FBI National Academy Associates
North Carolina Chapter
November 3, 2005
Executive Board Meeting Minutes, Greensboro, NC
Prepared by: Myron Guthrie, Chapter Historian
Present:
Bob Schurmeier, Chapter President
Steven Gillikin, First Vice President
Greg Harrington, Second Vice President
Mike Carver, Second Vice President
Cindy Isenhour, Secretary/Treasurer
Joey Reynolds, Immediate Past President
Myron Guthrie, Historian
Eric Copeland, District 1 Representative
Greg Seal, District 4 Representative
Matt Lojko, District 7 Representative
Bill Godley, District 8 Representative
Marshall Williamson, Wilmington PD
Jeff Isenhour, Gaston County PD
President Schurmeier called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.
President Schurmeier began the meeting by thanking the district representatives for attending the meeting, and thanked Second Vice President Mike Carver for inviting the district representatives to the meeting.
President Schurmeier asked District Representative Matt Lojko to go over tomorrow’s conference agenda. District Representative Lojko provided the following agenda:
- Registration 9:00 – 10:00 am
- Business Meeting 10:00 – 11:30 am
- Lunch 11:30 – 12:00 noon
- Training 12:00 – 13:30 pm
District Representative Lojko advised the board the guest speakers were confirmed and would speak about future trends in law enforcement. He advised lunch would be buffet style, and due a Greensboro Police Department Policy of not soliciting donations, the conference registration fee was increased to $20.00 to cover expenses. With this increase the chapter will hopefully break even on this conference.
President Schurmeier asked Second Vice President Greg Harrington to present the invocation, and he accepted the request.
President Schurmeier asked Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour to give the board an update on the chapter’s finances. Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour provided the following information:
- Passed out quarterly statements for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarters of 2005 and went over the reports.
- Reported the conference account is slightly down due to a downward trend in the stock market.
- Reported the chapter currently has $924.00 in its operating account.
Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour described the $7,000.00 reserve account and explained how this account is used as a buffer for unexpected expenses.
President Schurmeier complimented Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour on her detailed reports and thanked her for her hard work and dedication to chapter finances.
President Schurmeier talked to the board about the conference account and the growth of this account, but no decision was made as to how this account should be used pending further study.
Second Vice President Carver spoke to the board about presenting a motion for raising dues to the general membership and the need for explaining the chapter’s finances to the membership.
Second Vice President Carver advised the board that he had researched the use of the money in the legacy account and discussed an IRS notice for excessive funds in non-profit organization accounts.
Immediate Past President Joey Reynolds informed the board that the chapter uses a CPA for chapter financial records and Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour reported this was the current procedure.
Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour advised the board that she has opened a savings account at Wachovia for 2006 Conference donations. All conference donations will be held in this account for accounting purposes.
Second Vice President Carver discussed initiation of a savings incentive for members who pay their yearly dues on time and a penalty for members who pay dues after a due date. Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour advised the board that this type of system may cause late paying members to hold their payment until the following renewal period, reducing the number of paid members.
Mr. Kevin Kendrick, SAC for the Charlotte FBI Office, joined the board meeting at 2:15 PM, and thanked the board for all they do. SAC Kendrick reiterated the FBI’s support for the chapter.
Immediate Past President Reynolds spoke to SAC Kendrick about the on-line National Academy Application Process and President Schurmeier thanked Mr. Kendrick for his support of the chapter and its activities.
President Schurmeier advised SAC Kendrick of Training Coordinator Jerry Senatore’s dedication to the chapter, and his continued support even though he was deployed to Iraq. Immediate Past President Reynolds mentioned the National Academy Graduates who formed a group in Iraq and how proud graduates were of them and this milestone.
SAC Kendrick asked the board if there was anything we needed from his office. He informed the board that a candidate has been selected to fill the ASAC position in the Charlotte Office that was left vacant with the retirement of Vic O’Korn and advised this person should be in place very soon.
President Schurmeier advised the board that North Carolina still enjoys six (6) positions per session at the National Academy when some states are losing positions. President Schurmeier advised the board that maintaining this number was a direct result of SAC Kendrick’s support and he thanked SAC Kendrick for his assistance.
SAC Kendrick discussed future FBI training initiatives including Civil Rights Violation Training and other topics, and advised he wanted chapter approval for this training. Several board members discussed yearly mandatory training being an opportunity for this type of training and Second Vice President Carver suggested doing this type of training at our next conference. District Representative Lojko recommended mentioning this subject to the membership during tomorrows meeting.
SAC Kendrick thanked the board for allowing him the time to address them and left the meeting at 14:29 PM.
First Vice President Gillikin asked Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour about dues paid by new graduates and S/T Isenhour reported national dues are all that are paid by new graduates. S/T Isenhour advised the board that out of the $70.00 that is paid in yearly dues, $45.00 goes to the National Board and our local chapter receives the other $25.00. She reported retired members pay $25.00 with the entire amount going to the National Board. S/T Isenhour reported the National Board is considering raising their dues by $5.00 to $50.00.
President Schurmeier advised the board that a decision on raising dues is needed and the board discussed this issue. First Vice President Gillikin advised the board that he didn’t think $100.00 was an unreasonable amount for dues. Second Vice President Carver discussed the issue of members who retire from one agency and become employed by another agency and claim retired status and only pay $25.00. The board’s opinion on this issue is full- time law enforcement officers should pay regular membership dues.
Marshall Williamson discussed contacting nonmember graduates in an effort to solicit their membership in the organization. District Representative Copeland asked if a listing of those members was available and S/T Isenhour advised the National Academy Associates should have a listing.
(MOTION)
First Vice President Gillikin made a motion to bring the issue of raising yearly dues to $100.00 for active members and leaving the retired member dues at $25.00 to the general membership for a vote during tomorrow’s meeting. The motion received a second from Second Vice President Greg Harrington, and the board voted with all members voting in favor of the motion. The board directed S/T Isenhour to add the dues issue to tomorrow’s meeting agenda.
Immediate Past President Reynolds gave the board a report from the nomination committee. He reported the committee is seeking nominations for the board position of Second Vice President and District Representatives for Districts 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8. Immediate Past President Reynolds reported he has only received one (1) application and support letter for the board position and this application is from Lt. Marshall Williamson of the Wilmington Police Department. Immediate Past President Reynolds advised the board that Lt. Williams will be considered as well as any member nominated from the floor before a vote is made.
Second Vice President Carver advised the board that the 2005 Youth Leadership candidate is on the agenda to speak to the membership during tomorrow’s meeting. Second Vice President Carver asked the board if the candidate could include a short PowerPoint Presentation as part of her address and the board agreed to let her do so.
President Schurmeier spoke to the board about the Youth Leadership Program and complimented chapter members on the quality candidates that are being submitted for nomination.
S/T Isenhour spoke to the board about a Department of Corrections Program that provides scholarships to students pursuing criminal justice majors. The scholarship allows a recipient to attend area conferences to obtain information about organizations. Board members talked about establishing a chapter scholarship fund and Second Vice President Carver expressed a need to establish rules and criteria for the selection process.
President Schurmeier asked Lieutenant Marshall Williamson to give the board an update on the 2006 Summer Conference. Lt. Williamson reported there is currently $4,650.00 in the conference account and he has received pledges for another $2,000.00. He reported $6,000.00 was raised for the 2004 Conference and we are already ahead of that number.
Lt. Williamson reported vendor fees and donations totaled $5,700.00 for the 2004 Conference and reported he has received commitments from 4 vendors so far for the upcoming summer conference.
Lt. Williamson advised the board that food selection has been made for the Saturday Night Reception, but there are some loose ends that need to be addressed. First Vice President Gillikin suggested that the board meet with hotel officials again in February to finalize the conference details. First Vice President Gillikin spoke to the board about the hotel and parking arrangements, and expressed how nice the hotel setup is. First Vice President Gillikin thanked Lt. Williamson for all his hard work with planning the conference.
Lt. Williamson advised the board that the hospitality suite would have doughnuts, pastries, and other snacks. He reported the T-shirt design was not finished but was progressing, and he was looking into golf type shirts for the delegates.
Lt. Williamson advised the board that the conference agenda is as follows:
- Sunday – Registration, President’s Reception and Vendors
- Monday – Training and Dinner Cruse
- Tuesday – Training, kids event, and banquet
Lt. Williamson suggested asking members to become more involved in future conference/meeting planning by asking each member to solicit a $100.00 donation each year to go towards this endeavor.
The board set registration fees for the 2006 Summer Conference at $100.00 for members, $35.00 for a spouse only or $50.00 for spouse and children. The membership fees include breakfast and dinner each day and First Vice President Gillikin reported vouchers would be issued for breakfast allowing the chapter to only pay for participants who attend breakfast. This measure will save the chapter money.
Lt. Williamson advised the board that family events include a trip to Fort Fisher, golf, deep-sea fishing, the NC Aquarium, and massages will be available to members and their families.
First Vice President Gillikin advised the board that 99 ocean front rooms would be reserved for the conference at a rate of $149.00 so members need to make reservations fast. An overflow hotel near the conference site will be available if rooms run out.
President Schurmeier thanked First Vice President Gillikin and Lt. Williamson for all their hard work in ensuring that the 2006 Summer Conference is a success.
The board was advised that Training Coordinator Jerry Senatore wanted to pass out a training needs assessment to the membership at tomorrow’s meeting to learn what training topics the members were interested in. Jeff Isenhour advised the board about a good Weapons of Mass Destruction Class that is presented by the FBI.
First Vice President Gillikin discussed the Section III Meeting on the Saturday before the conference at the conference hotel. He advised the board that rooms for the participants and a meeting room for their meeting have been reserved. First Vice President Gillikin and Lt. Williamson will not be able to attend this meeting due to their children’s high school graduations, but other board members will assist.
Immediate Past President Reynolds advised the board that he also needed about 20 rooms for the participants for Friday night. Lt. Williamson advised he would try and get more rooms when a total number is available, and Section III participants will get the same conference rate for rooms.
First Vice President Gillikin advised the board that the summer chapter board meeting will be held on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM before the summer conference begins.
The board discussed planning for the 2007 Summer Conference. Second Vice President Carver advised the board that Kitty Hawk has a new Hilton Hotel, but Dare County has limited activities. The board decided to solicit the members at tomorrow’s meeting for a 2007 conference location.
President Schurmeier advised the board that he had recently attended the Section III President/Secretary meeting. He gave the board an overview of this meeting.
President Schurmeier advised the board of Immediate Past President Reynolds’ intention to run for the Section III Representative Office and asked the board to support him by making a 9-year financial commitment to this endeavor. The election for this position will be held during the National Conference in 2009 and Immediate Past President Reynolds advised the board that less money would be needed for the first 2 years, but he expressed the importance of getting his name out to the Section III Members early.
First Vice President Gillikin recommended that the board support Immediate Past President Reynolds and acknowledged the exposure and opportunities this position could bring to the chapter. First Vice President Gillikin recommended that Immediate Past President Reynolds stay active in the chapter and President Schurmeier suggested a constitutional amendment to create another board position such as splitting the secretary/treasurer position. Second Vice President Harrington suggested Immediate Past President Reynolds run for a District Representative position instead of changing the board’s structure.
First Vice President Gillikin suggested the board come up with a criteria for the Section III nomination. Immediate Past President Reynolds suggested the need for a nomination committee and Second Vice President Carver suggested this issue be tabled until the Summer Conference Board Meeting. President Schurmeier recommended soliciting interest in the Section III position at tomorrow’s meeting and Jeff Isenhour suggested telling the members the responsibilities of this position.
District Representative Lojko suggested putting information about the Section III Representative on the web site. Immediate Past President Reynolds advised that he would send Historian Guthrie the information for the web page.
Second Vice President Harrington asked Immediate Past President Reynolds if he could provide an expense estimate for running for this office. Immediate Past President Reynolds was unable to provide an amount at this time.
Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour discussed the chapter newsletter and advised that chapter by-laws call for the chapter historian to prepare the newsletter so Historian Guthrie agreed to assist with future newsletters.
President Schurmeier asked the board if the chapter wanted to give a donation to the Hurricane Victim’s Fund. First Vice President Gillikin suggested the board find out how to do this and who the money would go to, and suggested just making a donation to the National Board.
Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour advised the board that some of the money in the Edward Jones Account could be used for this donation. District Representative Lojko asked if anyone knew if the National Fund would be ongoing to address future disasters.
Second Vice President Carver suggested the board explain to the members that the chapter has money to donate and ask the members to match any donation made by the chapter. President Schurmeier asked how much money could the chapter afford to donate and Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour suggested the chapter donate $2,500.00 and ask the member to match the donation for a total of $5,000.00. The board suggested donations be made to Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour.
(Motion)
Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour made a motion that the issue of the Hurricane Relief Donation be added to tomorrow’s agenda with the chapter matching member donations up to $2,500.00. The motion received a second from Second Vice President Carver, and the board voted with all members voting in favor of the motion. The board directed S/T Isenhour to add the hurricane donation issue to tomorrow’s meeting agenda.
President Schurmeier asked the Vice Presidents if they had anything to report and reviewed vice president duties.
Second Vice President Carver advised the board that he would discuss the 2007 Summer Conference site selection with the membership during tomorrow’s business meeting.
Second Vice President Harrington advised the board that the Spring 2006 Conference will be held in Wake Forrest on March 23 & 24. He reported Training Coordinator Senatore would provide training at the conference.
President Schurmeier advised the board that his company would host the 2006 Fall Board Meeting in Charlotte. He reported that the dates for the conference have not been set.
First Vice President Gillikin suggested to the board that Lt. Marshall Williamson be given an opportunity to address the membership about his nomination to the position of Second Vice President. The board agreed with First Vice President Gillikin.
District Representative Bill Godley advised the board of Dare County Sheriff Rodney Midgett’s regret that he has been unable to attend chapter events. Representative Godley advised scheduling conflicts have limited his attendance.
Second Vice President Harrington advised the board of a member that has been charged with a crime. President Schurmeier advised the board that by-law #17 would be followed with regards to this issue.
President Schurmeier asked Historian Guthrie to give the board an update on the chapter’s web site and Historian Guthrie provided an update of information added since the last board meeting.
President Schurmeier asked the District Representatives if they had anything to report to the board.
Second Vice President Harrington asked who the district representatives are supposed to report to and President Schurmeier advised by-laws indicate they report to the Second Vice President.
First Vice President Gillikin suggested that the district representatives contact members to increase attendance at chapter events. Second Vice President Harrington suggested a unified effort and Immediate Past President Reynolds suggested the board come up with a plan to do this.
President Schurmeier was asked by the board to define the role of district representatives to the members at tomorrow’s meeting. First Vice President Gillikin suggested members be divided into membership districts tomorrow so they can talk for about 10 minutes or so. Due to time constraints the board decided that this should be done at the Wake Forrest Conference instead.
District Representative Greg Seal advised the board of the need to unify the district representatives and First Vice President Gillikin recommended the district representatives have a unification plan to present at the Wake Forrest Conference.
Secretary/Treasurer Isenhour urged the district representative to immediately pass along any information that needed to be published in the chapter newsletter.
Immediate Past President Reynolds advised the board that he wanted to meet with the district representatives tomorrow.
(Motion)
The board had no further chapter business to discuss and a motion was made by First Vice President Gillikin to adjourn the meeting. The motion received a second from President Schurmeier, and the board voted with all members voting in favor of the motion.
The business meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM.