Board of Directors Meeting UPDATE

On May 8^th, 2007 I attended the monthly meeting of the Troopers Association Board of Directors.  The following is a brief synopsis of the meetings agenda:

1.     Despite what some of you may have been seeing and hearing in the media  lately the Troopers Association is not “phasing out” our telemarketing efforts.  The Board of Directors did approve a direct mailing campaign to attempt to raise additional funds which was done as a test to see if a tactic like this would be beneficial.  The test was very successful but should in no way be an indication that our telemarketing campaign with the Community Development Group (CDG) is being terminated.   Our long time relationship with CDG has been very successful in the past and we are continuing our partnership with them.  We, as a Board of Directors, are always looking for new ways to raise money and are utilizing a direct mailing approach to do just that.  Telemarketing efforts nationwide have come under a lot of fire lately, so we feel it is in our best interest to look for other ways to subsidize our income.  We are still in contract with CDG and will continue to do so at this time.

2.     We are in need of an Editor for the Troopers Association magazine.  The magazine publisher pays this editor $1500.00 per issue for two (2) issues per year.  If anyone is interested in making $3000.00 extra by gathering articles and photos for the magazine and putting them together for the publisher then please contact me ASAP.   If any of you have a spouse that may be interested in this offer please let me know.

3.     Our conference is being held June 22^nd and 23^rd at the Charleston Marriott.  There is still plenty of time to plan on attending and make your reservations, but please do so soon while our block of rooms is being held by the Marriott.

4.     The West Virginia Ethics Commission is on an all out war against the fund raising efforts of law enforcement associations ie… WVTA, FOP and Sheriffs Associations etc…  Depending on what happens this could greatly damage the way funds are raised and interfere with our operations.  If any of you would like to see what is being proposed by the Ethics Commission contact me and I will supply you with a copy.

5.     The Board examined the Associations election process after the recent election and the very poor return that we received with the election ballots.  The executive board election returns was LESS than 1/3 of the Association membership.  Most Troop elections yielded 20 or less votes.  This response was terrible!  This is YOUR Board and YOU make the decisions as to who you want to represent you and make critical decisions. Please take an interest in what is happening and make your voice heard.

6.     We are working on a new web site as I feel that the current one is difficult to navigate and does not contain the merchandise as we were hoping.  Stand by for the updates. 

7.     If anyone has any Troop 1 articles, stories, photos, or birth announcements etc… let me know and I’ll send them to the Trooper newsletter and magazine. 

The next Board meeting will be held on June 22nd at the Association Office.  The General Board Meeting will be held at the conference on June 23^rd.  Please attend.