US Coast Guard Academy Parents Association, Delaware Valley Chapter

Minutes of the Winter 2008 General Membership Meeting

December 7, 2008

US Coast Guard Station, Philadelphia, PA

·         Prior to meeting there was a social time for attendees and a tour of the Philadelphia Station was given by LTJG Quinn. Included was a tour of the Cleat.

·         Meeting called to order by Paul Kauffaman at 2:25 PM, December 7, 2008.

 o   Attendance sheets and Treasurer’s report was distributed to attendees

o   Welcome remarks made to group

o   Summarized the number of acceptances to CGA to-date. Four have been accepted to the academy  from our area and the same number have received conditional acceptances.

o   Officers, current members, and new member introductions were made.

·         Vice President’s Report – D. Rulon

o   2 additional members were added at Parents Weekend

o   Total of 82 families are now in the Del Val Chapter.

o   P. Kauffman maintains list of full members

·         Secretary’s Report – J. Constantino

o   A review of the meeting minutes from September 19, 2008 was made by John Constantino.

o   Changes made to the date of the Welcome Picnic for this coming year. The date is May 31, 2009 and will be at the Coast Guard Station in Atlantic City.

o   Report approved with noted changes.

·         Treasurer’s Report – D. Greenly (submitted) P. Kauffman (presented)

o   Beginning Balance (9/15/2008) $3,752.44.

o   Ending Balance (12/1/08) $4,005.92.

o   There is a $500 fund available to help sponsor a local cadet activity area in the Delaware Valley area. Members are asked to keep this in mind if something is going on in our area that we can help with. Members can contact chapter officers.

o   Report approved and seconded without discussion.

·         Ways & Means Report – B. Stark

o   Thanked all that have helped at past events.

·         2012 Parents and C. Delanoy for the Survival Kits

·         D. Rulon for the Academic Calendar and photos. These were a big seller at Parents Weekend. Would like to do another one at next R-Day. Cost to do a calendar is about $8.50 each. Always looking for cadet/CGA photos to add to a new calendar.

o   Noted that R-Day and Parents Weekend are the days that the Chapter sells merchandise to raise funds for groups.

o   People can contact B. Stark to buy items.

o   Will need $1,200 for chapter to purchase items for next R-Day.

o   Always need volunteers to help at tables for R-Day and Parents Weekend.

o   Report approved and seconded without discussion.

·         Other Business / Discussions – P. Kauffman

All-Academies Ball – N. McElroy (submitted but not in attendance) and M. Greendyk (new)

• • To be held on December 26, 2008 at the Union League in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Invitations have been sent out.
  • Requested donations for Gift cards – DVASABO for donations.
  • Meeting this week to start assembling gift packages for event.
  • Next year the All-Academies Ball will be hosted by the CGA and Merchant Marine Academy parents associations.
• Class of 2013 Welcome Picnic – C. Delanoy
  • Date is May 31, 2009 at Air Station in Atlantic City
  • Will contact station for availability.
  • Will need members to donate to cover cost.
  • Volunteers needed to bring hoagies and other items and prepare gift bags.
  • Detailed plans will be made at next meeting.
• CGA Parents Newsletter
  • Fall 2008 newsletter had an article and picture from P. Kauffman
• Additional Donations
  • Deferred to Spring meeting for more gift details
  • May want to consider a gift our graduating seniors (1^st Class) at a cost of approximately $25 per gift. Estimated annual cost could be approximately $600 per year. Ideas to be considered at next meeting.
  • Will not make any more recommendations for National Chapter gifts until local gifts are decided upon.
  • Received Thank You letter form National Chapter for two $1,000 donations – Noted in Treasurer’s report.
• Nominations for Chapter Officers
  • President and Treasurer positions are needed to be filled due to current 2009 parents that have these positions will be leaving.
  • P. Kauffman to e-mail position descriptions to chapter members.
  • Members should contact P. Kauffman if interested.
• Other Business Items
  • M. Ricter volunteered to organize hotel room blocks for events at CGA.
  • Any interest in having a spring lunch get-together to share experiences. Volunteer requested to organize. Should contact P. Kauffman if interested. Date and location to be determined.
  • Next National Meeting will February 28, 2009. Duncan Pitcarin is our new chapter representative at this meeting and can give an update at our Spring meeting.
  • Parents are encouraged to express their opinions to their Congressman about HR #5280 concerning congressional nominations for CGA Cadets.
  • Discussion of a raffle – Still to be addressed at Spring meeting.
  • Pre R-Day Social on June 28, 2009
    • Question if we should still use ARA to cater event.
    • Need to contact Chesapeake & Potomac chapter to see if they will participate. The social is drinks and desserts/cookies.
    • P. Kauffman will contact the Yoder family if they wish to continue to organize along with C. Delanoy.
  • May want to consider a Thanksgiving bus for next year to offer for cadets to travel to Delaware Valley area. Further discussions will be held during future meetings. Also want to consider how cadets can organize car pools to/from CGA during holidays.

·         Next Meeting Schedule

o   Location and Date/Time for Spring meeting to be determined

o   P. Kauffman will solicit suggestions and notify location and place.

·         Meeting adjourned at 4:45 PM.