Chapter Meeting Notes October 2018

Old Business:

Honorary Members to Associate: See Bill on how to write your resume. Some may be selected, some may not. National will still maintain their standards in the bylaws.

Storage Unit: Chair – Phil Sloniger. Motion to spend $3500 to buy a Connex, Passed.

23rd Annual Ralph Dominguez/Jerry Montoya Food Drive: Chair Greg Brown, Committee Chuy Zamora, Steven Kroll, Steve Franzoni & Al Oliveira. $2000 max expenses passed. Various coordination efforts are in progress.

New business:

Finance Briefing: It was voted on to establish a finance committee that is comprised of Steve Franzoni, Al Oliveira and Brain Kanof. They will propose a course of action on investing the Chapters funds to hopefully provide more growth. Phil moved that we absorb the loss from the National Convention and move on. Passed, despite a last minute suggestion by Bill to invest 40% of Chapter funds in Lottery scratch off tickets.

2018 Christmas party: Our chapter Christmas party is set for December 8th at VFW 812. Jerry Campos is the chair with Chuy, Pablo, Tony, and Leo as committee members. $3500 spending limit was approved. Some decision made by the committee are as follows; RSVP cutoff is 3 December. RSVP to Jerry Campos, Steve or Pete. A table can be reserved IF that party has 10 people. Either family or 10 friend that want to sit together. Social hour will be from 1800-1900 with dinner will be served from 1900 to 1945 hours and if you are late the food will be gone. The food is being catered by East End catering. A vote will be made at the November meeting (17th). The Chapter member (or former spouse) and one guest is free. All other guest will be $10. Larry “Mojo” will collect the money. Pete and Steve will run the prizes. No decision has been made on how that will go yet. And lastly, dress will be casual.

SF Students at USASMA Welcome Party: We have no long tabbers USASMA students this year and may cancel the get together, but in the interest of getting Associate Members to join, we may still hold it for the PSYOPS and Civil Affairs students.

Chapter Elections: Pete, Bill and Steve Nominated for another 2-year term for President, Secretary and Vice President respectively. Larry Carson was nominated for Treasurer. November is Elections and December at the Christmas party will be the installation of Officers.

Cub Scout Pack 58: Re-charter in January, the Chapter will pay the Sponsor fees again (less than $100). With the National BSA allowing girls in the Scouts, the Pack asked us for permission to admit girls. Nobody voiced any objections so Bill (Chartered Representative) will notify the Pack Committee Chair. Pack 58 continues to win awards as the top Pack in the Mescalero District.

Deceased Member Plaque: Tom Brady – Chair. His intent is to make memorial plates for the oldest deaths first.

Wreaths Across America: Pete and Bill are reviewing the list of Deceased SF and Chapter Members who get a wreath. Total will be discussed at the November meeting. The Chapter normally funds wreaths for all interned SF brothers in the Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

US Border Patrol Special Operations Group 2019 Law Enforcement Technology and Equipment Expo: This Expo is our top annual fundraiser and is scheduled for 1-2 May, 2019. Those interested in being on the Committee should see Pete or Steve.

SFA 9 Member SGM Derek Koukies retired: In his own words, “I had my retirement ceremony on Thursday, 8 Nov 2018. My official retirement date is 31JAN2019 (30yrs). I am on terminal leave now, but will begin working for General Dynamics Informational Technology Branch here at FBNC at the Special Operations Mission Training Center (SOMTC) in the command exercise section on 26 November 2018.” “I have transferred my membership to SFA Chapter 100. I just want to thank you all for the camaraderie and support. During my time in El Paso. Everyone there are sincere and genuine people. I hope to make it back out to El Paso in the near future. Please pass on my warm regards to everyone.” As many of you know, Derek was one of the most active Chapter 9 - USASMA SF Students, of all time. We wish him the best with Chapter 100!

Chapter President's Message:

Greeting all. Welcome to November. The year is winding down and in less than 45 days, we’ll be in 2019 and starting all over. I’ve sat at the helm for 11 years now and it is, and has been, my honor to represent the Isaac Camacho Chapter, despite my inability to grow a decent mustache. I only hope that I’ve represented Chapter 9 with honor and grace (not so much sometimes I know). I will continue to lead from the front as long as you will have me. I want to give a heartfelt thanks to Bill and Steve for sticking with me. I, better than anyone know the work that these two put into the Chapter; Thank you brothers.

Now to some real business. As mentioned above, the Chapter Christmas party is set for 8 December at the VFW Post 812. Social hour will be from 1800-1900 with dinner from 1900-1945. Based on the RSVP’s, that will be the amount of plates ordered and please RSVP by 3 December. You can either notify me, Steve F. and/or Jerry Campos. Dress will be casual or in your Sundays best, your call.

Pete Peral
President SFA Chapter IX
De Oppresso Liber