POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - March 2000: 

The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A.M., at the Holiday Inn Express, Calhoun, Georgia.  Committee members attending included President Bill Hitchens, Board Member Wayne Avery, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, and Executive Director Marion Conley.  Vice-President Carson Knight, Board Member Harry Colbert, Chaplain Jimmy Waters and Attorney Frank Childs were unable to attend.  Visitors included: Ken Suddeth, Larry Bowen, Willie Mitchell, L. D. Park, Jerry Willis, Ricky Foster, Jeff Weaver and Bill Cline.

The meeting was called to order by President Hitchens with a welcome being given to all.

Captain Larry Bowen with the Calhoun Police Department gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was led by Wayne Avery.

A motion was made by Bob Brown and seconded by Wayne Avery to approve the minutes and financial report from February 2000.  The motion passed.

L. D. Park with Park & Associates representing Travelers Insurance Company came before the Committee again and presented quotes on seven POAG members who had submitted information on their current insurance coverage and premiums.  The average savings was 20%, or savings in the range of $200-$400 for those members.  Several questions were asked by the Committee members and visitors.  The marketing of the insurance on autos, homes, guns, condos, boats, long term care, etc., will be accomplished by mail-outs through the POAG office, an eight hundred telephone number and a Web page.  The discounted coverage would be available to our members, either active or associate, which will hopefully increase our membership.  Mr. Chuck Schuelke with Affiliated Insurance Group and representing Travelers would pay for a mail-out for all of POAG’s members.  An in-depth discussion ensued on this group also offering POAG Internet service and POAG in-turn offering its members the Internet service.  This service would be provided through SouthNet Telecom.  POAG would have a choice of going private for a $5,000 set-up fee or no-brand with no set-up fee.  A motion was finally made by Bob Brown and seconded by John Conley to establish a subcommittee to investigate this possibility.  Bob Brown, Jerry Willis and Wayne Avery volunteered to serve on the subcommittee with Mark Revenew being appointed to serve.  A motion was made by John Conley and seconded by Bob Brown to go with the Travelers Insurance program and make these tremendous savings available to our membership.  The motion passed.

Michael Kenefick with the Graphic Partners Group, Inc. met with the Committee and will come back at the April meeting with his proposals.

Marion Conley reported the office now has Internet installed but no one’s E-mail could be received.  E-mail can be sent, however, with the E-mail address of poag@g-net.net.

Legislative Chairman Bob Brown gave the Committee an update on legislation passed and failed.  He will write an article for possible publication in “The Georgia Peace Officer.”  Ken Suddeth was happy to report SB377, which would protect an officer for one full year after being injured in the line of duty.

John Conley has been contacted by Retired Dekalb County Officer Jack B. Hodges about the possibility of buying life membership in the Association after retiring.  This idea was tabled for further contemplation.

John Conley reported the office has been conversing with Chuck Rooney who is heading a law enforcement motorcycle ride this weekend to raise money for law enforcement needs.  POAG will be one of four recipients of the funds raised.

Marion Conley had a sample of golf shirts available for each person’s review.  The golfers decided a 100% preshrunk cotton shire in navy was what we needed.

President Hitchens reported an artist had spent a lot of time working on the graphics for our web page and should be compensated.  The Committee left how much to pay this individual at the discretion of President Hitchens.

Marion Conley reported the golf green advertising box logos need to be in the office no later than April 6^th.

President Hitchens reminded all that Peace Officers Memorial Day would be celebrated this year at the Memorial Wall in Forsyth on May 11^th at 11 A.M.

All were reminded that the April meeting would be April 18^th at 9:00 A.M. at the Ramada Inn in Macon with the annual spring golf tournament being held on April 17^th in Macon.

A motion was made by Wayne Avery and seconded by Bob Brown to adjourn.  The motion carried.