FREEDOM THROUGH VIGILANCE ASSOCIATION

PO BOX 691616

San Antonio, TX 78269-1616

1. 10 September 2022 FTVA General Membership Meeting: After establishing a quorum, Interim President Ted Colquhoun called the meeting to order at 1100L.

1. Attendance: 19 total members from multiple chapters were present on this Zoom.

1. Presidents Opening Remarks: President Ted Colquhoun recognized Evan Smith for serving as President the last two years and keeping FTVA alive and valid during COVID. Additionally, Ted mentioned:

• The 5K Security Hill run had around 80 participants to include the new 16AF/CC,   Lt General Kennedy.
• 17 teams participated in the golf tournament held at the Golf Club of Texas.  Joe Hurst and Jim McClendon’s team pulled off the win.  Thank you to Bob Benitez and his team for organizing and running a great event.
• Thank you to AJ Harrison for organizing the Hall of Honor even.  Lt General Kennedy also attended this event.
• Thank you to Joe “Pepito” Figueroa for running a flawless 17 min Remembrance Ceremony
• Not as many participants this year in the Picnic but it was great to see everyone out there after two years of not having one. 

1. Oldest Member in Attendance: Keith Johnson – 78 years young

1. Member Who Traveled the Farthest to San Antonio: John “Tilly” Toillian who flew in from the Aloha Chapter in Hawaii.

1. Member with the Earliest Connection to USAFSS: Keith Johnson – 1962
   1. NSTR

1. Minutes from Last Year’s Meeting: Minutes were not available.

1. Treasures Report: Ken Maynard provided a detailed slide dec with financial details.  This report was accepted.

1. Vigilant Partners Update:  No updates this year.

1. History Update:  Dan Martin asked for Remain in Touch updates ASAP.  He also stated he would add photos from this week’s events to the next release.

1. Website and Membership Support:  Several comments/ideas were discussed on how to improve the new website as well as how we might increase our membership.  Roy will work with the Website development team to expand the website to include posting all FTVA events as well as the FTVA board asked for ways to improve our Social Media presence to draw in new members from today’s younger potential members.

1. Hall of Honor Update:  This year’s inductees included:
   1. Class of 2020 – BGen Neal T. Robinson, USAF (Ret), Mr., Larry L. Benson, Col/DISL/IPA (Ret) and Mr. John “Mike” Kretzer, DISL DAF (Ret)
   2. Class of 2021 – CMSgt Kenneth Gendolfe, USAF (Ret), CMSgt Ralph Wade, USAF (Ret) and Mr.Barry A. Stevenson, DAF (Ret)
   3. Class of 2022 – Col Lester R. Mellott, USAF (Ret), Col Phillip E. Thompson, USAF (Ret), LtCol Neal R. Walters, USAF (Ret) and SMSgt Anthony S. Radziminshki

• We also want to thank AJ Harrison for organizing and running this event the last several years who will be stepping away from these duties.  Thank you AJ.

1. Social Activities Update:
   1. A special Thank you to Sheila Williams for stepping up to assist her husband Ken Williams last minute as 16 AF Protocol bowed out
   2. 104 FTVA members, spouses, family members, friends signed up for the Banquet.  This also includes Mrs. Larson who continues to be a huge supporter of FTVA. CMSgt Kenneth M. Bruce is this year’s Guest Speaker.
   3. Next years FTVA events will shift to October
   4. For the Picnic the FTVA Board will look into providing Food Trucks

1. Newsletter Updates: Inputs due 15 September

1. Chapter Reports:
   1. Alamo Chapter – The Alamo chapter will be changing meeting location to the Alamo Café starting in Oct.  Ken Williams stepped up to replace Barnie Gavin as Interim President as Barnie and Judy moved to Mississippi
   2. Heritage Chapter – JJ Graham provided an update on the EC-47 area Paver project.  This effort has been very successful and if any members wish to purchase a paver please contract him.
   3. Aloha Chapter – John “Tilly” Toillian stated that this next year will be the Chapters 40^th anniversary.  They continue to have six to eight members meet every month and if any FTVA members travel to Hawaii please reach out as to Tilly as he and other chapter members would love to meet with you.
   4. No reports were provided by the other FTVA chapters.
2. Election of Officers:
   1. Ted Colquhoun confirmed as President
   2. The Secretary position will be vacated by Mike Nielsen.  The BoD also seeks new POCs to head up the HoA nominations and ceremony, Golf Tournament and next year’s Banquet. If any members are interested in these positions, please let the BoD know.

1. Around the Room:  Susan Douglas opened up the discussion on possible ways to rebrand FTVA to attract younger members and ways to broaden our contacts. Other discussions included:

• Becoming more involve in other 16 AF events to provide the FTVA History and Story.
• Bring back our Gray Beards to provide History and keep the wealth of knowledge flowing.

1. Presidents Closing Remarks:  Ted Colquhoun again thanked Evan Smith for his leadership as FTVA President.  Ted also asked that the FTVA approve to provide a check of $200 in the name of Chief Bruce be donated to Fischer House as a thank you for speaking at the FTVA Banquet.

1. Adjourn:  The 2022 FTVA Annual Meeting was adjourned at 1242L.

//Signed//

Michael W. Nielsen

FTVA Secretary

Secretary@FTVA.ORG