PROBE general meeting

The PROBE General meeting was called to order by President, Grady Kerr, SWD, at 9:35 a.m. He welcomed all the members of PROBE, who in turn, introduced themselves. President Kerr appointed Bruce Anderson, CSD, as secretary pro tem for the meeting.

A motion was made by Stan Wardwell, JAD, and seconded by Dick Teeters, LOL, to approve the minutes, which had been pre-printed.

President Grady Kerr then introduced Reed Sampson who led a discussion about good PR. He encouraged each public relations officer and bulletin editor to do a good job to get noticed. He also discussed COTS and the role of the PR officer and the BE. He complimented Lorin May for his excellent work on the Society's magazine. He also mentioned that PR is not forgetting about your membership and also encouraged all bulletin editors to be very positive in their writings and attitude in their bulletins.

Vice President for Bulletin Editors Bruce Anderson gave his report on the Bulletin Editors Forum and on the past year's activities. His report to the Forum and to the general meeting was in the form of a bulletin. He also presented awards of appreciation to the editors who had entered this year's IBC.

Vice President for Public Relations Officers Dr. John Sugg Jr. then gave his report on the PR Forum and his activities for the year. He mentioned that there had been four times as many entries in the PROTY contest this year and all were very good entries.

President Grady Kerr gave the financial report in the absence of Brian Lynch. At this time, PROBE is financially sound.

President Grady Kerr introduced a special surprise. The quartet, Riptide, was in attendance and sang two songs. After the songs, Grady presented the quartet with a PROBE Outstanding Achievement Award for their appearance on the CBS Saturday AM television show. The quartet related the circumstances behind their appearance and thanked PROBE for the award.

President Kerr then gave his report and pointed out several highlights of the report and his goals for the future. He also mentioned some action items that will need to be discussed at later meetings - bulletin exchange program, new graphic artist, logo, calendar, e-group for editors, and achievement awards.

Grady reported that he had held monthly PROBE meetings and he introduced the mascot who had been attendance at all of these meetings - his "yes man."

Grady then introduced Lorin May, editor of The Harmonizer, who discussed the workings of our Society publication. He gave some tips on how to write good articles for the magazine and how he selects articles for each issue.

President Grady Kerr then presented the PROBE 2000 achievement awards: (information available here)

President Grady Kerr introduced Dick Taylor who was instrumental in producing the Applause Radio program. He explained how it was formed and how it works. He also outlined some of the plans for the future. Dick Teeters then inducted one of our members into the PROBE hall of fame: Jim Styer of the Pioneer District.

Dr. John Sugg was then pleased to present the Public Relations Officers of the Year awards: Jack Oonk, Holland, Michigan, (promotion of a single event); Dick Nyikos, Indianapolis, Indiana, (public relations project for a year).

Sam Tweedy, IBC Chairman was introduced and he presented the IBC awards. Each editor was given a certificate of participation.

Dick Girvin Most Improved Bulletin - Bruce Martin, Tags and Gags, JAD.
IBC Plaques: Sylvester Buszta, Jubilaires Sounds, MAD (First Place); Grant Carson, Big D Bulletin, SWD (Second Place); Rich Nelson, Harmony Gazette, ILL (Third Place).

President Grady Kerr presented all the PROBE officers paperweights and a CD as a thank you for their year of service to PROBE.

Election of officers was held at this time. After the slate of officers was read, nominations from the floor were called for, but none came forward. Lowell Shank moved and it was seconded by Jim Styer, PIO, that the proposed slate of officers be elected. Motion passed. Elected:
Grady Kerr, president
Waldo Redekop, immediate past president
Bruce Anderson, vice president for bulletin editors
John Sugg, vice president for marketing and public relations
Brian Lynch, secretary/treasurer.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.