Region One President’s Newsletter – November 2011
Published: November 22, 2011
By Russ Melocik
How about that First Nations Rally in Riviere-Rouge! How about that “Quietly to Quebec” caravan round trip to the rally! Many thanks go to Jean-Pierre Meilleur and Clemence Lemay & their volunteers for the rally activities and beautiful weather. Rich and Dottie Walbridge, you did another wonderful job of leading a region caravan and providing a large measure of fun, fellowship & adventure. Your modestly-paced itinerary went a long way to help us enjoy our stops and attractions as we looked forward to the next day.
Thank you to those unit officers who submitted their 2012 reports and activities schedules ahead of the November 01 deadline. Reports yet to be filed can still make it for Blue Beret editions down the road. Remember to send a copy of your reports to the Region Officers.
Many thanks to the units that have returned Region Officer Ballots to the Region Secretary. The deadline for receipt of ballots is December 01.
As of November 01, Ernie Bauer’s appointment to fill the vacant position of 2nd VP is effective. Ernie has also agreed to run for the 1st VP position which would be effective June 29, 2012.
All three Region Officers have signed up for the winter IBT meeting in January, 2012. The venue is Hattiesburg MS. Its agenda has not yet been distributed but the Constitution & By-Laws revision is sure to be included. If the proposed revision is approved in Hattiesburg, it goes to the delegates at the 2012 International Rally/Convention in Sedalia MO. As soon as a post-Hattiesburg draft revision is released, I’ll pass copies along for your consideration prior to your spring business meetings. It is important that your SBM discussions on this issue include a charge to your delegate and alternate. If your unit is not to be directly represented at Sedalia, take a look at your Unit Constitution and By-Laws & membership roster. Any regular member of a Region One Unit who is also an Affiliate Member of your unit can represent your unit as a delegate or alternate as long as he/she does not already represent another unit AND as long as your CBL’s allow.
Region One faces an issue that should not be swept under the carpet. The White Mountains New Hampshire Unit has advised that it no longer has the active manpower required to plan and produce a Region One Rally of the quality it has in the past and which you have come to expect. While individual WMNHU members have offered services in a supporting role, WMNHU sponsorship of a Region Rally is just not in the cards. As a “Mountaineer,” I can recognize the problem and agree with WMNHU’s tough, unfortunate conclusion. That said, your Region Officers will be taking a hard look at the R1 Policies and Procedures. I ask that you, each and every one, take a close, thoughtful look at them and get back to me with your individual, group, personal or public views so we may discuss options and present findings at our 2012 Region Business Meeting at Goose Hollow.
Also on the horizon is the Quebec Canada Unit 50th Anniversary. Plans are still in their infancy. What we do know is that a Celebration will be themed as a reunion and planned for July, 2012. All current and former Quebec Unit officers and Region One officers will be especially encouraged to attend. Please stay tuned for details and revisions to announced plans. As new and different information comes about, I will work with the reunion chairman to get the word out to you.
Spending time on Florida’s East Coast this winter? Consider joining fellow travelers at the Region One Luncheon. Golden Corral in Palm Bay. Thursday, January 12 @ 11:30 AM.
You’re also invited to the Florida East Coast Luncheon. Buffet City in Brooksville. Wednesday, February 01 @ 11:30 AM.
Safe travels,
~Russ~