POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - January 2007:  

The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., January 11, 2007, at the Planters Telephone Foundation, Inc., Newington, Georgia. Committee members attending included President Gary Hill, Vice President Jimmy Jones, Board Members Thomas Alley and Mike Jones, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Homer Bryson and Executive Director Marion Conley. Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Rick Lanford were unable to attend. Visitors welcomed were Debbie Shaw, John Edwards and Charles Sikes.

President Gary Hill called the meeting to order.

Foundation Chairman John Lacienski introduced Stephen Milner who is Planters General Manager to the Committee. President Hill thanked the two gentlemen for their generosity in allowing us to meet in their facilities and in providing us with much needed funds through the years.

Legislative Chairman Homer Bryson gave the invocation.

Jimmy Jones made a motion, which was seconded by Thomas Alley and passed to approve the minutes from December, 2006. The financial statements from November and December were reviewed with notations of continuing declining income. A motion was made by Jimmy Jones, seconded by Homer Bryson and passed to approve these two financial statements.

GBI Special Agent and Training Coordinator Debbie Shaw gave the Committee some ideas on training for the 2007 convention. These ideas included Police Ethics, Officer Involved Shootings, Legal Update, Investigative Failures, Child Abuse Investigations, First Responder/Evidence Collection, Leadership, Taser and Intoxification Recertification. The Committee thought these topics would be wonderful topics to be used at the convention. A total of five rooms will be needed for instructors.

President Hill asked if the Committee had decided on some guidelines for the officer’s scholarship. The following is the criteria suggested for the Officers’ Scholarship Fund: l. The Officer must be an active POAG member
2. The Officer must be currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning
3. The officer must have completed at least one year of college. (Please attach a one-year transcript).
4. The officer must be employed with a law enforcement agency.
5. The officer becomes ineligible for the scholarship if their employer pays for the schooling.
6. The officer must be enrolled in a school recognized by the Southern Association of Educators.
7. All funds will be paid to the Institution. The funds will be a minimum of $500.00.
8. The officer must attach a page of need.
9. The officer must state his POAG membership number on the application.
10. Application must in the POAG office by May 30th of upcoming school year.

A speaker for the convention was again discussed with no decision being reached. SAC John Edwards volunteered to attempt to get novelist Patricia Cornwell. If author Cornwell can appear a motion was made by John Conley, seconded by Homer Bryson and passed to pay her airfare to Jekyll Island and her room and Board.

Secretary Conley reported he possibly had a sponsor for Alcohol Free Prom Night and Jimmy Jones thought he possibly had a sponsor also.

Jimmy Jones, Mike Jones and Thomas Alley reported they thought the reception was great at MARTA Assignment Selection Process Day but we have had no new members.

President Hill reported that the February meeting would be delayed until we know when the Senate and/or House will honor our Officers of the Year. All will be notified later.

Legislative Chairman Homer Bryson passed out a letter from a group concerned about the future of State retiree’s and their benefits in a letter addressed to State Senator Ralph T. Hudgens and also a letter about retiree benefits under review and the organization of website www.georgiaretirees.org concerning state retirees and their benefits. Homer also a brief synopsis on some bills we may want to keep an eye on in the legislature this session.

Marion Conley had been asked about the possibility of having a dance instructor for an hour before each dance Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights of the convention. One of our members had volunteered that she could obtain Arthur Murray dance instructors for food and board only if we wished to go this route. A motion was made by Homer Bryson, seconded by Mike Jones and passed to engage these Arthur Murray dance instructors, if possible for these three nights for their room and board and the meals served our delegates only.

Marion Conley also reported receiving an e-mail from the wife of one of our members wishing us to publish a Volume 2 of our cookbook, “LAWfully Cooking”. A motion was made by Jimmy Jones, seconded by Mike Jones and passed to ask the Ladies Auxiliary to undertake this project