POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - October 2001:

The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., October 19, 2001 at the Bibb County Range, Macon, Georgia.  Committee members attending included President Wayne Avery, Vice President Harry Colbert, III, Board Members Homer Bryson and Keith Moran, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, Attorney Frank Childs, Public Relations Director Ken Suddeth and Executive Director Marion Conley.  Chaplain Jimmy Waters was unable to attend. Visitors included: Jimmy Barbee, Bill Freeman, Jim Redmon, Morgan and Joyce Key and Tonnie A. Williams.

President Avery called the meeting to order.  He then introduced Macon Police Dept. Lt. Jimmy Barbee as being the new District Director for the Macon POST District.  President Avery expressed thanks to Bibb County for allowing us the usage of the range.   

Homer Bryson gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Avery.

A motion was made by Harry Colbert and seconded by Homer Bryson to approve the minutes and financial report from September, 2001.  The motion passed.  President Avery asked about convention expenditures but Marion reported that the Jekyll Inn had not yet submitted an itemized bill – only a total bill.  She reported they were in the process of getting the itemized bill together for submission to the office. 

A lengthy discussion ensued on the declining royalties being received from Callan Publishing.  A sheet showing the last four years in total royalties ending June 30^th each year had previously been sent each Executive Committee member.   Many of the Executive Committee members had discussed this problem with Mr. Callan.  Secretary Conley informed the Committee eleven deaths for the first eighteen days of October had already been paid with more awaiting the receipt of the W-9.  President Avery reminded all that alternative means of financing the Association needed to be sought.  Various methods of increasing revenues were extensively discussed.  President Avery reported he would contact Mr. Mike Callan after the meeting to see if Mr. Callan could meet with the Committee at its November meeting.  He will ask Mr. Callan to have ready a proposal for telemarketing.  He informed the group that he would ask Mr. Callan to prepare a proposal on the telemarketing of just businesses and also a proposal for telemarketing individuals.  There was some concern expressed by some members of the Committee on resorting to telemarketing.  They felt all other avenues of increasing revenue should be explored.  President Avery reminded all this would just be a proposal. 

Legislative Chairman Bob Brown reminded all that POAG needed to lead the front in regulating telemarketing in the upcoming session of the legislature.  He has been communicating already with the Office of Consumer Affairs and other state agencies as we attempt to at least get a certain percentage of collected funds disbursed for the purpose the telemarketer contacted the business or individual and stated the purpose of the funds being sought.  Chairman Brown also reminded all the POA&B bill would arise this upcoming session to allow a POA&B recipient to return to work full time and continue to draw full POA&B benefits.

            The proposals received by the office for the convention site for 2002 had previously been mailed each member of the Committee.  After a discussion on the many factors that play a part in choosing a site, a motion was made by Bob Brown and seconded by John Conley to have the 2002 convention in Macon at the Holiday Inn Conference Center.  The dates set were September 22, 23, and 24, 2002.  The rate quoted by the Holiday Inn for their facilities as well as the facilities of The Hawthorn Inn & Suites, directly behind the Holiday Inn and the Hampton Inn across the street from the Holiday Inn were all $64.00 per night, single or double occupancy.  POAG will have free meeting space and free usage of the parking lot for cooking etc.  The motion passed.

            President Avery reported being approached by some members expressing a desire to go back to the banquet at the close of the convention.  Economics was the reason this function was discontinued.

            President Avery reported he wished to install Power Point presentations at different law enforcement agencies.  He hoped each District Director and officer would get actively involved in these presentations of telling the story of POAG.  President Avery felt that with enough advance notice to a department the listener would come prepared to join and pay the $15 dues at the meeting.  President Avery reported he and Lt. Tonnie Williams with Macon Police Dept. would be meeting with employees of Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Department in an attempt to recruit new members. 

            A motion was made by Harry Colbert, seconded by Bob Brown and passed to give office worker Carla Hughes and Executive Director Marion Conley a 5% pay raise effective November 1, 2001..

             Harry Colbert discussed the possibility of raffling some large item at the spring golf tournament.  This would be contingent on the approval of Attorney Frank Childs for raffling.  President Avery reported he was going to talk to the Honda dealer about giving a 4-wheeler or a personal size water craft to be used as a door prize at a future event. 

            Homer Bryson introduced his guest, Corporal Jay Morgan with the Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement.

            Secretary Conley introduced the idea of awarding an honorary life membership to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for his wonderful leadership following the attack on America, September 11, 2001. 

            Board Member Keith Moran thinks there is a possibility he can get a gun donated for some future function. 

            President Avery announced that Muscogee County Marshal Ken Suddeth will be POAG’s new Public Relations Director and also serve as District Director for the Columbus POST district.  President Avery is asking PR Director Suddeth to provide press releases to each home town of our Officer of the Year recipients honored by the Legislature.  President Avery asked for constant press releases prepared by Marshal Suddeth. 

            Marion Conley reported a new member being received as a result of PayPal.  The growth continues by our membership and potential members to use the web page and now PayPal. 

            The November meeting will be at the Bibb County Range, November 13, 2001 at 10 A. M.  Mike Callan will meet with the group with his telemarketing proposals.