Minutes of the December 15, 2007 meeting of the Tampa Chapter SAR

President Neugaard called the meeting to order at 12:00. Luke Lloyd offered the invocation. Allen Bell led the pledge to the flag and the president led the pledge to the SAR.

Members present: Luke Lloyd, Jack Bolen, John Sessums, Allen Bell, John Skillman, Marty Miller, Ed Neugaard, Robert Yarnell, and Kevin Yarnell.

Welcome guests: Jeanne Lloyd, June Bolen, Charles Booth prospective member, and 5 representatives from the Fort Brookes Society of the CAR. There names are given below.

The president introduced the guests.

The minutes of the November meeting were approved.

The secretary reminded the members that dues for 2008 need to be paid as soon as possible.

The Treasure reported a balance of $2,362.92

The registrar, Luke Lloyd, reported that since October 20^th four new contacts were made. We currently have 24 contacts on the list. Recently the chapter had 2 supplements approved and another in process. The President took the opportunity to present Luke with his recently approved supplemental certificate.

The secretary reminded the members that the January meeting will be held on the 4^th Saturday which is not our usual week. Grant Wallin, President of the Florida Society will be on hand to install the chapter officers and speak to the members.

Jack Bolen reported that he’d contacted the MacDill Air Force base newspaper, the “Thunderbolt” regarding advertising our meetings.

Bob Yarnell gave a brief update on the spring programs. He is trying to reconnect with the speaker from two years back who spoke on George Washington’s boyhood home. The gentleman has not yet responded.

The meeting recessed for lunch.

Following lunch the President reconvened the meeting. He introduced a guest, Charles Booth, who arrived following the business meeting then yielded the floor to Bob Yarnell. Bob introduced the CAR contingent.

Charlene Harreid, Sr. State President of the CAR introduced the others: Cathy Sopher Sr. State Chairman, Mimi Leroy-Marler, Sr. State Corresponding Secretary, Valerie Bagenski, 1^st State Vice President, and Bonnie Sopher, a Fort Brookes’ officer.

Valerie spoke about the state CAR project which is going to support the “Shake a Leg” program in south Florida. The organization provides opportunities for handicapped children to participate in sporting and outdoor activities.

She then spoke on U-boats off Florida during WWII. Most would not be aware that U-boats worked the Gulf and the Atlantic coast but a significant amount of activity occurred in these areas during the war. Valerie gave several examples of the U-boat activities and measures taken by the US to protect the shipping.

Bob Yarnell provided some closing remarks to the program.

Allen Bell won the 50/50 drawing. The treasury was thus enriched by $6.50.

President Neuguard led the recessional. Chaplain Lloyd gave the benediction. The meeting adjourned at 1:14 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Yarnell

Chapter Secretary