Minutes of the USS Lafayette

Minutes of the USS Lafayette (SSBN616) Association Board of Directors Meeting Thursday 12-01-05 at 7PM CST

With the permission of Chairman Bill Fraser, the conference call meeting was called to order by Lafayette Association Vice-President Herb Wise at 7:06 PM CST. Attending were Vice-President Herb Wise (Herb), Secretary Ernie Lester (Ernie), former Treasurer Herb Murphy (Murf) and Immediate Past President Bill Fraser (Bill). Herb presented the agenda.

Discussion began about association officers. Herb reported that President Bill Knight resigned due to health problems and that Treasurer Dave Roth resigned. Without formal action it was agreed that the bylaws provide for the Vice-President to ascend to the President's position and that the President can nominate for Board approval replacements for vacant offices. This is a practical interpretation of the "for cause" provision in the bylaws.

Ernie motioned, Bill seconded, that the President shall be added to the Association bank accounts as a signer. Discussion: In case something happens to Treasurer this will simplify access to accounts. Motion passed.

Vacant VP position was discussed. Herb offered alternatives of Edwin R. Knight or Jamie Duel. Neither had specifically agreed to serve but Herb had been talking to both. Jamie's apparent fervor for the Association (indicated by an email to Herb which all attending had read) and the critical importance of the Vice-President's responsibilities in the success of the Association was discussed. Murf motioned, Ernie seconded, that Jamie Duel be approved as Vice-President if Jamie would agree to serve. Motion passed.

Herb asked for discussion of the next reunion of the Association. Resigned President Bill Knight was believed to be in possession of a tape of the organizational meeting of the Association. No one was sure if a definite decision was made on Charleston, SC as the location of next meeting. A general discussion of the bearing of location on attendance ensued.

The Board's authority to decide or interpret the intentions of the organizational meeting's vote on the next location was discussed. The practical necessity of the Board making such decision or interpretation was framed as a motion by Herb, seconded by Bill: The Board shall decide the location of the next reunion. Motion passed with Murf abstaining.

Building the Association membership and collecting dues was discussed. Motion by Murf, second by Ernie that the membership committee be directed to send a mailer by US mail to all available addresses of those who served on the boat...Mailer to include information, a membership form to complete and request for payment of dues...no return envelope to be provided. Motion passed. Post action it was agreed that the Treasurer should prepare the membership form/dues request and the Board should approve it.

Discussion of paying the accrued and ongoing cost of the Association web site ensued. Motion made and seconded that Bill, as Webmaster, shall report the expense of the web site to the Treasurer and the Treasurer shall reimburse Bill as a matter of course. Motion passed.

A discussion of the Association bylaws ensued. Issues were discussed. Herb requested that proposed amendments be submitted to the Secretary for further discussion at the next meeting.

Herb reported that he is working on the appointments he is required to make. He is going to ask John Sherman to chair the By-Laws Committee.

Herb set forth some ideas for involving the membership and making the association a success: Solicit stories and post on web site. Comprise the membership committee with members from different boat divisions for the purpose of better assuring contact with and participation by all who served.

Herb announced he would call another conference call meeting for approximately 2 weeks hence to discuss proposed amendments to the bylaws and proposals for the location of the next reunion.