Minutes: 2024 Feb 17

Meeting Minutes
Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024
Location: Holmes Residence, Elkhart, Indiana
Time: 3:00 PM

The meeting was called to order by President K. Holmes, who also delivered both the opening and closing prayers. The business session was declared open.

Roll Call of Officers

Completed by Secretary J. Schrock.

Membership Applications

No new applications were reported.

Reading of Previous Minutes

Secretary J. Schrock read the previous meeting’s minutes (also emailed in advance).
Motion to accept the minutes as read made by T. Buoscio, seconded by C. Hendrickson. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer J. DeFrees provided the financial report.

Note: Specific account balances have been redacted for public minutes. Full unedited reports are available upon request.
Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report (subject to audit) made by L. Zeugner, seconded by T. Buoscio. Motion passed.

Bills

Bills were reviewed as part of the Treasurer’s Report.
President Holmes requested a check be issued to Teresa Pour (on behalf of speaker Chad Fleming).
Motion to approve the report and issue the check made by L. Zeugner, seconded by T. Buoscio. Motion passed.

IT Report

T. Buoscio reported no outstanding issues. He was asked to add C. Hendrickson and D. Mickelson to the Board of Directors (BoD) email list and provide access to the shared OneDrive “General” tab.

Unfinished Business: May 2024 Fundraising Dinner Planning

1. Catering Options:
   Multiple vendors were discussed. Chubby Trout, Nelson’s, The Landing (South Bend), and The Skillet were contacted. Additional suggestions included a Trinity Church contact and Allies Café. Estimated per-person cost is approximately $30.

2. Ticket Prices:

   • $60 per person

   • $110 per couple

   • $500 per table (includes two drink tickets per guest)
     Seating per table to be confirmed by E. Dir S. Holmes.

3. Alcohol Service:
   Beer and wine confirmed. Clarification needed regarding liquor. E. Dir Holmes to follow up.

4. Ticket Sales:
   Hard copy tickets will include serial numbers. Tickets to be available online and at George’s Gyros, Ivy & Oak, Golden Bear Bikes, and the Goshen VFW. Sales will be tracked via an Excel spreadsheet.

5. Sponsorships:
   Multiple tables confirmed and pending from supporters. Sponsorship deadline: April 18. L. Zeugner to publish a press release including item donation requests.

6. Vendor Booths:
   Tables for businesses/organizations available for $50. Confirmed/potential booths: VA, DAV, Get Wet for a Vet, Congressman Yakym, 95.3 MNC, and more.

7. 95.3 MNC Partnership:
   A promotional package valued at approximately $6,000 was negotiated. FSO will invest $2,000 and receive added value in airtime and sponsorship.

8. Weapons Raffle:
   Raffle items include:

   • Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm

   • Tisas US Army A1 .45 cal

   • M4 Rifle (TBD)
     Tickets: $3 each. Flyers pending final weapon confirmation.

9. Gaming License:
   E. Dir Holmes is handling the state filing.

10. Challenge Coin:
    This year’s coin will feature Casey Hendrickson. Each year’s design will be unique.

11. Venue Flag:
    A garrison flag will be provided and hung by 95.3 MNC.

12. Marketing Materials:
    President Holmes will finalize and distribute new posters/flyers for sponsorship by February 26.

13. SWAG Budget:
    $2,000 allocated for swag bags, T-shirts, coins, etc.
    Motion by J. Schrock, seconded by L. Zeugner. Motion passed.

14. Glassware:
    Shot and rocks glasses with FSO and service branch logos will be created. 20 sets of branch glasses will be made available for sale.

15. Auction Items:
    All BoD members are responsible for sourcing auction and silent auction items.
    Confirmed: knives from C. Hendrickson’s business, couch from LCI, grill pending from Ana. Lower-value items may be raffled post-weapons drawing.

16. Entertainment & PA:
    Sam Brown to provide music and possibly serve as DJ. Also being considered for PA support. VFW PA system will be brought as backup.

17. Hometown Hero Program:
    First honoree: Bruce Rundberg. Interview pending. Knife by C. Hendrickson will be gifted. $1,000 sponsorship received.

18. Mountain Bike Association:
    Events expected to begin in spring. Tentatively scheduled for Saturday mornings at 9 AM, twice per month.

19. BoD Headshots:
    Scheduled for Monday, February 26, around 6 PM at the Holmes residence.

20. Podcast Update:
    Next podcast recording: Monday, February 19 at 6 PM. Food: Mancino’s (order through Jeff). Podcast length will be kept to one hour moving forward. Two new mics purchased. Listener counts are growing on all platforms except Spotify (which does not report data).

New Business

1. Resume Writing Classes:
   Scheduled for April 9, July 9, and October 8 at 6 PM, Goshen VFW.
   L. Zeugner to publish a press release. President Holmes to coordinate with C. Denney for social media promotion.

Good of the Order

No additional reports.

Upcoming Meeting Dates

• Sat, Mar 16 – Holmes House

• Sat, Apr 13

• Sat, May 11

• Sat, Jun 8

• Sat, Jul 20

• Sat, Aug 24

• Sat, Sep 14

• Sat, Oct 12 (TBD)

• Sat, Nov 16

• Sat, Dec 7

  Potential venues for Christmas Party: Doc Pierce’s, McRee’s, The Rue, Uptown Kitchen

Motion to adjourn made by H/R Dir J. Schrock, seconded by VP F. Schlorke. Motion passed.
Closing prayer by President K. Holmes. Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
J. Schrock
Secretary