MINUTES OF THE MOST RECENT MEETING

NYSATE DINNER MEETING – st1:date Year="2005" Day="28" Month="6" w:st="on">June 28, 2005       Polish Community Centero:p>

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS:

NYSATE President, Jim Massar, called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

Jim started the meeting off by welcoming the following retirees, they were:

Gary Beard, Joe Brofcak, William Langhorst, Les Loveless and Gary Winans.

Scholarship Committee

Lorraine Arrow and Stu Strum of the Scholarship Committee presented five scholarships on behalf of the Association.  Lorraine read a brief bio of each of the winners.  Three of the five were in attendance.  They enjoyed receiving their scholarships and Dinner, while the members enjoyed their company.  The winners were:

Jason Nachman, Recipient of Frederick E. Bragg Memorial Scholarship,

son of Frank Nachman, Maintenance

Kathryn Boothroyd, daughter of Kirk Boothroyd, Design

Michelle Demeree, daughter of Barbara Marks and Warren Marks, Design

Emily Kabanek, daughter of Jim Kabanek, Design - Structures

Jimmy Massar, son of Jim Massar, Design

Past minutes were available for review and discussion.  No additions or deletions were made. President Massar accepted a motion by Barbara Marks to accept the minutes from the February 16, 2005 meeting, which was hosted at South Bridge Catering, seconded by Gary Beard, all, were in favor.

Secretary / Treasurer Report

Bill Miller reported that the current accounts prior to tonight’s meeting were:

Scholarship Fund:  $ 3460.64                Savings:     $ 88.78          Checking:     $ 790.74

Bill Miller has updated the membership database for both active and life time members and continues to do so as he receives notices.  This is especially for the retirees, as postage increases and you change your home address or sign on with e-mail, please pass that along.  We had several returns after each mailing of letters that were returned and not forwarded.

Director’s Report

NYSATE Director Marks reported briefly on the 65^th Annual NYSATE Conference, which was hosted by Section 7, May 10-13, 2005 in Alexandria Bay.  The conference was another huge success.  Tim Glover, Section 7 NYSATE Director was having some medical problems and has not reported out on the actual numbers on the conference.  The annual golf outing was held at the Thousand Island Country Club on both of their courses.  The NYSDOT Regional Director’s participated in a mock trial dealing with transformation and Andy LaPolt, construction, was this year’s EOY candidate.  Let us not forget the IceBreaker party at Boldt Castle.  All in all another good time was had by all.

PEF’s Report

Paul Gendron presented the following items:

In keeping with the spirit of scholarships, PEF gives out a $500.00 scholarship to students who are at least a senior in high school and no more than a junior in college.  Contact a PEF Committee Member for details.

PEF is sponsoring a clambake at Mountain Top Grove on July 22^nd starting at 4:00p.m.  Price for members is $14, spouses $ 24 and all others is $ 34.  Contact Paul @ 721.8185 or Pgendron@dot.state.ny.us. to reserve a spot.

Paul also spoke about the possibility of teaming up with Glendale to put together an excursion to a Buffalo Bills game.  The price is around $ 85.00 and will include a ticket, bus ride and lunch.  The cost may be lower pending participation.  So let Paul know if this is something you may be interested in.

One last thing, February 17-25, 2006, PEF is sponsoring a cruise to the Western Caribbean.  Fliers are out or contact Dan Majeski for details.

Education Committee

Scott Vergason, new chairperson, had no new items to report this time.

GRIEVENCE / CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE

Dan Weaver had nothing to report with respect to the grievance committee.  Dan did report that the Constitution Committee had to make a clarification for the Scholarship Committee concerning eligibility.

GOLF COMMITTEE

The 17^th Annual Golf Outing is scheduled for Saturday, August 6, 2005 at Tioga Country Club and all levels of play are welcomed.  9:00am shot gun start, rain or shine.  Fliers are posted or contact the following Committee Members: Tom Miller (721.8520), Craig England (721.8086), Bill Miller (721.8576) and Charlie Walker (721.8645).

PICNIC COMMITTEE

No activity or report at this time.

christmas party committee

No activity or report at this time.

Finance / Audit Committee

No activity or report at this time.

Delegate Committee

Director Marks reported that Maryan Wessels, Mike Retzlaff and Tom Rook were the three delegates that were sent to the 65^th 2005 conference.

She also reminded everyone about the 66^th conference that will be hosted by Section 5, May 30 – June 2, 2006 in Buffalo.  The Conference will be at the Adams Mark Hotel.  So mark your calendars and watch your mailboxes.

Election committee

Margaret Shavalier has assumed the chair for this committee.  Election ballots, etc. will be going out this Fall.

BC OPEN CLEAN UP

Dan Weaver updated everyone concerning this year’s BC Open.  The tournament itself is Monday 7/11 through Sunday 7/17.  Dan read a letter that NYSATE had received from Broome County Community Charities, Inc.  The letter encouraging organizations that receive or benefit from proceeds of the BC open to contact their County Representative and show support for the proposal to manage En-joie by Broome County.

Editor’s comment: Just a reminder, Dan has distributed assigned times for those who signed up.  If you haven’t heard, give Dan a call or send him an E-mail.

Adopt-a-Highway, Cemetery project.

Barbara Marks reported after several attempts to get together and rebuild the planter, the weather was finally pleasant and work to the new planter at the Pauper Cemetery was completed.  A special thank you goes out to Dick Firsching for donating the wood, Lil Robertson who donated flowers and those who donated money and time with this project.

Old Business 

No old business pending.

NEW Business

It was mentioned that a possible 4^th business meeting could be scheduled during the year at noontime in the State Office Building.  This way members and Retirees that have trouble attending a regular dinner meeting would have an opportunity to attend.  It was mentioned that this meeting could be used more as professional leave where speakers or some type of presentation be given.  Meetings would be about 1 – 2 hrs in duration.  Barbara commented that this is the way Section 8 holds all their meetings.

Other Business

NYSATE President Massar spoke to the Association concerning another monthly lotto drawing for September.  We will be sending some of the tickets to other NYSATE sections as well as to those who participated in the past.  If interested in obtaining any tickets or any additional ones, please contact Jim Massar.  

Barbara updated attendees as to the progress concerning the 67^th conference that will be hosted by Region 9 here in Binghamton, May 2007.  Some committees have formed and met several times.  There is still a long way to go.  One of the focuses is getting Committee members / delegates to attend the conference in Buffalo to staff our hospitality room and booth.  At the 2006 conference, we will be raffling off a BBQ grill, a computer and a portable DVD player.  So keep an eye open for raffle tickets.  We are also going to be raffling Lupo’s gift packages throughout the whole conference.

If you are interested in any of the Committee’s in any capacity, see one of the Board Members (Barbara Marks, Jim Massar, Dan Weaver or Bill Miller).  Once again, this is a great opportunity to join together and show off the Region.

Closing

50/50 Scholarship winner, Michelle Demeree, won the evenings raffle for $34.00.

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:20 by Don Robertson, Seconded by Dan Weaver.  All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

    Bill

William R. Miller

Secretary / Treasurer