Source: Aerograph February 2011

We had our Semi Annual meeting in Fredericksburg, TX during the weekend of November 5-6. The locale, (outside the DFW area) was chosen in an attempt to get more attendance from the general membership and to some degree, it seemed to work. However, the increase in attendance from South/Central Texas was more than offset by the decrease in attendance from North Texas. It would seem that we have yet to find a locale to significantly increase attendance at meetings.

In attendance at Fredericksburg were:

Mel Bourn and Pat (DFW) Normally attend meetings anywhere

Mike Fastow and Jeanine (Wimberley TX)

Charlie Jordan and Ann (Abilene TX) Normally attend meetings anywhere

Marty Martinez and Eli (Houston TX) Normally attend meetings anywhere

Jim Maxwell and Suzanne (DFW) Normally attend meetings anywhere

Joe McKinzie (DFW) Normally attend meetings anywhere

Bob Plante (Fair Oaks Ranch TX)

Gerald Shultz and Terri (DFW) Normally attend meetings anywhere

Charlie Weisman and Jocelyn (Franklin TX)

Arlene Stalvey (Visiting from Stratford CT)

As you may note, we had only three members attending that do not normally attend meetings in the DFW area. Those traveling from DFW had a drive time of about 4 hours. Mike Fastow and Bob Plante were the only members that had less travel time to the meeting than those who have regularly attended meetings in the DFW area. We have now had meetings in Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Fredericksburg in attempts to lure more members to our meetings by offering locations with less drive time. We have been unsuccessful in all attempts. It is understood that individual circumstances preclude any travel by some of our members but for you others, what can we do to get you to participate in the Chapter? We are certainly open to suggestions.

Now that I have gotten that off my chest, I will review our meeting in Fredericksburg:

Most of us arrived on Thursday or Friday and enjoyed spectacular sightseeing opportunities from Enchanted Rock to the endless museum and shopping experiences to be had in Fredericksburg. On Friday evening, 14 of us dined at the Auslander Restaurant (renowned throughout Central Texas for its German cuisine). Everyone was pleased with the quality, quantity, atmosphere and relatively inexpensive choices from the menu. Should you have an opportunity to visit, I’m sure any one of us would recommend that you sample the Auslander.

On Saturday, we convened our meeting at the Quality Inn Motel where most of us were staying. Harry Hale, our President was unable to attend due to a death in the family so the Sec/Treas Joe McKinzie conducted the meeting. He reviewed our Spring meeting and under old business gave a recap of the NWSA annual reunion that we hosted in Irving TX. Many positive comments were received from attendees verbally or by later emails and it is generally accepted that the Reunion was a resounding success. We had been concerned that we may not have sufficient income from the Reunion to cover our expenses but were pleasantly surprised. Prior to the Reunion, NWSA provided $750 in seed money to help defray up front expenses and we were not only able to repay the seed money but double it to $1500 and put $250 into our Chapter treasury. Our experience showed that $750 was insufficient to cover up front expenses and at our June meeting, it was voted to provide the $1500 to help the hosts of future reunions.

While attending the Reunion, we were able to recruit some new members to the Chapter: Namely, Robert VanHoven, Friendwood TX; Mike Johnson, Meeker OK; Billy Wilson, Pasadena TX, and Jim Nelson, League City TX. Unfortunately, none of these were able to attend this meeting but three reside in the Houston area where we have a few other members. Perhaps, a future meeting in the Houston area would be appropriate. Additionally, since the Reunion, I have been contacted by two other ex-AG’s interested in becoming members (Curtis Arnold, Arlington TX and Dale Howe, DFW area). I responded to these two queries but to date have heard nothing further from them.

Under New Business, the Sec/Treas noted a significant increase in workload as a result of an effort to acquire Non-Profit or Tax exempt status for the Chapter. During the Reunion, our Past-NWSA President promoted an effort for Chapters to acquire this status so that the Tax Exempt status could be used for future Reunions. At his behest, the NWSA Sec/Treas applied for such status for the Lone Star Chapter whereupon, the State Comptroller contacted the Chapter Sec/Treas, informing us that we were late in submitting initial and annual tax forms. The required forms were submitted but were repeatedly rejected and this month, were informed that we owed more than $1,000 in estimated taxes, penalties and interest on the amount due. The Sec/Treas then visited the local Comptroller Field Office where he was assisted in the proper completion of the required forms. He was informed that with the submission of the correct forms, we would probably be found to owe nothing but would still be required to make annual submissions to avoid future taxes and penalties. We are presently waiting with bated breath, in hopes that we will not be required to pay since the amount sought is in excess of our total treasury accumulated over the entire four year existence of our Chapter.

Also under new business, the NWSA Aerograph Editor proposed that we buy an ad in the upcoming Hampton Roads Reunion pamphlet. Not yet knowing the cost of such ad, it was proposed, seconded and approved that we would spend up to $100 for a full page ad in the pamphlet. Nominations were opened for Secretary/Treas and President for the coming year. Gerry Shultz was elected President and Mel Bourn elected Sec/Treas with terms of one year to take effect immediately on conclusion of our meeting. There being no more business, the meeting was adjourned. The date and location of our Spring meeting will be announced by our Sec/Treas.

Submitted by LCDR Joe McKinzie USN RET, Outgoing Sec/Treasurer