The meeting commenced by teleconference at 2100 EDT. Present were Galloway, Stephenson, Voorhees, Schwehm, McNeil, Kehoe, Kovel, Stevens, Gadd and Wells. Reunion facilitator Mrs. Joan Emmer attended, Class Trustee Hatch did not. Golden was absent.

1. The minutes of the previous meeting, 25 February 2007, were approved as revised.

The focus of this meeting was primarily the refining of reunion plans. Participants had provided read-aheads to Board members which detailed the various arrangements they had developed. Since these documents exist, and much of the information therein will be provided soon to the Class in the form of a letter of information and instruction, these minutes will be generally limited to reporting information, discussion, changes and decisions not contained in the read-aheads.

2. Kovel reported 50^th Yearbook status. Five hundred and ten books have been ordered, including 69 to be given to widows of the Class, and a few to various individuals and entities. Twelve remain available. He estimates that the full price will be $55 (includes the $30 deposit), and he will bill the 440 buyers within a few weeks. Monies left over will be transferred to the gift or reunion funds. Reunion attendees will receive theirs at the hotel, and the others will be forwarded directly from the plant, or by Kovel and Kehoe.

3. Mrs. Emmer stated 309 principals (classmates and widows) have registered, and all but 16 have paid in full. Accompanying spouses and guests will bring the total reunion attendance to more than 720. Some further registrants may be expected and can be accommodated, although space on the busses may be a partially limiting factor.

Mrs. Emmer has negotiated a reduction in the minimum number of harbor cruise passengers required on each of the two vessels we have under contract. Spirit of New York will take 345 and Atlantica 160, for a total of 505, which is the number currently expected. She cited a small number of persons requesting cancellations that, while late, could be given refunds since no monies had been expended in their support, and recommended we do so. A suggestion was made to wait until the final payments are made to the cruise companies on or before April 21^st, and then make full or partial refunds before the reunion. Responding to a question, she said the menus on the two craft are similar, but not identical, being different companies and different chefs.

4. Mrs. Emmer briefed the registration room setup and process as previously provided in her read-ahead. A piano will be available and Sankey will entertain with tunes of the Fifties. There is a need for several additional tables for sale of graduation parade DVDs, mess hall murals and book signings by published authors of the Class. Three are known to be interested thus far, Pocock, Vardemis and Fran Vardemis. Others will be invited to take part in the forthcoming final letter of reunion information and instructions, Galloway to provide the wording. Mrs. Emmer asked that individuals who desire to add personally donated items to the registration packages have them available on Saturday. The Class Scribe will donate pens, to encourage correspondence for his Assembly column.

5. Mrs. Emmer described the Sunday supper setup, specifically food service arrangements and numbers of tables. Space is somewhat limited. Tradeoffs between buffet service with full seating versus butler-served and multistation foods with fewer tables were discussed. Mrs. Emmer will pursue Galloway’s proposal of multiple food stations with 75% full-table seating augmented by perimeter chairs and cocktail tables. She will also inquire about expanding the ballroom area.

6. Mrs. Emmer briefed the cruise bussing, boarding, and accommodation plan. Busses will load according to vessel assignment. The forthcoming letter will invite calls or emails to her for table reservations aboard Atlantica. The first 160 will be accepted, all others will be assigned to Spirit of New York, which will offer open seating. Spirit of New York accommodates wheelchairs, but Atlantica does not. Mrs. Emmer stated that in general, few special needs have been mentioned. Most have described difficulties in walking distances. The walk across the parade ground to the Mess Hall for the luncheon may be a problem for some. A van may be necessary.

7. Kovel described the memorial service arrangements as similar to those held previously. A West Point chaplain has been assigned, Galloway and Stephenson will speak, and Kovel will enlist a senior Air Force classmate, also. He has 400 attractive program covers from previous services, and rather than incurring further printing expense, the 400 will not be augmented, but will be distributed uniformly in the pews for sharing.

8. Gadd detailed hospitality room arrangements as in his read-ahead. Galloway asked him to refine his cost estimates. Mrs. Emmer will contact the hotel about a television to show the graduation parade DVD. Monaco will be asked to provide a player.

9. Kehoe outlined Tuesday night dinner arrangements as in his read-ahead. Table decorations will be limited to candles. Seating will be by cadet company, with a provision for groups of ten to reserve others. The reception will start at 7PM and dinner at 8PM. Hatch will act as master of ceremonies. Seely will entertain. Mrs. Emmer will seek to employ a DJ.

10. Voorhees summarized tour arrangements as in his read-ahead. Scheduled sites include Kimsey Center, Arvin Gym, Cadet Store, Cemetery, and the Honor Plaza. A tour booklet will be provided. An additional tour may be scheduled for those guests not attending the Supe’s briefing.

11. Galloway outlined the proposed agenda for the business meeting. Discussion was deferred to the next Board meeting.

12. Kehoe asked if class rosters were to be provided to reunion-goers, and what format was desired. The issue was deferred to a later meeting. He will prepare a reunion schedule on 4 ½ X 11 card stock, foldable for carrying.

Mrs. Emmer led a discussion of the numerous items of information to be included in the forthcoming letter of information an instruction. Entry to the Post in private vehicles may be a problem. She will investigate the possibility of special arrangements for those concerned. She is also looking into shuttle service between reunion hotels.

Kovel will manage the by-Company photo opportunity during the Tuesday evening reception. He will enlist an individual from each Company as designated herdsman.

13. Galloway cited a need to ensure that the widows of the Class will be properly taken care of during the reunion. Kehoe will oversee the task, enlisting a number of classmates to do so.

14. Mrs. Emmer is working with the AOG on guest seating at the alumni review. Space is restricted, and Galloway asked to be advised immediately should there be a problem. Kovel will discuss group picture arrangements with Academy Photo.

15. Galloway reported that arrangements have been made for him to present, at the alumni luncheon, a symbolic $650,000 check representing our gift to the Academy. Mrs. Emmer will pursue the feasibility of cadets joining the luncheon.

16. Kovel reported having informed Academy Photo of the reunion schedule. They will work with Mrs. Emmer in obtaining a room for the Company photos. The reunion photo CD to be produced will have two to four hundred pictures, sell for $20, and will be mailed to the buyers.

Kovel will display his accumulation of old photos in the hospitality suite and make them available to their original owners or anyone else that wants them. The smaller are in albums by Battalion and the larger in binders by Regiment.
 

17. McNeil reviewed selected reunion receipts and expenses, concluding with an estimate of receipts exceeding expenses by 4.5%.

18. Galloway cited the desirability of an overnight recon trip to West Point on 15 April, 19 April or 15 May, and asked that Board members consider making the trip.

19. Stephenson reported that gift fund drive receipts have reached nearly $410K, exceeding the $360K goal. Class participation is 63%, with the Company leaders being E-2 at 90%, B-2 at 88% and B-1 at 83%. Gift fund CQ’s have done excellent work. They will be congratulated and recognized at the reunion business meeting. Discussion ensued as to the future of giving to the fund and other entities supporting West Point.

20. Galloway outlined the routine for presenting gold bars at the graduation of the Class of 2007 on the Saturday following the reunion. Vouno and Kutyna will be invited, and Stephenson and Galloway will do the honors also.