Meeting was called to order by President Charles Bell, at the Blackhorse Pub and Brewery, Clarksville, TN. [Note: Chapter member Cliff McGee's son is the brewmaster there! That's better'n having a doctor in the family!!]
Attending: Charles Bell, Rhea Rippey, Chris Horton, Tom Reeves, Charles Robertson, Bob Fladry, Cliff McGee, Mel Wyatt, Ken Culwell, and Ross Rainwater.
The meeting began with self-introductions of attendees, which included short bios of their RVN experience and current status.
In lieu of reading the minutes of the previous meeting on 9 Oct, copies were distributed, and, after review, approved as submitted. (Minutes are always posted on our chapter website.)
o Treasurer's Report: Rhea Rippey reported all chapter finances in good order with no payables. (Two payables surfaced during the meeting as cited below.) Balance on hand exceeds $6,000, primarily as a result of the Reunion.
o Secretary's Report: Total paid membership has reached
59 (+1 from last meeting) with the addition of Mark Wood, Jackson, TN (mwood@devap.com).
A review with the treasurer confirmed that at number of members are past
due in re-upping for another year. Reminders will be sent by mail and e-mail.
(For those who would like to get caught up
beforehand, please send your $10 annual dues to MSVHPA, Rhea Rippey,
PO Box 50093, Nashville, TN 37205.)
Secretary reported the need to resubmit all chapter application forms to National VHPA Headquarters after notification by National VP Charles Holley that nothing of the previous submission in March could be found. All materials and forms were resubmitted in time for National VHPA Executive Council review and approval. We are awaiting word as to the outcome. (Other chapters' materials were similarly lost requiring resubmission as well.)
OLD BUSINESS
o Charles Robertson reported on Operation Rocky Top in Jackson. A promised tent did not materialize, so Charles purchased one on behalf of the chapter. Charles graciously offered to absorb the cost and use the tent himself if he'd exceeded his authority, but since the tent could be used at other similar events, chapter voted to authorize a reimbursement. Charles reported meeting some candidates for chapter membership, but was met with comments that "it was too far to Nashville" to be a member. (See next meeting site!)
o Chris Horton gave an overview of a money-making opportunity for the chapter which he had discussed briefly in October. This would involve his real estate agency awarding a finder's fee to the chapter for any home sale which resulted from a lead provided from any MSVHPA member. VP Tom Reeves, who is also in the real estate business, kindly offered to match this offer, especially since neither he nor Chris's agency are in direct geographical competition. (Chris works the area north of Nashville; Tom, south of Nashville.)
Chris provided an example: On a sale of a $150,000 home, 6% commission, the chapter would receive $900.
This seemed to be a "no brainer" offer, which was accepted by the chapter.
o VP Tom Reeves provided an overview of our application for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. We are receiving free legal support for this effort. About all the chapter needs to go is to provide income/project outgo projections to finalize the effort. Rhea Rippey and Tom will coordinate on these figures.
o Projects: Members were asked to come to this meeting (or send their ideas) for suitable projects for which the chapter would provide financial support. These included:
NEW BUSINESS
o Bob Fladry alerted the chapter to the June 2000 Annual Reunion of the 101st Airborne at Ft. Campbell, suggesting it would be an ideal venue for chapter recruiting.
o Ross Rainwater suggested there was a need for a chapter Publicity Chairman, and encouraged someone from the membership to consider taking the role.
o Chris Horton volunteered to assemble of booklet of biographies of members, which would include current business/career pursuits so that members might have an opportunity to do business with other members whose expertise they need. Chris will take your input in any format, but e-mail would be easiest.
o Secretary Ross Rainwater requested $20 check from the treasurer, due with our annual filing requirements under Tennessee non-profit law. Filing will be completed by the 31 Jan 00 deadline.
o Tom Reeves volunteered to investigate insurance coverage needs for officers/directors of the chapter.
o In order to encourage widest possible participation and membership
in VHPA in general, and the Mid-South Chapter in particular, next chapter
meeting will be Saturday, 26 Feb 00, 1300 hours, in Jackson, TN. Location
to be determined.
Format will be a SHORT business meeting, followed by general socializing, and then a dinner. Spouses/Significant Others are DEFINITELY invited. Some plan to stay overnight and make a weekend of it. In addition to e-mail/mailed updates, we will also post information on our website.
[Webmaster note: Angelfire has changed its free hosting arrangement, now requiring advertisements to be shown. We opted for the "pop-up" version rather than having an ad shown all the time at the top of each page. This can be changed if members prefer.]
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
SEASON'S GREETINGS TO ALL.
Respectfully submitted,
Ross Rainwater, Secretary, Mid-South Chapter, VHPA
C-1/9, 1st Air Cav, '70-71; HHC, 12th CAG, '71
ORWAC 70-24, Orange Hats, r-rainwater@juno.com
VHPA Nashville Reunion: "A Grand Ol' Time in '99" <==AND IT WAS!!
https://www.angelfire.com/tn/msvhpa
VP Tom Reeves, President Charles Bell, Secretary Rhea Rippey
Secretary Ross Rainwater, Member Chris Horton, Member Ken Culwell,
and just offscreen to right, Mel Wyatt.
The Brewmaster's Dad, Cliff McGee; Member Bob Fladry; Member Charles
Robertson
