2016 1stQuarter Telephone Pioneers Executive Board Meeting Minutes Page 1 Email Motion to deal with Jackson Telephone Museum Page 2 2016 1st Arrowhead Quarter Report Page 3 2016 1st Central Quarter Report Page 4 2016 1st Harley Forsythe Quarter Report Page 4 2016 1st Metro Quarter Report Page 5 2016 1st MS TRAM Quarter Report Page 6 2016 1st Web Page Quarter Report Page 7

TELEPHONE PIONEERS CHAPTER 18 ELECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 17, 2016 VFW, COON RAPIDS, MINNESOTA

Present: Mary Ann Neuman, Kathy Hanson, Jan Swenson, Joe Swenson, Pat Jeukens, Lee Poirier Carol Barthel, Al Barthel, Barb Hemmer, Dave Hemmer, Ruby Wilson. Kathy Hanson opened meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Dave moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Mary Ann seconded and motion passed. Jan gave Treasurer’s report. Jan moved to transfer $100.00 into Norma Stevens scholarship account in order to make it possible to award 4 equal scholarships in 2016. This would result in emptying that account. Dave seconded and the motion passed. Reports were received for all three Councils for this quarter. It was discussed and decided that lunches for meeting will be paid by individuals. Jan gave Cook Book report. Al & Carol took several cases back to Central Council. Pat gave a report on Ronald Mac Donald House meals. The number of meals has been cut back. Pat will check on dates available for 2016. It was suggested to serve one Brunch either Sat/Sun and1 evening meal. Pat made a motion to spend no more than $500.00 and Carol seconded and motion passed. Dates available: Sept 10 or 29 or Oct 29 for Brunch. Supper Dates: Sept 18 or 25 or Oct. 9 or 30. Let Pat know what dates work for you. MS Tram: Have 8 registered riders as of 2/12/2016 a total of $795.00 has been collected. $10,000.00 is our team goal. Barb is working putting together props for the Hollywood theme day for the Pioneer run rest stop. A motion tabled at the last meeting to donate to the MS TRAM ride team Wheel Deals an amount of $300.00 per rider up to ten riders was voted on and passed. NEW BUSINESS: A motion was made by Dave to donate $200.00 to Coon Rapids VFW for use of room for meeting. Seconded by Mary Ann. All Passed. Food Shelf Awareness month is coming up. Mary Ann made motion to give $200.00 to Second Harvest. Al seconded Motion passed. Dave explained the On Line Donation feature on the MN Pioneer web site. He will add that names or addresses or other personal Info will not be shared with anyone. Dave will post the upcoming meeting dates and locations on the MN Pioneers web site. Kathy will review the list of approved Chapter projects. Pay Pal can’t specify where donations are directed when we receive online donations.. Carol will send list of projects for 2016 to Kathy and they will check for ones needed to stay on list and add new ones for 2016. Mary Ann made motion to adjourn Next meeting date: June 8, 2016 in St. Cloud at the Whitney Senior Center Thank you very much to the Coon Rapids VFW,

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Email motion and status of the Telephone Pioneer Museum at Jackson, MN Email sent out; Executive Board, I was asked by President Kathy Hanson to look into an issue brought to her attention this week. The Jackson County Fair board has requested that the Pioneers remove the contents of the building formerly known as the Telephone Museum. They stated, we need to have the building cleaned out by June 1st 2016 or they will start charging us $500.00 per month for storage.

About a year ago Pioneer Chuck Hecht negotiated a deal with “Fort Belmont”( http://www.fortbelmont.org/) located in Jackson, MN, that upon approval of a grant that they had applied for, they would move the museum to a new building they planned to erect and take over managing it. Their grant was never approved, and they have no place to store the contents of the museum.

Chuck has since contacted two consignment auction houses in the Jackson area that will be viewing the contents and possibly making an offer to buy the museum contents. At this time we have no idea of the value or even if there is any value.

Chuck feels the proceeds if any should be donated to Jackson MN. area food shelves, since almost all the contents of the museum was donated by Pioneers in the area, and since the museum was established it has been operated and maintained by a few Pioneers from the Jackson area. Personally I agree. However I think that payment should be made from the purchaser to Central Council Pioneers and they in turn would make the donation to the food shelf. This would maintain financial integrity and also help us with our goal of donating 65% of income.

Therefore I make a motion to proceed with the sale of the museum contents and the income directed to Central Council who would in turn donate to the Jackson area food shelf.

Requesting a Second, discussion, vote. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Motion was seconded by Bob Lewis. Email response from Lewis, Barthel, Neuman, Swenson, Cooper, Jeukens, & Wisch. All voting in favor with some discussion.

STATUS; we have entered an agreement with Croatt Auction Service - Midwest Auctions. John Croatt has agreed to move the contents of the museum to his auction building and sell the items for 25% commission. John will also clean out the Museum building to the satisfaction of the Jackson Fair board and agrees that all items are “As Is” and we will have no liability. Pioneer Chuck Hecht will provide Dave Hemmer with the contact information for the Jackson County Fair Board and Dave will send them a letter advising that we will no longer be using the building after May 31st. Dave will continue to follow up and keep the board advised as to auction dates, etc.

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Arrowhead Council Telephone Pioneers

Duluth, Minnesota

Summary of meetings and projects December, 2015 thru

February, 2016.

Monthly Pioneer Luncheons:

December, 2015 No luncheon

January 20, 2016, 17 attendees

February 17, 2016 (probably 20)

We sent sympathy cards to several Pioneer families.

Quarterly Arrowhead Council Meeting:

February 3, 2016 5 attended

Donations:

Hug-A-Bears to St Luke's and Life Care Center

Dec 20+ 23 24

Jan 20 24

Feb 20 24

We will be making donations of Hug-A-Bears to the Hibbing Police Dept. by request.

Head wraps:

Head Wraps. Dec 2015 72; Jan 2016, 32; Feb. n/a All to Essentia Health

December 2015: we donated to CHUM: 4 clothes baskets; 47 hats; 12 scarves; 1

jacket; 18 pairs of socks; 9 pair mittens/gloves; 5 hat/mitten sets; 1 face mask; 1

headband; and plastic containers and 2016 calendars. (This info was sent in an email

addendum to the last report, but just in case not received, here it is)

2015 financial donations: In addition to those reported in the last report, we

donated $239.74 each to Second Harvest Northern Central Food Bank, Duluth and

Second Harvest Northern Central Food Bank, Grand Rapids, MN. And at our

February quarterly meeting we voted to donate $200 to the VFW and $200 to the

Cloquet Playground. And $200 each to the same Food Banks as above, to facilitate

the March match.

Books being collected every day, about 135 (Oct) and 50 plus were delivered in

November.

cell phones still being collected, slowly, none have been donated.

Submitted by Marlys Wisch, President, Arrowhead Council Telephone Pioneers,

Duluth, Minnesota

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CENTRAL COUNCIL REPORT FOR 2/17/16

Wellness bags 23 hours 39 bags Admin 22 hour Nursing home 16 hours Knitting caps for homeless 29 hours Red Cross 23 hours Chore Club 36 hours EZ Help cell phone 4 hours Elderly 10 hours Options 6 hours Talking book repair 34 hours Place of Hope 36 MN Web site 4 hours TRAM 61 hours We had a breakfast meeting on January 12th at Perkins in downtown St Cloud. Eighteen Pioneers and partners February 9th, we celebrated Mardi Gras with candy, nuts, cake, and punch at Whitney Senior Center in St Cloud. Our next meeting is a breakfast at Perkins in downtown St Cloud at 9 AM on March 8th. Submitted by Dave Hemmer – President Central Council

HARLEY FORSYTHE LIFE MEMBER CLUB

Central Council ---Taking over the world, one council at a time.

The Life Members of the Harley Forsythe Life Member Club continue to follow the time proven tradition of Pioneering; --Fellowship, Loyalty, Service.

The Central Council mature members of the Pioneer organization met January 12th at Perkins in downtown St Cloud for breakfast, friendly sharing, and desultory conversation. Eighteen Pioneers and partners attended.

February 9th, also known as Fat Tuesday, (Lent starts on Wednesday, the 10th) we celebrated Mardi Gras with candy, nuts, cake, and punch at Whitney Senior Center in St Cloud. Dave and Barb Hemmer hosted the gala and forced the attendees to participate in a “trivia” game. We were divided into two groups. The slow members were group one and the higher IQ members were group two. However, due to political chicanery group one nosed out the better looking and smarter group two. The results are in question. Twenty one Pioneers and Partners attended.

All reports are in; life is now officially unfair.

Our next meeting is a breakfast at Perkins in downtown St Cloud at 9 AM on March 8th. No reservations are necessary. As always, Chapter Officers are welcome.

Bob Lewis, Life Member President

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Metro Council/Life Member Club

First Quarter 2016 Report

The Metro area has not had any formal meetings yet in 2016, however we do have the follow formal plans.

Life Members will be having their annual Valentine Business Meeting/Luncheon on 2/19. As of 2/10 we have 21 members/spouses attending. We meet at our regular location, Elsie’s Restaurant in NE Minneapolis. They have their choice of 3 entrees (pot roast, chicken fettucine or walleye pike). Door prizes and surprise items will be awarded.

The next event will be the spring casino trip on May 4th. (We also have one in August and November)

Because Turtle Lake cut out incentives for groups, we are trying a new location – Treasure Island Casino. There seems to be considerable enthusiasm for this location (when it was brought up on our fall trip). Cost to the attendees will be $25, (Turtle Lake was $5) they get $23 in rewards back from the casino. The tour operator gets $20 per attendee and the Pioneers continue to receive $5 per person. Each trip usually brings in about $275 dollars.

The two Hug a Bear groups continue to meet every month. Each group usually has 8-10 Pioneers participating and they make about 40-50 Bears (per group) each month.

Individuals in the Metro Council/Club also have been active recently. Pat Jeukens, working with a Tupperware distributor, held sales in the St Paul downtown building and at Wayzata Blvd which raised over $546, to be used for Cooks for Kids events at Ronald McDonald facilities. Lee Poirier held a couple fleece blanket/lap robe sales that resulted in a donation of $132. She also has designed that money to Ronald McDonald House activities. Paula Trapp has been busy making wheel chair bags (which she sends to the St. Cloud group for distribution) and Hug A Bears at home. Another Metro Pioneer, LuAnn Chambliss, personally held a Holiday Candy and Nut Sale (modified from previous years due to prohibitive requirements imposed by the PAC). Her efforts, aided by 3 other Pioneers, resulted in a ‘donation’ of $372.48 to the Metro’s PAC account.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Ann Neuman, Metro President

February 12, 2016

Revised: February 18, 2016

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Chapter report Feb 17, 2016 – MS Bike Tours MS TRAM Rest Stop #3

Bike MS: TRAM Ride 2016 Date: July 20-24 Location: Central Minnesota

Rest stop #3 will again be providing refreshments and entertainment at the third rest stop every day of the ride.

Volunteers for Rest Stop #3 are always needed. If you would like to participate in this unique project

Please contact Dave Hemmer

We're excited to announce the route for Bike MS: TRAM Ride 2016! The ride will take you on a cycling adventure through the picturesque scenery and rich history of central Minnesota. Once again, we'll offer a three-day option for

cyclists who prefer a shorter jaunt! The three-day ride will span Friday to Sunday.

This year our Theme day theme will be “HOLLYWOOD”. Decorating and dress up ideas are endless.

“Walk of Fame” for our Mission Stars! - The “Hollywood” sign - Directors chair – Clapboard.

Costumes – Tarzan & Jane-Harry Potter –Peter Pan –Star Wars –Charlie Chaplin-Woody – Aladdin

etc, etc.

Our rest stop really does make a difference by providing a lift for all the riders who earn nearly a million dollars every

year to help fund a cure for MS. Route details Riders will check in Wednesday, July 20 from 9 to 11 a.m., at St. Benedict College in St. Joseph, Minn. Wednesday, July 20 — Riding along the Lake Wobegon Trail, cyclists will head for Sauk Centre following check-in. Mileage: approximately

36. Thursday, July 21 — Riding along the Central Lakes Trail, cyclists will make their way from Sauk Centre to Fergus Falls. Riders joining for the

three-day option can check in Thursday evening or Friday morning in Fergus Falls. Mileage: approximately 68. Friday, July 22 — With three-day cyclists joining the group, TRAM cyclists will head to Wadena. Mileage: approximately 56. Saturday, July 23 — Cyclists will make their way to Little Falls. Mileage: approximately 69. Sunday, July 24 — Bringing the ride to a grand finish, cyclists will pedal from Little Falls back to St. Joseph. Transportation will be provided

back to Fergus Falls for the three-day riders. Mileage: approximately 38.

Bike MS: C.H. Robinson MS 150 Ride 2016 Date: June 10-12, 2016 Location: Duluth to the Twin Cities Pioneers will manage a rest stop on Sunday June 12

th at Pine City, MN

Submitted by Dave Hemmer

MS TRAM BIKE TEAM REPORT 2016 1st QUARTER

There are now 8 registered riders for the Wheel Deals ride team. Two riders from Iowa who were not able to ride last year have rejoined the team.

We made contact at the MS Society annual meeting and Sylvies award gathering with two others who will probably be registering to ride with the Wheel Deals team.

There is a grand total of $795.00 in donations received as of 02/12/2016

$10,000 is our team goal. We will reach that and hopefully more.

Submitted by Kathy Hanson

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Web Site Report 12/10/15

Site total 611

Chapter Minutes 35

Exec. Board 81

Projects 45

Arrowhead Council 28

Central Council 17

Metro Council 51

Current News 120

Products for Sale 33

Family Campers 25

Links 42

Calendar Winners 216

Web Master 23

Just Pictures 89

Go Green 17

Web hits are up a little since last quarter. Council pages are up or steady. Calendar Winners hits are dropping like a rock since we no longer have calendars. Picture page is also up.

Dave Hemmer – Web Master

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