Great Lakes Conference
International Representative
Bill Brown
Greetings Brother & Sister Knights;
Welcome to the GLRC International Rep’s Page!
It is my privilege to represent this Conference at the International Board Meetings. As Police Officers, we all know the importance of COMMUNICATION! It is my hope that this page will facilitate that process. As large as this Conference is, it is just impossible to attend all of the various Chapter events. This page will assist me in hearing your opinions on the issues that affect our organization. The Board’s Agenda will be posted to this page so you can see first hand what issues will be discussed during the next meeting. You can use the link to E-Mail me with your comments. Please keep in mind that your opinion may not be in the majority of the comments I receive.
Again I pledge to do my best in representing the Best Conference of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club!
Ride With Pride!
Bam Bam
Proposal Number 2008-004
Proposal:
To amend Section 5.05 of the International By-laws, which covers the Dues, paid to each individual conference. The section now reads “Conferences shall receive from the International Treasury one dollar ($1.00) for each member that is registered within the Conference boundary with the International. Conferences may assess Chapter dues to its members and chapters wishing non-voting membership”.
The proposed change is to allocate a minimum of $1,200.00 to all of the Conferences per year to run their individual conference, and for those Conferences who have more than 1,200 members they will continue to receive the $1.00 per member. The new section would read “Conferences shall receive from the International Treasury a minimum of $1,200.00 per year to run their individual conference and for those Conferences who have more than 1,200 members they will receive one dollar ($1.00) for each member that is registered within the Conference boundary with the International. Conferences may assess Chapter dues to its members and chapters wishing non-voting membership”.
Intent:
This will assist all of the smaller Conferences by giving them additional income to run their Conference for the year. It will also assist them with the problem of ever increasing inflation and the smaller non U.S. Conferences with the effect of the low US Exchange rate.
Advantages:
More demands are made on the limited resources of the Conferences, especially the smaller and non-U.S. conferences. Some are asked for financial assistance at law enforcement shows, the spiralling cost of postage, telephone and transportation, and these additional funds will assist the smaller conferences and their members with these goals.
Disadvantages:
As of 12/31/07 we had 3 conferences with less than 1,200 members in them. The cost of this proposal would cost the International based on last years ending membership figures $1,151.00 U.S. This would be broken down as follows:
1.) Mid-West Regional Conference – 910 members – they would get an additional $290.00 U.S.
2.) Southwest Conference – 860 members – they would get an additional $340.00 U.S.
3.) United Kingdom/Ireland Conference – 679 members – they would get an additional $521.00 U.S.
This additional expense would not hurt our organization in the financially sound position that we are presently in, and would tremendously help out the 3 smaller conferences to make their expenses throughout the year.
Suggested By: ___Pony Moore __04/28/08_ __Int’l. Rep. UK&I_____
Proposal Number 2008-005
Proposal:
To honor all Blue Knights who have had 20, 25, 30 & 35 years of continuous service in our organization. We will design a different pin for each of the categories, and they will be issued a certificate, which will be signed, by the International President and International Vice-President honoring them for their years of service. It will be up to the individual chapter to notify the International Vice-President if they have someone who qualifies for one of these categories. It will then be verified by the International Office and sent out to the individual conference to be awarded at one of their conference meetings.
Intent:
To honor all of our members Regular, Associate, Honorary & Special Honorary who have been a member of this organization for 20, 25, 30 & 35 yrs. with a pin commemorating this accomplishment and a certificate.
Advantages:
Honors our individual members for their accomplishment and helps with the retention of our members.
Disadvantages:
Will have to purchase the pins and design a certificate. The cost of these items was not budgeted for 2008 and if this proposal passes it would not become effective until after the 2009 budget is approved and would be effective as of January 1, 2009.
Suggested By: Patrick O. Fox 5/1/08 International Secretary
Proposal Number 2008-006
Proposal:
To recommend the adoption by the members of the proposed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation attached hereto and incorporated by reference:
CURRENT WORDING OF ARTICLE 6, SECTION 1, PARAGRAPH 3
(Regarding eligibility to become a Regular member)
Persons who have served twenty (20) years or more and have been a Blue Knight for one (1) year or more, who have taken a retirement option and have taken a separation from law enforcement employment, under honorable circumstances, and will at some time receive retirement income for full-time employment, as herein defined, by a government law enforcement agency or department are eligible for Regular membership although they are not presently employed by such a law enforcement agency or department. The person must provide letters of proof of honorary separation from all departments.
PROPOSED WORDING OF ARTICLE 6, SECTION 1, PARAGRAPH 3
Persons who have served Twenty (20) years or more, who have served as a Full Time (32 hours per week) employee of a Law Enforcement agency or department, who have taken retirement option or separation from Law Enforcement, under honorable circumstances, and will at some time receive retirement income for Full-Time employment, as defined, by a government Law Enforcement agency or department. Such people are eligible for regular Membership, although they are not presently employed by such Law Enforcement agency or department. Each person must provide letters of proof of honorary separation from all departments.
Intent:
To remove the words, “and have been a Blue knight for One (1) year or more”. This will open the door to 20 year or more Law Enforcement veterans; who have retired or separated from Law Enforcement, under honorable circumstance’s, and whose Cities, County or State only offer retirements thru 401k’s, 457k’s, social security and state pension plans that require the officer to be fifty nine and a half (59 ˝), before receiving their benefits.
Advantages:
This would open the door to solid retired police officer who can once again get involved within their communities and have contact with active police officers.
Disadvantages:
None
Suggested By: Michael Gingrich 4/8/08 President of Texas VI
Top Of Page