Attendees: PNC Ed Goldwasser, Chairman; NC Sheldon Ohren; PNC Robert Zweiman; PNC Allen Falk; PNC Monte Mayer; PNC Warren Dolny; PNC Mike Berman; PNC Norman Rosenshein; NJA Alan Cornblatt; Maxwell Colon; Jerry Farris; Richard Rosenzweig; Don Feldman; Mrs. Bailor; Nelson Mellitz; Allen Miliefsky; Harvey Kaplan; Bernhard Storch; Ben Podter
Staff: NED Herb Rosenbleeth; DOO Larry Richardson; Nikki Salzman
Subject:Review of the National Convention
- Recap of the 117th Annual Convention in Norfolk, VA
- The location was popular
- The food at the hotel was enjoyable
- The humidity was difficult
- With our members getting older, the weather can have a big effect on them
- It might be worth considering more temperate summer locations for this reason
- People really enjoyed the military relations this year. From the speakers to the Commander’s dinner – the Chaplains that spoke there were outstanding.
- People really liked our new National Chaplain Admiral Robinson.
- Suggestions for future Conventions
- We need a greater emphasis on membership, especially at the NEC. Membership needs to be a priority in our organization.
- We need to do more pushing on Yahrdzeits and the honorary wall during the museum meetings.
- We need to better schedule and coordinate the meetings – so many meetings are scheduled for the same time and appear limited to committee members rather than those attending the Convention.
- We should consider having out meetings run until later in the day. This would give us more flexibility in terms of meeting scheduling.
- There should be more time for committee meetings rather than guest speakers. The working aspect of Convention is more important.
- We need to keep costs down for those attending convention. If it gets too expensive, people will not come.
- We need to find a way to ensure that there will be some health care for those that are becoming less healthy with age.
- We need to make sure to incorporate time for water breaks, pill taking, eating, etc.
- When committees plan their own events (ex: Vietnam Veterans), they need to be open to all members as side trips.
- All future workshops should be held before the final business session.
- Plans for future Conventions
- We plan to have more workshops at Convention and NEC.
- We will be minimize business sessions and emphasizing workshops to get more participation from those attending.
- We’re looking into Minneapolis and St. Louis right now for 2014.
