February 2011 Meeting Minutes
Chief Petty Officers Association of Miami, Inc.
Thursday, February 2, 2012

 

Meeting called to order: 1932.  Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence. 
 

Officers:

Ø     President:          QMC Arthur Drago

Ø     Vice President:  ETC Rick Schuchman

Ø      Secretary:          ITC Karen Leonard, USSOUTHCOM

Ø      Treasurer:         OSCS Ronald B. Roy

 

Honorable members and guests present: (15)

 FCCS(SW) CHUCK BLACK              ADJ3 HARVEY COHEN                         AEC(A/C) DAVID COHEN                

 RMC JON DOUGLAS                        QMC ARTHUR”AJ” DRAGO                  BTCM(SW) PAUL LaCOURSIERE

 OSCS RON ROY                                  BMC(SS) MIKE SHORT                        CTOCS AL STARR  

 HMC RICK TEDLOW                        ITC(SW/AW) KAREN LEONARD         MMC CHRIS MARCELLO         

 BMC IRA PAUL                                 ??(DIDN’T SIGN IN)                                ??(DIDN’T SIGN IN)

Minutes from the Previous Meeting.  Motion to accept minutes as posted.    Duly seconded and approved. 

Treasurer’s Report:  

Ø     Checking balance: $5,755.28             

Ø     Savings:                 $3,135,38

Ø     Money Market:      $10,145.24

Ø     Total:                     $19,035.90

Ø     Motion to accept treasurer’s report.  Duly seconded and approved. Have a few outstanding checks from TIPS training ($120.00)

Committees:

  1. Race – (Mike Short/Norm Powell)

·      Mike will no longer be running this fundraiser

·      New lead needed; however, during meeting, no one was willing to take on the position so Chris Marcello stated the NOSC wants to take on the Fundraiser.   If not kept on by the MIAMI CPOA, the Association stands to lose their largest fundraising venue.

 

  1. Scholarship –   (Rick Tedlow)

·       NTR

 

  1. Philanthropy –  (Norm Powell)

·       NTR

 

  1. Ship Liaison –  (Al Starr)

·       Fleet Week :

1.     26April, 1900-2100 - Reception at Coral Ridge Yacht Club. 

2.     Only expecting 250 in attendance (including MIAMI CPOA)

3.     USS Wasp, USS Gettysburg, USS De Wert, Undisclosed sub

4.     This year they are celebrating the War of 1812

5.     Yacht Ride on Friday, April 27th

6.     Ship Tours Sat/Sun 28th/29th
For Security Clearance to the port, visit www.browardnavydaysinc.org

7.     AJ Drago mentioned possible PR opportunity for MIAMI CPOA and the Coral Ridge Yacht Club by Leslie Lowenfall but Al Starr brought up concern that this is not a “public” reception. Al brought up the possibility of bad press if someone gets drunk.  A few others seconded the concern.  AJ mentioned this PR would be only what we approve but there was still concern.  Topic tabled for later.

 

5.      Induction –  (Chris Marcello/AJ Drago)

·       Chris put out that CPO 365 is a SUPPOSE to be a year-long training process for all test/board eligible First Classes and that there is REQUIRED quarterly training. NOSC is going to be doing the first required training. More to follow.

  

6.      Awards –  (Harvey and Dave Cohen/Mike Short)

·       New Committee established in order to relieve some of the burden for other committee  leads and help centralize the process. 

Old Business:

·       2012 is the 25th anniversary of the CPOA.  A committee was established to plan the celebration:  Chief Neary, Chief Drago, Chief Viggiano, Mrs. Drago. More info under New Business.

·       Mike Short has NOT purchased cooking trailer due to concerns about insurance, paperwork, lack of a generator, and especially Chief support to do fundraisers with it. Topic tabled till next month. In the interim, Mike will get more info on paperwork and licenses required, insurance, etc. Chuck Black will assist.

 

New Business:

·       Raffle tickets for CPO Rings are now being sold via the website or Robin Viggiano. Tickets are $25.00 ea or 5 for $100.00. Will only sell 400 tickets and raffle will be done in OCT. Great fundraiser for upcoming Induction season. Ring valued at approx $4,000.

·       AJ Drago brought up a fundraising possibility at the Bank America Stadium doing concessions. It would be an easy one night event for a few hours with plenty of game day opportunities. More to follow as AJ looks into it some more.

·       AJ Drago also brought up selling sponsorship exposure for businesses when we have such events as Fleet Week; however, concerns were brought up by several people as to what would the business benefit be for the sponsor besides exposure?

·       Gran Prix fundraiser opportunity for 28/29 APR but was passed on due to conflict with Fleet Week.

·       Chuck Brown brought to our attention that on Fri, 3 AUG, the Coast Guard would be commissioning a new  Cutter Richard Etheridge. More to follow as date draws nearer but history of Cutter Richard Etheridge can be found at these links: http://www.uscg.mil/d7/cgcRichardEtheridge/  http://www.uscg.mil/history/people/Richard_Etheridge.asp

·       Ron Roy put out that the MIAMI CPOA website is now able to do PAYPAL so no excuses for not paying your dues! (haha)

·       Robin Viggiano has set up a MIAMI CPOA Facebook page so for all of you out there on Facebook, get yourself added.

Good of the Order:

·       Thank You card received and read from Rick Tedlow regarding attendance and flowers at Sharon’s funeral.

Motion to adjourn:  2115.  Duly seconded and passed.