Minutes of the May 15, 2004 meeting of the Tampa Chapter SAR

 

President Tetrick called the meeting to order at 12:01. Chaplain Jim Washburn offered the invocation. Rodney Stebbins led the pledge to the flag and the president the pledge to the SAR.

 

Members present: Dwight Tetrick, Rodney Stebbins, Charles Grant, Marty Miller, Jim Washburn, Dan Stutzman, Walter Lane, Bob Yarnell and Kevin Yarnell.

 

Welcome guests: Steve Aspinall, member of the St. Petersburg chapter.

 

The president introduced the members and guests.

 

The SAR membership approved the minutes of the April meeting as published in the newsletter.

 

The secretary gave a brief report the JROTC program. The chapter presented 18 JROTC medals to local high schools and 4 ROTC medals to the local universities. We’re grateful to Dwight Tetrick, Jack Bolen, Luke Lloyd, Walter, Lane, Bob Yarnell, and Kevin Yarnell for presenting medals especially in light of the fact that at most ceremonies the presenters were unable to speak to the audience about the SAR.

 

The treasurer reported a current balance of $2,125.74. Jim Washburn asked about the 365 club. A brief discussion followed giving some background on the state society’s trust funds.

 

Rodney Stebbins briefly reported on the Liberty Tree. Everything is moving along. The next step is to work out the final details with the Tampa Mayor’s office.

 

Bob Yarnell reported on the Good Citizenship award program. It turned out that the Clearwater chapter works the program in Pasco County. Interestingly enough, they only provide certificates to the county office that then gets the awards to the local students. The reason Bob originally received positive feedback from some schools was due to the fact that they did not know that the certificates came from the SAR. So it seems that the students receiving the awards don’t learn anything about the SAR.

 

Dwight Tetrick gave the registrar’s report detailing the status of our potential members, then inducted Charles Grant into the chapter.

 

The Secretary presented a ribbon to Dwight from the State Society representing our 3rd place finish in the chapter challenge contest for 2003.

 

There being no other business the meeting recessed for lunch.

 

President Tetrick called the meeting to order and introduced Steve Aspinall. Steve is the director and founding member of Safety First Consulting, LC., an independent safety, security, and risk management consulting firm. He is also a retired St. Petersburg police officer.

 

Steve spoke to the members about his career in ambulance services and police work. He began as an investor in an ambulance service. Later he started working as a tech on the emergency calls and found that he really enjoyed the work. “You find that helping people makes you feel good.”, he said.

 

He began his police work after moving to St. Petersburg and became a detective. His first assignment was in ‘economic crimes’ but he soon moved to the arson division and shared several specific stories with the members.

 

A short question and answer session followed.

 

President Tetrick presented Mr. Aspinall with the SAR Fire Safety Award in recognition of his long service in the area of law enforcement and fire investigation.

 

The 50/50 drawing was won by Rodney Stebbins who donated his winnings to the chapter. The treasury was thus enriched by $13.00.

 

President Tetrick led the recessional and Chaplain Washburn benediction. The meeting adjourned at 1:45 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kevin Yarnell

Chapter Secretary