Meeting minutes from meeting of 1/24/06

• January's meeting was eventful and covered a lot of ground. If you are a NASCAR fan. Read on for special details on a great promotion Bob has cooked up for us.
• Meeting started at 7:00 p.m. this month. Attendance was decent (23, 4 of whom were female guests). For the first time in our brief history, this meeting was opened to women parishioners and those under 21. We want everyone to be and feel involved, and would love to coordinate our activities with other groups when possible.
• Father Tony opened the meeting with a blessing. Bob Thinnes handed out an agenda. The agenda contains a prayer called "The Fathers Oath", Bob motioned that this be read as part of every meeting and this was approved unanimously. The group, including our gentle guests, introduced itself around.
• Bob introduced John Gedney of the Richard Petty Driving Experience. This is a great program and special offer! There were handouts available at the meeting, to briefly summarize:

Bob has organized a "day" at Sparta racetrack April 8th

• The day will include a "back of the house" tour, by our favorite "trackie", the Pres.
• This part of the event is open to families, will leave St. Ann in the morning, and encourages photos, best of all: Its Free!
• If your "need for speed" goes deeper: Bob coordinated a group rate with John Gedney: 1/2 price for a ride along experience ($50 instead of $100) or a Drive Along Course!!($200 instead of $400).
• (Sorry, but due to the excellent response, driving course is sold out as of 1/31/06)
• The ride along still has openings for $50.
• If you need additional details you can e-mail John Gedney at
• mailto:jgedney@1800bepetty.com.
• Please note! You have to mention the St Ann's Men's Association if you are going to reserve a discounted spot, and:
• All fees are due in at or prior to next months SAMA meeting: February 28th!!!
• Don't let this get away, it's a once in a lifetime experience.
• Makes a great present at an unbeatable rate.
• Time Line of Day: Saturday April 8th 2006
  • 7:30PM Bible Study at St Ann in the Trinity rooms (optional)
  • 8:30AM Mass (optional)
  • 9:15AM We meet at the St Ann's Parking lot and leave for Kentucky speedway
  • 10:30AM We arrive and begin free tour
  • 11:30AM Ride along begin or lunch your option
  • 12noon- 1:30PM We come back unless you reserved a driving experience
  • 1:30PM Meet for the driving experience. 3 hour class starts at 2PM.

• Ray Roesner and Rick Merk spoke again about the upcoming Answer the Call Men's Conference on Saturday March 4th. Ray has already reserved a confirmed block of ten seats, and there is continued interest on the part of others. You can contact John Birkenhauer if you need additional details. You need reservations, but otherwise we will be leaving from the parking lot 7:30 a.m. on March 4.
• Bob Thinnes introduced some special parish needs and we offered a prayer for many of our fellow parishioners.
• Bob covered a couple of topics of general interest (another great reason to attend these meetings) 1) A regular article in the Northwest Press by Father Guntzleman (always worth reading) and 2) Bob reported briefly on some recent security issues that were handled very effectively and efficiently by our school's administrative staff.
• The upcoming event mentioned in earlier minutes was reiterated: On February 18th current nationally ranked #2 men's H.S. BB team North College Hill plays current nationally ranked #5 H.S. BB team Oak Hills at US Bank Arena. It was suggested that we get together a group of family and attend this game. You might want to consider attending, as there is NBA level talent on the floor for this thing. Lets go support some great hometown teams.
• We had readings by the usual crew.
• Bob covered some upcoming functions. The next "historical" event will be the springtime Wiffle Ball Tourney at St. Joe's Orphanage. Some great ideas were floated about this heartwarming, family appropriate event.
• There is also a likelihood that Father Tom has an upcoming need for SAMA to address in the Over the Rhine area. No details yet, we'll have the usual crowd, don't be bashful.
• There were some general updates. Greg Hardig jr. reported some progress with his sister and her newborns and the family thanked us for our prayers. God bless to the Hardig's and Greg Sr. who answered God's call and went to see his daughter in England. It's not always the big things, but the little voice as well.
• An attendance prize was given out in a drawing: A "FREE" "ride along package" from the Richard Petty Experience. Ya never know what you're gonna get JUST FOR SHOWING UP AT THE MEETINGS!!!!
• There was general discussion and many other items covered loosely. T-Shirt sales have gone well, if you don't have one they are $12.00 with a small amount going direct to SAMA. Look great, too. Brian Ante has details.
• Jim O'Shaughnessy reported on group finances: We are in the black and Jim keeps good track.
• Special thanks to our very special guest, the Kentucky Speedway mascot, Horsepower. Not many people can pull that off with such good grace.
• John Birkenhauer will be e-mailing a census form before the next meeting. If you can, fill it out and get it back as soon as possible.

Next meeting is February 28th 2006, the last day of the month. Look forward to seeing you all then.

If you get a copy of these minutes and would like to correct any egregious miss-spellings or other butchery: Contact John Birkenhauer at 521-7176 or e-mail me at: ged@fuse.net.

NOTE ONE TIME MEETING TIME CHANGE FOR FEBRUAURY'S MEETING

NOTE THAT ST ANN HAS A FAMILY FUNCTION SCHEDULED FOR 7PM TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28 (THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING).

WE WILL HAVE A SHORT BUSINESS MEETING AT 6:30PM.

MEETING SHOULD END NEAR 7PM, THEN ENJOY THE FAMILY