Metropolitan Airport Commission

ATTENDEES:

Peg & Mark Backes, Debbie & Stew Anderson, Marilyn Benson, Judy & Rick Biddle, Chris & Dwight Dyrud, Patrice & Kent Klayum, Deb Martenson, Teresa Whitson, Meredith Whiting, Stephanie & Terry Thome, and Major Tom Mattison

THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 10:16 a.m. by Mark Backes.

MINUTES of the March 4, 2006 meeting were distributed and approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT – A Financial Report was submitted on behalf of Jon Stignani which reported that our current reconciled balance is $4,358.91.

NEW BUSINESS

Mark Backes thanked the Senior Parents for jobs well done within the Club, and congratulated them on their graduating Firsties.

He also reported that the Class Representatives for 2009 have resigned. This is due to the fact that their cadet will not be continuing his appointment at the AFA. Mark asked everyone to talk to the 2009 parents and encourage someone to step up and fill this position to maintain continuity within the Club. A suggestion was made that a questionnaire be sent out the 2009 Parents requesting their opinions on (1) what would make the Club better (2) what their main interests are (3) what their needs are, in hopes of generating more participation from this group.

Teresa Whitson has volunteered to publish the Club newsletter starting next fall. This newsletter is published 4 times per year and mailed out to each family. The next edition will be mailed out the end of June. A special thanks to Leslie and Kris Gagner as they finish up the year as editors of the newsletter.

Spring Banquet - Peg Backes submitted the 2006 Annual Spring Banquet Financial Summary for review. The banquet was held on April 29, 2006 at the Hazeltine National Golf Course. Total income from the banquet was $7,079, including Silent Auction proceeds of $1,434 and cash donations of $1,670. Expenses totaled $4,570.19, for a net profit for this event of $2,508.81.

Appreciation and thanks were expressed to Peg and Mark Backes, Cindy and Bob Mokos, and everyone else involved in making this a successful and profitable endeavor. A special thanks was also given to Major Tom Mattison for stepping up and filling in as “Emergency Guest Speaker.” His informative speech was well received by everyone present.

Discussion was held on whether to change the venue of the banquet for next year, in order to bring down the cost per person. It was suggested that participation might be higher if the price were less. It was felt that this was especially true for the new Appointee families. Currently the out-of-town Appointees must pay travel and lodging expenses, as well as the cost of the dinner. Further exploration of this subject will be done by the appropriate class representatives and recommendations will be made at future Club meetings.

Major Mattison remarked that it is not imperative that the ALO meeting be held either the same day or at the same venue as the banquet, and that this meeting should not be a deciding factor on where or when the banquet is held.

Appointee Orientation Meeting - June 3, 2006 - Mark Backes reported that this meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m., and the guest speaker will be Colonel Billy Walker. It is hoped that any cadets on first leave will be able to attend this meeting to answer questions by the Appointees and their parents. The cadets will answer questions of the general Club, and then do a break-out session with the Appointees, along with Major Tom Mattison, to answer any specific AFA questions they might have.

Peg Backes stated that she would be sending out flyers regarding the meeting to the new Appointee families during the week of May 8 to reserve the date. She also reported that she and Cindy Mokos would be putting together an informational handout for the new Appointee families to have as reference material to help answer some of their questions.

Discussion was held that during this meeting there will be a panel of 4-5 parents to answer questions, rather than involve the entire membership, in order to keep better control of the meeting. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) will be addressed before the question/answer segment starts. Academy questions will be directed to Colonel Walker and Major Mattison. Existing members should plan to sit at tables with new Appointee families to help answer questions as well. Mark Backes volunteered to put together a timeline of what the new Appointees and their parents can expect over the summer before the academic year begins.

Major Tom Mattison suggested that new Appointees can also call the Admission Counselors at USAFA with questions. Last names A-K should call Sharon Jones and L-Z should call Sandy Long. The telephone number to reach these representatives is (800)443-9266 or (719)333-3803. He also stated that this year boots will not be available at the reserve base, but that new Appointees can call Fort McCoy, In Tomah, Wisconsin, to check on size availability. If they have the correct size in stock, new Appointees can drive there for correct fitting and purchase. Otherwise, new Appointees should wait until in-processing to obtain boots.

Mark requested that any members available arrive early to this meeting to help set up the room, and remain afterwards for cleanup.

Mentor Program – Discussion was held on whether this program was effective after being instated last year. Rick Biddle stated that since the consensus was that this program be continued this year, he would get the names of the new Appointees and set up mentors for each from existing Club members. The selected members will then call each new family and be available throughout the year for encouragement and support.

Summer Picnic - July 22, 2006 – Mark Backes reported that the date has been secured and the deposit has been made for the picnic site. A flyer will be prepared and made available to everyone at the June 3^rd Parents Club Meeting with specific details. For those not attending the meeting, this flyer will be mailed to their homes. The class of 2008 is responsible for obtaining the food for this event, as well as each family bringing a dish to share.

Discussion was held on signs directing members to the picnic location. Previous signs were destroyed last year due to rain. Kent Klayum reported that he had researched options for replacing the signs. It was determined that the most cost-effective solution would be poster board signs. These signs can be produced and laminated (which would make them waterproof) for approximately $6 each. Kent will continue working on this project. Teresa Whitson volunteered to donate the H-frames needed to hold the signs.

Parents’ Weekend - There will be no home football game for the upcoming Parents’ Weekend, and therefore no Minnesota tailgate party. Mark Backes suggested that we put a positive spin on this by reminding the new Appointee families that this would allow them to spend more time with their new C4C cadets during the weekend. It was suggested, for people wishing to see a home football game, to try and attend the Navy game in early October, and that possibly a tailgate party could be planned before that game.

ALO Report

Major Tom Mattison reported that the Minnesota ALO website is no longer valid. He was not sure when this site would be restored.

He stated that he had attended an Appointee Reception given by Congresswoman McCollum, 4^th District, St. Paul. Flags that had been flown over the Minnesota State Capitol were given to each Appointee there, which was a special honor.

Major Mattison informed the Club that Squadrons 37-40 would be brought back to the AFA during the upcoming year, and that this would mean the current squadrons would be shuffled to accommodate this change.

He reported that the AOG board recently voted in new by-laws, which should make them more responsive to their membership.

He commented that as of July 1^st he would be based in Minneapolis, and that all the ALO’s had enjoyed the Spring Social and appreciated the effort spent on making their meeting and evening successful and enjoyable.

Announcements

Debbie Anderson informed the Club members of an injured AFA cadet. While climbing Eagle’s Peak, ’08 C3C Thomas Avolio fell and was seriously injured. The Washington Parent’s Club have set up an account to help support the family during this crisis. Donations can be sent to: Thomas Avolio Family Fund, C/O Columbia Bank, 4220 S. Meridian Street, Payallup, WA, 98373. Any extra funds remaining will be donated to the Rando Fund.

Debbie also expressed her appreciation to all the Club Members who had helped her this year. She reported that pen sets had been purchased for the 24 graduating seniors of the class of 2006, as well as for the upcoming class of 2007.

A sincere thank-you was given to the out-going Presidents and all the Senior Parents for all their hard work and contributions to the Club. Cake was served and enjoyed by all in honor of these dedicated members.

The meeting Adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mom and Dads Night Out Thursday May 11, 2006

TGIFridays

2201 Killebrew Dr.

Across from Mall of America

952-854-5112

7:00 p.m.

Call or email Patrice Klayum if you will be coming to Mom/Dad Night Out at 952.997.6325 or likelafn@aol.com

June 3, 2006 Parent’s Club Meeting 8:00 a.m. at MAC - New Appointee Orientation Meeting

Picnic – July 22^nd, 2006. Info to be provided at June 3^rd Parents Club Meeting

Deborah Martenson

Secretary