MINUTES
OF MEETING
ALBANY-SARATOGA
BASE, USSVI
Location:
American Legion Post #70 Saratoga Springs, NY
Meeting
Date: August 18, 2004
The
August meeting for the 2004 USSVI Convention Committee was called to
order at 6:40 by Chairman Gasser. There
were 36 members and 5 guests present.
Everyone
present stood and introduced themselves and what their role in the Convention
would be.
Chairman
Gasser reminded everyone that we still need help in all areas.
John
Cook reported on the obligation of the City of Saratoga Springs and how it was
progressing.
The
details for the Welcome Party are nearly complete:
Hors
d’ oeuvres, and other foods will be donated or purchased as 2 for 1, servers
are lined up, there will be an outside concert, inside music, a reenactment
outside, the carousel will be open and operating, the flower display will be
completed, and we are expecting city, county, and possibly the Governor to
speak. Also, the city is working on
establishing dedicated parking areas and creating spaces along the shuttle route
for stops.
John
also suggested that the Convention gift bags needed to be stuffed and it was
agreed that we will do it on Saturday September 11th at noon. It will
take place at John’s house and the base will provide pizza, beer, and soda.
The
US Navy recruiters have delivered the balance of the lanyards for the
credentials.
Bob
Ondek and Jerry Wells reported on the parade. We are still having difficulty
with the US Navy Band. We may only get a small (9 or 10) members and they are
not a marching band. They would be acceptable for the Friday concert but not for
the Parade. Additionally a USO act has been contacted to possibly appear at the
concert. As for the parade there are 8 or 9 floats and 6 or 7 local bands that
have agreed to play. There is also a parade in Halfmoon that day so that is a
conflict. Jerry Wells asked for a check for Parade Insurance in the amount of
$557.60. Finally the Parade Program Book is in and available for $5.00. It will
be on sale at the Military Museum and hopefully along Broadway in several
stores.
The
Convention Shuttle Busses are lined up. They will run continuously from 7:00 am
to 11:00 pm and be supplemented by Upstate Transit coaches and by rented 16
passenger vans during peak activity periods.
Frank
Dorchak gave a report on the Vendors. He reported there are presently 19 vendors
committed to the convention and that 36 of the available 42 tables are taken.
Additionally, there are 13 non profit tables that have been reserved. There is a
possibility of a few more vendors committing before the beginning of the
Convention.
The
Watch Quarter and Station Bill is being handled by Paul Hartnagel who is
designing a computer generated form for people to sign up. We need help in all
areas so please check to see how you can help.
There
will be a Community Meeting to be held at the Saratoga City Center on Wednesday
September 1, 2004 at 8:00 am. It will be an informational meeting for the local
merchants on how they can expect the Convention to impact them and what they can
do to make this the “Best Convention
ever”. Remember the State is
helping us out, the County of Saratoga is helping us out, the City of Saratoga
Springs is helping us out, and many volunteers are helping us out. We need you
the members to help out too. This Convention is too large for just a few members
of the Base to handle. We need the entire membership to pitch in with this. Even
if you can only help out for a few hours we need your help. There will be
one last meeting on Wednesday September 8th at the American Legion
Post 70 in Saratoga Springs beginning at 6:30 pm. Please plan on attending. Hope
to see you then
Submitted
by:
Jim Irwin
Albany-Saratoga Base
Pride Runs Deep