Minutes of the January 27, 2001 meeting of the Tampa Chapter SAR

President Tetrick called the meeting to order at 12:07. Jim Washburn offered the invocation and President Tetrick led the pledge to the flag and the pledge to the SAR.

Members present: Dwight Tetrick, Elwin Thrasher, Marty Miller, Jim Washburn, Jack Bolen, Jim Chambers, Cy Gamber, Bob Yarnell, and Kevin Yarnell.

Welcome guests: Janett Tetrick, June Bolen, Fred Patton, Ed and Betty Sullivan.

The SAR membership approved the minutes of the December meeting as published in the newsletter. The secretary reported filing the chapter’s annual report with the state noting the ease with which it was done this year as compared to prior years. The ROTC medals have been ordered and our “Chapter Challenge” data form has been sent to Regional Vice President Schafer.

The Treasurer reported a balance of $2,114.97. Kevin Yarnell has audited the books for 2000. He complemented Marty Miller on his fine work the past few years as treasurer.

President Tetrick presented a medal and certificate of appreciation to Janett Tetrick in gratitude for all her help in working on new member applications.

The meeting recessed for lunch.

President Tetrick reconvened the meeting and introduced Vice President Yarnell who in turn introduced our speaker, Ed Sullivan. Compatriot Sullivan is a past president of the Florida Society and is currently a National Trustee.

Compatriot Sullivan’s remarks centered on the larger SAR organization. He began by sharing some of the highlights of the Winter Board of Management meeting for the state society that was held in Gainesville the same weekend as our meeting. He noted especially the Friday night speaker who had shared his experiences as a young boy in Indonesia during the Japanese occupation.

Next, Compatriot Sullivan shared the makeup and workings of first the state society and then the national society. He related to the membership the great strides taken by the state society in the past few years that have made it more responsive to the local chapters. Unfortunately, he was not able to say the same for the national society and alerted the membership to potential problems that exists as a result of a concentration of power in the executive board.

The membership received the information with much interest. A short question period followed.

Compatriot Sullivan then installed the new officers for the year 2001.

Mrs. Sullivan won the 50/50 drawing and graciously donated her half of the winnings to the chapter. Fifteen dollars was thus added to the treasury.

President Tetrick led the recessional and Jim Washburn gave the benediction. The meeting adjourned at 1:40.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Yarnell

Chapter Secretary