NOTE: These minutes are provided AS RECEIVED FOR PUBLICATION. Any corrections or
changes should be sent, in writing, to the Corporate Secretary as they are noticed. Minutes will be
corrected and approved at the next meeting of the body to which they pertain.
The Corporate Secretary is:
Don Duquette, Secretary, The KWVA
41 Overlook Drive
Centerville, MA 02632-3338
Ph 508.775.6155
kwvasecretary@comcast.net
NOTE: It is important to bear in mind that this is a summary of the actions taken AT the
KWVA Membership Meeting. An official, verbatim transcript will be available at a later date.
President Louis Dechert called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m.
John Sonley, Sergeant-at-Arms, called for the presentation of the colors by the Tennessee Volunteer
Veterans Honor Guard and led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Second Vice President Byron Dickerson offered the invocation.
Sergeant-at-Arms Sonley offered a prayer for POW-MIA.
The Sergeant-at-Arms counted the audience to verify a quorum. President Dechert stated he was happy to
announce that the requirement for a quorum had been met. There are 113 in attendance at this meeting.
Dechert asked that persons who wished to make a presentation at the meeting step to the microphone in the
center aisle and state their name before beginning discussion.
Secretary Don Duquette called the roll:
Present:
President Louis Dechert
First Vice President Richard Adams
Second Vice President Byron Dickerson
Director Harley Coon
Secretary Don Duquette
Director Lee Dauster
Director James Ferris
Director James Jones
Director William Mac Swain
Director Larry McKinniss
Director Bob Morga
Director Warren Wiedhahn
Absent:
Director Stanley Grogan, with excused absence
Director Dorothy Wenzel, excused--subject to review
President Dechert introduced Charley Price (Acting Judge Advocate), Attorney Jimmy Faircloth, CPA Boyle
Henderson, Assistant Parliamentarian Jake Feaster and many others.
Guests:
Dr. Tom Kim: Welcomed the veterans to the city and thanked American veterans for their service to
Korea.
Mr. Charles Jones, Knox County Mayor's representative and Veterans Service Officer, invited attendees
to visit the Korean War Monument donated by the people of Korea.
Eugene Chin Yu: I am here to honor the Korean War veterans who fought to offer democracy to Korea
against communism. You are the men who drew the line in the sand--you are the ones who made the first big
step. I salute you for a job well done. Thanks and may God continue to bless America.
Yu introduced the designer of the Korean war Medal which was distributed. Medals were presented to all
who had not previously received one.
Dechert: Thanked Mr. Yu for the medals and the monument in Augusta, Georgia.
The meeting recessed at 2:40.
Dechert reconvened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. The Sergeant-at-arms reconfirmed that a quorum was present.
Dechert: Concerning our previous speaker, Korea has just completed deploying 2,900 troops in northern
Iraq.
Federal Charter:
Robert Banker (Maryland): On trips back to Korea we were pleased to see what that country has become. I
am truly impressed and I say that our comrades have not died in vain.
He presented the following written report:
Good afternoon, I am Bob Banker, President of the Maryland Chapter and with me is Carl Collier, our 1st
Vice President. We are here as delegates from the chapter in support of all efforts to achieve a Federal
Charter for the Korean War Veterans Association. Thank you for including us on your agenda. Packets of
material (containing this report) were distributed to you for your review so that you can be aware of our
activities in this arena. You will see that we have not been idle. Indeed since our chapter meeting on
January 21st this year we have fully focused our determination, time and energies on keeping the Federal
Charter ball rolling.
My letter to Col. Charles Price, summarizes our activities. Since that time, I have received a copy of
a press release from the joint offices of Senator Paul Sarbanes, MD, Congressman Steny Hoyer, MD, and
Congressman James Walsh, NY. These legislators have proved themselves to be most friendly to our cause.
Congressman Walsh is currently the lead sponsor of HR 1043, however, Congressman Hoyer initiated the
original Federal Charter Bill in 1999. Senator Sarbanes has assisted the process by adding an amendment to
the Department of Defense Authorization Bill to provide for a Federal Charter. Unfortunately, in past
years a similar amendment was deleted due to the influence and recommendation of the House Judiciary
Committee. This year may reflect the same disappointing pattern if we do not voice our strong support
directly to congress. I do not believe that we can afford to simply sit back and wait for approval to be
given. If there is any matter before Congress that is worthy of our strong support it is the amendment
sponsored by Senator Sarbanes and approved by the Senate.
I understand that other congressional personnel have indicated that the next Congressional term may
prove successful, but there are no guarantees. I also understand that there are some conflicting problems
within the KWVA and, if that is the case they should be resolved rapidly and without delay. Yet the
amendment in the Senate version of the Defense Authorization Bill is here and now and if it survives in
the final version of the bill, our quest has been met.
We believe that our Maryland Chapter can provide valuable assistance to Col. Price. When we commenced
work on HR 1043 in January of this year, there were 110 co-sponsors and, as of September 22nd there are
153--an increase of 39% in a seven month period. The support of those co-sponsors on both sides of the
political spectrum, forms the foundation for more fruitful discussions with ranking Members of Congress.
Of course, it is possible that the proposed amendment may fail and, in that case, we should be prepared
with an alternate plan.
We recommend the following:
- make the Amendment, as described above, a priority;
- initiate contact with the Chairman of the House Committee and the minority leader; followed by
contact with their Senate counterparts;
- review the regulations of the Judiciary Committee. They currently forego the granting of any Federal
Charter, not just at this time, but at any future time. We believe that our nationwide survey, which
uncovered some discriminatory rules and regulations in 24% of the states, may help to change some points
of view; and
- continue the efforts of the Maryland Chapter to solicit additional co-sponsors.
The use of contacts with the ranking majority leadership, of course, could prove to be the most
powerful factor of all.
Please know that whatever decision of the National KWVA in this matter, the Maryland Chapter will
diligently cooperate with all concerned and do whatever necessary to work toward a Federal Charter for the
KWVA. Thank you.
Revisit Program:
Warren Weidhahn: Asked for a show of hands of those who had taken advantage of the Revisit Program.
Many indicated that they had.
The eligibility requirements have been changed:
- 1. A veteran of the Korean War and/or a war corespondent of any of the 21 nations which came to the
assistance of the Republic of Korea between 25 June 1950 and 25 October 1954.
- 2. An immediate family member of one who was killed in action in the Korean War.
Note: You are permitted to take a spouse or one immediate descendent with you to Korea. You may not
take a sister, brother, companion or friend.
The program has been extended indefinitely in the interest of good will. Application blanks were
offered.
Approval of July 2003 Minutes:
Secretary Don Duquette: Presented Minutes of last Membership Meeting (July 2003) as previously printed
in The Graybeards.
Dechert: Are there any additions or corrections? If there are no corrections, the minutes are correct
as read.
Treasurer's Report:
Treasurer Clyde Durham: The financial report will of necessary be brief simply because of the change
over. As there are still unresolved matters from the old administration, I can only report what has
happened during the new administration. Prior to today, we only had information as of July 31, 2004.
That's when we opened the account. The end of the month balance was $19,679.54 in checking, $44,451.82 in
savings. In the future we will have more accurate information as matters are turned over to the new
administration.
McKinniss: The CD's he mentioned are in government high yield.
Walter Ade: What was the correct amount that was transferred?
Boyle Henderson, CPA: $1000.00 and $57,000 were the initial accounts. The operating accounts. They were
transferred to pay bills. This morning we got a Smith Barney investment account, dated August 29, 2004,
which is valued at $485,442.78. We are attempting to assemble bookkeeping through 2003 and will be
transferring this information. You will get a year end statement.
MOTION: Roger Haas moved to accept the Treasurer's Report. Paul Shook second. The motion carried.
Election report:
The July 12, 2004, report of Michael D. Witherspoon, CPA, who verified election results was as follows:
This year I set up the tabulation to get separate totals for POW, PO LP, LC, LR Members which is column
Life and R0, CO Members which is column RO below:
For President (Vote for ONE) |
Life |
RO |
Total
Official Count |
Jack Edwards |
869 |
884 |
1,753 |
J.D. Randolph |
195 |
231 |
426 |
Louis T. Dechert, Sr. |
944 |
1,163 |
*2,107 |
|
|
|
|
For 1st Vice President (Vote for ONE) |
|
|
|
Donald M. Byers |
825 |
866 |
1,691 |
Charles A. Stephan |
203 |
223 |
426 |
Richard L. Adams |
951 |
1,175 |
*2,126 |
|
|
|
|
For 2nd Vice President (Vote for ONE) |
|
|
|
Michael E. Mahoney |
802 |
814 |
1,616 |
Bryon W. Dickerson |
1,151 |
1,433 |
*2,584 |
|
|
|
|
For Director (Vote no more than FIVE) |
|
|
|
Kenneth B. Cook |
798 |
844 |
1,642 |
Harley J. Coon |
908 |
983 |
*1,891 |
John (Jack) Delap |
776 |
832 |
1,608 |
Paul W. Sutphin |
464 |
479 |
943 |
James K. Hall |
599 |
682 |
1,281 |
Harry L. Rawley |
339 |
350 |
689 |
Bob Morga |
909 |
1,154 |
*2,063 |
Edward L. Cutler |
738 |
948 |
1,686 |
Dean B. McClain |
1,027 |
1,246 |
*2,273 |
E. Lee Dauster |
1,081 |
1,301 |
*2,382 |
|
|
|
|
Referendum Options: |
|
|
|
No consecutive term maximum |
291 |
310 |
601 |
2 consecutive terms maximum |
1,121 |
1,327 |
*2,448 |
3 consecutive terms maximum |
230 |
245 |
475 |
*-Denotes Winners.
There were 37 ballots received from members that had not paid their dues and were not counted. There
were 130 ballots received that did not include member label and member number and were not counted.
Thirty-two ballots voted for more than 4 directors. One ballot voted for more than one referendum item.
One ballot voted for more than one 2nd Vice President. These ballots were tabulated in other areas that
did not exceed the stipulations.
I (Witherspoon) am prepared to store these ballots for up to one year to allow time for any challenges,
verifications, recounts, or legal proceedings. I still desire a written direction from the Board of
Directors that said ballots can be destroyed.
It is always a pleasure to serve you. I wish each the best.
Ed Buckman: I would like to have copy sent to each chapter.
Dechert: Asked that the individual chapters please disseminate the information. (As the results are
herewith published, all members will be informed of the official results.)
Web Site:
Dechert: The web site is now up and running under the old name.
2005 Reunion:
Dickerson: presented the proposals for the reunions for the years 2005 and 2006 and the action of the
Executive Council.
Roger Haas: What are the towns?
Dickerson: Fredericksburg, Texas and Alexandria, Louisiana.
MOTION: Haas moved that the decision for the site and dates of the 2005 and 2006 reunions be granted to
the Executive Council. Buckman seconded.
Approved by voice vote.
Budget and Finance:
Ferris presented the following budget:
Income: |
|
|
Membership |
|
$240,000.00 |
Donations |
|
25,000.00 |
Interest |
|
20,000.00 |
Advertising |
|
10,000.00 |
Total Income |
$295,000.00 |
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
Miscellaneous |
|
$ 5,000.00 |
Advertising |
|
2,000.00 |
Telephone |
|
5,000.00 |
Office Supplies |
|
4,000.00 |
Insurance |
|
15,000.00 |
Graybeards |
|
130,000.00 |
Legal Fees |
|
4,000.00 |
VSVA Representative |
|
1,500.00 |
Meeting Expenses |
|
32,000.00 |
(Includes annual Convention of approx $12,000) |
Nominatory Elections |
|
3,000.00 |
Editor |
|
250.00 |
Bank Service Charges |
|
500.00 |
Postage |
|
2,000.00 |
Chapter Expense |
|
7,000.00 |
Nancy Monson |
|
30,000.00 |
(Membership Office) |
|
|
Nancy Monson |
|
3,000.00 |
(Software Up-grade) |
|
|
Accounting Fees |
|
6,000.00 |
President's Travel Fund |
|
10,000.00 |
1st Vice President Travel Fund |
|
2,500.00 |
2nd Vice President Travel Fund |
|
2,500.00 |
Annual Dues IFKWVA |
|
100.00 |
Total Budget 2004 (past administration) |
|
$299,200.00 |
Total Budget 2005 (new administration) |
|
$265,350.00 |
|
|
|
This is merely a budget and can be modified at any time by the Executive Council. It is an estimate
based on past history as far as I can ascertain.
Preparing the budget was difficult because I did not have previous year's actual income and expenses
available. Total income will be approximately $270,000. Some expenses were reduced because we will not
have rental for Washington, DC office, Beavercreek office, contract labor, repairs and maintenance of the
Beavercreek Office, etc. The Executive Council recommended increases for legal and accounting fees which
are reflected in the above figures.
MOTION: Blake Hill moved acceptance of the budget. George Czynewski second.
Approved by voice vote.
Membership:
McClain: I am excited at the opportunity to be membership chairman. We received approximately five new
members in this area.
Will ask all chapters to take part expanding and forming new chapters throughout the states and asked
that an all out effort be made.
Current membership figures prepared by Nancy Monson (dated September 15, 2004, are:
Total this date on active mailing list 16,896
Those who do not pay annual dues:
Life Members (active) |
|
6,915 |
Others: |
|
|
Medal of Honor |
|
22 |
Gold Star |
|
44 |
Complimentary |
|
20 |
Total |
|
86 |
|
|
|
Those who pay dues annually:
Regular Members @ $20.00 annually |
|
9,473 |
Associate Members @ $12.00 annually |
|
422 |
Activities:
In August 2004, a letter was sent to those members we had lost during 2002 and 2003 along with a reminder
for those whose dues would become delinquent at some date during 2004 (all totaling approximately 4,000). As
a result we received the following:
Life members - 54
Reinstating members - 580
Arthur Mullins: We have a chapter here in Knoxville.
Mahoney: Questioned the disposition of DD-214's.
Dechert: They are a confidential document and will always be treated that way.
Jack Edwards was commended for two years of diligent work on membership.
Bylaws:
Mac Swain: The Executive Council recommends the application of the 2000 bylaws as the rules under which
we will function. This was done because the past Judge Advocate (Sherman Pratt) ruled that three previous
amendments were not proper. Also present Acting Judge Advocate Charley Price ruled the same. Legal Counsel
also ruled that these changes were not proper. Therefore a motion was passed to revert to the 2000 bylaws.
We will now take all motions approved by the Executive Council and incorporate them back into the bylaws
properly. The only one thrown out is the term limits. This is not because they are wrong but because
Executive Council did not approve them. It was overwhelming that the members wanted to return to the two
year term limit. You received a letter asking for any member, chapter, or state department to submit
changes for the bylaws. The 2002 bylaws will be on website so you can check them. Any library will pull it
up for up for you to print same.
Feaster: The September-October 2000 issue of The Graybeards contains the 2000 bylaws. The standard
procedure manual will also be on the web page. This will be helpful for all to operate on the same wave
length.
Mac Swain: We will try to take all amendments and put them in The Graybeards as soon as possible so you
can look at them. As more are received (before January 31st) the committee will reproduce them for the
next Council meeting. Then the Council can approve for presentation to you in the fall. With respect to
the 75 members for a quorum, we went against the bylaws when we solicited ballot votes. We would like to
have this all straightened out by next year. We need bylaws that we can read and understand.
Feaster: Bylaws say how changes will be made and you can't alter that.
Jordan Czynewski: Can I tell my chapter they do not have to be a national member to be a chapter
member? (No response.)
Clyde Hooks: In minutes of previous meeting there were certain matters that were to be voted on at this
meeting such as changing Chapter "president" to "commander," etc. Is that not to take place?
Price: It was not printed as a separate consideration "change to the bylaws". That is not sufficient
for the members to recognize a change and therefore not legal notice.
McKinniss: You keep stating that we are under the 2000 bylaws. The membership has not voted on this.
MOTION: Moved by Haas and seconded by Dauster that the action of the Executive Council to revert to the
2000 bylaws for operation be approved.
Clyde Hook: Mr. Faircloth and Mr. Price, etc., made a good case why all these changes should be void.
Majority of directors were convinced and they voiced in support.
Ray Toleno: If the bylaws were incorrectly adopted aren't they null and void. Then what are we
discussing?
Action on motion: Out of 111 quorum: 89 stood in favor. 5 stood in opposition. 5 abstained.
Tell America:
Dick Adams: Discussed the Tell America program.
Discussion: There was considerable discussion regarding individual and chapter efforts with respect to
the Tell America Program.
Other Business:
Harley Coon: I would like to say that Lou Dechert and I had a meeting and I would like to extend my
support to the new president. I offer him my support. I believe he is on the right track. I made mistakes
and he will make mistakes.
Thomas Gregory has been very ill and Howard Camp has also been very ill. I would like to suggest that a
letter be sent to them.
Question from the floor: Is there a KWVA uniform?
Mahoney: The light blue jacket which is part of the uniform was advertised in the American Legion
magazine as available from Haband for the price of $31.50.
Adjournment:
MOTION: It was moved that there being no further business discussed the meeting be adjourned. Seconded
by voice vote and passed. The meeting adjourned with closing ceremonies and honors at approximately 5:15
p.m.
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