Invocation: CDR James Kelly, JN

Pledge of Allegiance: Neretta Brobst, led membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.

A quorum was present.

The minutes of the September, 2009 General Membership Meeting are posted with no corrections, stand approved.

Guests:    Lt Linda Craven introduced our guests, Ada Arthur and Ralph Shrivalle visiting us from the Harris Chain Power Squadron, and our newest member Larry Golicz transferring from the Peace River Squadron.  

Swear in New Members:   Cdr called on Richard Woodford, Bob Walla, and Bruce Backhurst to be sworn into our Squadron.   All members joined in the pledge.  The new members were congratulated.

Speaker:   There was no speaker for this evening.  The CDR called on Richard Woodford to talk about a product that helps with the Ethenol Gas problem.  There was a good discussion among the members explaining some of the problems they have experienced with their boat motors.  Lt/C Tom Lenton, JN stated that the Government is raising the percentage from 10% to 15%.   All boaters should be aware.

Reports of Officers:

Executive Officer, Lt/C Al Schroedel JN.    

• Called on Lt Don Miller, S to talk about the Boat Show.   Thanked all those that helped out with the Boat Show even though there was a low turnout on customers looking at boats.  There was some interest in the Squadron Vessel Inspections.  Not too much interest at this time in boating.  New Tent worked well.
• Shell Island outing was a real success. Called on P/C Charlie Ayres, P to tell us about his experience on going aground.   He explained that things happen and all is ok.  No one got hurt, boat is fine, and there was a lot of food to eat. He told of some of his other experiences.  We all had a good laugh. 
• We are doing well with our VSE’s.   We have completed 241 since Nov. 6^th.  97 % have passed.  We remain in 2^nd place in District behind Ft Meyers with over 300.
• We currently have 13 Vessel Examiner’s, only 3 Examiners conducted VSEs since August.  If interested in becoming an Vessel Examiner, especially the ladies, please check with Lt/C Pete Ward,P.
• Change of Watch Is on February 13, 2010.  Please sign up on sheet in back of room.
• Leadership Development Class is scheduled for March 20, 2010.  Open to all, and presented by Dist. 22.  Lt Mary Morgan, P has offered to make her World Famous Chili.   Sign up sheet in back of room.
• A Membership Survey will be passed out before the Break.  This will help us plan our upcoming year and our Planning Meeting in January. We want everyone to have some input.   Al then thanked Pete Ward for an outstanding year with all our activities and events.

Squadron Education Officer Lt/C Tom Lenton, JN

1)    Pt/Lt/C Jack Flynn is currently teaching a Chart Smart class that began on November 7 and will be completed on November 21, 2009.  There are five students.  The class is being assisted by P/Lt/C Gareth Wright, SN and Irv Ewell, AP.

2)    P/C Bill Foster, AP will be teaching a Seamanship class beginning January 7 and hope to be completed the early part of February 2010.  There are 5 members signed up for the class.  If you are interested in taking the course, please sign up for it.  We will be ordering the student material in early December. 

3)    Lou Neuman, P who is a member of our squadron lives in Tallahassee, Fl.  He held a boating safety class in Tallahassee.  There were 14 students and all passed the course.   The squadron in Tallahassee dissolved several years ago and they merged into the Crystal River Power Squadron.

4)    The Advanced Piloting class being taught by P/Lt/C Jack Flynn, JN will be completed this month.

5)    We wish to congratulate Ly Don Miller, S, Leonard Sadowski, S, and P/Lt/C Jerry White, AP for passing the Marine Electrical Systems course taught by Alfred Valzone and assisted by Stf/C Bernard O’Connor, JN.

6)    The Navigation class being taught by P/Lt/C Gareth Wright, SN and P/C Robert Purcell SN is continuing.

7)    We have made a change to member class schedule for 2010.  Weather will be taught in March of 2010 and Piloting will be taught in September 2010.

8)    I placed an article that was sent by National regarding ethanol on the Educational Bulletin Board.  Apparently the EPA is considering increasing the volume of ethanol in gasoline from 10% to 15%.  Most of you know the problems ethanol has created and it is surprising to me that they are considering an increase.

9)    If you are interested in taking a class please sign up in the sign up book on the counter beneath the Educational Bulletin Board.

BREAK   The survey questioners were passed out and collected by end of Break

Administrative Officer Lt/C Peter Ward, P

 Follow up Items:

·         We had a great Oktoberfest last month thanks to Jack and Doris Flynn.  It was a very special evening, lots of fun and we made about $200.00

·         Thank you to Ralph DuBall. S and Steve Hampton for laying some new carpet at the front door and back door.

·         Thank you to everyone who attended the Shell Island C & R.  A little windy, but again a great success.

Coming Events:

·         Need a couple more guys or gals for the VA Day Parade tomorrow.  We have Don Miller’s boat. 

·         We will be collecting monies up front on any of our C&Rs and events.   If you sign your name on the list, you will be responsible for the money.  Need to be called 2 days before to cancel.

·         Our next General Meeting on December 8^th,   we will start at 6:00 with a Spaghetti dinner.  $5.00 per person.  Any money left over will be donated to the local food banks.

·         Pot Luck dinner is scheduled for November 21, for Thanksgiving.  Will supply the Turkey, and the trimmings.  Names beginning from A-M to bring desert.  Names N-Z –appetizers. 5:30 pm

·         Dec 3^rd - a C&R on Lake Eustis.  Lunch at Crazy Gators. Meet in parking lot 9:30 am.

·         Dec 12^th - Christmas Party at the Seven Rivers C.C.  Please sign up for a good time with good music.  $20.00 per person.  Johnny Lobo for entertainment.

·          Barbara Kane spoke on the upcoming fundraising Cruise in February. The deadline is very near, so call soon, if interested.  24 members have signed up for the Cruise.

·         Thanks to Al Gilbert, we will now have hand sanitizer in our bathrooms.

·         Jennie O’Connor announced that we have 23 Couples going to the Dinner Theater for the “Fiddler on the Roof”.   Barney and Jennie O’Connor have invited everyone to their home before leaving for the Theater. She gave out directions.

 Secretary:  Lt/C Joanne Hepner, S

• Copies of the Ribber newsletter have been made.  If you do not have access to a computer, please let her know. We can mail you a hard copy.  Please take a copy tonight if you did not get one on e-mail.
• The Letter to the City was successful, as we got the Trees trimmed.
• Looking for someone to help with taking some of the pictures that we can put into our Newsletter and the Newspapers.  CDR volunteered his time to take pictures of the boating classes.

Treasurer:  Lt/C Susan Brevoort, AP

• Treasurer report was read by CDR Jim Kelly.
• At this time, our Squadron is financially sound and we are operating in our budget.  We have a balance $30,759.70.  All bills are paid.

Nereids:

• Janet Mark gave a report on their last meeting.  So far, the Nereieds have donated money to E-Nini-Hassee and the Marine Science.  More monies will be donated to Casa at the December Christmas luncheon meeting, husbands are invited. Next meeting on Monday, Nov. 16^th with election of Officers,  & decorating the facility for Christmas.   Lt Doris Flynn talked of the lending library; everyone is invited to take out any of the books.  P/Lt/C Jeannie O’Connor. S reported that the Military Card Party was a great success.  They had 18 tables of 4.  She thanked all who helped with the tables, food, cleanup, and the basket.  The Nereids made approximately $1,100.00.
• Lt Linda Craven reported that we have a couple of big boxes here for the Toys for Tots program.  Please remember to bring a toy by next months meeting.

Cdr Jim Kelly AP

• Announced that Lt Al Hepner, S will soon be the Homosassa Coast Guard Auxiliary Vice Commander.  Congratulations.
• Will be having a Spaghetti dinner before the meeting next month.  Come Early 6:00
• Remember the planning meeting in January.  Need everyone’s input.
• Change of Watch on February 13, 2010 at the Seven Rivers Country Club.   Please sign up.
• Thanked Secretary to contacting the right person for getting the trees trimmed.
• Check out some of the classes that are coming up.  If you do not want to take a test, you can come to just monitor the class to review and learn.

Communications:

• District and USPS is promoting the new web site called Sail Angle.  CDR will be writing up an article for the upcoming Newsletter.

Unfinished Business:  None

 New Business: 

• Dick Mc Connell suggested that since we are collecting Toys for Tots, we could maybe get some pictures when we present the Toys to whoever is collecting them.  Linda Craven said that they will be coming to her home to collect the toys.

Sickness and Distress:    

• Lt/C Pete Ward, P reported that we are glad to see Barbara Kane with us this evening.  Doug Jordan has had some surgery and is home recovering.  Russ and Mona Jerkins are going through a rough time right now with their parents, could use a call or a card.  Please let Pete or Linda Craven if you know of someone in distress

Survey: 

• Lt/C Al Schrodel, JN requested the floor for a moment to relay some information on the survey taken this evening.  He said that we have a couple of C&R requests.  Hawaii and Tahiti.  So we are really going to have to work on this.  35% ranked our Squadron as a 10.  75% ranked it as 8 and up.  Only 8% are 5 and below.  Hopefully we are doing a good job, and there is always room for improvement. Please contact any of the Bridge members and tell us what you need.  More on the survey will be coming.

Meeting Adjourned 2035 (8:35 pm)

Respectfully submitted

Lt/C Joanne Hepner, S

 Secretary

Guest Speaker-   Guest Speaker tomorrow evening will be Mary Morgan.

Reports as Follows:

Executive Officer, Lt/C Al Schroedel JN.    

·         VSE for Dist. 22 Thru November 4^th.  We have 241 inspections putting us in second place behind Ft. Meyers with 415. 

·         Boat Show had a low turn out.  A couple of people with some interest to check out our Squadron.

·         Leadership involvement Class coming up on March 20^th 2010 presented by Dist. 22.  Will be announced  tomorrow evening. Sign up sheet in back of room

Squadron Education Officer Lt/C Tom Lenton, JN

1)    Pt/Lt/C Jack Flynn is currently teaching a Chart Smart class that began on November 7 and will be completed on November 21, 2009.  There are five students.  The class is being assisted by P/Lt/C Gareth Wright, SN and Irv Ewell, AP.

2)    P/C Bill Foster, AP will be teaching a Seamanship class beginning January 7 and hope to be completed the early part of February 2010.  There are 5 members signed up for the class.  If you are interested in taking the course, please sign up for it.  We will be ordering the student material in early December. 

3)    Lou Neuman, P who is a member of our squadron lives in Tallahassee, Fl.  He held a boating safety class in Tallahassee.  There were 14 students and all passed the course.   The squadron in Tallahassee dissolved several years ago and they merged into the Crystal River Power Squadron.

4)    The Advanced Piloting class being taught by P/Lt/C Jack Flynn, JN will be completed this month.

5)    We are still waiting for the results of the Marine Electrical Systems exam.  I should receive it this week.

6)    The Navigation class being taught by P/Lt/C Gareth Wright, SN and P/C Robert Purcell SN is continuing.

7)    We have made a change to member class schedule for 2010.  Weather will be taught in March of 2010 and Piloting will be taught in September 2010.

8)    I placed an article that was sent by National regarding ethanol on the Educational Bulletin Board.  Apparently the EPA is considering increasing the volume of ethanol in gasoline from 10% to 15%.  Most of you know the problems ethanol has created and it is surprising to me that they are considering an increase.

9)    If you are interested in taking a class please sign up in the sign up book on the counter beneath the Educational Bulletin Board.

Administrative Officer Lt/C Peter Ward, P

      Past Events:

• We had 32 people attend the Shell Island C& R and 8 boats.  And a Good Time

Up Coming Events:

• Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday
• Dinner Theater (Fiddler on the Roof)  Friday, November 13^th.
• Pot Luck Dinner on the 21^st of November
• Lake Eustis C& R on the 3^rd of December
• Christmas Party on the 12^th of December

The Budget for the upcoming year is in process, will present it at next months meeting

 Secretary Lt/C Joanne Hepner S

• The Trees have been trimmed by the City.
•  A suggestion on helping on getting more interest in the Boat Show.  Make up a banner with a slogan that the USPS is promoting stating ‘BOATING IS FUN, LET US SHOW YOU HOW”.   We could include some of our C& R Pictures, and boating education, VSEs.  Hope to have something ready for our next Boat Show in the spring of next year.
• Made 10 B/W copies of our Newsletter. I mailed to a couple copies to members that do not have computers.   Will ask at tomorrow’s meeting as to who needs to have the newsletter mailed to them.
• Al Schroedel asked to have Linda Craven email new information on our new members to all the Bridge.
• I will ask for anyone interested in taking pictures at our events and our meetings in case P/C Dick McConnell S (our present photographer) is not able to attend all events.  Tom Lenton asked if we can get someone take pictures of the boating classes and our instructors for our Newsletter & Newspapers.  The CDR said that after February COW he will be willing to take pictures for the Squadron.

Treasurer Lt/C Susan Brevoort, AP           

• Check book is balanced and all bills have been paid.  Total assets are $30,759.70
• All monies have been transferred over to Superior Bank.  The Safety Deposit Box is still at Brannan Bank and will transfer it next month or when the signers can all get together. 
• Insurance Bill for the coming year is $3,139.00.  $3,600.00 was budgeted for our Insurance.
• We need to address the issue of “Pay in Advance” on our upcoming events.   Also need funds upfront for the Education Classes.   This will be discussed at our Annual Planning Meeting in January.

.

Member at Large P/C Bill Foster, AP – Absent

Member at Large: Lt Russell Jerkins, P – Absent

Member at Large: Lt Al Hepner, S – Absent

Member at Large:  P/C Harry Brevoort, AP - Absent

Cdr Report:  Cdr. James Kelly, JN

• Budget Committee is doing a good job and is on time.  Will be ready for next month.
• D-22 Budget is still questionable as they voted down the budget. Will call someone to see how they can operate with no budget.  I will report back next month.
• Sail Angle is being promoted by the USPS.  CDR will write an article for our next newsletter to inform our members about this web site.
• Received a form to be filled out for the Distinguished Civic Award. This is sent from National.   CDR said he will fill it out and send back.
• A little damage on one of our tables when Dick Fitzgerald had borrowed them.    CDR Jim Kelly stated that we have a lot of dinged up tables.  Al Schroedel suggested that we just might want to be looking purchasing some new tables.   Pete suggested that the Finance committee put it into the upcoming budget.  All agreed
• CDR suggested that we put the new electronic photo display on the Power Point and run some pictures before our meeting during our social time.   Sounded like a nice idea.
• Extra Keys are in a bin.  The Secretary stated that she needs keys.   Pete suggested that instead of new locks, how about putting in combination locks that can be changed as Officers change.   He said we can put the office key in the kitchen along with the shed key.  All agreed that this expense can be taken out of Building Expenses.

Unfinished Business:  None

New Business

• Pete Ward stated that a couple of members would like to have a fishing C&R, this can be put into our planning committee for next year.
• Al Schroedel presented a proposed survey form that we will pass out tomorrow evening.  The questions asked of our members is what they are looking forward to in the Squadron, regarding C&Rs, Education, social events what they like and do not like, and any suggestions. The Secretary will pass them out, collect them. 
• Al Schroedel suggested that the Education Classes should have first priority in next years schedule before the C& Rs.   Need to plan classes maybe a month in advance so as to get the books ordered in time.  Tom Lenton said that sometimes it is difficult to work around all the different schedules of the Students.   We always try to do our best.  We should all work together with the different dates as we have done in the past.
• Cdr brought up the “Member of the Year” award.  A discussion pursued as to what direction we should go.   No decision for today and this will be discussed later as we get closer to the COW.   Al Schroedel suggested that we put it on our form that will be passed out tomorrow evening, and get some feed back from our members.  It was agreed.
• Pete Ward talked of some of our Members in need of our thoughts and prayers at this time.

Cdr Kelly entertained a Motion to Adjourn -- All in favor

Meeting Adjourned 1115

Respectfully submitted,

Lt/C Joanne Hepner,S

Secretary