UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
PARENTS’ CLUB OF MINNESOTA MEETING
March 1, 2008
Fort Snelling Officer’s Club
ATTENDEES:
Class of 2008
Rick Biddle, Kent Klayum, Darrell Tamosuinas, Jon Stignani
Class of 2009
Rich and Deb Martenson
Class of 2010
Debra Baik, Bob & Mary Peplin, Rita Lundquist, Alan & Jane Anderson
Class of 2011
Kevin and Sue Bethke, Diane Witzig, James Sturdevant, Mary Wood, Kirk and Jayne Lewis, Becky Tarvin
ALO
Major Tom Mattison
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 10:08 a.m. by Rick Biddle, who welcomed and thanked everyone for attending.
MINUTES of the February 2, 2008 meetings were distributed and approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT – A financial report was submitted by Treasurer Bob Peplin that indicated our current reconciled bank balance is $6009.99. This report was approved as submitted and is attached to these minutes.
CLASS REP NEWS
Class of 2008 – Darrell Tamosuinas reported that he had been to Colorado Springs during 100’s nights and had witnessed some of the “decorations” that were made to the Firstie’s dorm rooms by the 4 degrees. He was pleased to say that a lot of time and effort was made in fulfilling this worthy tradition. It was also reported and flyers were distributed regarding the USAFA 50th Anniversary patches for the Class of 2008. This is being sponsored by the USAFA Parents Association of Nebraska.
Class of 2009 – Deb Martenson reported that progress continues on the details for the Spring Social and Class of 2012 Orientation Meeting. She will be in contact with club members on specific tasks that need accomplished, and announced that Darrell Tamosuinas has agreed to Chair the Auction Committee for the Spring Social.
Class of 2010 –Bob Peplin reported that things were going well with his cadet and the Class of 2010.
Class of 2011 – Sue Bethke reported that plans and details are being worked out for both the upcoming Summer Picnic and the Fall TailGate events.
CADET SHARING
Parents shared information about what and how their cadets were doing. As always, it was good to hear about what these young men and women are doing, how they are adjusting to life at the AFA, and future plans for the upcoming summer sessions and the near graduates.
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
Lt. Col. Mark Vijums was our special guest speaker for this meeting. Col. Vijums is the Operations Group Deputy Commander for the 934th Minneapolis Airlift Wing, a 1986 graduate of the Air Force Academy, as well as a Liaison Officer for new appointees to the AFA.
Col. Vijums presented a short video and spoke to our club members about how the 934th Unit provides support to our military forces, as well as to our community. The unit has over 7000 full and part-time military personnel located at this base.
He then spoke to the club members about careers in the Air Force (after graduation from the AFA) and how joining the Air National Guard or Reserves is an opportunity for our cadets after they have fulfilled their commitment obligations. Working in the Guard or Reserves is considered a part-time duty, but there is always the possibility that a unit will be called upon to become active duty and deploy where needed for a limited time.
Col. Vijums stated that a key element to advancement within the Air Force is to keep moving, keep learning new jobs and continue with available educations opportunities. If any club members would like further information from Col. Vijums he asked that you contact him and he would be happy to answer any questions. His e-mail address is mvij@comcast.net.
NEW BUSINESS
ALO Report: Major Tom Mattison reported that the ALO’s are currently filling the slots for the Class of 2012. Fifteen appointments have been offered as of today, and five have been accepted. More appointments will be offered over the next two months as the class is finalized.
He also reported that the ALO’s are planning to meet on April 26. This meeting will be held at the same venue as the Spring Social, and he is hoping that this will encourage more ALO’s to attend the event and socialize with the new appointees and their families.
He asked that if any cadets are willing to fly back to Minnesota for the Orientation Meeting on May 17, their presence and participation in the meeting would be greatly appreciated. This is weekend after finals and before dead week/graduation begins. Special leave permission must be granted by their squadron AOC. Please let Deb Martenson (952-953-3966) know if your cadet would be able to attend this meeting.
2008 Spring Social: Deb Martenson reported that invitations and information for the Spring Social will be mailed out on or around March 15. Please watch your mailboxes for this important information, plan to attend, and help make this a great event for the upcoming Class of 2012.
Orientation Meeting for the Class of 2012: Plans are still in process for this meeting which will be held on May 17. More information will be finalized and submitted to the members at next month’s meeting.
Web Page Update: Becky Tarvin, Webmaster, reported that the site has been recently updated and current information is available. There are still some bugs to work out, but it is safe to send folks to the site. She requested that if anyone sees information that is incorrect, please contact her via e-mail so she can make the changes.
She has some great ideas on how to make the site better, and we look forward to seeing the changes – and appreciate her efforts in updating our technology.
Club Volunteer Opportunities: Becky Tarvin has agreed to fill the Secretary position for the upcoming year. Rita Lundquist has agreed to be the club Merchandise Coordinator (clothing and name badges), Deb Sturdevant will become our Newsletter Editor in the upcoming year, and Becky Tarvin will continue as our Webmaster.
We continue to need a volunteer from the class of 2010 or 2011 to become the Junior Treasurer/Registrar. This position would work with the current club Senior Treasurer/Registrar, Bob Peplin.
Announcements
Teresa Whitson provided CD’s from the musical group In The Stairwell, an acappella choir at the AFA that practices “in the stairwell” because the acoustics are good there. The CD’s sell for $10 each. If you are interested in obtaining one, please contact Teresa at whitson1978@msn.com
Upcoming Events:
April 5, 2008 - USAFA MN Parents’ Club Meeting – Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
Fort Snelling Officer’s Club, Hwy 5 & Post Road (612-767-1960)
April 10, 2008 - Parent’s Night Out – Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Ruby Tuesdays – 12900 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie (952-944-2800)
April 26, 2008 – 2008 Spring Social/Silent Auction – Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Olympic Hills Country Club, 10625 Mount Curve Road, Eden Prairie
2012 Orientation Meeting – May 17, 2008, Fort Snelling Officer’s Club
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Martenson, Secretary