The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., February 22, 2001 at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Complex, 668 Oglethorpe Street, Macon, Georgia. Committee members attending included President Bill Hitchens, Vice President Wayne Avery, Board Member Harry Colbert, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, and Legislative Chairman Bob Brown. Board Member Homer Bryson, Executive Director Marion Conley, Public Relations Director Jimmy Jones, Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend. Visitors included: Ken Suddeth, Jim Redmon, Gary Hill, Jerry Willis, Bob Carter, Marty Gazafy, Jimmy Allen and Dottie Harden.

President Hitchens called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance.

Vice President Wayne Avery gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board Member Harry Colbert.

A motion was made by Bob Brown and seconded by Harry Colbert to approve the financial report and minutes from January, 2001. The motion passed.

There was a discussion on the Underage Drinking Prevention Program with Miller Brewing. Harry Colbert will attempt to contact Assistant Albany Police Chief Bob Boren to see if he can ascertain whether or not Miller Brewing is still interested in this promotion with POAG.

President Hitchens has been communicating with our Webmaster, Mark Revenew about POAG having an online method of paying dues and ordering merchandise. For a transaction less than $15.00 it would cost POAG $.30 whether the member used a credit or debit card, for a $15.00 transaction it would cost POAG $.66 for the member to use a credit card and $.54 for the member to use a debit card, for a $30 transaction it would cost POAG $.96 for the member to use a credit card and $.78 for the member to use a debit card, for a $50.00 transaction it would cost POAG $1.40 for the member to use a credit card and $1.10 for the member to use a debit card, for a $75.00 transaction it would cost POAG $1.95 for the member to use a credit card and $1.50 for the member to use a debit card and for a $100.00 transaction it would cost POAG $2.50 for the member to use a credit card and $1.90 for the member to use a debit card. The monies would be deposited electronically into a POAG account. This method of paying dues and ordering merchandise was well received by the Committee. A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by John Conley and passed to implement this system to members who wished to avail themselves of this opportunity.

President Hitchens wished the minutes to reflect a most sincere thank you to Fourth District Senator Jack Hill and 147th District Representative Ann Purcell for their efforts in honoring our "Officers of the Year" before the Senate and the House this year. The members of the Legislature warmly received our officers.

Bob Brown is happy to report that a study committee now has potential legislation that would allow a POA&B fund recipient to draw their entire retirement check and yet work full time in law enforcement.

Progress continues to be made on possibly giving one year free membership to POST certified academy graduates. Bob Brown will contact Ryan Powell at POST about this. Corrections has been contacted with this possibility and is working with the office to get this implemented.

A discussion was held on the golf tournament. One application for the tournament has already been received by the office.

Training at the fall convention was discussed. It was decided to have training on Sunday from 1-5 P. M., Monday and Tuesday from 8 A. M. - 12 Noon for a total of twelve hours of POST certified credit. Topics will be Meth Labs, Gangs, and New Supreme Court decisions. Wayne Avery and Harry Colbert agreed to be responsible for obtaining the instructors.

Harry Colbert will be speaking March 24, 2001 at Youth Challenge, Fort Stewart, Georgia. This is a program for sixteen years of age or older who drop out of high school. At the completion of this five month course the student is awarded a GED. This is a boot camp type program. All in attendance agreed this would make most interesting material for possible publication in "The Georgia Peace Officer."

A special thanks was given Bibb County for preparing lunch.

The next meeting was called for March 22, 2001 at 3 P. M., Jekyll Inn, Jekyll Island.

Upon a motion from John Conley and a second from Wayne Avery the meeting was adjourned to lunch prepared by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.