pages and staple them together, as well as fold, staple, label and stamp each newsletter. Now we have the newsletter done professionally (approx. 200 copies bimonthly) - printed, collated, & stapled, leaving us to fold, seal, address & stamp them. Due to the increased workload and to the costs of maintaining a copier, it was determined 11 not cost effective" and voted against.

NEW BUSINESS

(1) The establishment of a web site was discussed. Mark Copeland has volunteered to look into the feasibility and costs to set up a chapter website. Estimated cost is $14 per year to register the site, and $60 for a web host. The benefit would be for prospective members to find out about our club and members to get more info and pictures over and above what goes into the newsletter. A committee made up of Mark Copeland, and Bob Nettally (not present, but has also volunteered to help), and Chaired by Mark, will get details, options and find out what commitment of manpower would be needed. Motion passed 15 to 1.

(3) Continuing the discussion of a future rally in Florida, the possibility of holding a rally at Camp Blanding was discussed. Mark Stinnett will get together with Bud Nelson (Northern Region Coordinator) and Russell Deese (Georgia Region Coordinator) and approach the Blanding Museum folks to see if a vehicle show would be welcome. Many members felt that Blanding is still not centrally located to make it convenient for members to attend. It was pointed out that Blanding seemed promising because it was not too deep into Florida and would attract venders and collectors from the north. Also, with the museum there as well as open land for possible trail rides and available billeting, it would attract more attendees. Charles Craven suggested that Ocala would be a more central location and closer to some of the Florida winter attractions. Attendees could combine two trips in one. Come to our rally and then go to Florida's winter attractions. Charles volunteered to look into the use of the Ocala Livestock Pavilion as a possible show location. He advised that he didn't think it would cost us anything to use it.

(4) Charles Hildebrant advised that it was becoming more difficult to contact people due to the many changes in telephone area codes and address zip code changes. Address and telephone number updates are needed. Members will be asked to update their addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses on their membership renewal form. (See next item). In the meantime, if you have changes, please forward them to the Secretary or your Area Coordinator.

(5) Dues collections were discussed. A renewal application (or invoice) for next year’s dues will go in the Nov/Dec newsletter. An actual piece of paper to be mailed in with your check should avoid any confusion about which members have paid their renewal. The application will be filled out and mailed in with a check for next year’s dues.

(6) The location of the next club meeting was discussed. Due to the hectic last quarter of the year (holidays and club activities), a motion was made to dispense with a fourth quarter meeting and wait until the first quarter of 2003. Earle Byers advised that the by-laws specified a fourth quarter meeting. The motion was passed to forego a fourth quarter meeting. The meeting shall be held in January. Bud Nelson has volunteered to hold the next meeting in the Northern Region. He would try to get Camp Blanding as a location. Charles Craven also volunteered to hold the meeting at his place in Ocala. It was decided to hold the meeting at the Craven's in January.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Just after the meeting, I was in contact with our President. He informed me that we must have a fourth quarter meeting 'come hell or high water', because the election of officers occurs at that meeting. Todd has therefore scheduled a meeting in November with Bud Nelson to be held at Camp Blanding (See additional info elsewhere in this newsletter). The January meeting is still on at Connie and Charles Craven's in Ocala.

(7) The current by-laws were briefly discussed. Several requests were made to see a copy, however, no one at the meeting had a copy. Therefore a copy will be made available at the next meeting. Since the by-laws have not been updated lately, it was suggested that a committee should be set up to review the by-laws and make any recommendations for changes to the body.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE CLUB

(1) The MacDill Air show was canceled this year due to terrorism alerts. It is rumored, however, that there may be one in 2003. More info on this as we get it.

(2)The MacDill Historian has asked if anyone would like to speak to a class at Robinson High School in Tampa on 'What did you do today ... for Freedom?" If you are interested, contact Diane Deren.

(3) The American Victory Ship in Tampa has asked if anyone would like to donate/lend/sell cheap a WWII jeep to be kept on board.

(4) The FFC was asked to furnish vehicles for the funeral procession of Michael Camerieri. He was a Korean War vet living in New Port Richey, and his son was an MVPA member in CA

(5) Senator Karen Thurman, who attended the Dade Battlefield activity, is interested in helping us keep our vehicles (could it be an election year?). A few of us discussed the recent wording in the Defense Appropriations Bill regarding surplus equipment. Dick Deren will send her all the info we have on this to make her aware of what transpired. If you have any input for the Senator, please send it to Dick.

(6) The traveling Vietnam Wall will be in New Port Richey on 10/18,19,20/02. For anyone who wants to attend and needs a place to camp out, the Deren's place is nearby and available. "We have two extra beds and plenty of floor space.”

(7) Diane Deren noted that in the Western Region, she had only two T-shirts left to sell. We do not know the location or quantities of the T-shirts in other regions. A discussion pursued on whether to order more of the same or design a new shirt. A new design was suggested, since the current T-shirts were made to commemorate the Korean War and the commemoration program is coming to an end.

Several suggestions were made for a new design. One was to have several types of vehicles on the front of the shirt with the First Florida Chapter, MVPA name. Another was to have the club logo on the front of the shirt. It was also suggested that a "golf style" shirt might be designed for sale to members with a logo above the pocket, similar to the MVPA shirt and a regular t-shirt be made up for sale to the public. Earle Byers will check to see if artwork from our previous "golf shirt" is still available from the printer. Regional Coordinators are asked to report to the President as to how many T-shirts each region has and their whereabouts.

(8) Earle Byers had autographed copies of JUST JEEPS, written by member Bill Frederick, for sale. Bill has donated profits from his book to the club - approx. $480 so far. It was suggested that the club give Bill a plaque for his support.

(9) Diane Deren advised that she has received, from MVPA HQ, a listing of MVPA members residing in Florida. She is in the process of determining which names on the list are not FFC members. She will take those names and send them sample newsletters and membership applications. Perhaps we might pick up a few new members.

Having no other business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 4pm.

A pot-luck cook-out was held after the meeting with wonderful food and camaraderie, as usual. Special thanks to Charles and Carolyn Hildebrant for hosting the meeting. And thanks to those members who spent most of the day getting ready for the meeting and cook out so the rest of us could attend the Dade Battlefield activity. Least we not forget, thanks to those who brought a dish to help make the cook out a success.