Meeting Minutes
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Location: Elkhart County Community Foundation, E. Jackson St, Elkhart, Indiana
Time: 10:00 AM
The meeting was opened in due form by President K. Holmes. Guest Chaplain E. Wayne Hawn led the opening and closing prayers. President Holmes declared the business session open.
Roll Call of Officers
Completed by H/R Director J. Schrock.
Reading of Membership Applications
No reports.
Reading of the Minutes
Secretary J. Schrock read (emailed) the minutes from the last meeting and asked for corrections or amendments.
Goose made a motion to accept the minutes as read; Vice President F. Schlorke seconded. The motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer J. DeFrees explained the accounts and reported on income and expenses (details redacted).
J. Schrock made a motion to approve the report, subject to audit; L. Zeugner seconded. Motion carried.
Bills
Treasurer J. DeFrees reported bills paid.
J. Schrock made a motion to accept; S. Holmes seconded. Motion carried.
IT Report
T. Buoscio provided updates:
Office licenses were recently migrated. While the new plan costs $3 more per user, a grant covers most of the cost, making it cheaper overall. FSO now has up to 10 user licenses.
Windows 11 will replace Windows 10 after October. FSO’s licensing covers up to 50 computers, so members may upgrade at no cost. Keys are available from Tony if needed.
Unfinished Business
1. Remember Event
Marketing: 95.3 radio has double-booked the date with another event (“Noise”) likely in the same venue, though FSO retains priority. The overlap may impact attendance but could also increase exposure. Flyers will be finalized soon. Social media promotion will begin mid-October, with board members posting content daily (on a rotation). Resources are available on OneDrive.
Food: Planning for 250 dinners (brisket or chicken with sides). Charity pricing applies. Chubby Trout will provide catering, bar, and bartenders (three this year instead of two).
Sponsorships: Letters nearly complete. Postcards are also being considered for broader reach, while some sponsors will still receive letters for tax purposes. Press releases will begin this week. Sponsorship tiers finalized at $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000. Sponsors will be included in event materials and the video loop.
Host Hotel: Discussion about Hotel Elkhart during a Notre Dame game weekend; higher-than-expected rates.
Bar: Logistics discussed for transporting the bar from storage to the venue. Goose offered his truck.
Notre Dame Game Conflict: Kickoff at 7:30 PM may compete with attendance. Big-screen option was discussed but dismissed.
Auction Items: Ongoing work to secure both large and small ticket items, including the FSO poker table. Reserves may be set if necessary.
Silverware: Decision made to purchase 300+ sets of forks, knives, and spoons from Atlas Supply for future use.
Volunteers: H/R Director J. Schrock tasked with securing volunteers from LCI (aiming for 5–10). Volunteers receive a free meal.
Tickets: Inventory confirmed; color-coding planned for raffles. Ticket prices remain $65 per person or $110 per couple. Sales will open online soon.
SWAG & Merchandise: No swag bags this year. Branded shot glasses, rocks glasses, and slap bracelet cozies will be produced.
Music: Sam Brown confirmed. Julia may also attend.
Weapons: Current arrangements provide uppers and .22 conversion kits instead of full weapons. Schrock will re-engage supplier to revisit terms.
New Business
Podcast: Next recording scheduled for Monday. Vicky Molnar (MSgt, USAF, Ret.) will participate again. Brandy from the VA is interested in joining a future session.
Podcast Sponsorships: Discussion about seeking additional sponsors at $10/month.
Feedback: Goose praised the recent “wives special” podcast episode.
Good of the Order
VP F. Schlorke updated the Mountain and Road Bike programs. The next ride will be September 27, 10 AM, Abshire Park, Goshen.
The FSO cookout was rescheduled to Saturday, September 13 (afternoon) following the morning meeting. Location TBD. Goshen Parks and Rec facilities are under consideration.
Next Meeting
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Elkhart County Community Foundation, E. Jackson St, Elkhart
With no further business, VP F. Schlorke made a motion to adjourn, seconded by L. Zeugner. The motion passed.
President Holmes closed the meeting with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
J. Schrock
Secretary
