Author: larrycruz

Meeting Time:  Saturday, 10/29/2022 12:00 PM Luncheon followed by Chapter Meeting 

Meeting Location: Stonefire Grill located at 18727 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley, CA   

Meeting Agenda: LA Chapter Planning

1. Savannah International Conference report
2. Financial report – San Diego chapter dissolved
3. Introduction of webmaster Lawrence Cruz
4. Planning for upcoming meetings
5. Chapter Project

Attendance: 11 Total (9 LA Chapter members and 2 guests)

Note: Stu Melvin (LA Chapter Treasurer) was unable to attend this meeting so Yi-Ling Tam charged the meal cost to her credit card and will be reimbursed. Thank you to Henry Tam for applying his discount towards our food & beverage.  

SAWE LA Chapter Business Meeting:

Richard Manning called the business meeting to order at 12:55 PM  

Around the Room Discussion:

Dan Rowley reported on the SAWE International Conference & BOD meeting: There was emphasis on the SAWE certification program, International Conference planning for Coco Beach in 2023; then a virtual conference in 2024, Dr. Donna Gerren (SAWE VP-Academic Affairs) is expected to retire soon and may also retire from her position at SAWE. Dan thought that overall, the International Conference was very well done except for a few cases of Covid.  

Richard reported that Stu Melvin has decided to step down as chapter Treasurer and we are now looking for an LA chapter member to step up to fill his position. This position is a minimum 2-year commitment.

A current LA Chapter Treasurer’s report was not available at the time of this meeting. 

Richard also reported that the San Diego chapter recently dissolved and two of their former members (Tony Gonzales and Vinay Kumar Vaddepalli) elected to join the LA chapter. Three former SD chapter members elected to join the Mohave Chapter and the remaining former SD members have not yet responded.

As of this date, $85.99 from the SD chapter treasury is to be transferred to the LA chapter treasury based on the ratio of member transfers plus $1800 (1/2 of the $3600 LMCO sponsorship funds with the other 1/2 to Mohave chapter)

John Hargrave suggested that we that we schedule an online meeting with the two new members from the San Diego Chapter to welcome them to the LA Chapter, introduce ourselves, and make them feel included.

Yi-Ling solicited suggestions for increasing membership in our chapter.  

Someone suggested that we contact the remaining former SD chapter members that haven’t decided to join the LA or Mohave chapters and invite them to join the LA chapter. It was mentioned that the long distance between San Diego and LA could be a factor, so John Hargrave suggested that we host periodic on-line meetings.

Yi-Ling also suggested that we plan a meeting in the San Diego area and took an action to look up their membership data and provide contact information to Dan Rowley and Mike Notarangelo. Dan said that an e-mail invitation will be sent to the undecided members and followed-up with a phone call. 

Dan Rowley will contact Kevin Tharp (Mohave chapter Director) to see if they have any interest in having a joint meeting or event with the LA chapter.

Richard introduced Lawrence Cruz as our new LA Chapter webmaster.

2023 Chapter project suggestions:

1. Expand the LA Chapter website – It was suggested that Lawrence post the LA chapter meeting minutes to our website after a content review by John Hargrave

• Outreach to former San Diego Chapter members to join the LA Chapter

A discussion was held to help plan future meetings (in person week-night meetings with guest speakers or on-line meetings (such as with SAWE trainers) and/or Saturday lunchtime meetings for activities and social events ), potential meeting locations such as Northrop Grumman cafeteria or at a museum such as the Western Museum of Flight or at a car show, Potential guest speakers (contact our members for referrals), factory tours (possible Virgin Orbit, SpaceX or Mercedes Benz factory in Long Beach) or Balloon ride (free) at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, 

Future Meeting plans:

Meet & Greet in San Diego area with former San Diego chapter members if there is interest (TBD)

LA Chapter Holiday Party (to be planned by Yi-Ling).  It was suggested that we use on-line Google Meet to help determine member availability for LA Chapter Holiday Party.  

Survey chapter member’s interest for types of meetings and events. 

Richard adjourned the meeting at 1:58 PM