Art Small, Chairman

Ralph Charlip, President

Jim Moreland, Vice President

Ed Nugent, Chairman Emeritus

Charlie Brown, Secretary

Al Obuchowski, Treasurer

Bob Hauser, Director

Ray Inman, Director

Denise Lew, Director

Mac McClean, Director

Kevin O�Shea, 2009 Reunion Host

Wayne Terry, Director

Joe Vocks, Director

Absent:

Al Baskin, Director

Bill Copeland, Counsel

3. MINUTES APPROVAL: The Board approved the minutes of the 24 Jan 08 meeting as published.

4. FINANCIAL REPORT: Tabled until June meeting.

5. 2009 REUNION: Kevin O�Shea gave an outstanding briefing to the Board on his progress. He compared a number of potential hotels. The range of topics included costs, location, weather, access, amenities, and capabilities. (See Attachments 2 and 3) Timing of the reunion is critical as October is the start of "high season." During October the nice weather brings on competing conventions, local college activities and the normal increase in tourists, all of which tend to drive up prices. Kevin�s top recommendation is the Francis Marion Hotel. He felt the location (middle of the Historical District), value for our money, support systems and capabilities all seem to fit nicely with what we want for our reunion. The Francis Marion is a historic hotel where the ambiance is truly fantastic. A blend of historical venues, shopping, and restaurants are all within easy walking distance. The Hospitality Suite is located on the 12^th Floor and overlooks Charleston Harbor. The Hotel�s capacity and support structure is such that we will have no problems conducting business and leisure activities.

The scope of Kevin�s presentation enabled the Board, after a short discussion, to approve a motion that we proceed in obtaining the Francis Marion Hotel for the dates 11-14 September 2009. Kevin stated he would put a draft package together and coordinate with Mac McClean and Bill Copeland before signing any contract. Wayne Terry will add a short blurb for the April Newsletter as to dates. Since we have a good lead time, Denise was asked to check the Corps Chief�s schedule to see if it would be possible to schedule some active duty functions around the Reunion dates. Perhaps something could be arranged the week preceding the reunion and folks could stay over for that weekend or come early for the reunion followed by their meeting the following week. (OPEN: Kevin O�Shea, Denise Lew)

6. NEW MEMBER RECRUITING EFFORTS: The Board discussion centered on two questions. First, should the Association be recruiting active duty members? Second, how can our resources best be targeted and utilized to obtain better results?

After a lengthy discussion, the members agreed we need to have active duty participation to remain a vibrant entity especially as the Medical Service Corps gets smaller due to overall force reductions. Currently, presentations are made at HSA and a Team Builder Award is sponsored that gives free membership to the winner. Presentations are given at the annual ACHE meeting but time allotted is limited. This year we had a booth on Air Force Day and handed out brochures. But there has been limited response in terms of recruitment from either venue. This year only a few MSCs have joined from these efforts. The Board felt that young officers are undecided as to a career but need to be made aware of the Association.

Ray Inman suggested that we look at restructuring our efforts to focus on mid to senior level officers who are career minded. Ray cited numerous mid level, senior executive courses and seminars which we could apply our focus. These officers will probably be more inclined to be interested in joining because they are career and the more senior officers will be approaching retirement. Jim Moreland agreed that perhaps our efforts should be limited at HSA to an MSC Display Board, our Team Builder Award and its associated costs, and having the Instructors give the pitch handing out brochures, etc. Ray further suggested that we always hand out applications at all events where we are present, HSA, ACHE, etc. The Board agreed with this approach.

Art asked Denise if she could build a list of those activities, seminars or training courses which we could participate. Corps Chief approval will need to be obtained. (Open: Denise Lew)

Joe Volks recommended we send out congratulatory letters on promotions to 04 through 06 and upon retirement. Ralph Charlip and Denise Lew will coordinate how the mechanics of such a program will flow. (OPEN: Ralph Charlip, Denise Lew)

7. Chairman Art Small adjourned the meeting at 8:43PM EST, 24 March 2008. The next meeting will be late June.

Respectfully Submitted

Attachments

1. Agenda

2. 2009 Reunion Hotel Recommendations

3. 2009 Reunion Hotel Comparisons

	Factors affecting hotel selection Desired daily room rate for attendees Time of year� October is high season in Charleston Room rates jump Competing events Hotels unwilling to commit blocks of rooms Convention size Location Most desirable is in/near Historic District (see arrow on peninsula in picture)
	Approach in selection Solicitation for information through Charleston Visitors and Convention Bureau Limited response Followed with phone calls to additional hotels
	Hotels considered �Francis Marion Hotel (recommended) Ideal location Historic Hotel of America Sufficient capacity Unaffordable room rates in October (>$200) �Town and Country Inn Advertises that it caters to military reunions Bad location �Holiday Inn Historic District Ideal location Insufficient meeting room capacity Unwilling to hold block of rooms in October Unaffordable room rates in October ��Courtyard by Marriott/Marriott Hotel Courtyard has affordable room rates but insufficient meeting room capacity Marriott has sufficient meeting room capacity but unaffordable room rates � mile distance between two hotels with available shuttle �Embassy Suites Airport/Convention Center (recommended) �Holiday Inn Patriots Point (recommended)

Francis Marion Hotel

Embassy Suites Airport/Convention Center

Holiday Inn Patriots Point

Availability

11 � 14 Sep

2 � 5 Oct

23 � 26 Oct

(4-Day Total)

($657)

($625.50)

($558)

25 � 28 Sep

23%

($508.44)

Tax

Accommodations

12.5%

12.5%

11.5%

Food & Beverage

9.5%

Sales

7.5%

8.5%

Service Charge

20%

22%

20%

Complementary Rooms

1/50

1/25

Booking Considerations

Attrition clause: responsible for 90% of blocked rooms. Reservations must be made NLT 8/11/09 for group rate

Reservations must be made before 9/1/09 for group rate

Reservations must be made NLT 9/22/09 for group rate

Location

Ideal location� at end of historic district� walking distance to shops, restaurants and many sites

Very convenient to airport� 5-minute drive

1.5 miles to Shem Creek

Transportation To/From

Airport

None

Free

None

Historic District

N/A

$10/person round-trip

Parking

(Charleston City Public Garage)

Shared with convention center 300 free spaces for hotel guests. Potential for $4 entrance fee otherwise

No capacity issues

Francis Marion Hotel

Embassy Suites Airport/Convention Center

Holiday Inn Patriots Point

Meeting Room Capacity

Unlimited for association needs

Need 2-hour break between memorial service and banquet for meeting room breakdown

Hospitality Suite

$100 initial set-up; $50 daily refresh

Designated hospitality suite on second floor does not provide needed capacity. Requires use of first-floor meeting room. Liquor license prohibits bringing in outside liquor to first-floor location.

No designated hospitality suite. Can use first-floor meeting room. No issues with bringing in outside liquor.

Sunday Alcohol Sales

No issues

Hotel will need to obtain Sunday liquor license. Will not charge association if >$4K food/beverage sales

Business Center

Very limited

Full

Very limited

Web Address

www.thefrancismarion.com

www.embassysuitescharleston.com

www.himtpleasant.com