Gary Fredricks AVHOFS Vice President Class of 2010

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP

This month I am standing in for our President, Gerry Berger, who is currently out of state enjoying a well-deserved vacation.

Our Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Bylaws require an Annual Business Meeting of the Membership, annually for the purposes of organization, the election of directors and officers and the transaction of other business.  This is intended to be much like an annual Shareholders meeting held by larger organizations.  In our case the meeting is rather for Stake Holders, you and me, and is our opportunity to hear what our Board of Directors (BOD) has accomplished over the last year and to hear from you, the rest of the Stake Holders, what you think and where we should be headed. 

As noted in an earlier Patriot, that meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at the American Legion Post 44, 7145 E. 2nd St, Scottsdale AZ.  The meeting will start at 10:00 AM and should conclude about noon.  The Post has a dining area with a fairly extensive menu, open for lunch, that members may wish to take advantage of and continue socializing with your fellow Society members while enjoying your lunch selection.  If you have not already done so, please mark your calendars and plan to attend. 

We are an organization of people who served honorably in the military and went on to subsequently serve our communities in ways that were highly significant.  Our Society was formed not only to be a place for its members to interact, but also to take advantage of the demonstrated servant leadership already exhibited by its members in furthering to serve our military, our veterans, their families and survivors.  Your input is vitally needed to ensure the Society has the right priorities, is properly engaged in those priorities, is looking for the right new engagement opportunities and has a comprehensive plan to acquire the necessary resources to meaningfully participate in those priorities and engagements.

A detailed agenda has been worked extensively and  includes reports on our significant activities and engagements such as our work in establishing a meaningful Foundation to help us in gaining financial resources, reports on causes we actively support such as Maternity Outreach 4 Moms ( associated with the VA), and the Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV) managed Hall of Fame program, as well as election of officers for 2020/2021, and an invitation for comments from the floor. 

AVHOFS Annual Business Meeting 2019 Agenda

1. Call to Order/BOD Roll Call  –  Gerry Berger (Class of 2016)
2. Pledge of Allegiance  –  Roy McClymonds (Class of 2017)
3. Opening Prayer  –  Vincent Sanchez (Class of 2016)
4. Welcome & Introduction of meeting attendees  –  Gerry Berger (Class of 2016)
5. Admin remarks from TAL host – Judi Beischel (Class of 2012)
6. Treasurers Report  –  Gary Fredricks (Class of 2010) for Jerry Wojtas (Class of 2011)
7. Century Club  –  Gary Fredricks (Class of 2010) for Jerry Wojtas (Class of 2011)
8. Strategic Plan Status/Accomplishments  –  Ron Perkins (Class of 2012)
9. 2019 AVHOF Nominations and Induction Ceremony/UAV  –  UAV Rep
10. Patriotic Recognition Luncheon Update  –  Kathy Laurier (Class of 2012)
11. Foundation Committee Report  –  Ron Perkins (Class of 2012)/Lee Lange (Class of 2018)
12. Nomination Committee Report and Election  –  Gary Fredricks (Class of 2010)
13. Maternity Outreach 4 Mothers (MOMS) Project Report  –  Kathy Laurier (Class of 2012)
14. Veterans Courts Project Report  –  Sam Young (Class of 2012)
15. Alliance of AZ Nonprofits & SWVCC/SWVF Alliance  –  Ron Perkins (Class of 2012)
16. Around the Table/Good of the Order  –  comments & questions from the floor
17. Adjourn  –  Gerry Berger (Class of 2016)

AVHOFS 2019 Nominating Committee Report
Our Nominating Committee has worked diligently to develop a recommended slate of officers and directors to assume Society leadership in January.  That recommended slate of officers follows and nominations will also be accepted from the floor.

Relevant Bylaws requirements

• Officers and Directors are elected by the membership for two-year terms
• Vacancies occurring mid-term will be filled by the BOD for the remainder of the subject term
• 3 directors will be elected every even numbered year and 3 each odd numbered year

Officers and directors elected in 2018 for 2019/2020 terms and not requiring current election:

• President  –  Gerry Berger (Class of 2016)
• Vice President  –  Gary Fredricks (Class of 2010)
• Immediate Past President  –  Ron Perkins (Class of 2012)
• Director  –  Lee Lange (Class of 2018)
• Director  –  Christine Mahon (Class of 2017)
• Director  –  Pat Little-Upah (Class of 2014)

Known pending mid-term vacancy

• Vice President - Gary Fredricks to resign in December
• Jim Monroe (Class of 2014) - to be elected by BOD to fill remainder of Gary Fredricks’ two-year term (2019/2020)
• Timing needed to conform with leadership succession planning for 2021/2022

Slate of Officers and directors submitted for election this year with terms running 2020/2021

• Secretary  –  Rachel Gutierrez (Class of 2016) (incumbent)
• Treasurer  –  Jerry Wojtas (Class of 2011) (incumbent)
• Director  –  Joe Little (Class of 2016) (incumbent)
• Director  –  Pat Farrell (Class of 2015) (incumbent)
• Director  –  Pete Kloeber (Class of 2018) (new)
  
  

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

CENTURY CLUB STATUS

I think most of you are aware that our Century Club contributions go into our Scholarship Fund.  You may not be aware of the many wonderful people that receive these scholarships.  Last month I told you about one of the scholarship recipients.  This month I will tell you about another recipient from this past April.

Sabrina Arevalo, a high school senior, is the President of the Veterans Heritage Project Club at Notre Dame Preparatory.  She has written and published four stories in her time with VHP.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and a House Captain in her Student Congress.  Outside of her school involvement, Sabrina is an active member of National Charity League, and competes on the state, national and international levels of karate.  Her hobbies include playing the piano and the guitar.  Sabrina’s goal is to serve others, and she plans to study nursing.

Sabrina is typical of the type of high school students who help our veterans in so many different ways.  Please keep Sabrina and the others like her in mind when making your annual Century Club contribution.

By the way, as of the end of August, our members have contributed over $5,000 to our Century Club.  That amount is a new record for money contributed in any one year and continues to grow with each member’s contribution.  Are you one of the members who contributed?

 GREEN - $101-$199   BLUE - $200-$299   RED - $300 and above

Be Connected is a statewide program focused on reducing deaths by suicide in Arizona’s military and veteran population by connecting service members, veterans and their families to support and resources.  Be Connected focuses on providing the tools, support and training for each person to make a difference in the lives of those around them by being trained and prepared to reach out or respond in a moment of need.
There are three goals for the Be Connected program:

1. Reduce deaths by suicide in Arizona’s population of service members and veterans
2. Build upon existing capacity and strengths within our service systems, adding a new layer of coordination and support.
3. Demonstrate effectiveness and develop a sustainability plan that builds program components into systems and funding

Whether you need help and support for you or your family or whether you are helping someone, you can call 1-866-4AZ-VETS (429-8387) 24/7 and talk to a Navigator who will connect you with the resources you need.  This service is available to you statewide.

A key part of Be Connected is that each of us can have a role in connecting service members, veterans and their families to support and resources.  Everyone has the potential to help so everyone is invited to participate in training in person and online.  The training provided under Be Connected is focused on preparing you, so you are ready to reach out or respond when someone needs help connecting to support or resources.
Check the Be Connected website at www.BeConnectedAZ.org for details on training opportunities so you can be better prepared to help.

Jim Monroe AVHOFS Director Class of 2014

We are all approached often for support of various organizations and causes.  If you use Amazon, you have a unique opportunity to support your Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society without spending any hard-earned dollars.  Please see the following and consider using AmazonSmile in the future with AVHOFS as your charitable organization.     
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know.  Same products, same prices, same services.  The program does not affect your account.  You shop and Amazon gives.

If you are already using SmileAmazon, here’s how to change your charitable organization:

1. Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser.
2. From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity.  Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your Charity from the options at the bottom of the page.
3. Select a new charitable organization to support. 
4. In order to identify AVHOFS, please select “Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society”. 

For more information about the AmazonSmile program, go to smile.amazon.com.

The country store will be open September 1
through September 30, 2019.
Go to our website to order

Roy McClymonds
AVHOFS Quartermaster
Class of 2017

Request you let us know as soon as you know of an inductee’s passing.  If available, we would like to know the inductee’s name, date of passing, funeral and memorial service details, and a copy of the obituary.  Send notices to me at bergergerry@hotmail.com.

Known members that have passed so far this year are:

Arden Rowley (Class of 2004) passed 14 June
James Seidl (Class of 2006) passed 16 June
Joseph Schneider (Class of 2009) passed 17 June

30 Sep 19
Postmark deadline for submitting nominations for the Copper Shield and Copper Star. See azuav.org

9 Oct 19
Annual Business Meetingat American Legion Post 44 in Scottsdale.  All members invited!

18 Oct 19
Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Induction at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale (same as last year). 

8 Jan 20
Annual General Membership Meeting at the Arizona State Veterans Home, Phoenix

8 May 20
Patriotic Awards Luncheon at the Hilton Doubletree Scottsdale, 5401 N. Scottsdale Rd. Reception at 1100, Luncheon at noon.  

Many of our Society members are very active in their communities.  You are invited to send me articles with pictures of our “members in action”.  Be sure to identify the members in the pictures.  We will select a few of the best for publication.  Please send to me (tom Hessler) at tjhessler@cox.net.