Batavia Chapter Minutes, February 15, 2023
The February 2023 meeting of the A.F.N.Y.S.T. Batavia Chapter was held Wednesday, the 15th at the Polish Falcons Club on Swan St., Batavia with 17 in attendance.
President Louie Lang opened the meeting with the pledge, and a prayer for the sick and departed members and especially for our active members in law enforcement and those in the military. An update on former President Pete Detoy, former Treasurer Dennis Spanitz and life member Bud Bradley of Texas was given.
Vice President Gary Hammond spoke on the upcoming State Meeting and the change in the bylaws regarding civilians’, and their participation in the local chapters which is to be voted on at the Spring meeting. Mentioned that 4 more academy classes have been added as they believe a significant number of members will be retiring in May and June. Gary also spoke about the PBA legal fund.
Treasurer Kathy Hartman gave the treasurer’s report and status of the Chapter. A motion was made to accept report by Joan Bruce, 2nded by Henry Haas and passed. Mentioned that we were still selling tickets at $5.00 each for a round of golf for 4 including cart at the Batavia Country Club.
Secretary Kathy Hartman. A motion was made to wave the reading of the minutes from the January 18, 2023 meeting by Jim Beers, 2nded by Zepher Raymond and passed. Kathy told of upcoming events in Florida, such as the F.A.R.T. Reunion in Orlando in April, and how to become a member of the F.A.R.T.S. Each year the Chapter takes out an ad in their booklet for $50.00. A motion to take out the ad was made by Henry Haas, 2nded by Bill Sobolewski and passed. Kathy passed out a letter that she had put together on the urging of Tina Zack to explain what the Batavia Chapter was so she could hand it out to new perspective members. It was passed around and asked attendees for any input to make it better and the mention adding civilians were now welcome to join and that the Chapter supplies a free meal at each meeting. Also suggested a letter be given in their retirement package. Letter will be rewritten.
New Business: Henry Haas told us about the American Association of State Troopers, an organization that every trooper should subscribe to, below is their information and you can find them online on Facebook.com/statetroopers. Spend a few minutes of your time to read about them, it will be well worth your while.
The American Association of State Troopers provides valuable benefits and brotherhood assistance to state troopers across the country.
AAST benefits include:
1. Wellness Benefit
2. Bereavement Benefit
3. Trooper Connection Subscription
4. AAST I.D. Card
5. Brotherhood Assistance for Troopers in Need
6. Educational Scholarships for Trooper Members’ Qualifying Dependents
7. Educational Assistance Reimbursement for Trooper Members
8. Professional Law Enforcement Association Membership (PLEA)
* Annual dues are only $35
Old Business: Dues and delinquency. Members have been lax in paying their dues. What do you receive for your dues: a free meal at each meeting, the Gray Rider magazine, updates on the PBA, sharing of info from other Chapters, as well as the status of sick and deceased members. It’s in the Bylaws that members can be dropped for delinquency. Each year dues are collected at the November Dinner meeting and should be paid by January 1 the following year. Giving you time to remit your dues the cut off will be June 1, 2023, if you are not up to date by that date you will be deleted from our files and email.
50/50 won by Mark O’Brien.
Motion made by Mickey Schrader, 2nded by Zepher Raymond and to close the meeting, passed. Closed at 7:51pm
Dues information: You can contact Kathy to see how much you owe at hartmankathy@rocketmail.com
Send your dues to: Kathy Hartman 5066 Clinton St. Rd. Lot 18, Batavia, NY 14020
Members’ dues: $12.00 and Associates dues: $6.00
The 2024 dues will be $20.00 for each member and associate.