Minutes, Ohio Western Reserve Chapter, MOAA
Board Meeting, 15 January 2019
The following represents the approved OWRC Board minutes (with minor corrections) as presented on 16 April 2019.
The first board meeting of the OWRC for the year was convened at 1400 hours January 15, 2019 at the Veterans Service Center, Akron. The following members were in attendance: Don Bratton, President, MG (Retired) Dan Hahn, Past President Ron Smetana, First Vice President Bill Thesis, Second Vice President Lynda Farkas, Briefing Board Editor Janet Oglesy, Treasurer, Dave Riegler, Trustee, Jack Hartig, Tom Harnden, and Secretary John Anderson.
President Bratton opened the meeting by welcoming MG Hahn, Past President Smetana and new board members. After the invocation and pledge of allegiance, he began the meeting by restating the meeting’s agenda. He stated his goal as president is to focus on developing an active and energetic organization that is productive and successful at increasing membership. He hopes to get more members, especially those that are new to the organization, to get involved in chapter programs. He asked MG Hahn and past President Ron Semtana to participate as they see fit to further organizational goals. He added that pushing the support of the surviving spouses program is also a prime goal of the chapter.
The president continued with a recap of the chapter’s purpose i.e., community service projects such as the support to veterans, support of the ROTC/JROTC programs and support of the MOAA national agenda.
In reference to the support of surviving spouses, he asked Lynda Farkas if she would accept that program responsibility. He will contact MOAA to help Linda access to necessary programs information. He said that several people have indicated that the MOAA website is difficult to navigate.
Next the president addressed the MOAA Level of Excellence Awards stating that he wants to continue the chapter’s success of obtaining a five-star award status. The deadline for submission is May 1. He wants to get this submitted early as possible He said that historically this has been achieved by OWRC’s superior support of the ROTC/JROTC programs; continuous contact with local legislators; support of community programs such as the Summit County Veterans Standdown which provides a variety of services and programs for homeless veterans; chapter program development such as our support of surviving spouses, recruitment/retention and development of members and personal affairs such as contacting members who do not attend meetings or are not able to attend meetings on a regular basis.
The President then discussed the upcoming ROTC/JROTC recognition dinner slated for April 18. He discussed his efforts at reaching out to all the units in the area. He indicated that several changes have occurred at local schools: The University of Akron Professor of Military Science (PMS) has been promoted to LTC; the current PMS at Kent State is being reassigned; a retired Colonel, USMC Reserve, has joined the Ellet High School Navy JROTC program, and that a USMC MSgt has left the East Community Learning Center (CLC) Marine JROTC program. We need ten (10) medals for ROTC/JROTC awardees, and ten (10) certificate holders for the program.
In a review of membership and dues status, a question as to who keeps the information up-to-date? It is the responsibility of the membership chair. Ron Smetana stated the chapter is ‘clean’ on the national roster. The committee roster is what is used by National. At the date of the board meeting, fifty (50) members have paid/renewed their dues.
In a discussion of the budget, the chapter has $4043 in checking and $6000 in savings. It spent $12,400 for operations during the past year.
The chapter schedule was discussed. There is nothing yet scheduled for the months of May. The Summit County Standdown for homeless Vets is slated for September 10. Volunteers for the program are called ‘Shepherds’. It takes 45-60 minutes to navigate all the program stations. October is another open date. Sept 19-22 is the date of the regional meeting in Cincinnati. In October we are looking for a speaker. A congressional or state representative would be nice if we can get on their agendas.
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) in Columbus was mentioned next. Ground has been broken for its construction. It is the only place where the stories of our veterans, their families, and the fallen are told. It will cross all branches of service and all eras of conflict. It is located at 300 W Broad St, Columbus. The website is www.nationalvmm.org.
In closing, MG Hahn thanked Ron Smetana for his submission for Military Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) funding. He stated it is a 24/7 job and it has to be different each year.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
John Anderson
Secretary