The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., November 15, 2000 at the Jekyll Inn, Jekyll Island, Georgia. Committee members attending included President Bill Hitchens, Vice President Wayne Avery, Board Members Harry Colbert and Homer Bryson, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown and 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, Morgan and Joyce Key, Harold and Pat Groover, Sammy Murphy and Gary Hill.

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

Jekyll Inn Sales Manager Lori O. Strande welcomed all the Jekyll Island, Jekyll Inn and promised total cooperation with our plans for the 2001 convention. Lori volunteered to acquire overflow prices for convention delegates at Villas by the Sea and Comfort Inn.

The invocation was given by Wayne Avery.

A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Harry Colbert and passed to approve the minutes and financial report from October, 2000.

President Hitchens proudly reported the website was up and running with some inquiries about membership having already been received from this source. He reported there were a couple of errors on the site but no problem should be encountered in correcting same. A question was asked whether POA&B Fund’s website was now available. President Hitchens thought the site was not yet completed but all the Committee agreed POAG and POA&B sites need to be linked. President Hitchens reminded all that the office needs to be notified of any upcoming events so the web master can place them on the calendar of events. All in attendance expressed the sentiment that it would be nice if we could post the Chief’s and Sheriff’s events on the website.

Legislative Chairman Bob Brown reported 260 deer had been donated the previous weekend to "Hunt for the Hungry." He feels that perhaps POAG can participate in this plan next year. Wayne Avery reported he has men willing to donate 10 deer to POAG; POAG in turn can give the deer to whomever it wishes. All were reminded that agencies that feed the homeless etc. can accept the venison but homes feeding children are prohibited from accepting venison because it has not been inspected.

The matter of Legislative agenda for the 2001llllll session of the General Assembly was discussed. The Committee was in complete agreement on continuing to pursue the possibility of POAG dues being payroll deductible for our state employee members. Also, we need to investigate possibly asking for an increase in the amount of a scholarship for those dependents of officers killed or permanently injured in the line of duty and not on HOPE scholarship. The present bill has not kept pace with inflation.

President Hitchens notified all of the bankruptcy of SouthNet Telecom.

The recruitment of new members was again discussed with all Committee person expressing a desire to see our District Directors become more involved in the recruitment of new members. Also, a letter prepared by the office soliciting names and addresses of persons from our present membership was shown. By asking for names and addresses from our present members, we should get a quality member rather than a felon etc. and this method will not be done by telemarketing but via U. S. Mail. Harry Colbert made a motion to give new Associate members three stickers and a tag with their new membership card. This motion was seconded by Wayne Avery and passed.

Vice President Wayne Avery reported he had been contacted by Executive Director Joe Stiles with PBA on POAG and PBA collaborating in their legislative efforts. Wayne suggested to Mr. Stiles that he get in touch with Bob Brown, our Legislative Chairman about this matter.

John Conley reported Chaplain Jimmy Waters is still in the hospital in rehabilitation.

District Director Sammy Murphy reported that Mr. Paul DeLoach with Miller Brewing wished to approach POAG about Miller and POAG cosponsoring a statewide program on underage drinking and responsible drinking. All attendees thought this idea was wonderful and agreed to have the December meeting in Macon so that Mr. DeLoach could meet with us and discuss in-depth his wonderful idea.

District Director Morgan Key thanked the Committee for his life membership.

Board Member Homer Bryson announced he had made arrangements for a tee time of 1:04 that afternoon for those persons wishing to play golf. This game was compliments of Jekyll Island Authority.

Ladies Auxiliary President Pat Groover announced she would begin to coordinate Ladies Auxiliary activities for the 2001 convention while at Jekyll.

Marion Conley reminded all to please be thinking of a speaker for the 2001 convention.

The December, 2000 meeting will be held December 5, 2000, 10 A. M. at the Macon Police Department Training Range, Jackson Street, Macon, Georgia. Hopefully, this centrally located site will be more accessible to Mr. Paul DeLoach with Miller Brewing.