POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - October 2002:

             The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., October 23, 2002, at the POAG office, Reidsville, Georgia.  Committee members attending included President Harry Colbert, Board Members Keith Moran and Gary Hill, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, and Executive Director Marion Conley.  Vice President Homer Bryson, Attorney Frank Childs, Public Relations Director Jimmy Jones and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend. Visitors included: Shirley Alley, W R. and Jane Harber, Ken Suddeth, and Ronnie McCall. 

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. 

Cards had been prepared with the names of the nine POAG members who participated in the Glock Sports Shooting Foundation contest.  President Harry Colbert drew the winning name of POAG member Ray Blocker as the winner of the Glock gun given by POAG. 

The minutes and financial report from September, 2002 were approved upon a motion from Bob Brown.  The motion was seconded by Keith Moran and passed. 

            The Jimmy Waters Scholarship fund was discussed with some guidelines suggested for Attorney Frank Childs to draft the scholarship requirements.  It was decided that the Committee preferred to award the scholarship to a second year college attendee.  The Committee felt that the applicant would probably be more prone to complete their college education if given the scholarship their sophomore year.  The amount would be $1,000 based on essay, accomplishments, need etc.  The scholarship would go to a son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter of any active, retired or deceased peace officer who is or was a member of POAG.  The Committee decided to award at least one scholarship but at the discretion of the Committee and the availability of funds, more could be awarded.  All applications would be submitted to the office no later than June 30^th each year and the scholarship given the winner at the convention each year. 

            Board Member Keith Moran had communicated with Terry Norris, Executive Vice President of the Sheriff’s Association.  POAG has been placed on the agenda for the Sheriff’s meeting at 4:30 P. M., November 12, 2002 in Savannah. 

            Secretary-Treasurer John Conley presented to the Committee a situation whereby one of our members had been a member for over twenty years, the grace period of his membership expired August 3l, 2002 and death occurred September 29, 2002.  A motion to pay this benefit was made by John Conley, seconded by Bob Brown and passed. 

            The Committee decided to plan the entire convention, but particularly the training EARLY (no later than June 1^st) this year for the 2003 convention.  This way we can notify the various departments of the training that will be available in case they would like to send some of their employees to the convention to get part of their 20 hours mandated annual training. 

            Board Member Gary Hill discussed with the Committee Dr. Bobby Smith, a retired Louisiana State Trooper, permanently injured (shot and blinded) in the line of duty who had made a very moving and thought provoking speech the previous day.  Gary suggested we might like to look into the possibility of inviting him to be our guest speaker at the 2003 convention.  Gary pointed out his speech lasted three hours but it would qualify as three hours of POST training.  Gary will check into the schedule of Dr. Smith and see if he is available for Monday, September 22, 2003 from 1-4 P. M. 

            The Committee made the decision to not read the “Officer of the Year” nominees who were not present at the awards ceremony of the convention. 

            Keith Moran relayed he will be going to Villa Rica next week to make a presentation on POAG and is hopeful Bobby Carter with POA&B will also be able to go with him to make the POA&B presentation to the officers in Villa Rica. 

            In an effort to make the first year’s membership free to new POST Academy graduates more widely known, the possibility of the December meeting coinciding with the POST Training Council meeting on either December 4 or 5^th at Tybee Island was discussed. 

            Board Member Keith Moran discussed the poker run with the Savannah Chapter of the Blue Knights (peace officer motorcycle riders) for the Saturday preceding the start of the convention.  This would be a fundraiser by the Blue Knights to benefit the Jimmy Waters Scholarship Fund.  This event would occur on Saturday, September 20, 2003 at Jekyll Island.  Plans were discussed to link the Blue Knights website to POAG’s website. 

            A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Keith Moran and passed to send each Sheriff and each Chief in the State a letter concerning our fundraising by Emergency Services, Inc. that will be in complete compliance with the application submitted to the Secretary of State. 

            President Harry Colbert was happy to report that at the Indemnification Commission meeting the previous day DNR Ranger Leon Tucker was awarded payment.  POAG will ask the Legislature to pass legislation amending the Indemnification Commission’s guidelines so that they will be more in line with Workers Compensation guidelines. 

            President Colbert advised that District Director Jimmy Barbee would be changed to Steve McAlpin.  He has not determined the rest of the District Directors as of this date.  However, each District Director will be asked to submit a monthly report on their activities in behalf of POAG for the previous month. 

            A letter received by Board Member Keith Moran nominating Retired U. S. Marshal Walter Caldwell for a life membership was tabled until life memberships are awarded. 

            Ronnie McCall gave the Committee insight into some ideas he had formulated on branching out to the colleges and universities with the joint venture of alcohol free activities being sponsored by Miller Brewing and POAG.  One of these ideas would possibly include some type of certification program.  All agreed that reaching the colleges and universities would be more difficult than the high schools were.  Bob Brown volunteered to go to Georgia College and attempt to set up an appointment with someone for us to communicate with concerning this program.  Ronnie McCall will get with Jay Morgan on the program. 

            Past POAG President Charles Sikes had suggested the Committee entertain the idea of giving all Federal law enforcement personnel assigned to the State of Georgia a one-year free membership as we give POST Academy graduates.  Charles volunteered to help the office acquire the name and addresses of the different Federal agencies that could furnish us this information.  A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Keith Moran and passed to accept this wonderful idea. 

            The idea of pre-registering for the convention was discussed but tabled. 

            Gary Hill issued a challenge to each person to invite at least one person to the next convention. 

            The November meeting was set for November 21, 2002, 10 A. M., at 651 Hazel Street, Macon, Georgia in the conference room on the first floor. 

            The meeting was adjourned upon a motion from Bob Brown.  His motion was seconded by Keith Moran and passed.