Meeting minutes from meeting of 8/22/06

• Early meeting this month (21st).
• The Secretary would like to thank Ray Roesner and anyone else who helped with the meetings for the last couple of months. I appreciate the support, and that's an excellent example of what this group means to me.
• Bob reviewed our first year (13th meeting) as an "official organization". Highlights of the last year.
  • Excellent, well attended Christmas party.
  • SAMA took over the annual campout on short notice. Rainy but fun.
  • Fed the folks downtown. Touching "reach out"
  • Painted the lower playground lot for school.
  • Annual St. Joe's orphanage Wiffle ball tournament.
  • Helped an elderly parishioner with yard-work.
  • Provided some furniture and labor to a Katrina victim
• Bob went over some upcoming business;
• Saturday Oct 7th and Sunday Oct 8th- Ministry fair at St. Ann's, outside of church at all masses. SAMA will have a booth and an assigned time.
• 3 club golf outing is also Sunday October 8th: This will be a great event (as it was last year) with tremendous numbers of quality door prizes, dinner catered by Outback Steakhouse. Funds will go to benefit SAMA and the Hardship Fund.
  
  Outing is only $31.00! Up to two dollars discount are available if you prepay and or bring a door prize worth $10 or more (dollar off for each). 9 holes, 3 club, shotgun start at Beech Creek. 72-player limit on this small, "amateur friendly" course.
• Bob announced and had good response to some tickets (selling all available) for a raffle to support Cedar Grove. These are the excellent people who 100% volunteered to cook the (wildly successful) St. Ann's Parish Chicken Dinner. Great idea to help out those who help us.
• Bob went over the details of Bengal's security for those who have signed up. I personally missed out on this, but if anyone asks you why Bob Thinnes is the President of this group: You might want to point out this event: Which if I understand correctly not only got SAMA members down to the sidelines of an NFL contest but also got them paid for being there! There are tickets and then there is Bob's way to see the game! Way to go Bob!
• Technically: SAMA elections were held at this meeting. You didn't miss much, though, if you weren't here. The entire crew was re-elected more or less unanimously. That's what we get for volunteering!
• There was a serious issue addressed at this meeting, and hopefully resolved. Father Tony brought and went through a statement he prepared offering gentle guidance on a somewhat controversial issue having to do with how we share fellowship during our events. Basically:
  
  The priests have asked that we all be aware of our situation regarding the sharing of and "very personal" information at any SAMA event.
  
  We are all friends, and fellowship is definitely a big part of what we do: But: None of us have volunteered as "Professional" councilors and we need to be somewhat cognizant of what we share, or the advice we offer.
  
  No big deal, lets just keep it simple and fair.
• Rest of the meeting went as usual: Covered the Readings, read the Father's Oath, and just spent some time in each other's company. Would love to see some new faces if you haven't been in a while (or ever). Let us welcome you, and add your voice to our group.

Next meeting is Sept 26th 2006. Look forward to seeing you all then.