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Oklahoma SCS/NRCS Retired Employees
Minutes of Meeting October 30, 2009
Oklahoma SCS/NRCS Retired Employees met at the Hometown Buffet on the NW Expressway in Oklahoma City. Sixty-three people were in attendance.
Randy Freeland, President, called the meeting to order and briefly outlined the agenda for the meeting. He asked that everyone be thinking of a funny story of their SCS/NRCS workdays and Stan Rice would be in charge of that later in the meeting. The national organization previously known as the Association of Retired Soil Conservation Service Employees (ARSCSE) has a new name: Association of Retired Conservation Service Employees (ARCSE). He is currently the Oklahoma representative to that organization. Newsletters are sent to members every other month. Dues are $18 per year and he has membership applications if anyone is interested. He read a story about Ginn King, wife of Mike King. It was a moving testimonial and something everyone should think about. He then told everyone he had good news and bad news. The good news was the $10 paid to Sandra Hough were for dues and the bad news was everyone needed to be sure to pay for their meals before going through the line. Billy Wagner offered a prayer and everyone enjoyed a buffet meal.
President Freeland again called the meeting to order. Sandra Hough, Secretary/Treasurer, read the April 24, 2009 minutes. They were approved as read. The treasurer’s report showed an ending balance of $1075.07 after the expenses were deducted for the meeting. Dues collected at the last meeting totaled $380.00. There were 350 meeting notices mailed for a total cost of $204.28. Twelve notices were returned with incorrect addresses; however, all but one was sent again with current addresses. Sandra read a card received from Bobby Davis regarding the card sent to him after the last meeting. A note from Marilyn Whetsell was read. She is the widow of Dick Whetsell who passed away in 1999. She asked that her name be removed from the list. Sandra also told the group about a phone call she received from Larry Gregory, son of former SCS employee Skeet Gregory who passed in 1997. He called to advise us of the death of his mother, Sarah Jo, 86 years old. A sign in sheet was routed to record the names of those in attendance.
Fred Fortney read a list of retirees who have passed since our April 2009 meeting: Ruth G. Van Arsdell, 4/09, former secretary at the Perry Field Office; Mack Keathley, 5/3/09, former DC at Checotah; Jennie Beecham, widow of Glen Beecham; Linda Kane, 6/09, wife of Harold Kane; Sarah Jo Gregory, 9/09, widow of Skeet Gregory who worked in watershed construction & technician at Chickasha, Lindsay and Ada; Ginny Gibson, formerly in the Stillwater State Office; Elsie Hill, Antlers, wife of Cletis Hill former technician & mother of Jimmie Hill, State Office; Glen Stillman; and June Calvert, wife of Tom Calvert, former technician at Purcell. A moment of silence was observed and Fred offered a prayer.
President Freeland asked that those in attendance who had not filled out an information sheet please do so. Sheets were passed out and were either to be returned at the end of the meeting or mailed to him.
President Freeland asked that those attending the meeting for the first time as well as those who had not attended a meeting in the last five years to stand and introduce themselves and their spouse or guest, if present, and give a brief summary of where they live, where they had worked or what they have been doing: Wes Thomas & wife Shirley; Billy Teels & wife Phyllis; Wes Oneth; Dale Bell; Ron Clark; and Roland Willis & wife June along with their daughter Wanda. Others in attendance were given an opportunity to introduce themselves and their spouses or guests, if in attendance.
Vice-President Stan Rice asked retirees to share funny stories from their careers with SCS/NRCS. Retirees were asked to keep the stories brief. Many volunteered stories to the delight of those in attendance. Everyone was invited to bring some funny stories to future meetings. This will be an on going agenda item at future meetings.
Randy Freeland informed the group that according to the bylaws, election of officers is to take place in October of each year. That task was overlooked last October and the present officers have served two years. A nominating committee of Stan Rice, Chairman, and members Wayne Fjeseth and Kenneth Blan were asked to provide a slate of officers to replace the current officers. Stan Rice along with the other two committee members recommended the current slate of officers serve their current positions for another year. However, nominations from the floor were put into consideration: Stan Rice as President and John Pewthers as Vice President. These two individuals were elected by those in attendance. Sandra Hough agreed to serve as Secretary-Treasurer for another year. These officers will assume their offices immediately and will conduct the meeting effective April 2010.
There was no other business to bring before the group and the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting was scheduled for Friday, April 2 or 23, 2010, at the Hometown Buffet on the NW Expressway in Oklahoma City. A notification will be sent approximately 30 days prior to the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned by President Randy Freeland.
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