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REGION I

THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE WORLD WARS

CAPT Harry H. Weinberg, SC, USN (Ret.)Region I Commander

Minutes of the Annual Convention – 1 June 2013

The Region I Annual Convention was held at the Best Western Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island on 1 June 2013, commencing at 0930. The Department of Rhode Island Commander, LTC King Odell, made all arrangements for the meeting. Captain Harry H. Weinberg presided as Region I Commander and LT Jason Sokolov recorded these minutes as Adjutant.

After an excellent buffet breakfast was enjoyed by all attendees, Captain Weinberg called the meeting to order. The pledge of allegiance was recited followed by an invocation and a recitation of the MOWW Preamble.

Captain Weinberg opened the meeting by welcoming all attendees including honored guests LTC and Mrs. Gary Engen, current National Commander, LTC Alfred Shehab, former National Commander, and Vice CINC LTC Ruth Hamilton, one of whose responsibilities is the oversight of Regions I, III and IV. Among the chapter representatives and other members in attendance special recognition was given toCAPT Weinberg’s wife, Maureen, and LTC Engen’s wife, Brenda.

As the first item of business, CAPT Weinberg asked all present to introduce themselves informally.

The Adjutant then called the formal roll of the Chapters, Department and State Commanders. Chaptersrepresented were Major General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Maine) represented by Chapter Commander MG Stephen E. Nichols, Granite State (New Hampshire) represented by Chapter Commander LTC Joe DeChant, Green Mountain (Vermont) represented by Chapter Commander LTC Michael Jarvis, Cape Cod represented by Chapter Commander CDR Robert Gillen, Greater Boston represented by Chapter Commander LTC Walton Stamper, Adjutant – Elect COL Lawrence Willwerth and COL Gerard Hayes, Worcester Chapter represented by LTC Dennis Christo, and Narragansett Bay Chapter by LTC King Odell. As the Connecticut Chapters are both in recess and the state commander, CWO Francois Pelletier, was unavoidably absent, all active chapters were recorded as present. Also, the Department of Massachusetts Commander, CDR Robert L. Gillen, was present, as were the State Commanders of Maine (MG Nichols), New Hampshire (1Lt Jesse Taylor), Vermont (BG Tom O’Donovan) and Rhode Island (LTC King Odell). The Adjutant and Treasurer, LT Sokolov, distributed the minutes of the Mid-Winter meeting of 1 December 2012, which he remarked were identical to the draft previously circulated by email and also posted to the Region I website, and a financial report for the

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preceding one-year period was also presented as appended to the minutes. All financial outlays during the one-year period from 1 June of 2012 through 31 May 2013 were set forth in the report.

Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously

VOTED: that the minutes of the 1 December 2012 meeting and the financial report for the year ended 31 May 2013, be accepted as presented.

As a part initial meeting business, CAPT Weinberg made a special reference to the good work of the Greater Boston Chapter in marking the upcoming anniversary of the start of World War I by publishing pictures of memorials to that War in its newsletters. A discussion of the need for the filing of updated Form 5 profiles was also highlighted in CAPT Weinberg’s remarks.

Chapter Activities reports were given by chapter commanders in a summary form, the full written reports having been filed with the Region I Commander. LTC King O’Dell, the Narragansett Bay Chapter Commander, also provided a continuation of his report of difficulties with the Internal Revenue Service regarding form 990 reporting, which now have been satisfactorily resolved pending official notification from the IRS, and his request that National Headquarters resume total responsibility for that filing. He also complained about the difficulties in getting orders for supplies filled correctly from National Headquarters staff.

LTC Walton Stamper, commander of the Greater Boston Chapter, reported on a highly-successful year, including the recruiting of many new members, the award of perpetual memberships to newly-commissioned officers, the program to encourage annual members to convert to perpetual memberships, the continuation of a program of 10 monthly meetings a year with speakers in 8 meetings, and the highly satisfactory development with local universities, notably Boston University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Northeastern University. He also mentioned prominent membership participation in many patriotic and civic events.

The Worcester Chapter announced the second year of its essay contest. In the first year there were only three entrants, but this year there were 14.

CDR Gillen also added some comments describing the Greater Boston Chapter’s Danforth Award, currently at $500, for the winning essay submitted by a JROTC cadet.

LTC Shehab suggested that chapters might consider having a memorial service for deceased members. He also suggested that a memorial service might be organized at a Regional level and possibly at a special chapter meeting. General Nichols, the commander of the MG Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Chapter, described its activities generally and noted the continued publication of its widely-admired newsletter. In this connection, COL Willwerth recommended that email distribution of newletters is best effected using the pdf format.

LTC Jarvis on behalf of the Green Mountain Chapter described the Youth Leadership program conducted in connection with Norwich University. In all 124 students participated this last season. They came from 15 states and many different high schools. Many remarks were offered acknowledging the extraordinarily successful conduct of this program. LTC Jarvis described the present nature of the program and stated that he very much enjoyed directing it. COL Lawrence Willwerth, of the Greater Boston Chapter, who has also been a very active participant in the program, added his comments about its continuing evolution.This program has exceeded all expectations and is regarded as a model patriotic education initiative of Region I.

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At this stage of the meeting, LTC Dennis Christo supervised an internet connection which enabled the meeting to be in direct communication with BG Arthur Morrill, the National Chief of Staff. There followed an extensive discussion involving most of the chapter representatives present, CAPT Weinberg, LTC Hamilton and the CINC, LTC Engen, on various subjects of administration particularly focusing on the membership rosters and the asserted need to identify changes that are made in successive rosters so that it will be easier for the individual chapters to recognize changes without the need for extensive analysis. There was sentiment expressed by some members that abbreviations should be more clearly defined. General Morrill offered extensive explanations of current procedures at the National levelincluding the new drop-down menus for on-line review and additional features of the rosters.

After the conclusion of this dialogue, the meeting recessed for lunch.

Upon reconvening CAPT Weinberg asked the meeting to consider reestablishing the Memorial Plaque which was last recognized circa 1994 to memorialize a deceased Region I companion who did much for the MOWW and Region I. He proposed that the name of Major Thomas McEnaneney of the Green Mountain Chapter be added. He also proposed that a Memorial Plaque Committee be established to recommend the adding additional names to the plaque. The proposals were unanimously passed.

LTC Jarvis then rose to describe the results of the Regional Award competition. He complimented COL Lawrence Willwerth, who has adjusted the award submission form to compute scoring automatically – a dramatic improvement in the process of submission and review. LTC Jarvis described some unresolved problems with scoring and discussed the issue involving the Green Mountain Chapter, which hosted four Youth Leadership events, and posed the question of whether that effort merited a score of 100 points or 400 points. LTC Jarvis declared that Greater Boston had therefore won the Dee, Small and SatterleeAwards. [This announcement was later revised based on a vote taken at the meeting. See the copy of his email and revised scoring sheet appended as Exhibit I.]

Rising to address the meeting, VCINC LTC Ruth Hamilton presented a gold Patrick Henry Award to LTC Michael Jarvis based on his diligent and constant efforts to develop the Youth Leadership program with Norwich University and its unusual success, attributable in large measure to his work. She remarked that in her capacity as supervisor of three Regions she had the authority to confer one gold Patrick Henry Award each year and had selected COL Jarvis for his extraordinary work in establishing the program and expanding it beyond all expectations from the original winter and spring months to its present version which operates into the summer months.

The next order of business was the establishment of assessments to support the Region I administration and the Department structure. It was suggested that the traditional assessment of $1 per living member for support of Region I and 50 cents per living member be assessed for the Department of Massachusetts. It was unanimously so voted.

In reference to maintaining an accurate National data based, CAPT Weinberg distributed Form 5 and advised that members should email them directly to the Chief of Staff, strongly recommending that the membership number always be added to email communications. He also reminded the meeting that Forms 990N must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service by 31 July. Also, a Form 9 must be filed with National HQ by 30 September with a copy of the IRS email evidencing successful filing of the 990N.

CDE Gillen then commented regarding audit requirements advising everyone to copy the screen before sending the 990N to the IRS. LTC O’dell stated his request for National HQ to handle all filings with the IRS.

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CAPT Weinberg provided an update on Connecticut activities by CWO Pelletier, specifically his activities at the Yale University commissioning and the commissioning at the University of Connecticut and the presentation of two cash awards at the Coast Guard Academy. He mentioned that a letter had been sent to all Connecticut resident companions asking for help in forming a new chapter, but the response had been very limited. CAPT Weinberg also asked that the requested National reports of ROTC/JROTC activities by made, especially by the Greater Boston, Worcester and Green Mountain chapters, which have been so active. CAPT Weinberg also reminded the meeting of the National Convention scheduled for Dallas this summer. LTC Engen mentioned at this point that the CINC solicitation had in fact been successful.

Nominations were then made for a slate of officers for the ensuing year, COL Hayes, as Chairman of the Nominating Committee consisting of himself, CDR Gillen and CPT Al Mundo, presented the Committee’s nominations, as follows:

Commander CAPT Harry H. WeinbergGeneral Staff Officer COL Gerard J. HayesSenior Vice Commander LTC Dennis J. ChristoJunior Vice Commander LTC Michael J. JarvisAdjutant & Treasurer LTC David AndersonJudge Advocate CAPT Leo LazoChaplain 1LT Joseph Griffin

There being no nominations from the floor of the meeting, nominations were closed and the Adjutant cast a single vote for the slate, thereupon declaring it elected. CDR Gillen also announced that the Department of Massachusetts voting had resulted in his election as commander and that of LT Sokolov as Adjutant and Finance Officer, who has also agreed to stay on as the Region I Assistant Adjutant and Assistant Treasurer.

There were no items of new or old business raised, and no matters for the good of the order.

Closing remarks were then offered by former CINC Al Shehab, VCINC Ruth Hamilton and CINC Gary Engen. Notably, LTC Shehab remarked that he always enjoyed visiting Region I because of the cordial welcome and the comfortable spirit of fellowship always present at the meetings. As chairman of the Magazine Committee, LTC Shehab urged all those with interesting stories to submit them to Officer Review. LTC Hamilton added her congratulations and best wishes for continued success in regional and chapter activities. LTC Engen discussed the general condition of the administrations of all regions and noted that he felt that all of the MOWW regions were well run. With apparent satisfaction, he mentioned that the recent fund-raising effort had been successful. This effort was necessary to provide for the continued appropriate operation of the Order. He also urged diligence in implementing the ideas expressed at the meeting.

In his closing remarks, CAPT Weinberg noted the efforts of the past year especially the continuing development of university connections, support of ROTC/JROTC programs, and the intention to focusefforts on Girl and Boy Scout organizations. He also complimented the maintenance of the Region I website [under the direction of CPT William J. Maloney] and suggesting its greater use by all chapters. CAPT Weinberg also emphasized that the 100 year anniversary of the start of World War I will occur next year and that all chapters should consider special recognitions of that momentous event, and one which led to the creation of this Order. COL Hayes then provided a closing benediction and extended good wishes to all.

A true record:

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Attest: Jason A. SokolovRegion I Assistant Adjutant

EXHIBIT I

Companions,

Based on the decision at the Newport conference, Item #22. (Conduct YLC-Multi-Day) was removed from the score sheet since the NEYLC is a Region vice Chapter event. The attached score sheet now reflects this change and the new winners are as reflected. Of note, Granite Chapter won both the Small and Satterlee awards based on the fact that they presented 41 BSA Certificates to Eagle Scouts. Boston lost the Small Award because like Green Mtn, they had claimed points for putting on a multi-day YLC.

Score sheet items and the scoring method used will be a topic at the next Region 1 Conference. Suggestions on how to improve this score sheet to better reflect what the Chapters actually do are welcome.

Mike Jarvis

2013 MOWW Region 1 Awards Submission

CHAPTER! ! SMALL! ! SATTERLEE!! DEE

Boston! ! 677! ! ! 92! ! ! 787*

Cape Cod! ! 0! ! ! 0! ! ! 0

Granite! ! 696*! ! ! 362*! ! ! 439

Green Mountain! 632! ! ! 272! ! ! 594

J. Chamberlain! 345! ! ! 39! ! ! 552

Narragansett!! 282! ! ! 61! ! ! 420

Worchester! ! 348! ! ! 30! ! ! 749

* Winners:SMALL - GraniteSATTERLEE - Granite

DEE – Boston

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EXHIBIT 2: These Photos were taken by former CINC LTC Al Shehab, were forwarded by courtesy of VCINC LTC Ruth Hamilton, but are not part of the official minutes of the meeting.

LTC Michael Jarvis, commander of the Green Mountain Chapter, is awarded the Gold Patrick Henry Award for Patriotism, the order’s highest award,

by VCINC LTC Ruth Hamilton. Above from left: Region I Commander, CAPT Harry Weinberg, CINc LTC Gary Engen, Ltc Jarvis and Ltc Hamilton.

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A very proud moment for mike Jarvis, the green mountain chapter and Region I: from left: former Cinc al shehab, region I commander harry

Weinberg, cinc gary engen, mike Jarvis, ruth Hamilton

Above: Ltc dennis Christo of the Worcester chapter connects the meeting to national chief of staff, bg Arthur morrill