POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - MAY 2001: 

     The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 3 P. M., May 16, 2002, Best Western, Helen, Georgia.  Committee members attending included President Wayne Avery, Vice President Harry Colbert, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, Executive Director Marion Conley and Public Relations Director Ken Suddeth.   Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend. Visitors included: Sammy and Connie Murphy, Joyce and Morgan Key, Bob Carter, W. E. and Cynthia Jones, W. R. and Jane Harber, Paul and Barbara O’Neal, Grady Jackson, Bill Cline, Billy and Pat Stone, Best Western Staff Mike Gangwal and Carol Powell, Jerry Elkins, Helen City Manager and Ted Ray, Chief of Police, Helen, Georgia.

 The meeting was called to order and a welcome given to all in attendance by President Wayne Avery.  

 Legislative Chairman Bob Brown gave the invocation. 

President Avery led the Pledge of Allegiance

            Helen Police Chief Ted Ray welcomed all to the City of Helen.  His welcome was followed by a welcome from Helen City Manager Jerry Elkins.

            A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Harry Colbert and passed to approve the minutes and financial report from April, 2002

            Several e-mails and correspondences from POAG members have been received by President Avery and the office concerning having a “Peace Officer” license plate of some description.  President Avery expressed his opinions on this matter.  He was sure some officers would probably have no objections to being identified as a law enforcement officer, particularly a retired officer, but then some would not wish to be identified in such a manner for safety reasons.  President Avery decided to bring this subject up for discussion at the convention.

            An e-mail was sent President Avery concerning a possible federal tax cut for teachers.  The member was opposed to the cut unless public safety officers were also included.  President Avery had communicated via letter with Senator Miller on this topic and reiterated his position in support of the member’s position.  President Avery’s intentions are to continue to communicate with Senator Miller on this matter.

            President Avery went into a very in-depth discussion on his and Vice President Harry Colbert’s trip to Callan Publishing in Minneapolis.  His report was that they were very impressed with the operation of the telemarketing contacts; the average conversation with an individual being three minutes and if they were told by the individual “no” there was a polite thank you and no pressure at all applied.  There would be no telemarketing on Saturday or Sunday and the telemarketing site would be located in Athens, Georgia.  Each person contacted would be a sponsor of the Association; each sponsor would receive a sponsor card, brochure, sticker or similar item bearing the Association’s name.  The script used by the caller would be approved by the Association.  Because of the

FTC’s proposed “do not call” registry the guaranteed rate previously given the Association had been deleted from the new proposed “Program Agreement”.   According to President Avery, this guaranteed rate would be reinstated if the FTC’s proposal fails to pass Congress.  It was pointed out by Marion Conley that Congressmen Nathan Deal, Jack Kingston and Max Cleland sit on committees relevant to the FTC’s action and it would be nice if POAG members could contact their Congressman and express their desire to see the “do not call” registry NOT APPLY to charitable organizations.

            Secretary Conley brought before the Committee a case of one of our members passing away April 20, 2002.  This person had been a member for over twenty years.  Alzheimer's had taken its toll on the member’s memory and unfortunately, the dues lapsed February 1, 2002.  A motion was made by Harry Colbert, seconded by Bob Brown and passed to pay this death benefit.  Secretary Conley also reminded the Committee that we needed to move forward on the criteria for the Jimmy Waters’ Scholarship fund to be implemented.

            All in attendance were reminded of the need for nominations for “Officer of the Year” since the deadline is June 30, 2002.

            Ms. Carol Powell, Assistant Manager for group sales with Best Western informed the group there were 268 rooms within walking distance of the Best Western with the present going room rate being between $89 and $99 a night.  The Best Western had 65 rooms.  There was a theater less than a mile away that would seat 800-900 people that could possibly be used for meeting space.  Marion Conley will send Ms. Powell a convention bid sheet.

            A situation had arisen in the office this past month of a group seeking a donation from POAG.  In fairness to all POAG members, POAG does not donate to an individually sponsored fund raising event.  One person or group could never take priority over another person or group and we ask that all remember POAG is a non-profit organization.  Also, POAG represents probably 500 different police organizations in the state and it would be financially imprudent to contribute to one when we could not contribute to all.  A motion was made by Harry Colbert, seconded by Bob Brown and passed that should this issue arise again, under no conditions would any funds be given until after a meeting of the full Executive Committee where the issue would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

            A motion was made by John Conley, seconded by Harry Colbert and passed to

award an honorary life membership to Ronald E. McCall.  Mr. McCall has been so helpful and instrumental in helping POAG and Miller Brewing in their publicity with the alcohol free prom night project. 

            The June meeting was called for June 11, 2002 at the Holiday Inn, I-75 and Arkwright Road, Macon.  The meeting will convene at 10 A. M.

             A motion was made by Harry Colbert and seconded by Bob Brown to adjourn. Accordingly, the meeting was adjourned.