FREEDOM THROUGH VIGILANCE ASSOCIATION

PO BOX 691616

San Antonio, TX 78269-1616

1. The FTVA board convened at the LAFB Gateway club on 19 Jul 2024 and via Zoom.

2. Meeting was called to order at 1308L by President Bill Brockmiller. Members in attendance were Roy Burnett, Ted Colquhoun, Bill Brockmiller, Ken Williams, Andy Smith, Dennis Buxton, Lee Anthony, John “Tilly” Tillson (Aloha Chapter), Pepito Figueroa and Evan Smith.

3. June meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.

4. Andy provided a Treasurer’s update. At the time of the meeting Andy still had no bank access. Andy was planning to drop off signed paperwork at SSFCU on Saturday, 20 July. Andy noted that payment was due for the web site maintenance contract ($150/mo) and would find a work-around if his access and card weren’t finalized soon. Andy’s preference is to set up a recurring ACH for the website. Roy will check on the ACH as a payment option.

5. Old Business:

a. Banquet Speaker: Still looking to get the new 16 AF/CC, Lt Gen (S) Hensley. Ted will send Brock a copy of the letter he used last year as an exemplar. Discussed back-ups to include General Haugh, but it was noted that with the elections in November it may be difficult to get any senior leader from the NCR this year

b. Web Page: Reunion info has been added to the site.

c. Golf Tournament hole sponsorships: Bob is out with back surgery, but up on e-mail. Pepito volunteered to help support this effort.

d. Remembrance Ceremony: Still scheduled to take place on the Lackland bomb-run (aka the older parade field). It was noted if 16 AF/CC participates there could be a change back to in front of the building 2000.
e. As Bob had previously stated, the cost for a foursome for the 2024 tournament will go up, but it is still a Great price for San Antonio.

f. J.J. Graham’s retirement ceremony took place on 16 July at Goodfellow. Confirmed that FTVA would not set a precedent by purchasing a gift. J.J. will be in town for the 16 AF Change of Command on 1 August if anyone wants to personally congratulate him on his 50 years of service to the AF.

g. Pepito will be sending a request for information soliciting support for the obituary section of the Remain in Touch.

6. New Business:
a. Hall of Honor: Lee provided an update in response to Tilly’s request on the notification process for HoH selectees and the follow-on ROE for notification and logistics support for selectees and families. He also noted that nominations remained valid and would be considered for three years. For this year, all selectees should be notified by 10 August. Tilly asked if their chapter could use the FTVA funds they receive annually to support family travel if their nominee is selected, and it was agreed that it would be an appropriate use of those funds.

b. Vigilant Partners Program: Confirmed that Karen (Bam) Rolirad had accepted to serve as our new POC (website updated). Dennis raised the question as to the program’s intent and whether or not it’s still needed which led to a general discussion of the history and current state of affairs. There’s been a significant decline over the past 5 years. Ted will forward the e-mail he’d received on the program from Mark Hess to the Board for review. Chief Hopkins is pushing to bring back the Larson awards as originally designed that may have a positive impact for some prior donors. Lee explained that the program has to be actively worked (thank you letters, renewal letters, regular contact etc.).

7. Around the Room:
a. Andy highlighted the card and gift received from CMSgt Sue Douglas in memoriam of CMSgt Ken Gendolfe.

b. Ken Williams has some information to hand off to Ted as he takes over Social Chair responsibilities.

c. Evan noted he’d talked with 16 AF protocol about the possibility of getting PA support to take high-resolution photos of the HoH plaques displayed in the Bala from which we could make display boards for the events in the club this fall. Protocol didn’t think PA would support based on their strict guidelines. Evan will confirm with PA. The alternative would be that we coordinate with the front office to take the plaques out of the building to photograph ourselves and then put them back. Ted has some photos of the plaques from a previous effort.

d. Bill led a discussion on the need to invigorate membership. This led to the decision to move the RIT from behind the firewall to the public facing site as a means for getting more information out to the public about the organization. Roy took that for action.

e. Discussed need to engage NAF soon regarding their anniversary event planning efforts, POCs etc. Bill will take for action.

8. Meeting adjourned at 14:16L. The next Board meeting is scheduled for 16 Aug.