March 2008 Meeting Minutes
Chief Petty Officers Association of Miami, Inc.
Thursday, March 6, 2008 

Meeting called to order 1930.  Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence.

Honorable members present:

                                      OSCS Ron Roy                                   BMCM Chuck Robertson
                                      BMC Ira Paul                                     BMC (SS) Mike Short
                                      CTOC Tim Neary                               YNC (SW) Robin Viggiano, President
                                      AEC Dave Cohen                               CTI2 Gayle Malone-Neary, Secretary
                                      Harvey Cohen                                   QMC Stan Lesser
                                      QMCS Ken Larson                               QMC Jerry Lippincott, Treasurer
                                      HMC Norm Powell                             HMC Rick Tedlow, Vice-President
                                      HMC Jorge Herrera                            BTCM (SW) Paul LaCoursiere
                                      RMCS Bob White                                Nigel Brown
                                      YNC (SW) Kevin Valdez                      CTTC (SW) Jason McDonald
                                      CTOCS Al Starr                                   ENCM (SS) Bob Eichman
                                      QMC John Petroske 

Guests:
Captain Bob Carew                              MCC(SW) Jim Baldwin

 Starbuck Project from Chief Baldwin:  Idea from Bob Williams.  Put ship pictures in various Starbuck locations and customers can purchase coffee packages to donate.  Need volunteers to contact managers.  This has been approved by corporate.  Managers would receive a special coin.  Ends at Fleet Week.  Volunteer would bring donated coffee to ship or reception.  Support our troops has website.  Chief Baldwin’s contact information:  954-845-0101 x 138 or email james.p.baldwin@navy.mil.

 
Minutes from the Previous Meeting:  Motion to accept minutes as posted.  Duly seconded and approved.  Reminder – minutes of all meetings will be posted on our website, http://www.pes1.com/cpoa/. 

 
Treasurer’s Report:  Chief Lippincott report:  savings balance $5,265.89; checking balance $8,010.48.  Have 2 outstanding checks total $213.  Have received $550 donations for Fleet Week reception. Motion to accept report.  Duly seconded and approved.

 
Committee Reports:

bulletRace Committee – Chief Short noted Indy races will be in March.  Everyone needs to plan now to assist.  Americrown has sent personnel requirements.  Will be no Sunday race.
bulletScholarship – Need names for nominations.  Qualifications are on website.
bulletPhilanthropy – NTR
bulletShip Liaison and Navy League – Senior Chief Starr reported on Fleet Week plans.
bulletInitiation – POC Jason McDonald.
bulletFleet Week Chief Petty Officers Reception – Senior Chief Roy committee chair.  Meeting notes from March 5th:  Present:  Joe Millsaps, Ed Rumin, Ken Brown, Dave Cohen, Paul LaCoursiere, Ron Roy, Gayle Malone.  Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 1330, CRYC.  Ed had a copy of a CD with pictures from last year’s reception.  We will try to get a copy to view at next CPOA meeting.  Master Chief Burnett and Master Chief LaCoursiere will try to plan to speak to Commanders club (meeting held every Tuesday at CRYC at noon) before the reception.  Reviewed information disseminated during Midpoint Planning Conference for Fleet Week 2008 held at Port Everglades, March 3rd.  This year’s annual Fleet Week celebrating and recognizing our nation’s sea services will be at Port Everglades April 28 through May 2, 2008.  For more information on the various receptions and community relation events, you can visit www.browardnavydays.org and click on Events.  Although there will be tours available on the seven Navy and Coast Guard ships expected, these are not open to the general public.  The only way civilians  will be invited to Port Everglades is have a completed background check on file by FDLE.    If you do sign up to go on a tour, please remember that there are stairs and ladders to be climbed, the number depending on the type and size of the ship.  Also, visitors are asked to dress appropriately.  This means closed-toe shoes suitable for ladders and ramped decks, slacks, no halter tops or muscle shirts.  Visitors will be allowed a small purse and/or camera; no large bags.  Scripted ship tours will be offered 0900-1200 Tuesday – Thursday.  The current roster of ships expected include the USS Iwo Jima LHD-7, USS Carter Hall LSD-50, USS Vella Gulf CG-72, USS Mitscher DDG-57, USS Ramage DDG-61, an attack sub to be announced, and the USCGC Reliance.  Loretta Nikkola, MWR, will provide bus transportation for the CPO reception.  Chief Viggiano hopes to have posters complete by March 6th.  Chief Baldwin, NRD Miami, working on getting Navy Jazz Ensemble to play at reception.  Master Chief Dinunzio will have flyover from Opalocka during colors.  Suggestion by Master Chief LaCoursiere to obtain ensigns flown on Iwo Jima to give as give to CRYC member.  Food, drinks, and decorations will be discussed at our next planning meeting, April 2nd.  Barbara Priestman has kept many of decorations used last year.  Al Starr and Ron Roy will work together to come up with SOE for reception.  Discussed special invitations for other event for CRYC donors.  Need to have their information to FDLE by March 23rd.  Gayle will collect based on information from Joe Millsaps.

Old Business:

bulletNone.

New Business:

bulletHoliday dinner – planning for December 5th.

 Good of the Order:

bulletMotion to bestow associate membership to CPOA to Director Gonzales of INS.  Duly seconded and passed.
bulletMotion for plaque for Master Chief DiNunzio who is retiring May 15th.  Duly seconded and passed.

 Motion to Adjourn 2000.  Duly seconded and unanimously approved.  Next meeting is April 3, 2008 at Sea Cadet building.