2025 Sep 13

FreedomSystem.org – Business Meeting Minutes
Saturday, September 13th, 2025
Elkhart County Community Foundation, E. Jackson St, Elkhart, IN
10:00 AM

The meeting was opened in due form by President K. Holmes. Guest Chaplain E. Wayne Hawn gave the opening (and closing) prayer. A brief moment of silence was observed for the murder of national figure Charlie Kirk.

President Holmes declared the business session open.

Roll Call of Officers
Completed by H/R Director J. Schrock.

Membership Applications
No report.

Reading of Minutes
Secretary J. Schrock read the minutes from the last meeting (previously emailed). Motion to accept the minutes as read was made by J. Defrees, seconded by A. Buoscio, and passed.
President Holmes reminded that minutes are posted on the website with all monetary figures redacted.

Treasurer’s Report
Redacted for public minutes.
The full Treasurer’s Report was delivered by Treasurer J. DeFrees during the meeting. A motion to approve, subject to audit, was made by J. Schrock, seconded by L. Zeugner, and passed.
Note: As always, the Treasurer’s Report is available in full upon request.

Bills
Treasurer J. DeFrees reported the bills paid. A motion to pay the bills was made by J. Schrock, seconded by S. Holmes, and passed.

IT
T. Buoscio reported that he set up Chaplain Hawn with his FSO account. He will assist further after the meeting.

Unfinished Business

1. Remember Event

   • Marketing: Push event on all social media. Posters distributed. Radio advertising begins Oct. 1.

   • Food: Arrangements finalized; down payment required.

   • Sponsorship Letters: $3,000 donation from Elkhart County Community Foundation announced. Letters available via OneDrive and Teams.

   • Olympia Dessert: H/R Dir. J. Schrock to secure candy for 250+ attendees.

   • Bar: Beer options under discussion. Pending.

   • Host Hotel/ND Conflict: Two-night minimum due to Notre Dame home game.

   • Auction Items: Still needed; some larger items secured. VP F. Schlorke will assist with setup.

   • Tickets: Available online; printed tickets available Oct. 1.

   • Weapons: Adjusted raffle items; discussion of adding locally-purchased firearms.

   • Flag: 8×12 National Colors to be displayed as stage backdrop.

   • Photographer: Chaplain Hawn’s grandson to serve as event photographer; expenses covered.

   • Youth Baseball: Costs increasing to $600 per player; FSO cannot sponsor players next year.

   • Peer-to-Peer Training: Postponed due to trainer’s injury; rescheduling for November.

2. Other Ongoing Items

   • Donation of household items to Troop Town.

   • Hybrid bike to be gifted to Jim Metherd; VP Schlorke to MC.

   • Accepted donation of a ticket spinning barrel.

Good of the Order

• Discussion regarding postponing the FSO cookout due to weather. Decision: proceed as planned. Weather cleared and event was successful. Thanks to VP Schlorke for grilling.

• Sponsorships for The Common Veterans podcast: adjusted to $10/month, with sponsorships read twice per episode.

• Road Bike Program to be suspended in October; final ride scheduled for Sept. 27 at Abshire Park, Goshen.

Next Meeting
Saturday, October 11th, 10:00 AM
Elkhart County Community Foundation Building, E. Jackson St, Elkhart, IN.

With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by F. Schlorke, seconded by L. Zeugner, and passed.
Closing prayer was given by President Holmes.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
J. Schrock, Secretary