J.J. McGillis Branch
“The King’s Towne Jumpers”
Minutes of the General Meeting, 10 January, 2010
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 13:30 hrs, with the President, Bob Janik, presiding. There were 8 members and 5 ladies present.
Airborne Prayer: The prayer was dedicated to fallen friends and comrades.
The Vice-President, Jim Steed, called the roll of those of the brotherhood recently deceased.
G Legarie JG Noble LF Downing A Nuttall
RR Downing ED Ranni WH Wyers Dr H Seguin
PL McKenna HE Garland T Brudlo A Hope
JA Leonard L Chesney HN Jackson V Roddick
T Joordens HC Watkins VA Davis GR Wallace
The President called the roll of those recently fallen in Afganistan.
Canadian
Donald Styne Zachery McCormack Kirk Taylor George Miok
Journalist Michelle Lang
US Forces under Canadian Command
Joshua Lengstorf Brian Bowman Brian Dion Bradley Smith
Approval of Minutes: There being no errors or omissions observed of the minutes of the General Meeting of 8 November 2009, it was moved by Mel Douglas and seconded by Jack Wright, that the minutes be approved. Carried.
Correspondence:
1. Letter from Trillium Childhood Cancer Support Center acknowledging receipt of the Christmas donation. No discussion.
2. Two items were received from CAFA National President, Al Saint-Yves. First, a letter proposing changes to CAFA dues and an appeal for funds; and second, an E Mail outlining a proposal that both ARAC and CAFA host their 2010 AGM jointly at Petawawa on the 6 June weekend. Discussion followed. With respect to any proposed change to the collecting of dues, it was agreed that if changes were needed, any change would have to be agreed to by the CAFA membership at large, preferably at the AGM, and to come into effect at the commencement of the new business year. With respect to the plan to hold joint AGMs, all agreed it was a good idea and held the prospects of a good weekend.
Financial Report: The Financial Report as of 10 January, 2010, was tabled. Discussion focused on the reconciliation of bills as of end of year 2009, principally expenses accruing from the Christmas party. The party was almost self-supporting, with a shortfall of some 78.00 dollars. The shortfall was made up in part by the Vets Breakfast Club to the sum of 35.00, with the balance coming from the General Fund. As of 10 January, the General Fund stands at $1,693.83. Some discussion followed regarding accounting procedures, with all concerns addressed. Moved by Frank Key and seconded by Ron Aubrey that the Financial Report be approved. Carried.
Old Business: Christmas party re-cap. No discussion.
New Business:
1. Christmas party 2010. Pre-planning - all agreed that planning could commence with a proposed date of Saturday, 27 November 2010.
2. The scheduled February General Meeting falls on the 14th, St Valentines Day. Rather than re-schedule the meeting, it was proposed that the meeting could be expanded to include a social, in the form of a luncheon. Several suggestions emerged, sufficient to proceed with planning. An outline of the planned activities for the 14th are included as an attachment to these minutes.
3. The president requested members to reflect on the impending review of CAFA membership terms, dues setting and payment, and associated concerns. A consolidated position will be formulated for presentation to the CAFA BOD.
Reports/General Discussion:
1. Mel Douglas requested clarification on when the next issue of the Maroon Beret could be expected. President to action.
2. Ron Aubrey requested clarification on how items for publishing in the Maroon Beret were determined. His concern; that little is found relevant to branches and noted that several items he had submitted in the past had not been accepted with no explanation. President to action.
3. Frank Key briefed on the up-coming 60th Anniversary of the Korean War project, requesting that Korean War vets be made aware of the planned activities. (Subsequent to the meeting, Peter Worthington, columnist for the Toronto Sun, wrote a comprehensive article published broadly in Canadian newspapers, on or about 12 January, 2010.) Members are requested to contact other Korean War vets who may not be on info streams, i.e.: the Canadian Legion or Korean War Veterans Associations.
Adjournment: There being no further business, it was moved by Mel Douglas and seconded by Jack Wright, that the meeting be adjourned. Carried
Next meeting, 14 February, 12:30 hrs.
JJ Janik RJ Janik J Steed
Secretary/Treasurer President Vice President
PRESIDENT’S COMMENTARY
Movie update_- ‘Paratrooper’.
Most will recall that last year, some of our members took part in pre-production interviews. The producer, Dixon Christie, advises that their web-site has been up-dated and includes summaries of visits and other related activities. WWW.Paratroopers.ca is the web-site or better; go to the Airborne Brotherhood web-site and key in CAFA. Some good stuff there and it’s reassuring to know the project is still up and running.
Airborne Trivia.
While on movies, have you seen “Inglorious Basterds”? If you did, did you recognize the unit patch on Brad Pitt’s combat jacket? First Special Service Force my brothers. Pitt plays the part of Lieutenant Aldo Raine, “Aldo the Apache”, a FSSF officer leading a bunch of irregulars. Hollywood got this one right – if you want rowdy, go to the toughest, meanest, stick to it unit in the orbat of WW II allied forces. By the way, forcemen were referred to as “Braves”. Not by chance either, for to truly represent their North American warrior spirit, Amerind culture and markings formed the basis of their unit identifiers. Thus their collar insignia of crossed arrows and the unit patch of a spear head with USA and Canada imposed. Incidentally, it’s proper to refer to members of FSSF as “Forcemen”. (Or Sir) | 
