POAG EXECUTIVE MINUTES - October 2003:             

The Executive Committee of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. held a meeting at 10 A. M., October 28, 2003, at the Peace Officers’ Association office, Reidsville, Georgia.  Committee members attending included President Homer Bryson, Vice President Keith Moran, Board Members Gary Hill and Jimmy Jones, Secretary-Treasurer John Conley, Legislative Chairman Bob Brown, and Executive Director Marion Conley.  Attorney Frank Childs and Chaplain Jimmy Waters were unable to attend. Visitors included Jimmy Sims, Ken Suddeth, Ronnie McCall, and Sheriff Benny Deloach. 

The meeting was called to order and a welcome given all in attendance by President Homer Bryson.  Vice President Keith Moran gave the invocation.  President Bryson led the Pledge of Allegiance.  

A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Keith Moran and passed to approve the minutes and financial report from September, 2003. 

The pros and cons of the past convention were discussed in depth.  A suggestion was made to have an evaluation sheet available for the delegates attending the convention to complete.  All agreed this was an excellent idea.  All agreed the large attendance at the training sessions could, in part, be attributable to having advertised the training topics many months prior to the convention.  Therefore, we will attempt to arrange training topics for the 2004 convention as quickly as possible. G. B. I. Director Vernon Kennan had graciously volunteered to assist in any manner possible with training.  President Bryson said he would contact Director Keenan about their office possibly providing training.  The giving of door prizes and the length of time this takes was discussed.  Vice President Moran suggested a method of prior to a meeting, drawing the numbers, posting them on a board and then each lucky winner could claim their prize immediately following that meeting.  The large and best prizes would be saved until last to give away.  The Committee agreed this would speed the convention agenda up and save time.  Vice President Moran was also happy to report that the Blue Knights poker run took in $770 for POAG.  It was the consensus of the Committee that this event would probably grow each year. 

Appling County Sheriff Benny Deloach had been given an active life membership in the Association at the convention. However, because of sickness Sheriff Deloach was unable to attend the convention.  The Committee proudly presented Sheriff Deloach his life award. 

The convention site for the 2004 convention was discussed.  The sites submitting bids were Macon $60 a night, Rome $65 a night and Tybee Island $70 a night.  A motion was made by Jimmy Jones to go to Rome.  Keith Moran seconded this motion; however the motion failed to get a majority vote.  A motion was then made by Gary Hill to go to Macon.  This motion was seconded by Bob Brown and passed.  The 2004 convention will therefore be held in Macon at the Holiday Inn, September 12-14, 2004. 

            A suggestion was made for having a distinct ribbon for the valor and meritorious service winners in our “Officers of the Year” competition.  This would enable all delegates at the convention to recognize these persons and congratulate them.  Also, a suggestion was made to write IN BOLD a persons name by which they are known on their registration badge so that the person could be easily identified.  All thought these ideas could be great improvements to the success of the convention. 

            A discussion of the registration fees at the convention ensued.  A motion was made by Bob Brown, seconded by Gary Hill and passed to raise the registration fee to $20 per person. 

            The National Organization of Deputy Sheriff’s, Inc. asking for POAG’s endorsement, had contacted Marion Conley.  The Committee was happy for the group to have a link to our web site but felt that endorsing any group could lead to potential problems. 

            Secretary-Treasurer John Conley had been in communication with Pabst Brewery about sponsoring some alcohol free school activities.  The Committee asked him to continue to pursue these discussions as this project was very successful in the past and since Miller had dropped the idea, we definitely needed another sponsor. 

            The November meeting was set for November 24, 2003, 10 A. M., Vidalia City Hall Council Chambers, 114 Jackson Street, Vidalia, Georgia.   The Committee is hoping that the Pabst representative can meet with the Committee at this meeting. 

            Bob Brown made a motion, which was seconded by Keith Moran and passed to adjourn the meeting.  Accordingly, the meeting was adjourned to lunch..