JULY 1972 TO JULY 1973
REA National president Tom Abbott first REA member appointed to Army Retiree Council.
Establishment of Chapter level CHAMPUS Referral Center to provide information about the CHAMPUS program to REA members.
National Convention held in Junction City, Kansas on June 22-24, 1972. National Auxiliary formed at this Convention. Officers elected/appointed:
President - Tom Abbott
1st Vice - Johnnie White
2nd Vice - Gene Henning
3rd Vice - John Harrell
Treasurer - E. J. Grayckowski
Secretary - Viola M. David
Chaplain - L. R. Tankersley
Sgt-At-Arms - R. C. McNeil
3-Yr. Trustee - David Mosher
2-Yr. Trustee - Dean Sorell
1-Yr. Trustee - William Chambers
Officer Administration: Office administrator at present receives no remuneration for services. Messrs. Suskind and Sorell (MSC) requested that Officer Administrator be paid $10.00 per month retroactive to 1 July 1971 and will be paid a minimum of $10.00 per month henceforth.
Dues remain at the present $2.00 per Chapter member payable to National.
National Bulletin: Having received the resignation of the Editor, the assistance of all is solicited to seek a suitable replacement. It was recommended that a TAPS column be instituted in each issue to list the names of our departed members for that period of time. Also that a Membership Scoreboard, by Chapter, reflecting the percentage increased in membership, be inaugurated in the Bulletin.
Proxy Votes: After much discourse, this Committee recommends the usage of proxy voting to be revised to permit the usage of a proxy vote on all voting throughout the convention and to remove the alternate year restriction.
National Convention Committee: This Committee recommends the increasing of the Convention from two days to three days, and the first day (Thursday) to consist of Executive Board Meeting and registration of delegates in the morning and the calling of the Convention to order at 1300 hour.
Insurance Program: After much discussion, it was decided to bring this subject up on the Convention Agenda for discussion as New Business.
National Chapter (H.R. 7470): Mr. Orsak reported that H.R. 7470, the bill to grant REA a Congressional Charter is still pending before the House Judiciary Committee.
Lifetime Membership: It is resolved that 20% (1/5th) of the fee for Lifetime Membership is to be sent to National Headquarters.
National Historian: National Historian Rosser (Chapter 3) requests Chapters to send items of National news and photos to him for inclusion in the National History of REA.
Proxy Voting: A motion by Mr. Chambers (Chapter 11) and Mr. Perez (Chapter 17) that Chapters which are located 500 miles or more distance from the Convention site be allowed to exercise their full proxy vote throughout the entire Convention. The motion was carried. Delegate registration fee will remain at $5.00 per delegate and per proxy vote.
Membership: Treasurer Grayckowski read the total membership per Chapter, with a recorded membership in REA as of the Convention at 1,386 members.
Convention Site for 1973: Motion by Mr. Robinson ( Chapter 9) and Mr. Wyse (Chapter 1) to extend Convention time from two days to three days for the 1973 Convention. The motion was carried.
Scholarship Fund: Mr. Orsak announced that Chapter 1 has a Scholarship Fund and that they are considering make funds available to National Headquarters for a National Scholarship Fund.
A motion was made by Mr. Wilson ( Chapter 4) and Mr. Turner ( Chapter 3) that a National Scholarship Fund be established. After considerable discussion as to guidelines, and after a four minute caucus, a vote was taken on the motion. The motion was carried. The National Executive Committee will investigate the legal aspects of such a fund, and will prepare a proposal of guidelines for Chapter ratification.
By-laws: Mr. DePew (Chapter 4) moved that Article 19 be amended to permit the amending of National By-laws be done by National Execute Committee only, since they are under the laws of Colorado.
Chapter Reports to National: President Abbott announced that Internal Revenue Service Form 990 must be executed by each Chapter by 15 July, and sent to National along with a roster of Chapter Officers for 1972/1973 fiscal year. The Chapter Annual Finance Statement (period of 1 July 1971 through 30 June 1972) must be sent to National by 15 July 1972.
Convention Site for 1973: Chapter 3, Denver, Colorado volunteered to host the 1973 National Convention. The motion was carried.
National Officers Travel Expenses: A motion by Mr. Burke ( Chapter 6) and Mr. Stevens (Chapter 18) that National Executive Committee establish the amount of travel pay to be paid National Officers attending the National Convention. The motion was carried.
NATIONAL EXECUTE COMMITTEE MEETING JUNE 24, 1972
A. A preliminary discussion was held on the establishment of Work Shops to be included in the Agenda for next year's Convention. The concept was acceptable to all Officers present.
B. The Service Officer committee is established to develop a program whereby there will be an individual in each Chapter who will be knowledgeable as to Veterans' benefits, widows' benefits, etc. and will be able to give counseling in these areas to members, widows and orphans.
All National Officers were advised that they are contributing editors to the National Bulletin and will be expected to frequently write articles, within the scope of their respective committee assignments, for publication in the National Bulletin.
An Executive Committee meeting by telephone conference was held on January 27, 1973.
Unfinished Business: National Scholarship Fund - Mr. Abbott addressed the Committee to the fact that he did not feel we have funds to finance such an operation. The National treasury has a balance of $1,500.00. This item should be pursued to determine the legality of how we can meet the State of Colorado requirements. Since we are chartered in Colorado, we have to answer to their laws as pertaining to a non-profit organization. I will appoint two members from the Colorado area to investigate and report their findings on how such a venture is financed by other organizations and the legality. Mr. White (Chapter 3) and Mr. Sorell (Chapter 1) volunteered to serve in this capacity. Mr. White (Chapter 3) was appointed Chairman.
Convention: After considerable discussion, it was determined by all committee members that a rate of $.06 per mile each way would be paid, with no travel pay in advance. Mr. Mosher suggested a letter of appreciation be sent to the Armed Forces Committee and President Nixon for the passage of the Survivor Benefit Plan, which we all worked so hard for. President Abbott pleaded with all members of the Committee to assist in finding an editor for the National Newsletter.