Recently I received a letter of resignation from New Jersey State Manager, Jane Brock. I have accepted her resignation and in turn am pleased to announce that I have appointed Shirley Beron # 70791 as the New Jersey State Manager effective November 21, 2009.

William (Bill) and Shirley Beron # 70791
P.O.Box 195
West Creek, NJ 08092

Home: (609) 296-2432
Cell: (609) 709-5959
E-mail: greysquirel@verizon.net

John Powell, Region II National Director

August 2009 Newsletter

Sandy and I have now returned from the 45^th International Rally held in Sedalia, MO and the Branson Ramble Adventure that followed. If you didn’t attend these two events, you missed two great weeks of “education, safety, fun and fellowship” embodying the motto of HRRVC. You would have also enjoyed the temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s throughout the two-plus weeks as well.

· The International Rally delivered on the promise of more special technical and educational seminars, talented entertainment and a variety of tours. A total of 368 units attended the rally with 60 from Region II. At the Business Meeting, I was installed as Director of Region II and Ray Nichols as Director of Region VII. The new Board Officers were installed: Ray Nichols as Treasurer, Wanda Smith – Director of Region VIII as Secretary, Larry Witt – Director of Region VI as Vice President and John Hardy-Director of Region III as President. Plaques of Appreciation were given to Erwin and Marilyn Peake and Phil and Mary Cline for their dedication and countless hours of hard work during the past four years on the Board. Also installed were newly appointed State Managers Robert “Bob” Smith of Ohio and Mary “Lou” Kollasch of Pennsylvania. Don Fishel was reappointed as National Chaplain. ( Although unable to attend the rally, Donald Schwalm has been appointed Assistant State Manager of Pennsylvania )

· The Branson Ramble was attended by 71 units with attendees bused from the campgrounds to 16 shows ranging from the Baldknobbers to the Twelve Irish Tenors, 8 meals, 2 museums and a Showboat Cruise over the course of six days. It was a very busy but entertaining week with activities spaced throughout each day. We have great memories of this adventure as do the other 140 members we experienced with.

At the meeting of the Board of Director’s that took place prior to the rally, the main focus of attention was on the Club’s current status, the predicted financial outlook and how actions that might be taken would impact on the financial future as well as on the members. Following deliberations, the Board voted to increase dues by $15.00 beginning January 1, 2010. Recognizing the increase is a substantial one, Treasurer Ray Nichols has placed a statement to the membership on the Club website ( www.hrrvc.org Go to Financial News – Why a dues increase? ) that discusses in some detail the rationale for the increase. Additionally the Board has distributed a letter at the State Managers meeting to pass along to their chapters describing additional history leading to this decision.

The Board also took action regarding the election of National Directors. Specific guidelines have been added to the procedures concerning organized campaigns for write-in candidates, qualifications and point accumulation. The point system for National and International rally coordinators was also updated. The Board appointed Directors in Charge of the Ramblings, the D.O.G. and as Historian. A number of additional procedural issues were addressed and acted upon.

The long awaited issuing of the Documents of Governance (D.O.G.) on CD has been accomplished. At the rally, State and Assistant State Managers were given a CD containing the files comprising the D.O.G. In turn they will be making copies of the disc to give each of their Chapter Presidents. No longer will the very large 3-ring binder be necessary and, in fact, the contents should be destroyed as the disc contains the up-to-date (July 2009) information. The D.O.G. will also be placed on the Club website as a Read Only document that all members will be able to access. Updating the D.O.G. will be less expensive and timelier now that the document will be handled electronically.

If you have not visited the HRRVC Website and updated your information, please do so as soon as possible. There are two components to the website; the first is the public portion that is available to anyone wishing to learn more about the Club and the second is the secure member area that can only be accessed by members. Once you have visited the site and updated your information, you will be able to “log in” to the secure member area and take advantage of the information available only to members. For example, the current Club Roster will now be available to members by selecting “Member List” from the menu. You may also read the Ramblings on-line including the ability to look up information from past issues as well. National, regional and state events are also listed on the website menu and you can obtain a registration form for that event by selecting the event. I encourage you to take advantage of the many things available to you on the website by going to www.hrrvc.org and updating your profile.

Sandy and I hope to see many of you at one of the upcoming Region II State Rallies (West Virginia – Mineral Wells, September 10-13 or Maryland – Walkersville, October 8-11^th). By attending, you are assured of having a great time and are supporting these activities to ensure that they continue in the future.

John and Sandy Powell – HR#74285

Director's Previous Newsletter available by "clicking here"