The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., November 21, 2002, at the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department, Higgins Building, Macon, Georgia.  Committee members attending included President Harry Colbert, Vice President Homer Bryson, Board Members Keith Moran and Gary Hill, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Attorney Frank Childs, Public Relations Director Jimmy Jones, and Executive Director Marion Conley.  Chaplain Jimmy Waters was unable to attend. Visitors included: Ken Suddeth, Bobby Carter, Ed Richards and Bill Hitchens. 

The meeting was called to order and a welcome given all in attendance by President Harry Colbert.  President Colbert led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Board Member Keith Moran gave the invocation. 

The minutes and financial report from October, 2002 were approved upon a motion from Bob Brown.  The motion was seconded by Homer Bryson and passed. 

The President reminded all that they had received the magazine deadlines for the calendar year 2003.  The President announced that the Spring Golf Tournament would be April 7, 2003 with the site to be announced at a later date. 

Attorney Frank Childs asked for some additional input on the Jimmy Waters Scholarship Fund.  In addition to the guidelines previously drafted,  it was decided to award the scholarship for a year at the time but the applicant could re-apply, the question “why would this scholarship financially benefit you” would be asked, and the sponsoring POAG member would be on the application, even if the member was deceased.  Frank and the Committee will strive towards making the application available in the June issue of “The Georgia Peace Officer”, pending Callan’s approval of placing same in the magazine. 

President Harry Colbert reported having received a letter from Greene County Sheriff Chris Houston inquiring as to the method of our fundraiser.  Sheriff Houston’s letter was written in response to a letter sent from the office to all 159 sheriffs and all chiefs of police in the state informing them of the fundraiser by POAG and Emergency Services, Inc. (copy of letter attached and made a part of these minutes).  Bob Brown volunteered to personally contact Sheriff Houston as well as President Colbert following up with a written response.  Board Member Keith Moran reported he and Vice President Homer Bryson attended the Sheriff’s annual training in Savannah on November 12^th and were well received. 

Legislative Chairman Bob Brown had visited Ken Vance, Director of Public Safety at Georgia College.  The POAG and Miller’s program against underage drinking was explained to Director Vance.  Bob explained to Director Vance our desire to collaborate with Georgia College in an effort to reach into the collegiate level with the program.  Bob reported Director Vance was receptive to the idea and would be happy to cooperate but informed Bob that we would need to talk with the Dean of Student Activities on how we proposed to carry out the program.  Secretary John Conley reported he had talked with the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Georgia and he was very supportive.  All felt our next step needed to be to communicate with Paul DeLoach of Miller Brewing for guidance on how we are to achieve these programs. 

            Marion Conley presented a Corporate Resolution that needed to be approved for the checking account regarding the funds generated by Emergency Services, Inc.  A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Keith Moran and passed to approve the President and Secretary-Treasurer signing the Corporate Resolution with Marion Conley, John Conley and Keith Moran signing the signature cards. 

            Vice President Homer Bryson said he had again been contacted about POAG having a prestige car tag.  Bob Brown volunteered to check with the State Revenue Department and acquire the necessary criteria for undertaking this venture.  The consensus of opinion was that the tag should read POAG rather than police officer.  Many felt unwanted repercussions could occur if the tag read any type of police officer.  In addition, in all likelihood more tags would be sold if POAG were on the tag. 

            Board Member Keith Moran handed out a lesson plan he had developed outlining an introduction, history, mission, goals, members, benefits, and activities of POAG.  Keith asked for suggestions from the Committee on how this could be improved so that the plan could be successfully used in presentations around the State.  Keith also reported that the Blue Knights are willing to participate in a statewide fund run on Saturday at Jekyll Island prior to the convention.  The Blue Knights also would like to link to our web site.   

            Board Member Gary Hill relayed his communications with Dr. Bobby Smith.  Dr. Smith’s fee as speaker for the convention would be $2,500 plus expenses.  A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by John Conley and passed to ask Dr. Smith to be the featured speaker on Monday afternoon from 1-5 P. M.  This four-hour session could count as four hours of POST training.  Vice President Homer Bryson volunteered to seek a corporate sponsor for the fee.  Gary further reported that Dr. Smith has founded the FORTE Foundation.  This nonprofit foundation is For Officers Recovering From Traumatic Events (FORTE).  These events could be substance abuse, domestic violence, anger management etc.  Dr. Smith is seeking support from law enforcement for this Foundation.  The Committee decided to ask Callan Publishing if they would publish the fact sheet on FORTE in “The Georgia Peace Officer”.  The Committee will make every effort to offer our membership a chance to affiliate with FORTE.  FORTE will be given an opportunity to have a booth at the convention. 

            John Conley raised the issue of POAG only paying $.28 per mile expenses for members of the Executive Committee.  If the Committee is to visit departments throughout the State, he felt it was only fair that expenses be paid.  Bob Brown made a motion to pay the State per diem of $28 per day for meals, $.28 per mile travel and lodging when traveling on official POAG business.  A receipt would need to be furnished for lodging and an expense voucher completed and signed for all expenses.  This motion was seconded by John Conley and passed. 

            Marion Conley reported that Past President Charles Sikes is continuing to diligently work on names and addresses of Federal law enforcement supervisors so that we may afford Federal law enforcement personnel working in the State of Georgia a first year free membership.  Marion also reported the death of another member who had been a member for many many years.  This member’s grace period expired August 31, 2002 with death occurring November 11, 2002.  A motion was made by Keith Moran, seconded by Bob Brown and passed to pay this death benefit.  This member has two other relatives who are members of POAG. 

            POA&B Fund Secretary-Treasurer Bobby Carter reported that the Fund had a new member.  Kay Carter, Division Director of Planning and Budget is the newest member of the Board. 

            District Director Ken Suddeth reported visiting three law enforcement agencies explaining POAG benefits during the month of November. 

            The President reminded all that he would like to have all training for the convention completely planned and in the March issue of “The Georgia Peace Officer”, if possible.  

            The December meeting was set for December 12, 2002, 10 A. M., POAG office, 133 Tattnall Street, Reidsville, Georgia. 

            The meeting was adjourned to a meal prepared by the Bibb County Sheriff Department employees upon a motion from Keith Moran.  His motion was seconded by Bob Brown and passed.