POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - October 2000:

The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., October 10, 2000 at the Bibb County Training Ranger, Macon, Georgia. Committee members attending included President Bill Hitchens, Vice President Wayne Avery, Board Member Harry Colbert, and Legislative Chairman Bob Brown. Board Member Homer Bryson, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Executive Director Marion Conley, Public Relations Director Jimmy Jones, Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend. Visitors included: Ken Suddeth, Mickey Pearce, and Jim Redmon.

President Hitchens called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. He informed all of the illness of Secretary-Treasurer John Conley and the illness of Board Member Homer Bryson’s daughter.

The invocation was given by Wayne Avery with the pledge of allegiance being led by Harry Colbert.

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

President Hitchens gave an update on the progress in the development of POAG’s web site. He asked that any suggestions, ideas, changes, or errors on the site be reported to him.

Wayne Avery made a motion which was seconded by Harry Colbert to raise Associate membership dues to $25.00 per year. The motion passed.

A lengthy discussion ensued on the criteria for payment of a death benefit. One of POAG’s members had died under somewhat less than normal circumstances. A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Harry Colbert and passed to delay payment of this benefit until Attorney Frank Childs could render an opinion to the Committee. This issue will be brought back up and voted on at the November, 2000 meeting.

Vice President Wayne Avery suggested the Association hold a "Hunt for the Hungry." This hunt would provide game for society’s hungry. Since this hunt is regulated and governed by the Department of Natural Resources, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown will coordinate the event.

Board Member Harry Colbert suggested that all area chief’s, sheriff’s and local law enforcement personnel be invited to the regional meetings held throughout the state. This should vastly improve a lot of communication problems and would also provide an avenue of input from our officers throughout the state.

Legislative Chairman Bob Brown requested that any potential legislative items be given him at the November meeting. At the present time, we are aware that we wish to pursue legislation making POAG dues payroll deductible by the State.

President Hitchens read a proposed resolution given him by W. R. Harber and Paul O’Neal asking that the Executive Committee look into having some conventions in North Georgia in an effort to attract new members. Mr. Harber gave him this resolution on Tuesday afternoon of the convention. President Hitchens reminded Mr. Harber all resolutions would need to be presented the Resolutions Committee on Monday of the 2001 convention at Jekyll Island.

President Hitchens set the next meeting for November 15, 2000 at 10 A. M., Jekyll Inn, Jekyll Island, Georgia. Plans will begin for the next convention.

After a motion from Harry Colbert and a second from Wayne Avery to adjourn, the meeting was adjourned for lunch prepared by Mickey Pearce and others from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department.