The meeting was called to order by Pres. Merlen Howe at 1330 hrs.

Chaplain Dean opened the meeting with an Invocatiion

MINUTES of the February Board Meeting were approved as corrected, the March speaker's last name should read STRAUGHAN

TREASURER'S REPORT Bank Balance as of 28 February 2009 - $l0,396.98

OLD BUSINESS

A. Pres. Howe requested that the names of nominees for Leadership Pins be sent to him before Friday March 27

B. Seating Problems at the dinner meetings

1. It was decided that we would put a sign on the Treasurer's table reading: "Be Sure to Sign Up for Your Table"

2. A notice will be put in the Newsletter each month requesting that members sign up at a table for themselves and their guests only. Seating charts will be placed on the table at 1830 hrs.

NEW BUSINESS

A. The speaker for the April dinner meeting will be LTC Brian Smallwood whose topic is the Wounded Warriors Program

B. Nominating Committee Update

1. Bill Del Vecchio reported that there are 3 vacant positions in the slate of officers for 2009-2010: 1st V.P., 2nd.V.P., and ROTC Coordinator

2. Bill also recommended that a policy of upward mobility be adopted for filling the top Board positions, i.e. each of the vice presidents would progress through the offices to President. This would give more continuity of action and more experienced members on the Board.

C. Advertising in the Newsletter

1. A committee was appointed to determine the criteria for ads in our Newsletter. Members of this committee are Bill Del Vecchio, Laura Fowler, Roger Rabago and John Rehm.

2. It was moved and seconded that we let the Air Force Village advertise in the Newsletter when the criteria is established. Motion passed unanimously.

OFFICERS REPORTS

2nd V.P. - John Musgrove reported that we have 276 paid members to date. He also reported that he and Pat Eagan are working on a plan for better contact with potential members in our area.

3rd V.P. - Charles Bush reported tht he would be out of town until the Monday before the April dinner meeting. He requested that the Service Reps. call his cell phone to report reservations.

USAF REP. - Norm Jefferson reported that he has written an article for publication in the Newsletter asking members to update their Directory information before a new one is printed. He also requested that members be responsible for contacting their Service Reps. to make a reservation for the dinners instead of waiting to be called.

Norm also recommended a potential speaker for a dinner meeting: Dr.. Tam Cummings whose speciality is Gerontology and the care of Alzheimer's patients.

ROTC - Fred Lord reported that the schools want to participate in the Gold Bar Program giving the graduates a complimentary one year membership in MOAA. It was moved and seconded that we would also offer them a complimentary one year membership in our chapter with the Newsletter on line. Motion passed unanimously.

CHAPLAIN - Ernie Dean commented that he believed there was a misunderstanding about the March speaker's topic and that the speaker became too political. Pres. Howe concurred and reported that he had specifically asked the speaker not to do this.

PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS

Pres. Howe asked the Board’s opinion on whether we should participate in the program of meeting military personnel at the airport as they return. There was no definitive decision made at this time.

Chaplain Dean closed the meeting with a Benediction. Meeting adjourned at 1435 hrs.

PAT EAGAN, SECRETARY

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 20 APRIL 2009 AT 1330 HRS. AT THE MUSEUM AT CAMP MABRY