USS WADDELL DDG-24 Association

Membership Meeting

St. Louis, MO.

June 28, 2003

Motion: Call Meeting to Order by Tom Jones – Seconded By Bill Brewer – Approved by all Members Present. 

OLD BUSINESS:

Meeting Minutes from last year read by Guy Ward, Motion to Approve By made by Tom Jones – Seconded by Dale Kasten – Approved by the Membership.

NEW BUSINESS:

MEMBERSHIP:

501C3 status/update – Given by Rick Bennett.  Tom Jones will continue the work with the IRS to get closure and final solution.  Will keep the BOD & Membership updated on progress.  Goal is have closure on this item by end of year (2003). 

Vice President’s Report:

200th Membership was achieved with the St. Louis Reunion.  There are 6 Associates Members.

TREASURE’S REPORT:

Bill Brewer provided the following Financial Report to the BOD & Membership:

Funds Collected:

          Dues                              $8,085.00

          Ships Store Receipts     $13,350.66

          Other Deposits                $1,884.40

          Total Funds Collected  $23,320.06

          Total Expenses             $20,501.24

          Check Book Balance      $2,818.82

** All numbers are as of June 20, 2003.

Bill Brewer’s Term as a Director on the BOD expires coincident with the St. Louis Reunion.  Rick Bennett, President of the USS WADDELL DDG-24 Association, recognized Bill Brewer’s three years of service and being a driving force in the establishment of the USS WADDELL DDG-24 Association.   Bill has contributed untold hours in searching & locating former WADDELL Shipmates.  Without Bill’s many contributions the Association would not be as successful as it has become. Bill has served as both the Association’s Treasurer and Ships Store Manager.  Job “WELL DONE” and he will be a tough act to follow. 

Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report made by Tom Jones – Seconded by Dave Barger – Passed by the Membership. 

FUTURE REUNIONS: 

Next year’s (2004) Reunion Site recommended to be held on the East Coast at Norfolk, Virginia.  The following year (2005) to be held on the West Coast possibly in Seattle, Washington.  Other cities named as potential West Coast Sites were Las Vegas, San Francisco, Long Beach, and Vancouver BC. 

Association will be coordinating the Reunions going forward.  Cost is a major concern/goal.  Airport access is a must.

Early registration by the Membership is a key in reserving rooms.

Motion to discontinue using ML&RS for 2004 Reunion made by Tom Jones – Seconded by Grant Walker – Passed unanimously by the Membership. 

Rick Bennett (Permanent Webmaster) will post on the Web Site & Mail to non E-mail Shipmates listing the six potential cities and soliciting selection for the 2005 West Coast Reunion Site.

Same as above for the 2006 Reunion. 

Membership fees: 

Discussion to change the fee for initial members would be $24.00, lowered from $25.00. 

Motion to change year 2004 Annual Membership Fee to $24.00 effective July 1, 2—4 made by Dave Kasten – Seconded by Lenny Burke – Motion Passed by the Membership.

With this motion passed there will no longer be any “Pro Rating” of Annual Membership Fees.

NEARCHOS DECOMMISSIONING:

Nearchos Decommissioning to take place on July 18, 2003.  Unofficial invitation received.  Rick Bennett to represent the Adams Class Confederation with Bill Brewer as a tentative attendee.

Donations have been received from several Adams Class Confederation Associations and from Peter Cullins to sponsor Rick Bennett to attend Decommissioning Ceremony. 

Motion by Dave Barger to post on web site and mailing to solicit funds for purpose of sponsoring Rick Bennett as our Representative of the USS WADDELL DDG-24 Association – Seconded by Dave Kasten – Motion passed unanimously by Membership. 

Motion to donate $1000.00 to sponsor Rick Bennett as our Representative to cover the cost to Greek Decommissioning made by Tom Jones – Seconded by Dan Pinkston – Motion passed unanimously by Membership.

SHIPS STORE:

New items to be carried suggestions are:

Sweat Suits – Playing Cards – Zippo Knives – Mouse Pads – License Plate Frames – Pilsner Glasses – Ball Point Pens – Plastic Mugs – Shot Glasses – Christmas Ornaments.  Tom Jones to explore availability and costs. 

Marketing Ships items will increase sales and revenues.

Contacting Widows of Shipmates and keeping them updated on the Association’s Progress was suggested.  Future plans include adding them to the data base. 

Life Memberships need to be investigated and reported to Membership. 

ELECTIONS: 

Rick Bennett recognized both Rich Gartrell and Marc Poland for their participation on the BOD.  Both resigned do to other commitments.

Nominations for the Board of Directors:

Motion by Guy Ward to have Bill Brewer serve the remaining two year term of Rich Gartrell (term expiring 2005), Bill Gaik to a three year term (term expiring 2006) and Lenny Burke to a three year term (term expiring 2006) – seconded by Grant Walker – Motion passed by the Membership.

Motion to Adjourn made by Tom Jones – Seconded and Passed by the Membership.

Minutes recorded by Allen L. Jones