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A REPRESENTATIVE’S PERSPECTIVE
August 1, 2019 BY: Jeremy Frye, National Representative, West Virginia. The 94th Regular Session of the National Council Jr. OUAM was held on June 17 – 19, 2019 at the Red Lion Hotel in High Point, NC. This was the first time that I served as a representative. Although I have attended a few National Sessions as a visitor in my home state of WV, I never sought the office of National Rep. – there were always an ample number of “veteran” members wanting to serve as a delegate. Strangely, two out of three WV Reps who attended the National Session this year were first time Reps. Arriving on Sunday, my wife and I found the accommodations and spacious meeting rooms made for an enjoyable stay. I want to express my thanks to the members / hosts of NC for their warm welcome and genuine hospitality. A golf tournament was held at the Old Homeplace Golf Course on Monday morning and I enjoyed a great day. I was on the winning team along with Don Wyatt from Kentucky and Scott Harris and Jon Fogarty from New York. This was my first opportunity to get to know the gentlemen from NY. (A round of golf will always show one’s character.) I appreciated their camaraderie. While I was golfing, my wife was able to go with the arranged tour to the American Children’s Home in Lexington. She was pleasantly surprised by the campus and with the staff who answered questions. The Memorial Service on Tuesday morning was especially meaningful, as I presented and laid a flower in memory of my good friend, Jim Pritt. I appreciated the service conducted by my brother, Greg Frye, for the deceased members. During the business sessions, the issues concerning the insurance dept. and the process of locating the beneficiaries of deceased policy holders took most of the attention. Many thanks go to those who are actively trying to rectify these issues. Also, ideas to generate funding for the National Council were discussed. A ‘Go Fund Me’ page is being created to accept donations. A Monday evening reception meal, a Tuesday evening catered banquet, a NC State Trooper sharing highway travel wisdom, and the guitar playing / singer duo for our entertainment all contributed to a very pleasant experience. Finally, I’d like to thank National Councilor Charles Riehs (outgoing) for his hospitality, his dedication to the Jr OUAM, his tireless efforts to locate “beneficiaries”, and for the individual gifts he bestowed to all members in attendance. With incoming National Councilor Rich Beppler of PA leading these next two years, the National Council needs to be as productive as ever! Respectfully submitted by Jeremy N. Frye – WV Rep
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At the National Session in June, the members discussed ways to raise money for the National Council.
A suggestion was made that a Go Fund Me page should be made for the National Council. Ms. Jane Fisher, State Secretary of Ohio, volunteered to make this Go Fund Me Page for the National. Ms. Jane, working with the National Board, has now got this page up and running. For any member wishing to contribute, below is the link to the account. https://www.gofundme.com/f/national-junior-order-united-american-mechanics Thank you ! 2019 NATIONAL SESSION:
The National Delegates, guests and visitors to the 94th National Session started gathering in High Point, North Carolina on Sunday, June 16th. The National Boards and the National Finance Committee held meetings that evening. Monday morning, June 17th, the golfers gathered in the lobby for the National Golf Tournament which was held at Old Homeplace Golf Course. Registration was held that evening, 4:30 to 5:30 in the lobby outside the meeting rooms. Also, on Monday morning while some played golf, other members and guests took a tour of the Children’s Home and Museum. At 6:00 pm a very nice Reception was held. National Councilor, Charles Riehs, welcomed everyone to North Carolina and the National Session. He lead everyone in the Pledge to our Flag and Brother Stephen Workman lead in prayer and then everyone enjoyed a nice buffet with Fruit and cheeses, petti fours, fresh cut vegetables, etc. While waiting on the band to arrive, Kyle Coatney, Native American Flute Player, played a selection of his songs. The band arrived, I think they were called, Jack of Clubs. We enjoyed their music for the remainder of the evening. Tuesday morning, June 18th, began with the Memorial Service. Right after the Memorial Service, the first business session was opened. We admitted six new members, as National Representatives into the National Council this year. Kevin Vane of Maryland, Jonathon Fogarty of New York, Ron Mahlerwein of Ohio, Joseph Pietrafase of Pennsylvania, Jeremy Frye of West Virginia and Charles Petro of West Virginia. WELCOME to our new Representatives ! National Councilor, Charles Riehs, presented Distinguished Service Awards to some members that he wished to thank for their help and support during his term as National Councilor. The first order of business of the afternoon session on Tuesday, was nominations for officers. Then business proceeded until recess and everyone looking forward to the Banquet that night. Tuesday night 7:00 p.m., members and guests gathered for the Banquet. Brother Greg Frye opened with prayer. Everyone enjoyed a country dinner buffet with fried chicken and steak and gravy, with all the trimmings. North Carolina had some beautiful baskets for door prizes, and they were drawn for and given away by National Councilor, Charles Riehs, with some expert help from his grandchildren. Our special speaker for the evening was Officer William Skinner, he has been with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 13 years. He talked about the Hwy. Patrol, about the training they go through and some of the dangers when a Patrolman has to make a stop, and about ways we can help support the Highway Patrol. After the Banquet and a short break, we played BINGO! Gene and Vicky Braddy called out the numbers. It was the perfect way to end the evening. Wednesday morning, June 19th was the final session with the election and installation of officers. National Officers for 2019 – 2021 National Councilor – Rich Beppler, PA National Vice Councilor – Bruce Hust, OH Jr. Past National Councilor – Charles Riehs, NC National Secretary – Vickie Smith, TN National Treasurer – Wayne Vandermark, NY National Conductor – David Kendig, WV National Warden – Gary Louie Jump, KY National Inside Sentinel – Alan Sajnacki, NY National Outside Sentinel – Ray Arnie, MD National Chaplain – Stephen Workman, TN National Board - Greg Frye, WV National Board - Bob Reeves, NY National Board – William G. Potter, TN National Board – Don Wyatt, KY It was a good session and it was really good to see everyone. The next session of the National Council Junior Order United American Mechanics will be held in High Point, North Carolina at the Red Lion Hotel on Main Street. The Session will be held June 17, 18, 19, 2019.
There will be a Golf Tournament on Monday morning, June 17, with registration that evening. You will be able to buy your banquet tickets at registration for the banquet on Tuesday night. Information has already been sent out to all our delegates. If you are not a delegate to this session, but would like to visit the National Session as a guest, you can contact the national office at [email protected] for information on how you can make a reservation at the Red lion Hotel. The deadline to make a reservation is May 26th, 2019. |
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August 2019
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