Minutes of May 18, 2010 Meeting

Blue Star Mothers Meeting
May 18, 2010

The meeting was called to order at 6:23 by President Debbie Seifert. Debbie welcomed everyone and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting started late in hopes that other members would join us.

Linda Cagle, our Treasurer, was running late so Debbie approximated the balance of the bank account to be $1011.00 as of the 1st of May. Debbie is now on the bank account and was issued a Debit Card.

New Business:
Barbara League volunteered to be the Second Vice President. Voted and passed unanimously.

Blue Star Mothers National Convention: The Convention will be held in Grand Junction, Colorado on August 14th, 2010. National requested each Chapter send a representative. Debbie volunteered to represent us unless someone else would like to go. It was also requested that each Chapter donate an item or items, including a State basket for the Silent Auction. There was some discussion as to what to include, but it was tabled until the June meeting.

VFW Riders: Debbie will get in touch with the President and will report back. There were many ideas discussed as to how we can participate and support.

Treasurer’s Report: Linda arrived and reported the bank balance at $1021.54.
Debbie received a book written by Janice Schmidt, “My Soldier, Seeing the basics through a Mother’s Eyes.” It has a great deal of information for the mother whose children have recently enlisted. Linda made a motion that we purchase at least two copies to lend, or sell, to members that would be interested. Motion was seconded and passed.

Our meeting was closed at 7:30 with the Serenity Prayer.

Respectfully Submitted on June 9th, 2010.
Vicki Payne

Blue Star Mothers Meeting
April 20, 2010

Jacqueline Steele welcomed all members. The meeting was called to order at 6:04pm. Jacqueline Steele led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The first order of business was the induction of our new officers – Jacqueline passed the gavel to Debbie Seifert as President, and Chrissy Harlan as our 1st Vice President.

We introduced ourselves to the prospective-new member, Gabby Mercer. Gabby’s daughter is a Marine that has been recently deployed to Afghanistan.

Old Business:
1. Jacqueline thanked the Junior League and reported the service project, Pack a Box for the Troops, was a great success with 13 boxes filled and shipped. Several Blue Star members attended the packing. Every Blue Star member’s child, regardless of where they are serving, received a box. Junior League has expressed an interest in doing the project again next year.
2. Gold Star Banner. Vicki presented our dear friend, Lois, with the Gold Star Banner.

New Business:
1. Transition- expanding the Board. The Board would like to add a 2nd Vice President as well as a Financial Secretary to help organize and assist. We also discussed the possibility of adding Trustees to audit the books quarterly such as the VFW Women’s Auxiliary has done for years.
2. Funds that had been donated to Jacqueline from various sources but not yet deposited were passed to Debbie Seifert.
3. Chaplain Fund. All the chapters have been asked to donate $25.00 to the Chaplain Fund.
4. Chapter Historian. Vicki Payne nominated Jeanne Varns, an Associate Member, to be the Chapter Historian. The nomination was seconded by Chrissy Harlan and passed.
5. Spring Package event. Chrissy Harlan is going to get information from Kim Sloan and pass it along.
6. Blue Star National Convention in Colorado. National requires at least one member from each chapter attend. Debbie Seifert will attend but extended the invitation for others to join her.
7. Chrissy Harlan advised us of the sudden passing of Loren “Corky” Gripp. Corky was the Commander of the VFW, prompting the need for a Chaplain from our midst. Vicki will get a sympathy card sent to Corky’s wife for the Blue Star Mothers.
8. Open and close of meetings. Bylaws require that we open with the Pledge of Allegiance and close with a prayer.

Debbie shared some pictures of banners that her cousin, David England, quilts specifically for the Blue Star Mothers. For further information, contact daveengland@hotmail.com.

The meeting was closed at 7:18 pm with a prayer read by Jacqueline Steele.

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Payne
April 24, 2010

Free Welcome-Home Banners!!

This will be linked permanently in "Links of Interest" on the right side of the page.

Greetings from BuildASign.com!

We are asking for your help in spreading the word about a free offer that over 60,000 military friends and family have taken advantage of so far. BuildASign.com is giving away Free Banners to military families for their welcome home celebrations at www.BuildASign.com/Troops. Please help us out by forwarding this link out to your organization: Free Welcome Home Banners

Here at BuildASign.com, we are very proud of the continued service and sacrifice that our military personnel selflessly provide every day. To express our support of our brave men and women in uniform, we want to invite you to take part in our free "Welcome Home" banner promotion.

Beginning in July 2008, we began offering free "Welcome Home" banners to the friends and family of members of the armed services coming home from overseas. To date, we have given away over 60,000 banners. All banners can be customized in full color, including pictures; all we ask is that the customer pay the shipping and handling fee, usually about $13.

Christmas Dinner at El Corral

Good food - good friends, and family - what more can we ask for? Or as Jacqueline put it,
holiday grab bag $10.00; dinner out on the town $65.00; evening spent with friends PRICELESS!

Tucson Holiday Light Parade

It's agreed - everyone had a great time preparing for, and participating in the Tucson Holiday Light Parade. Our theme was, "Hero's Holiday" - lots of packages wrapped with an APO address from Mom!

Veteran's Day Parade/Float Pictures

Chrissy, Barbara Jacqueline, Vicki & Margie arrived at the VFW bright and early to carpool downtown:



(Below) Preparing the Float - Theme was, "Honoring Veterans - Past, Present and Future":







Sgt. Rowland with the trophy awarded for "Best Theme".
Congratulations!

Blue Star Mothers Meeting Minutes

November 17, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm by President Jacqueline Steele. Jacqueline welcomed all members and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Jacqueline introduced an "associate member-to-be", Jan Hueller. Ten members, one guest, and two soon to be associate members were present.

Business/Communications:
A representative for the Deca Club at Palo Verde High School contacted Jacqueline. The Deca Club is looking for a Community Service Project and are interested in gathering supplies for the Troops. Jacqueline gave them information about Tucson Troop Support and suggested things for the Stocking Stuffing event. At the time of the meeting it was still unconfirmed if it would come to fruition.

Holiday Parade. Conversation centered on the lack of information available about the parade and the possibility that we had already missed the entry deadline. Chrissy Harlan suggested we contact Tucson Department of Parks and Recreation. Jacqueline Steele agreed to research and follow-up with all members. Update: Barbara League checked into the possibility of ordering Blue Star Sweatshirts to wear at the Parade. Members posed questions that required follow up with Tee Time to answer. Barbara suggested that we wear the Blue Star Sweatshirts and Santa Hats to walk in the Parade. It was also suggested we have informational handouts about Blue Star Mothers. Debbie Siefert suggested business cards that she obtained for free from Giggleprint.com

The Junior League event is still on for late January/early February - to get to the Troops by Valentine’s Day.

Tucson Troop Support/Stocking Stuffer Event is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., December 5th at the VFW. If you have a loved one that is currently serving overseas, send their address to: Jacqueline Steele memrs4us@yahoo.com and she will forward all names to Kim Sloan at auxvfwarizona@msn.com.

At exactly 6:30 p.m. Jacqueline received a call from Jane Davis, National First Vice President of Blue Star Mothers to install the Officers. She read the Oath of Office. Jacqueline Steele, Barb League, Vicki Payne, and Linda Cagle were offically installed at the 2009-2010 AZ2 Board Officers.

December 15th Meeting. It was agreed that our next meeting would be a Holiday Dinner with gift exchange. Helen Quigley will seek out a centrally-located restaurant that will offer a private area.

Sgt. Daniel Rowland, Chrissy Harlan’s son, stopped by to announce the Veteran’s Day Float, “Honoring Veteran’s Past, Present, and Future“, won Best-Themed Entry and he wanted to thank us for our involvement and show off the Trophy.

Associate Member-to-Be, Jan Hueller, introduced herself and shared with us her volunteer work. Jan is a “Snowbird” that got started with the Blue Star Mothers in Colorado after reading an article about Operation Melody. Jan now sews bags for walkers and wheelchairs that she donates to the Veteran’s Hospital. She is currently awaiting orientation so she will be able to volunteer at the Veteran’s Hospital.

Chrissy announced that the VFW would be hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for patients at the Veteran’s Hospital on Saturday the 21st of November. She invited us to attend and help serve.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer.

Respectfully submitted by Vicki Payne