The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 6:30 P. M., February 19, 2004, at the Texas Cattle Company, Macon, Georgia.   Committee members attending included President Homer Bryson, Board Members Gary Hill and Jimmy Jones, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, and Executive Director Marion Conley.  Vice President Keith Moran, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, and Attorney Frank Childs were unable to attend.  The impromptu meeting was held as part of the February meeting.  The balance of the February meeting was to meet the following day at the State Capitol for the awarding of the “Officers of the Year” resolutions by the State Senate and House of Representatives. 

A motion was made by Gary Hill, seconded by Jimmy Jones and passed to approve the minutes and financial report from January, 2004. 

The Committee felt it was speaking for the entire membership in expressing their sorrow in the loss of Chaplain Jimmy Waters.  Brother Jimmy died Thursday, February 12, 2004.  A motion was made by John Conley, seconded by Gary Hill and passed to make a $250.00 donation to the Jimmy Waters Memorial Fund, C/O Mabel White Memorial Baptist Church, 1415 Bass Road, Macon, Georgia 31210. 

Mike Callan of Callan Publishing, Inc. had e-mailed a proposal to the office concerning POAG joining a coalition of nonprofit organizations.  These organizations were adding their names to a list to be filed with the lawsuit currently on appeal in the federal appeals court for the Eighth Circuit.  This lawsuit is supporting a favorable ruling by the federal district court in North Dakota regarding the state laws restricting nonprofit fundraising.  A motion was made by Gary Hill and seconded by Jimmy Jones to add POAG’s name to this list.  The motion passed. 

A discussion of increasing dues from $15 to $20 a year with an increase in the line of duty death benefit and an addition of accidental death benefits was held.  The proposal of these increases in attached and made a part of these minutes.  Subsequently, a motion was made by Homer Bryson, seconded by Gary Hill and passed to make this increase of dues ONLY if we increase the benefits.  The increase would take effect January 1, 2005. 

The need of a Chaplain for POAG was discussed.  John Conley made a motion to ask Dr. Laudis H. “Rick” Lanford of Macon if he would serve in this capacity.  Rick is commonly called Daddy Rick because of his association with the Methodist Home for Children and Youth in Macon.  This motion was seconded by Jimmy Jones and passed.  We will continue to have our same Associate chaplains. 

Several bills currently pending in the House were discussed. 

            President Homer Bryson volunteered to contact Dale Mann about being the speaker for Monday afternoon of the convention.  All were in agreement with this and hoped the necessary arrangements could be made. 

            President Bryson will notify all of the date, place and time of the March meeting. 

            A motion was made by Jimmy Jones, seconded by Gary Hill and passed to adjourn until the next day at the Capitol.