2019 Convention Meeting Minutes

NATIONAL RIDERS CONVENTION MINUTES 2019
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY AUGUST 23- 24, 2019
 
Riders National Convention called to order by President George Cummings at 8am EST, August 23rd.
 
Prayer led by National Chaplain, Jeremiah Botkin.  Pledge of Allegiance by membership.  Convention Rules read by National JA, Jim Whitcraft.  Motion made to accept, motion 2nd and passed.
 
Motion made to move into nominations and elections of National Officers, motion 2nd and passed.
 
President Cummings:
“JUDGE ADVOCATE:  Jim Whitcraft, you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  Jim-Yes.
Are there any other nominations for JA? (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
“SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:  Mike Campbell, JD Dotson, Curtis Allen and Larry Saad, you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  Mike-Yes, JD-Yes, Curtis-Yes, Larry-No.  Are there any other nominations for SAA (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
“TREASURER:  Beverly Munoz, you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  Beverly-Yes.  Are there any other nominations for Treasurer (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
“2nd VICE:  Dan Macdonald, Kristin Orem, you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  Kristin-Yes. Standing in for Dan Macdonald is Don Cox.  Dan accepts nomination as written in a letter to the membership.  Are there any other nominations for 2nd Vice (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
“1st VICE:  John Reando you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  John-Yes.  Are there any other nominations (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
“PRESIDENT:  Tom McNamara, you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  Tom-Yes.  Are there any other nominations (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
JD Dotson elected to SAA position.  Dan Macdonald elected to 2nd Vice position.
 
Secretary, Karen Cox, casts one vote for all uncontested nominees (JA-Jim Whitcraft, Treasurer-Beverly Munoz, 1st Vice-John Reando, and President-Tom McNamara).
 
The newly elected National Riders Executive Board:
   Tom McNamara-President
   John Reando-1st Vice
   Dan Macdonald-2nd Vice
   Beverly Munoz-Treasurer
   Jim Whitcraft-Judge Advocate
   JD Dotson-Sergeant-At-Arms
   George Cummings-Immediate Past National President
 
Meeting adjourned until 3:00pm, August 24th.
 
August 24, 2019   3:00pm Riders Convention continued.
Officer Attendance: All present except Dan Macdonald-excused.  David Ray-excused.
Delegate count:  Total Registered:  117
                               Total Delegates:  82
                               Voting Delegates:  81
                               In Attendance:  111
                               Majority Vote:  41
 
1st Vice Report, Tom McNamara:  124 Chapters.  Just approved Hawaii-III as a new chapter.  We have several new chapter applications.  I submit my report as written.
 
2nd Vice Report, John Reando:  I appreciate all the programs that were reported and participation in the fund raising.  There are training videos on our website.  I submit my report as written.
 
JA, Jim Whitcraft:   Nine resolutions were submitted.  The committees recommended all nine be passed. Motion was made, separately, on all nine.  Each were 2nd and passed by the membership.  Submit report as written pages 13 through 22 (to include all resolutions).   To see details of all resolutions, please visit our website.
 
Chaplain Report, Jeremiah Botkin:  Chairing the Gold Mothers Ride.  Looking for chaplains or anyone who would like to be on the committee.  Submit my report as written.
 
PNP, Don Cox:   Keep up the good work.  Thanks for all your help over the past 8 years.  Report is in book. Submit report as written.
 
Secretary, Karen Cox:  DRF’s and Revalidations, most submitted them on time. To see how to do an application to start a new chapter, see this one submitted by MO.  It’s perfect.  Report is in book.   Submit as written.
 
Communications Officer, Kathy Campbell:  It’s been my honor to work with Rolling Thunder.  I’ve started a list of volunteers.  Trying to get as many riders as possible.  It’s been my honor to work with our President, George Cummings.  A gift was given to George. A banner of “Rolling Thunder”. It was signed by all the National Officers.
 
Publications Officer, Kelly Reando:  I have brochures available.  I will be ordering new ones with Tom McNamara’s picture on them. I have been working on a training section to put online.  It’s on our website now. It’s online help with programs, filling out different forms, etc.  My report is in the book.
 
Historian, David Ray:  Had to leave for family reasons.  Health concerns with his mom, so please keep them in your prayers.  He has been working to finish a book on the history of the organization.  His report is in book. 
 
Treasurer, Bev Munoz:  Thank you for allowing me to serve in this position.  Reports are on pages 8-12.
On page 8 there is a correction.  The $5000 donation going to WI-13 will be split in half.  $2500 will go to WI-13 to help veterans with dental care.  The other $2500 will go to 22-Everyday in District 1 in NY.  The committee doing the external audit found a few minor issues.  The credit card reward dollars can be spent at Mid-Year and Convention.   We will put aside $3000 for donations next year.  Also, Death Benefit.  There was an overage of $250.  We had $10,400 from previous year; adding the $250 brings us to $10,650.  Each year $2000 gets added so we now are at $12,650.  Motion to accept finance report, motion 2nd, passed.
 
George:  We made donations of $200 to the National Commander’s project; $150 to Sons and $150 to Ladies.  At Mid-Year, Ladies Auxiliary donated $100 to my project.  Son’s donated $250. PNC’s did 22-Push-ups and a lady donated another $100.  The $250 will go to the Saluting Marine, Tim Chambers.  He does free dental work for homeless veterans.  He will be at Rolling Thunder.
 
OLD BUSINESS:  None.
 
NEW BUSINESS:  Motion made to increase Death Benefit (Riders and Supporters) from $250 to $350.  Motion 2nd, passed.
 
FL Department has 30 Days of Christmas raffle.  OH Department also has 30 Days of Christmas raffle.  John Reando suggested we do a raffle, winner take all, at Mid-Year and Convention.  Donation would be $1.00. 
 
1st Vice, Tom McNamara:  There were 12 chapters up for revocation. 2 turned in their revalidations.  Now 10 are up for revocation:  No dues or reval turned in:  AK49, FL19, FL26, FL34, MA32, MO181.  No reval turned in:  FL941, MD10, PA187, VA35.  Motion made, 2nd, passed.
 
GOOD and WELFARE:  Had 35 out of 124 who qualify for Quality Chapter.  Qualifications are pay dues, turn in revalidation, report programs at least twice a year (Jan-Jun and Jul-Dec), and Increase your membership by at least 1 from previous year.  Congratulations to following Quality Chapters:  AZ770,FL35, FL42, FL60, FL81, FL88, FL292, FL444, GA118, IA2, IA6, IA31, KY61, LA66, MI57, MI93, MI1941, MI1988, MO1, MO6, MO42, MO48, MO55, MO113, MO114, MO180, NY8, NY245, OH21, OH26, OH43, OH51. OH112, OH333, OH1994, OH2003, VA40.  Certificates given to all.
2nd Vice, John Reando:  Programs Awards:  Chapter of the Year-OH-1776 with $13,837.  Total Department Programs Reporting-Department of OH with $1,855,000. Revals and Most Improved Programs Reporting: OH71 with increase of $18,000.  Membership Largest Chapter:  MO-48 with 70 riders and 25 supporters.  Membership Award for LRB/LRS. Revals and overwhelming Aspects:  Bob Anderson, MO Department President.  Supporter of the Year: Bill Adkins, KY-61.  Rider of the Year: Tom “Block” Aiken.  Department Rider of the Year: Paul Spuhl, MO-1.  Presidents Prestigious Award, Most Improved Chapter: LA-66.  Presidents Award for Outstanding Achievement:  OH-51. 
 
Incoming President (Tom McNamara) gave the outgoing President (George Cummings) a Riders vest with all National Officer signatures inside.  George received his royal blue beret. Tom received his baby blue beret. George wished Tom all the luck and to call if he ever needed.  Tom said it was the first time 3 PNP’s were in the room at the same time:  Rob Quick, Don Cox and George Cummings.  Our new President, Tom, said it meant a lot to him to be on stage for joint installation and looked out and all he could see were all the red shirts the riders worn.  He thanked the riders.
 
Motion to adjourn at 4:46pm, 2nd and passed.   Prayer by Jeremiah Botkin. Retirement of colors by JD Dotson, RNSAA.
 
Karen Cox, RNS