NAVY LEAGUE
ofthe United States
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
JUNE 4,2010
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order by the National President, Daniel B. Branch, Jr., at
1:40 p.m.
The following National Directors were present:
EMPIRE REGION
Thomas McGloin
Peter J. Soler
Daniel M.Thys
Roger W. Bing
Louis DiGiusto
William J. Evanzia
Thomas Matteo
FLORIDA REGION
Charles A Black
Joseph J. Daigneault, Jr.
Patricia Du Mont
Philip L. Dunmire
Joseph Giambrone
Robert N. Hein
Herbert A. Jordan, Jr.
J. Michael McGrath
Gerard St. Germain
G. William Weiler
Skip Wltunski
Diane S. Wright
GREAT LAKES REGION
Thomas W. Baker
William T. Fantry, Jr.
Bobby V. Ferguson
Elaine Z. Koepke
Daniel W. McElroy
Gerald Moskwa
Patricia Ann Posey
James M. Semerad
Kenneth E. Wood
Roycealee J. Wood
2300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 200· Arlington, VA 22201- 703-528-1775 ·703-528-2333 Fax. www.navyleague.org
Navy· Marine Corps· Coast Guard· U.S.-Flag Merroam Marine
LIBERTY REGION
Linda L. Ashbey
Richard Ashbey
William G. Braund
Richard C. Halleran
Arthur Judson II
William R. Keller
Richard H. Kennedy
William A. Kopper
John Niedzwiecki
Patrick E. Pang
Edmund S. Sobieray
John D. Stegman
James H. Waller
Stanley J. Winowicz, Jr.
LONE STAR REGION
Jack F. Ritter, Jr.
John G. Sutter
Donald B. Walker
Suzy Williams
W. Lamon Crouch
Anne Harper
Felix P. Keeley, Jr.
Jeffrey L. Lambert
R. Glenn Looney
Max K. Miller
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
Brent M. Bennitt
AI J. Bernard
James L. Chapman IV
Nancy F. Gorell
Lee Gurke
Sharon Gurke
Robert Haerner
Albert J. Herberger
Joan S. Jones
Alan Kaplan
Lawrence P. Lynott
Charles W. McCullough
James F. Morgan
James H. Offutt
Janet V. Rapkin
Stewart E. Reuter
VICki S. Ruckman
Norbert Smith
Robert Sutton
A. Duane Wills
MIDWEST REGION
Samuel Bushman
Ward Cook
James H. Erlinger
Keith A. Larson
Lawrence R. Lyons
NEW ENGLAND REGION
Irving X. Gorman
Shirley A. Hill
William C. Kelley, Jr.
Harriett A. Learson
Tommasina A. Olson
Eleanor E. samuels
George A. Wardwell
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NORTHWEST REGION
Diane Z. Jaffa
Thomas E. Jaffa
Beth M. Munns
Roger W. Ponto
Larry G. Salter
Ken Spar\(s
David N. Todd
Dave Visneski
Stephen F. Waylett
PACIFIC REGION
P. Pasha Baker
Kraig M. Kennedy
Nora Ruebrook
PACIFIC CENTRAL REGION
Evan S. Baker
Carey Bamecut
Donald F. Hale
Phelps Hobart
Jeanne Shar\(ey
William R. Shar\(ey III
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGION
Pamela K. Ammerman
James T. Bonner, Jr.
Jewell H. Bonner
Karen Crawford
Lisa K. Macklin
Joan C. Mitchell
Fred Orton
Ray Roth
Warren Savage
John F. Watkins
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
Daniel B. Branch, Jr.
William C. Marshall
SOUTH ATLANTIC COAST REGION
John W. Alger
Robert D. Bythewood, Sr.
Franklin A. Hart, Jr.
Sheila M. McNeill
Rockwell O'Sheili
Keith Post
David J. Reilly
James W. Smith
Thomas W. Wright
SOUTHERN REGION
Walter H. Reese
The National Chaplain, Rabbi William Kloner, offered the prayer and led the Directors in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
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The National President recognized members of the President's Circle in attendance.
He said that members of the Commodore's Club would be grandfathered in the President's
Circle. Mr. Branch also recognized past National Presidents who were in attendance.
MOTION to approve the minutes of the Board of Directors' meeting
held on October 31, 2009; SECONDED and APPROVED unanimously.
MOTION to approve the acts of the Executive Committee since the
Board of Directors' meeting on October 31, 2009; SECONDED and
APPROVED unanimously.
MOTION to approve the acts of the officers since the 2009 Annual
Meeting of Members held on October 31, 2009; SECONDED and
APPROVED unanimously.
The National President invited Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) Chairman Lawrence
Lynott and NSCC Executive Director Michael Ford to join him for the presentation of the
Nicholas Brango Award to Lieutenant Commander Yancey J. Black, NSCC.
The National President reported that, since taking office, he had met with the
Superintendent of the Naval Academy and the President of the Alumni Association of the
Naval Academy in an effort to initiate partnering activities with the Navy League. He discussed
his visit to the Pacific Northwest Region where there were a series of business meetings held
with local leadership to discuss the issues faced by the Navy League in that region. He next
reported on his trip to Santa Barbara for the installation of the council's new officers which was
also attended by the Chief of Naval Operations.
The National President reported on his briefings with 32 flag officers prior to the 2010
8ea-Air-Space Exposition to promote the event. He stated that, during those meetings, he
also was able to brief them on the League's legislative affairs program. With regard to the
Exposition, he said there had been a record turnout of military attendees. He stated the
League was supporting the secretary of the Navy, who had spoken at the Exposition, with his
alternative energy initiative and that the League had sponsored an Energy Pavilion at this
year's event. He announced that the League's Admiral Arleigh Burke Leadership Award had
been presented to Admiral Thad Allen, USCG, then Commandant of the Coast Guard, during
the Exposition dinner.
The National President reported he attended the commissioning of the USS NEW
MEXICO and stated that the Commissioning Committee had been working on this event for
more than 10 years. He also reported on his trip to Chattanooga and reminded the Directors
that the 2011 National Convention would be held there. He noted that Chattanooga had been
revitalized and it was a nice place to visit with much to do in the local area.
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The National President reported that he and a number of Navy Leaguers attended the
Propeller Club meeting recently held in Washington, D.C. He said the League had entered a
partnership with the Propeller Club that benefited both organizations in their educational
efforts.
The National President reported on his visit with the Yondown Council, his tour of
Dahlgren, and his participation in Maritime Day events with AI Herberger. He noted that
Maritime Day presented a great opportunity for the League to create partnerships with other
maritime organizations.
The National President reported that the summer of 201 0 would be dedicated to
stabilizing the staff and making sure it was aligned to the League's mission. He added
that he would be implementing performance-based pay.
In the area of membership, the President said his plan was to grow the
membership by at least 12,000 members. He stressed that it was important for each
National Director to meet the requirement of recruiting at least 10 new members
annually. He stated the League's dues structure would be reviewed and increases
recommended as appropriate. He added that he also would like to increase corporate
sponsors by fIVe to ten percent annually.
The National President reported that the President's Circle had grown by
approximately 35 percent and that his goal was to see it grow to about 1,000 members.
He addressed fundraising stating that he would like to grow the League's investment
portfolio to $15-25,000,000 and significantly increase the number of donors, including
those participating in the planned giving program. He acknowledged that, in order to
achieve those goals, the League would need approximately $200K to enable it to start
significant fundraising in 2010. He stated he would like to see Congress provide more
funding to the Sea Cadets in order to grow that program. He noted he would like to
increase advertising and branding, but those efforts required funding. He expressed his
desire to increase the number of press releases, op-ed pieces and letters to editors.
The National President reported that he had accepted the following resignations and
made the following appointments since the 2009 Annual Meeting:
Resignations
• J. Douglas Crawford - National VICe President for Public Affairs and
Public Education
• Jeanie Coffey - National Director
• Daniel Kloeppel - National Director
Appointments
• Michael Hunt - National Assistant Treasurer
• Robert B. Haemer - National Deputy Judge Advocate
• Karen Crawford - National Vice President for Public Affairs and Public
Education
• Fred Orton - National Director
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The National President announced the following Council changes:
• The Southwest Mississippi Council officially closed on March 18,2010
• The Thailand Southern Seaboard Council was approved for chartering and
the League was awaiting the official chartering date
• On April 27, 2010, the Grand Rapids Council requested approval for re­
chartering and was in the process of recruiting new members
The National President presented Resolutions in Memoriam for the following individuals
who had recently passed away:
• Albert D. Grantham
• Steven W. McGanka
• Robert Schmand
• Robert Urbana
The National President reported that Jeffrey Sapp had resigned as National
Executive Director and that a committee would be appointed for the selection of a new
Executive Director. He stated he would like to have past National Presidents, National
Vice Presidents, and Region Presidents represented on the committee.
National Treasurer Alan Kaplan reported that the annual audit had been
completed and asked AI Weber of McGladrey & Pullen to present the results of the audit
(copy attached).
MOTION to accept the audit as presented; SECONDED and
APPROVED unanimously.
Mr. Kaplan and National Vice President for Finance Richard Kennedy presented
their report on the financial status of the League. They reviewed the current Budget
Execution Report (copy attached) and projections for the remainder of 2010.
Investment Committee Chairman Art Judson reported on the League's
investment portfolio. He reported that, during the last 12 months, the League was in the
number one percentile for performance among all non-profits. He said the League was
well-diversified as to sectors like largEH:ap, srnall-cap and international. It was his
opinion that the League has the best managers available. He noted the League would
not have to sell any securities to fund operations this year. He reported that May 2010
was the worst May in over 70 years and that the current portfolio stood at approximately
$7.4 million.
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The following National Vice Presidents presented their reports: (copies of written
reports received are attached)
• Pamela K. Ammerman, National Vice President for Region, Area, and Council
Presidents' Liaison
• Karen Crawford, National Vice President for Public Affairs and Public Education
• Patricia Du Mont, National Vice President for Legislative Affairs
• Philip L. Dunmire, National Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Development
• Thomas E. Jaffa, National Vice President for Membership, Maf1(eting and
Information Technology
• William Kopper, National Vice President for International Affairs
• Robert Sutton, National Vice President for Sea Services Liaison
2010 National Convention Chairman Diane Wright reported on plans for the
upcoming convention in Jacksonville, Florida, which included a golf outing at NAS
Jacksonville, a tour at Cape Canaveral, a tour of the USMC facility at Blunt Island, a
special afternoon performance by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, a dinner cruise
aboard the Jacksonville Princess on the St. John's River, a tour of St. Augustine
including several hours for shopping and dining, and the Blue Angels Air Show which
would be held that weekend at NAS Jacksonville.
The National President recognized and thanked James Offutt for his efforts in
hosting the 2011 Board of Directors' meeting.
Chairman of the Naval sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) Lawrence Lynott recommended
adding the report of the Chairman of the NSCC to the offICial agenda of the Board of
Directors' meeting.
National Director Larry salter suggested adding more time to future meetings of
the Board of Directors.
There being no further business the following motion was made:
MOTION to adjourn; SECONDED and APPROVED unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at4:10 p.m.
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Manager, Administrative Services
Vicki S. Ruckman
National Corporate Secretary
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