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ADA Meeting Lexington, KY May 13, 2009 Attendees: Ollie Pickral 11th ACR Executive Director ADA Don Kelby 4th Div Sgt at Arms ADA Ron Ward 23rd Div Secretary / Treasurer Ed Burke 1st Div Robert Haynes 2nd Div Carl Topie 3rd Div Rick Adams 4th Div Al Hathaway 11th ACR John (Ron) Green 23rd Div Dave Taylor 23rd Div Butch Sincock 25th Div Tom Jones 25th Div Charles Lockhard 29th Div John Emory 31st Div Edward Lane 70th Div Rich Behrends 86th Div Jack Kopetz 94th Div Glen Lytle 104th Div Michael Tilden 101st Div Roy Scott 173rd Brigade |
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The meeting was opened at 9:20 AM by Ollie. Pledge and moment of silence prayer followed. A member roster was circulated for additions or corrections. Motion to waive the reading of the minutes was made by Butch Sincock and passed by voice vote. Ollie then spoke about the importance of our member associations returning to our host cities for reunions. We have not been using them. Butch Sincock reported that the 25th had recently met in Lexington and his reunion went fine with very favorable hotel rates. Ollie spoke about our new articles of incorporation and by-laws. Members were asked by Don Kelby to ratify those items by a voice vote which passed. A motion was made by Ed Burke to continue seating Ollie Pickral, Ron Ward, and Don Kelby as the officers of the ADA. Motion passed. Don Kelby has been doing most of the work obtaining hosts for our meetings. He reported that he is not getting referrals from our members and requests if any are available, they be passed on to him. He made a site visit to Kalamazoo. Our usual request for travel compensation from the CVB may have scared them making an offer. He also noted that there are only two large hotels in that venue and we may not want to go there regardless. He will continue to negotiate with the Kalamazoo CVB but will also be contacting other potential meeting sites. Don also gave information about an upcoming “Salute to Veterans Cruise”. Ollie spoke about possible recruiting of new associations to the ADA. Those being considered are the 75th Rangers, 3rd Armor, 196th Brigade. Attempts to contact them will be made by Ollie. Al Hathaway, 11th ACR, had a report on his association’s methods of recruiting new members. He took his own scanner to the National Archives and made approximately 10,000 copies of 11th ACR orders, obtaining names of veterans. He additionally hired a credit bureau to make a search. This service had a cost but proved to be effective. Letters were sent to all the names / addresses he obtained and many new members were recruited. In a further effort, he sends newsletters to eligible vets even though they have not officially joined Americal Div Assn President Dave Taylor reported that his association’s previous rep had not been making sufficient reports of ADA meetings and he was being replaced by new ADVA rep, John (Ron) Green, also present at this meeting. Taylor was interested in doing magazine ads as the ADA had sponsored in past years. Discussion revealed that there may not be enough member associations interested to make the project cost effective. In the coming weeks those who wish to participate are to contact Ron Ward. Taylor’s association is doing a test mailing of names of eligible veterans and is awaiting the results. His inquiries have already revealed that 20% of Vietnam vets are already deceased. Approximately 40% of new member to the ADVA are coming from their web site. As for direct mail, he considers 4% a good return. Meeting break from 10:52AM to 11:03 AM. A guest speaker, General White, representing the National Infantry Museum at Patriot Park in Fort Benning, Georgia gave his presentation. The museum will hold a grand opening June 19 with Colin Powell as guest speaker. Lunch break at 12 noon. Meeting resumed at 14:40 PM General white continued with his description of the museum and related activities. Some division monuments are being planned for transfer to the museum grounds as well as new monuments to be constructed. Taxes were then discussed with Dave Taylor inquiring if any of our members chapters have tax exemptions separate from their national offices. Answer being yes. Butch Sincock his unit has 501C or 501C19 for their memorial fund raising. Tom Jones, 25th Div, spoke about the details of taxes when it comes to their various memorials. Ed Burke inquired if any units were part of the United Way (CFC). Roy Scott said the 173rd is in as of this year and will give a report at the next meeting on the results money wise. Information on qualifications to be part of CFC can be downloaded from the net. Reunions were discussed with Bob Haynes saying that 2nd Div gives their chapters the first chance to select a site but an individual man could also promote a location. Jack Kopetz uses Armed Forces Reunions and likes their results. Dave Taylor reported that Americal had chapters planning their reunions and some of the men lacked necessary business skills. He is planning a national reunion committee to assist with site selection and render some control with the hotel contracts. The committee would make joint decisions with the chapters organizing the reunions up to three years in advance. The general membership would not be involved in reunion site selection. On locations, Butch said that the 25th has good numbers when the reunion is held east of the Mississippi but that number is always smaller on a reunion west of the Mississippi. But being a national organization as they are, they will continue reunions in both locales so no west coast members are treated unfairly. Al Hathaway spoke saying that 11th ACR decisions are made by the most favorable room rates. The members vote at their annual meeting as to which city will be the host. Rich Behrends noted that if a free breakfast or cocktail hour is offered by the hotel, be sure to relate that figure to your room rate. Some of our WW2 members may soon be disbanding operations. Jack Kopetz’s 94th Div is going year by year. Their by-laws provide that they dissolve when they’re down to 200 members. They are near that point and it’s difficult to predict how many would be able to attend a future reunion. Glen Lytle’s 104th Div is also going one year at a time with 580 at the last reunion. Their next one may be the last. Jack Kopetz said that some chapters may continue without the national and would need only a small hotel. Break at 1:50 PM and meeting resumed at 2:00 PM. Ed Burke reported that the 1st Div will explore changing their status in order to cooperate with the active duty posts. Also many soldiers have now served with more than one div and which one will they be holding their allegiance for. On good of the order, Dave Taylor said to encourage small groups such as companies, MP’s, etc. to form their own chapters. Rich Adams had questions about web sites, protection and prices of domain names. Ollie Pickral reviewed all action points of the meeting and they were found to be addressed. Meeting for next year has been arranged by Don Kelby for Columbus, Georgia May 13-16. The host will allow 20 reps and 3 officers. Meeting adjourned at 2:45 PM. |
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