May 2012 BOD Minutes
Attendees
Ed Brownlee, Pete Knoetgen, Scott Evans, Ples Bruce, Bill Rentz, Carl McCallum, Jim Slemenda, Karlton Holston, Steve Frederick and Stew Caldwell
Treasurer’s Report (Pete Knoetgen ‘77)
N/A
Membership Drive Update (Angus McLean ‘84/Jon Barton ‘66)
No change in membership. Current chapter membership is 227 dues paying members. There are 296 local members in the Alumni data base. All new members joining within the last 90 days can be found on www.usna.com
Chapter Trustee Update (Ples Bruce ‘77)
Completed the Spring BOT meeting last week in Annapolis. Points of interest:
USNA’s Class of 2016 continues to set admissions records with the amount of applicants received.
2016 class size is set at 1,190 making it the largest of the three service academies.
Our very own Ples Bruce ’77 has been selected as the Chair of Admissions. The board’s goal is to ensure that Admissions is working as closely with alumni, Blue & Gold Officers and Parents Clubs across the board.
Elizabeth Gross is the new main contact to help coordinate the efforts of the Parents Clubs and Local Chapters to ensure we are maximizing both groups to carry out the best interests of USNA.
As of this month there are now 101 Local USNA Chapters with 57,900 alumni members. 46,100 of which are Lifetime members.
Admiral Natter, USNA 67, is the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
USNA Foundation has launched a new website, www.usna.com.
Georgia’s USNA Parent’s Club to host Class of 2016 Picnic on 6-9-12.
Monthly Luncheon Update (Ed Brownlee ’81)
May’s luncheon is slated for 5-18-12. Our speaker will be Brian Jennings. Topic will focus on the 9/11 GI Bill and educational opportunities with Georgia Tech’s grad program. There are over 50+ veterans currently enrolled in Georgia Tech’s Management program.
The chapter is looking for potential future speakers for the balance of 2012. Potential speakers discussed include the local USO leadership and Brian Stann, USMC/USNA 99 and Jared Ogden USN Seal/USNA 04.
Old/New Business (Ed Brownlee ’81)
Social Media
New Atlanta Chapter Facebook continues to gain traction. Our new link can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/U-S-Naval-Academy-Alumni-Association-Atlanta-Chapter-USNAAAA/111534325567216
Our strategy is to promote membership, connect alumni and advocate for the Naval Academy and our Navy-Marine Corps team. Please pass the word and the link on to our local Shipmates.
Lobsterfest 2012
Red Top Mountain Shelter #2 has been reserved for Saturday, June 2nd for Lobsterfest 2012. Scott Evans has agreed to take a lead role in coordinating this event.
- Flyer & Cost – Complete
- Inland Seafood for cost of lobster and mussels –Set
- Cut off for registration is 5-29-12
- As of 5-15-12 we have 40+ guests confirmed. Ed knows of at least 33 more attendees.
- Need to firm our numbers up by the 30th.
Army-Navy Golf Challenge
Golf game takes place on Monday, 5-21-12 at Hamilton Mill Golf Club. Brad Jones ‘83 is the Navy coordinator for this year’s event. Course opens a 9:00 with a shotgun start to follow at 10:00. A fine dinner and awards program will follow. Our charity work is aimed at sending less fortunate Atlanta area youngsters to the two-week Summerscape math, science, and computer camp at Georgia Tech. Our hope continues to be that attendance at this camp will give the youngsters a leg up on life and new ambitions for completing high school and going on to college. Our goal is to help these kids become good and productive citizens (and possibly attend one of the service academies).
New Business
- Partner with the Atlanta Dream to increase military attendance at games.
- Potential date is set for 6-17-12
- USNA Night with the Braves
- Extend invite to include GA Parents Club.
- West Point Society?
- Navy-ND Football
Ed to reach out to the leadership of the Notre Dame Alumni Chapter. Goal is to have an event similar to our Army-Navy game. The game is on 9-11-12 and has a morning start as the game is being played in Ireland.
- Navy-Troy 11-10-12
Troy is 182 miles from Atlanta. Navy has a block of tickets for this game. Need to determine is there is enough interest to book a party bus for local alumni for the game.