Annual Meeting

Minutes

Date: January 27, 2004

Time: 1000

Place: Town Point Club, Norfolk, Virginia

Present: Chairman Vince Thomas, President Durwood Curling, Jim Babcock, Clay Barr, Ed Brickell, David Clark, Minette Cooper, Craig Cope, Midge Eason, Don Fickenscher, Doyle Hull, Harry Lester, Anna McNider, Jim Oliver, Bill Putnam, Dan Sykes, Jake Tobin, Harry Train, Ray White

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting and introduced Ray White, the Director of Development for the City if Hampton and our latest Intern from Leadership Hampton Roads.

The minutes of the meeting of November 25, 2003 were approved.

Admiral Harry Train presented the financial report for CY 2003 and the proposed budget for CY 2004. Admiral Train noted that we overspent the 2003 Budget in order to cover Forum expenses. He noted that if we are to continue to spend at current rates we will have to seek new sources of funds. Chairman Thomas asked Admiral Train to lead a small committee to explore new funding options. Admiral Train agreed. Admiral Train recommended we retain our liability insurance in 2004 in light of the fact that we will be conducting additional public meetings. A change was recommended to the line item for secretarial services. The Budget was approved as amended by affirmative vote of all present.

Chairman Thomas presented the slate of Directors and Officers for 2004.

Chairman Vince Thomas

Vice Chairman Brad Face

President David Clark

Vice President &

President Elect Anna McNider

Secretary Jake Tobin

Treasurer Harry Train

New members of the Board of Directors are:

Thomas R. Frantz

Mary Lewis LeHew

Jeanne R. Reporter

RADM (Ret) Raynor A. K. Taylor

Rich Werber

The slate of Directors and Officers was approved by unanimous vote.

It was suggested that the By-laws be reviewed and if necessary amended to ensure effort is made to recruit additional minority members. Anna McNider and Minette Cooper agreed to participate in the review.

President Curling addresses the members prior to handing over the reins to David Clark. He said he had enjoyed the work and was most proud of what others had done. He encouraged vigorous follow up to the Forums and hoped that the State Legislature would pick up on our efforts. President Curling thanked all the members for their dedication to the cause and stated that he looked forward to our future work together.

In his remarks, President Clark said that he appreciated the opportunity to serve and looked forward to working closely with the members. He stressed the importance of our follow-up to the Forums and presented a summary of the Planning groups' efforts to date and an outline of their future actions. Discussion followed.

President Clark then presented a letter from Mr. James Eason requesting assistance in contacting our legislators to express regional concern about the budget process. Members were requested to participate. In addition, President Clark requested a motion to approve drafting of a letter from FHR to the Appropriations Committees expressing our desire that new revenues by provided to support existing needs. The motion passed, but with dissenting votes.

In general discussion, Minette Cooper expressed appreciation to ODU for their study of the economic impact on cultural institutions and activity in the Region. Don Fickenscher inquired about the status of efforts to bring a major league baseball team to the Region. It was stated that the Hampton Roads Partnership had the lead on this item. Mr. Fickenscher requested that the Executive Committee consider a way to properly support the Partnerships efforts in this regard.

The meeting adjourned at 11:40.