Email Norma Demerly
MEMBERS PRESENT: Nancy Diegel, Cecilia Essenmacher, Betty Pike, Kathy Driscoll, Penny Meinhardt, Joyce Baldwin, Melanie Thon, Marilyn Lash, Linda Cohoon and Norma Demerly.
Call to order by President, Nancy Diegel and the pledge of Allegiance was recited. Betty Pike lead the opening prayer. Nancy mentioned that the meeting would be short due to the fact this was also our AVVA/VVA Christmas Luncheon.
Nancy asked Secretary Norma to read the minutes from the last meeting. Nancy mentioned there was a correction to the minutes but it was too late before they were posted on the site. Norma read the minutes. Penny motioned to accept the minutes as corrected and seconded by Cecilia.
Treasurer Cecilia read her financial report. There was a motion by Penny to accept the report subject to audit. Norma seconded the motion.
Penny Meinhardt and Betty Pike gave a report on the Thanksgiving Dinner and the Christmas Stars projects that they participated in. Our State Attendees bought stars as well as some VVA/AVVA Chapters. Nancy requested letters of thanks to go out to the involved Chapters.
Nancy suggested that the committees give a full report at the next meeting. Nancy did ask each committee member for a brief summary. Legislative Chair, Betty Pike reported on two current Legislative issues. The Agent Orange Balloon Project was reported on by Kathy Driscoll and Norma Demerly who both attended on October 1. Marilyn Lash presented a list of fund raising suggestions. There was some discussion on doing them as a group or even at our own chapters.
Cecilia reminded the members to turn in their scratch offs and any money collected. Also if we had any that we did not sell to turn them in also. Nancy discussed sending out information on elections to all the Michigan AVVA members. It was decided to research this and discuss it at the next meeting.
Motion made by Norma and seconded by Penny to close the meeting. Meeting was closed and preparations for luncheon began. A silent auction was held and also a 50/50 raffle. Linda Cohoon won the 50/50.
The next AVVA of MI Association meeting will be held in conjunction with the VVA State Council meeting on Feb 19, 2012 at the VFW #4159, 219 Terrace St., Roscommon, MI.
November will be a busy month for me. I will be attending numerous veterans events. On November 3rd, I will be helping package items to send to the troops for Christmas. I will be attending a 20 year Remembrance Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Belleville on Saturday November 5th. There is a Memorial Service and luncheon put on by Vanburen and the Senior Center on November 10th. On November 11th, I will be at Hillside Cemetery placing flags on veterans graves. I will also attend Plymouth’s Veterans Day Ceremony and I will be at the Canton Salute to Veterans. On November 19th, I will be helping to serve Thanksgiving Dinner to the Veterans at the Grand Rapids Home. This will be my 4th year helping in Grand Rapids, and it is a very rewarding experience. This is just some of the many events I have coming up. I wish all my VVA & AVVA members a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Members Present: President Nancy Diegel, Vice President Betty Pike, Secretary Norma Demerly, Treasurer Cecilia Essenmacher, Marilyn Lash, Bunny, Kathy Driscoll, Edie Rose, Joyce Baldwin, and Penny Meinhardt. Meeting called to order by President Nancy Diegel who led us in the pledge of allegiance. Vice President Betty Pike gave a short prayer.
Introduction of two new members Marilyn Lash of Chapter 133 and Bunny Chapter from 310. Secretary Norma read the minutes from the April 10th 2011 meeting. Minutes were accepted as read by Penny Meinhardt and seconded by Edie Rose. Treasurer Cecilia read her financial report. Secretary Norma noted an error in the Interest added. Motion made to accept the financial report by Penny Meinhardt, subject to audit and seconded by Edie Rose. Discussion on forming an Audit group which would be Cecilia and 3 other members. Motion made by Edie Rose and seconded by Penny Meinhardt for an audit to be done every year in December. The Motion was passed. Discussion on the policies and procedures that it would be best to just go along with National procedures. Nancy commented on the Regional Meeting that was held in Indiana. She said it was a fun an successful meeting. Discussion then moved to the National Convention as to how many members present were going. There will be a silent auction at the Convention. Marilyn and Cecilia and Nancy showed items being donated for the auction. Discussion resumed on members being assigned times to work at the tables for the Silent auction. Nancy discussed making a donation to the Veterans Guest House for their wish list. Penny Meinhardt made a motion to donate $50.00 seconded by Edie Rose. The State Incorporation requirement has changed from 25 members to 10. Cecilia asked to be paid back for postage it cost her to send out the scratch off tickets to members. Penny made the motion to refund the money, seconded by Edie. Discussion on Joyce Baldwin to remain as the Election Chairperson. Nancy Diegel agreed that she would remain as Election Chair. Meeting was adjoined and Associates joined the VVA meeting in progress. The 50/50 raffle that the Associates have was won by Penny Meinhardt $59.00.
The next AVVA Mi Association Meeting 10 am September 25th 2011 at the American Legion in Howell Mi.
Adrian Cronauer the voice of "Goodmorning Vietnam" and Norma Demerly
Meeting called to order by President Nancy Diegel, who led us in the pledge of allegiance and then gave a short prayer. Nancy gave a talk on her goals and expectations for the upcoming year. Nancy said the AVVA members should feel they can talk to her and not feel what they have to contribute doesn’t matter. Secretary Norma Demerly read the Minutes from the March 19, 2011 Meeting. Vice President Betty noted one correction in the minutes. Edie made a motion that Michigan AVVA pays the cost for lunch for all members in attendance today. It should have said all members and guests in attendance today. Treasurer Cecilia read her financial report. Cecilia explained about the new checking account opened and that the four board members are on the account.
There was a discussion concerning changes to the National By-laws and Policies and Procedures. We will look at ours when National approves their By-Laws. Nancy will check with Pat Furno who is the National Chair for the By-laws and Policy and Procedures. Nancy asked how many members may be going to National Leadership Convention in Reno. AVVA will have one table at the National Convention. We discussed what we wanted to do for fund raising. AVVA will be holding a 50/50 raffle, possible silent auction items and a scratch off ticket. Cecilia motioned we spend the $300.00 dollars to buy the 25 scratch off tickets. Motion was seconded by Jane Dady. Motion passed. Nancy also asked if any members were going to attend the Region 5 Conference in Indianapolis. There will be an AVVA Regional meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 24th and 25th. Cecilia showed us the map with tags for all the current VVA Chapters in Michigan. Nancy passed out spread sheets for the girls to mark up the events they help with in their Chapters. Our next AVVA will be in Howell, MI scheduled for July 17th 2011 at 10 am.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Penny Meinhardt, Pat Erickson, Cecilia Essenmacher, Nancy Diegel, Kathy Driscoll, Norma Demerly, Joyce Baldwin, Patty Bielskis, Bobbi Heidenrich, Betty Pike, Edith Rose, Heather Madda, Jane Dady.
The Secretary read the minutes from the last meeting. There was one correction noted: AVVA election paperwork for the Michigan State Association elections had to be in by March 5th, not AVVA chapter election results.
The Treasurer read the corrected financial report for December and March. Accepted as read. Edie made a motion that Michigan AVVA pay the cost for lunch for all members in attendance today; Norma seconded.
Chapter elections are always held in April. Election paperwork from chapter elections has to be turned in 45 days after the elections. Elections held every 2 years should be noted on the election paperwork.
Penny suggested that discussions regarding writing Michigan AVVA Association By-laws wait until after our elections when the new Board takes office. She also suggested everyone who attends the state Michigan AVVA meetings be involved in these discussions. New bylaws cannot go into effect until they are approved by National AVVA.
National Convention: August 16-21 in Reno, NV. We will have one table at convention where we will hold a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. Members are urged to donate items for the silent auction.
Betty reminded us to check the membership reports from National as some mistakes have been made. Membership dues should be mailed directly to National.
Our next meeting will be held April 10 at 10:00 am in Howell. Cecilia made a motion to close the meeting, seconded by Pat.
Elections: On March 4, 2011, Penny sent a letter to Election Committee chairperson Joyce Baldwin withdrawing her name as a candidate for AVVA Michigan Association President. She told us how much she has enjoyed being President since 1999. She has been a wonderful President. Nancy Diegel, on March 3, sent in her letter of intent to run for the Office of AVVA President to Joyce Baldwin. Those running for AVVA offices are: Nancy Diegel and Edith Rose for President; Betty Pike and Kathy Driscoll for Vice President; Norma Demerly for Secretary, and Cecilia Essenmacher for Treasurer. Joyce had each chapter delegate present and eligible to vote sign in, fill out their ballot and put it into the ballot box. Joyce also received an absentee ballot from the delegate for chapter 730 which she put in, sealed, to the ballot box. Ballots were counted by Patty Bielskis and Heather Madda. Results of the AVVA election are:
President: Nancy Diegel
Vice President: Betty Pike
Treasurer: Cecilia Essenmacher
Secretary: Norma Demerly
Congratulations to our new AVVA officers. We would like to invite all AVVA members to join us for our next meeting April 10th!
