ESGR

Board of Governors Meeting Minutes

December, 2005

MEMORANDUM FOR NGA-NE Board of Governors

FROM:  Col Rick Evans, President

 SUBJ:  Minutes from Board of Governors Meeting
on 6 December 2005

1.  The National Guard Association of Nebraska (NGA-NE) held its monthly Board of Governors (BOG’s) meeting on 6 December 2005 at the Nebraska National Guard Museum.  The following were present:  Maj Gen Roger Lempke (TAG), Col Rick Evans, LTC Dan Kenkel, LTC Jim Murphy, MAJ Ken Boatman, MAJ Shelly Herrod, MAJ Shane Martin, Maj Bill Melton, CPT Martin Neal, CPT Craig Strong and 1Lt Nancy Curtis.

2.   A quorum was not deemed present to conduct business, but the following items of business were discussed:

    a.  President’s Remarks:  Col Evans opened the meeting by thanking those present for their attendance and going over the proposed  agenda. 

     b.  Secretary’s Report:  Col Evans reviewed the Minutes from the 4 Oct 05 BOG's meeting.  A motion to accept was made, seconded and the Minutes approved unanimously.  In the absence of a Secretary, Col Evans will continue to take the Minutes through his term.  MAJ Boatman will find a Secretary for his term, starting in April, 2006.  Susan Ranta was not present, but the NGA-NE website (www.neguard.org) is being updated regularly.  Suggestions for the website can be sent to Susan at sranta@inebraska.com.  Col Evans suggested that the NGA-NE should mail out The Guard Gazette in January 2006, vice posting it on the internet for download.  He noted that it would likely gain more readers, including family members.  In addition, important information about proposed changes to the Constitution and By Laws needs to be sent to the members.  Also, it would get information on 2005-2006 membership campaign and 2006 Spring Conference out in a timely manner.  The attendees unanimously agreed that mailing the Gazette was a good idea.  LTC Murphy noted that the NGA-NE may be able to fund the mailing through corporate advertising and will investigate.  Inputs need to be sent to LTC Murphy NLT Friday, 13 Jan 06.  LTC Murphy will investigate mailing labels, postage and printing options. 

      c.  Treasurer’s Report:  1Lt Curtis provided the Treasurer's Report.  Please contact LTC Murphy for a printed copy of this report. It will not be posted on this website.

      d.  Executive Director’s Report:  LTC Murphy recapped the November Commander's Dinner, noting that the objectives were achieved.  About 45 commanders or their representatives attended.  Both the 2005-2006 membership campaign and insurance program were discussed at length by the attendees.  The insurance package on the new Guardian Plan discussed by Mr. Austin Jenkins at the Commander's Dinner has not been received as yet.  LTC Murphy will attend the NGEDA meeting 8-11 Jan 06 in Albuquerque, NM.  The estimated cost of the trip is $1,251.50 and the BOG's approved reimbursing him for official expenses.  LTC Murphy will also need a check to pay for room deposits for the 2006 NGAUS Conference.  LTC Murphy continued discussion on investment options for NGA-NE assets.  The key is that a change is required to the by-laws and Constitution to implement a trust-like setup.  Information on these changes must be mailed out to the membership before the Spring Conference and then voted on at the Spring Conference.  Also discussed was the potential to hold an electronic vote of the membership prior to the Spring Conference.  LTC Murphy will investigate this option.  If approved, the BOG's would then be empowered to move forward and evaluate long-term investment options for NGA-NE assets.  If the requisite changes are made to the by-laws and Constitution, a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be required to solicit proposals from potential investment advisors.  The 2006 membership drive has started.  The goal again this year is 100 percent membership.  Unit Commanders should contact their potential members ASAP.  The NGA-NE will receive a rebate for members joining/renewing by 31 Mar 06.

     e.  Legislative Breakfast:  The Legislative Breakfast is scheduled for Friday, 10 Feb 06 at the State Capitol.  LTC Murphy and Lt Col Daryl Bohac are the NGA-NE POC’s.  LTC Murphy will work with Teri Kattes to check on the Legislative agenda for that week and also to get invitations sent out.  The NGA-NE would like to see some members attend who have recently returned from overseas deployments.  In addition, it would be good to have Sue Ranta attend to take photos for later publication.     

     f.  Company Grade Report:  No Update.  LTC Murphy will attempt to contact CPT Huss to determine a conduit for transmitting CG information to the BOG's. 

     g.  Retiree Report:  No Report.  The BOG's currently do not have either an ARNG or ANG Retiree Representative.  BG (Ret) Larry Eckles was contacted and is not available due to his work on the Commission on the Guard and Reserve. 

     h.  Insurance Report:  No Report.  We continue to await further information on proposed Guardian Plan and answers to the questions raised at the Nov 05 Commander's Dinner during the meeting with Austin Jenkins.  Insurance issues can be addressed to COL (Ret) Dennis Hatfield at ngadhatfield@msn.com.

     i.  2006 NGA-NE Spring Conference:  Will be held on Saturday, 29 Apr 06 in Lincoln.  The exact location has not been determined.  POC’s are LTC Murphy and MAJ Boatman.   All Commanders should stress the importance of attending this Conference.  CPT Martin Neal will handle awards again this year.  The annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, 28 April 06 at Crooked Creek G.C. in Lincoln.  MAJ Boatman is the POC for the golf event, including soliciting donations for pin prizes and the raffle.

     j.  NGAUS National Conference:  The 2006 NGAUS National Conference will be in Albuquerque, NM on 16-18 Sep 06.

Old Business: 

(1)  Continued discussion on NGA-NE sponsorship/commissioning of a custom lithograph for the Memorial Hall at Camp Ashland to honor OCS Graduates.  Initial cost estimates are $10,000 for 200 prints or $25,000 for the original artwork and 200 prints.  The NGA-NE would be asked to foot the upfront cost.  LTC Kenkel reported that there has been limited interest to date, making this a high risk proposition for the NGA-NE.  He suggested putting something in the Gazette and also working directly with OCS graduates and former Commandants.  A table at the Spring Conference would also be good to show the proposal to the members.  If interest does not pickup soon, this item should be closed.

(2)  Continued discussion on a potential Memorial for Nebraska National Guard members killed in action.  CPT Martin believes that there may be some State funds available to support this idea. 

(3)  The proposal to go to a bi-monthly BOG’s meeting schedule was discussed again and was fully supported by those present.  This may require a change to the Constitution and/or by-laws.  Need to have the proposal go out in the Gazette for members to review. 

 (4)  Need to continue updating BOG’s membership.  This remains open and LTC Murphy will contact all units to determine their BOG's Rep's. 

 (5)  Discussed going to two-year terms for BOG's members and NGA-NE officers.  Those present supported the proposal.  This may also require a change to the Constitution and/or by-laws.  Need to have the proposal go out in the Gazette and discussed at the Spring Conference.  It is hoped that this proposal and going to bi-monthly meetings will improve attendance and participation. 

New Business:  

(1)  Col Evans noted that the Nebraska ANG Airshow will be held 23-24 Sep 06.  NGA-NE volunteers may be able to staff a booth to generate revenue.  There may also be potential for the NGA-NE to have a booth of its own.  More information to follow.

(2)  Funding Requests:  The only new request for funds received was to sponsor Gold Bar Weekend in Omaha during Jan 06 (see Treasurer's Report).

(3)  Maj Gen Lempke proposed NGA-NE financial support for the concept of two bronze plaques to honor KIA's and Purple Heart recipients.  The plaques would be placed in the TAG Building.  The proposed cost could be up to $30,000, which would be funded through private donations.  Maj Gen Lempke is seeking up front financial support from the NGA-NE to cover design costs; and potentially, shortfalls in fund raising.  The NGA-NE BOG's asked Maj Gen Lempke for a formal proposal that could be evaluated by the BOG's.  Those present believed the project to be worthy of support.  One concept discussed was for corporate fund raising to begin; with the NGA-NE joining in once a certain level of private funds had been raised.  Another option brought up by CPT Neal was a check-off on the State Tax Return.  This would allow any resident of the state to make a donation to the project from their tax refund.  A third option discussed was to establish a non-profit corporation that could gain status as a Combined Federal Campaign funds recipient.  Maj Gen Lempke will provide additional information at a later date.

(4)  Maj Gen Lempke also discussed state politics with the BOG's.  He noted that the NGA-NE needs to establish a legislative strategy focused on achieving specific things of value to the membership.  He also noted that the NGA-NE can get involved in campaigns as a private organization, to include contributions to candidates.  He suggested that the NGA-NE needs to look at what other states are doing in terms of state benefits for National Guard members and target some of those for immediate legislative action.  He also reminded those present that they need to avoid using official e-mail or appearing in uniform when conducting political business for the NGA-NE.  Finally, he stated that he would task Lt Col Daryl Bohac and Ms. Teri Kattes to assist the NGA-NE in determining potential legislative initiatives that the NGA-NE could champion in 2006.  This could include the idea of armory-banking, whereby funds from armory sales would be retained by the Military Department for investment in other National Guard facilities.

President’s Closing Comments: 

Col Evans thanked the attendees for participating. 

Next Meeting:  The next NGA-NE business meeting will be on Tuesday, 3 Jan 06 at the Nebraska National Guard Museum.

The meeting was adjourned at 1940 hours.

These Minutes are believed to be true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.  Request that all BOG’s Representatives review them and provide comments, corrections and suggestions to the President at rjevans@inebraska.com.

RICHARD J. EVANS III, Colonel, NEANG

President,National Guard Association of Nebraska