CA-IV Business Meeting

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Call to Order at 9:10 am by President Wally Rice:

President Rice announced that two of our members, specifically Burton Brink with LASO and Richard Bennett, a San Diego PD retiree, have received 20 year pins and certificates from Blue Knights International.  He applauded them for their years of membership and service.  He also noted that due to work commitments, Burton has not attended many meetings lately, so he may not be known to some newer members.

Wally also noted that Jeff Talbott is still attending the FBI academy at Quantico, Virginia, where he is learning “special” command skills and, therefore, unable to attend our meetings.

Secretary’s Report: Secretary Scurti read the January minutes, to which amendments were made and were subsequently approved after a motion by Corbet Macy and a second by Wayne Kubicek.

Reports:

Ride Coordinator Phil DuBois announced that he is working to arrange another “Beatty Ride.” Depending on a “weather window,” he plans to hold it on a weekday, if there is a consensus to do so.

Chris Woodin announced that he is planning a ride to the Peace officers Memorial in Sacramento.  He has been in contact with the President of Cal-1 in Sacramento, whose chapter has agreed to meet and ride with us to the event.  Their chapter has arranged special parking for us and secured parking at the downtown Motel 6, where many plan to stay.  The plan is to ride to Sacramento on Sunday May 1 and attend the candlelight vigil that night.  The next day we will attend the official ceremony in which new fallen officers’ names will be announced for inclusion.  We will then return home on Sunday.  In a show of hands, eleven members committed to attending the ride.

Southwest Conference Safety Officer Richard Bennett related that he has chosen this year’s safety theme as “Be the Example” due, in part, to being part of our official pledge.  He reminded us that we are a select group; not only as motorcycle riders, but also as peace officers and that we have an image to uphold.  He then reviewed a recent member’s accident and possible causal factors, and asked that we all do a safety check of our motorcycles, especially the tires, before riding.  Another member then gave an update on Buster Hummell and his wife, who were injured in a recent club ride.

Old Business:

Wally stated he learned that Paul and Vivian fronted $180 in funds for refreshments at last year’s motorcycle rider’s safety training event, a burden he felt they should not have incurred.  During a discussion of the matter, Treasurer Al Mendoza cautioned that we need to be careful with our expenditure of funds.  He pointed out that since we have a special tax-exempt number, funds have to generally be directed towards charitable endeavors or we could face an audit and possible penalties.  Following the discussion, Russ Golesh made a motion, seconded by Rocky Hamilton, that we reimburse them, which was carried by the membership present.

President’s Report:

Wally reported that the Redlands Bicycle Classic is coming up soon and our assistance has again been requested to patrol the course, primarily on April 1st, but also on the third.  A show of hands was requested, and several members committed to working the event.

As a follow-up to his appointment of a Fallen Officers committee, Wally reported that he would like to see us donate to all fallen officers across the United States, but pointed out that it would not be possible. He noted that it took us 90 days to respond to officer Boniminio’s incident, which he felt was inappropriate. He would like us to determine what we can do at he local level, and he has tasked the committee with determining geographical boundaries, and how we can expedite our response.  He solicited input for members of the Executive Committee, which will now be meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

New Business:

President Rice stated that is has come to his attention that some members are not leaving a gratuity for the waitresses at our monthly breakfast meeting, which he felt was highly inappropriate.  He planned to meet with the restaurant manager to seek input, but asked that members do the right thing.  One member suggested that each person simply double the tax, which would appropriately cover the level of service for such a large group.

Guest member John Lopotosky announced that his new chapter has held its first meeting and thanked all of our members who attended.  He is soliciting more members to join and invites anyone interested to attend the next meeting at Rodrigo’s restaurant located at Winchester and Nicholas Road on March 19 at 1800 hours.

Al Irwin won the 50-50, and Chris Woodin won the poker chip receiving $30, which will return to $5 next month.

At 1012 hours Russ Golesh made a motion to adjourn by, which was seconded by Wayne Kubicek, and was carried by the members present.