Meeting Report 4-14-2021

The meeting was held at Mikeska’s BBQ, (located on Hwy 59) El Campo, TX.

The main agenda for this meeting of course was our 2021-2023 annual chapter election. The photo below shows how the 2021 nominations committee had setup the table and projector for the election.

Again note, the three chapter members selected for the 2021 nominations committee at the January chapter meeting, were:
- Bob Supak (chairman)
- Louis Milder
- Harold Peikert
The purpose of the Nomination Committee was to solicite candidate nominations for chapter officer positions, President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer, along with Board of Directors positions (our chapter bylaws state that we will have 4 total BOD members). The committee then submitted the slate of candidates at the March 10th chapter meeting. It is also the responsibility of the Committee to then administer the election voting process at this April chapter annual meeting.
President, Frank Laitkep opened the meeting (see photo below). The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and a prayer was given by chapter member, Joe McCreary.

Frank then recognized all those members who were having birthdays in April.

Frank then introduced guests and potential new members. Note that 30 members & 10 spouses and guests attended the meeting (see photo below). The chapter officers and directors thanks all those that attended this special annual election meeting. It was one of the best turnouts since the Covid pandemic started over a year ago.

Frank then recessed the meeting for the evening meal. This year to celebrate the annual election process and a hopeful coming-to-end to the Covid pandemic, the chapter officers decided to have Mikeska's cater a chicken fried steak dinner for all attending members and spouses - photo below.

We hope that all chapter members will be again returning and attending our monthly chapter meetings, and that all of us and our families will be returning to a normal life.

Photo below - everyone enjoyed the evening meal - chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, pea salad and rolls! You just can't beat Mikeska's chicken fried steak! And a big thanks to the Mikeska crew for doing a wonderful job of setting up our evening meal, and to the Mikeska's for providing our chapter with such a wonderful place to hold our meetings.

Frank then re-opened the meeting open at 8:00 PM. The main item on the agenda was to turn the meeting over to the Nominations Committee members, Bob Supak and Louis Milder (photo below). Their responsibility was to administer the annual election voting process.

Nominations Committee chairman, Bob Supak, (above photo) then addressed the membership, stating that the 2021 election voting process was about to start. He then put up a slide on the projector, showing the list of election candidates (see below).

Bob then asked the membership one more time if there were anyone wanting to nominate themselves to be a candidate for one of the chapter offices. There were no responses to his request, so the list of candidates stood as is.

For this 2021-2023 election cycle, the nominations committee decided to allow all candidates time (if they so desired) to give a short campain speech (3 minutes max), before the voting process begins. Several of our candidates did take the opportunity to present and express their desires to the membership, for them running for a chapter office.
The photo below shows Vice-President, Leonard Sternadel, volunteering to be the official 3-minute time keeper.

Below, chapter President candidate, Joe McCreary (of Eagle Lake) is shown giving his short campain presentation.

Below, chapter Vice-President candidate, Larry Monrow (of El Campo) is shown giving his short campain presentation.

When the various candidates had completed their presentations, it was time for the voting to begin. While Bob presented the voting instructions to the membership, the ballots were handed out and the voting began. The election crew (below) takes a short break while the membership voted.

After all votes were turned in, the nominations committee members (Bob Supak and Louis Milder) counted the votes. Vice President, Leonard Sternadel was selected to oversee and certify the counting of the votes. The election vote counting process did not encounter any candidate 'tie' issues and the results were certified as official. The newly elected Officers and Directors for VVA chapter 1069, years April 2021- April 2023 are listed below...

VVA CHAPTER 1069 ELECTION RESULTS FOR 2021 (below)

Photo below shows the newly elected Board of Directors being sworn in by chapter Vice-President, Leonard Sternadel. Left-to-Right are: Augie Limas, Prudencio Arriaga, Richard Woods and Jimmy Ochoa

Photo below shows the the newly elected Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer being sworn in by Vice-President, Leonard Sternadel. Left-to-Right are: Larry Monroe (Vice-President), John Steelman (Secretary/Treasurer)

Photo below shows the the newly elected President, Joe McCreary, being sworn in by Vice-President, Leonard Sternadel.

The group photo below shows the new Officers and Directors for VVV chapter 1069 years 2021-2023.
Congratulations to all our new Officers and Directors!

Left-to-right: Augie Limas (Director), John Steelman (Secretary/Treasurer), Larry Monrow (Vice-President), Prudencio Arriaga (Director), Richard Woods (Director), Jimmy Ochoa (Director), Joe McCreary (President)
The chapter and its membership want to thank all these members for being candidates for our various chapter Officer and Directors positions. We do realize that it is a committment of one's time and so, do much appreciate their participation. We especially want to thank John Steelman, co-founder of this chapter (with Leonard), for continuing to be our chapter Secretary/Treasurer. Thank you John. We also want to wish the best of luck to all the new Officers and Directors and hope they enjoy their time in office. WELCOME HOME!

Photo below shows President Frank Laitkep, officially handing over the reins to newly elected President, Joe McCreary. At this time, VVA Chapter 1069 want to thank Frank and his wife Gertrude for all their hard work the past 2 years. Their dedication to the chapter and its membership is much appreciated.

Photo below shows newly elected chapter President, Joe McCreary, addressing the membership. Joe thanked the membership for their votes and vowed to continue in the same tradition of past chapter Presidents to make VVA chapter 1069 the best it can be. Joe then reminded everyone that our next chapter meeting is Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Please try to attend if possible. See you there!

In closing, the chapter wants to also thank chapter co-founder, Leonard Sternadel, for being our chapter President and Vice-President the past 9 years! He's done one heck of a job for us and for all veterans.

THE 2021 VVA CHAPTER 1069 NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
The 2021 Election Nominations Committee was comprised of 3 chapter members; Louis Milder, Harold Peikert & Bob Supak (chairman). The Committee members want to thank everyone who participated in and helped with this 2021-2023 election cycle process! Our desire was to make this election cycle a more fun event and celebration, so that the entire chapter membership would want to participate in. We hope we succeeded a little bit.
The 3-man Nominations Committee was selected and approved at our January & February chapter meetings. To read more about the various Nominations Committee activities during this 2021 election cycle, use the links below to read/view the various reports, letters and handouts created by the committee. If you have any comments or suggestions (good or bad) regarding the way this chapter election cycle was handled, please drop the committee chairman (Bob Supak) an email.
Click here to view the January Chapter Meeting Report
Click here to view the February Chapter Meeting Report
Click here to view the March Chapter Meeting Report
Click here to view the 1st letter sent to membership via mass mailing
Click here to view the 2nd letter sent to membership via mass mailing
Click here to view the 3rd letter sent to membership via mass mailing
Click here to view or print the March meeting handout
Click here to view or print the March election handout
Click here to view or print the April election handout