MINUTES of the BOARD of DIRECTORS’ MEETING held
16 November 2013 at NYS Military Heritage Museum, Saratoga Springs, NY
The regular Board of Directors’ meeting of the NYS Capital District Chapter of the
Military Officers Association of America was called to order by President Ficara at 1010
hours on 16 November 2013 at NYS Military Heritage Museum, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Present were: Ames, Bebernitz, Ficara, Folger, Leukhardt, Marshall, Memole, Neaton,
Piccirilli and Scheiber.
Guests: None
Absent were: Acquilano, Lenahan, Magliocca and Potts
The minutes of 27 July 2013 had been previously distributed via E-Mail and posted on
the Web Site for comment were read and approved.
Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer reported that the balance in the checking account
was $453.86 as of 16 NOV 2013. This sum included receipts from the October
Luncheon, dues and the 50/50 drawing. Total receipts amounted to $970.00.
Expenditures were $1443.39, $848.47 paid to the Edison Club, $53.37 for a set of 4
Tumblers for Pat, $299.79 Newsletter printing and mailing, $191.76 for WEB Hosting
and $50.00 for COC Dues.
He also reported that the funds held by the Chapter in SEFCU as S1 and S2 Savings
Accounts are $2800.71.
Committee Reports
Program: The discussion on the cost of the luncheons at the Edison Club that had been
initiated by Ron Neaton at the last meeting was resolved. It was announced that COL
Brian Anderson, ASAF (ret) MOAA Deputy Director of Council Affairs, would be the
speaker for the February luncheon. COL Anderson wishes to meet with the members
either before the luncheon or after. Ed Scheiber said he would bring pens (or other
trinkets) from National to the December Holiday Luncheon for distribution as “favors”.
Pat Piccirilli suggested several speakers/invitees for future luncheons. Among these were
Medal of Honor Recipient Francis S. Currey, BG Mark J. O’Neil, Deputy General of
Operations, 10th Mountain Division, as well as representatives from Stars for Our Troops
and Military Moms in Action.
Newsletter: Discussion on the next Newsletter’s layout was held. It was suggested that a
report of the COC Annual Meeting in Canandaigua would be a good inclusion.
Newsletter Editor Al Memole was looking for pictures from the previous luncheon’s
STRIDE presentation. He noted that in order to meet the target date for publishing the
next Newsletter he would like to have input by around November 18.
Legislative: Ed Scheiber reminded everyone to stay on top of the ‘Alerts’ from MOAA
National. There’s a lot going on with the Federal Budget and its impact on the military
such as the 1% vs 1.5% COLA. He also mentioned that National keeps a list of all the
congresspersons and how they vote on our issues. There was some discussion on the
Education Compact that affects military dependent students getting transfer credits from
past schools attended when transferring into other state’s schools. NY is still a hold out.
Membership: President Ficara said there has been nothing new occurring. There was
some discussion on using a free initial membership to draw new members into the
chapter.
ROTC/JROTC: Ron Neaton is still trying to obtain information on the 40 to 50
potential ROTC applications at RPI. It seems the ROTC secretary is concerned with
violating the Privacy Act by sharing their information.
One of the High School JROTC units that we have been servicing is being now served by
the Central NY Chapter. This leaves us with CBA, and Amsterdam HS. LaSalle Institute
has not been participating of late but Al Memole will reach out to them to see if they’d
like to be included in this year’s awards.
Web Master: Secretary Folger stated that as he had announced last meeting that he has
set up all the assigned CDNYMOAA E-mail accounts to be forwarded to the responsible
individual’s regular e-mail. He also sent out an e-mail to all those affected with their
assigned CDNYMOAA mail address/ACCT ID and the password so they can directly
gain accessto the WEB SITE’s web mail if they so desire.
Our web site’s URL is:
http://www.cdnymoaa.org
Old Business
Next Board Meeting: 22 FEB 2014 – NYS Military Heritage Museum, Saratoga, NY.
Use of the venue needs to be verified.
2013 Council of Chapters Annual Conference in Canandaigua, NY: The Conference
meeting days were cut back and it caused some scheduling issues with the ripple effect if
one event ran late etc. There is more flexibility with the 3-day format. Ed Scheiber also
noted that all NY Chapters were in attendance but also that many of the attendees were
aged.
At the October Meeting, new officers were elected.
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer::
Regional Vice Presidents:
Ben Margoulis, Southern Tier Chapter
Peggy Phillips, Southern Tier Chapter
Suzanne Hensley, Central NY Chapter
Jaime Scotland, Western NY Chapter
Ed Scheiber, Capital District Chapter
Jerry Luzum, Genesee Valley Chapter
2014 Council of Chapters Annual Conference: Sponsored by the Southern Tier
Chapter, the 2014 COC Annual Conference will be held in Corning, NY at the Radisson
during the 1st week of October 2014. More to come later.
New Business
Woody Mench – President Ficara shared the news of the passing of Woody Mench (7
NOV 2013).
STRIDE’ “Wounded Warrior Snowfest”: The annual STRIDE event “Wounded
Warrior Snowfest” is scheduled for 6-9 March 2014. RADM Leukhardt pledged $1000
to be a “Great American” sponsor. The Chapter will donate $540 placing them in the
“Patriot” category. Between the two donations, there are 10 Complementary Tickets
available for attending the Welcome Banquet on 7 MAR 2014 at the Hilton Garden Inn,
Troy NY.
The next STRIDE Meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on January 8th at 476 North
Greenbush Rd, Defreestville, NY for anyone wishing to attend.
It was also noted that STRIDE needs donation as well, such as Food, Drinks, Chapstiks,
Sun Block, materials for kids entertainment such as Crayons & Paper and Dog Treats for
the Service Dogs.
CDNYMOAA CHAPTER LAPTOP: – With more of our luncheon speakers requiring
computers and projectors for their presentations, it was decided that the chapter should
purchase them rather than relying on the Edison Club’s equipment. Secretary Folger
stated that he would donate a Laptop Computer to the Chapter and investigate, along with
Ed Scheiber, appropriate projector list from which to subsequently purchase a Video
Projector for the Chapter’s use.
2014 Meeting Dates: Tentative Meeting dates for both Board Meetings and Luncheons
were established.
Luncheons: 9 FEB, 6 APR, 8 JUN, 19 OCT, 14 DEC (Edison Club) Rexford, NY
Board Meetings: 22 FEB, 26 JUL, 8 NOV (Military Heritage Museum, Saratoga, NY
CDNY MOAA Calendar of Activities for 2013
Scheduled Chapter Dinners for 2013 are:
2013 Annual Holiday Dinner
08 Dec 13 – Edison Club
Note: Dinner venues are tentative pending confirmation by the Program Committee
CDNY MOAA Calendars of Activities for 2014
Scheduled Chapter Dinners for 2014 are:
09 Feb 14 – Edison Club
06 Apr 14 – Edison Club
08 Jun 14 – Edison Club
19 Oct 14 – Edison Club
2014 Annual Holiday Dinner
14 Dec 14 – Edison Club
Note: Dinner venues are tentative pending confirmation by the Program Committee
2014 Board Meetings – President Ficara also announced the following dates for next
year’s Board Meetings.
Board Meeting Dates for 2014:
22 FEB 13 – Saratoga – NYS Military Heritage Museum
26 JUL 13 – @ TBD
08 NOV 13 – Saratoga – NYS Military Heritage Museum
There being no further business to transact, the meeting was adjourned on a motion
regularly made and carried at 1225 hours.
Respectfully submitted,
Ralph Folger, Secretary