The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., December 12, 2002, at the Peace Officers’ Association office, Reidsville, Georgia.  Committee members attending included President Harry Colbert, Vice President Homer Bryson, Board Members Keith Moran and Gary Hill, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Public Relations Director Jimmy Jones, and Executive Director Marion Conley.  Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend. Visitors included: Ken Suddeth, Kenny Clark and Sammy Young. 

The meeting was called to order and a welcome given all in attendance by President Harry Colbert.  President Colbert led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Vice President Homer Bryson gave the invocation. 

The minutes and financial report from October, 2002 were approved upon a motion from Bob Brown.  The motion was seconded by Keith Moran and passed. 

Board Member Keith Moran volunteered to check into Quantico releasing old used Federal vests to see if POAG could acquire same and donate to the smaller departments that perhaps could not financially afford to purchase these items. 

Marion Conley reported that, as far as she was aware, the effort to further endow the death benefit/ scholarship fund had been running for approximately a week now.  President Colbert reported that Attorney Frank Childs is continuing to work on perfecting the application for the Jimmy Waters Scholarship Fund.  All continue to hope that the application will appear in the June issue of “The Georgia Peace Officer”. 

President Colbert reported that he had personally talked with Chaplain Jimmy Waters and Brother Jimmy is improving following his surgery. 

An e-mail, critical of the choice of the 2003 convention site had been received by the office from an unknown.  Since there was no name affixed to the e-mail except a pseudonym, the Committee thought it best not to respond to an unknown. 

Bob Brown approached the subject of the raises previously given the office staff being refused because of the financial situation.  He subsequently made a motion to award the fulltime and part-time help $100 as a Christmas bonus and the Executive Director a $500 Christmas bonus.  This motion was seconded by Homer Bryson and passed. 

Vice President Homer Bryson reported that FLETC would be happy to provide the state and local training for the convention.  Homer stated he would be happy to check into holding the pistol match there but it was doubtful since September 11^th.  It was decided to Hold the pistol match at 9?30 on Tuesday.  The golf will be held on Monday, a two man scramble with an 8 A. M. shotgun start.  It was also decided to have 16 hours training; four of these hours would be Dr. Smith’s talk on Monday afternoon. 

            Board Member Gary Hill reported Dr. Smith is excited about coming to the convention and plans to have a booth.  He is committed to Monday, September 22, 2002 from 1-5 P. M.  Gary suggested that the Association might wish to consider becoming a member of FORTE (Foundation for Officers Recovering from Traumatic Events).   A motion was made by John Conley, seconded by Bob Brown and passed for POAG to join FORTE.   

            Bob Brown will diligently work during the legislative session to help see that the amended guidelines for claming disability with the Indemnification Commission are passed by the Legislature.  However, we were happy to learn that the disabled ranger that prompted all the changes had received his disability.  

            Public Relations Chairman Jimmy Jones will prepare flyers and distribute to all nearby departments prior to the Spring Golf Tournament, scheduled for April 7, 2003.  President Colbert announced headquarters will be the Ramada at I-475 and U. S. 80 and that the April Executive Committee meeting will be April 8, at the Ramada. 

            President Colbert relayed to the Committee that District Director Ken Suddeth had organized the grand opening for the Mandarin Chinese Bistro in Macon.  Ken had also arranged an invite for Past President Wayne Avery and President Harry Colbert. POAG, Harry and Wayne were recognized at the celebration. 

            Secretary Conley reported that he was seeking monetary funds from a corporate sponsor for the Tuesday meal and perhaps a meal on Monday also for the convention. 

            The January meeting will be set later, pending perhaps the Legislature recognizing our “Officers of the Year”. 

            A motion by made by Bob Brown, seconded by Keith Moran and passed to adjourn to the meal at the POAG office.