Don “LiL-Bit” Henson

444 Polly Road   Sunnyvale,Texas 75182

Home PH: 972-226-2805

E-mail: 1lilbit@sbcglobal.net

 

 

June 5, 2009

 

Minutes

TSA Breakfast Meeting

Installation of New Officers for The Texas Shrine Clown Association

 

 

The Texas Shrine Clown Association held it’s annual breakfast and business meeting at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel located at 401 Broad Street in

Wichita Falls, Texas on Friday June 5, 2009.

 

The Maskat clowns were the host clown unit.  Thanks to Billy “Precious” Neimeyer Sr. and his group for making all the arrangements.

 

At 7:20 AM President Don “Lil-Bit” Henson called the meeting to order. President Henson  welcomed everyone to Wichita Falls for our annual breakfast and

installation of new officers for the ensuing year 2009-2010.

 

First Vice President Sam “Lucky” Taylor lead the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the USA and Texas Flags.

 

T.S.C.A. Chaplain Richard “Smiley” Bishop gave the invocation.

 

Following the invocation, the meeting was called to refreshment so everyone could enjoy a delightful buffet breakfast, and have a few minutes to socialize.

 

At 8:05 AM President Don “Lil-Bit” Henson called the business meeting to order.

 

President Henson introduced the officers and their ladies seated at the head table.

 

First Vice President San “Lucky” Taylor and his lady Erica, Second Vice President Bobby “Ice Bucket” Miller and his lady Terri, Newly elected 2nd Vice

President Jimmy “Firecracker” Jennings and his lady Mary Lou. 

Chaplain Richard “Smiley” Bishop and his lady Georgiana, Parliamentarian Eddie “Fireplug” Cox and his lady Nina, and the first lady Don’s new bride Jamie.

 

Following the introductions of the head table President Henson requested a roll call of units.

 

Because of the absence of the Secretary / Treasurer Bob “Checkers” Mantle, Parliamentarian Eddie    “Fireplug” Cox was asked to filled the duties of the secretary.

 

During roll call each unit President was given the opportunity to introduce their Divan and visiting Dignitaries.

 

There were twelve (12) units present out of 19 active units.  The following units were not present.  Al Amin Corpus, Al Amin Pharr, Alzafar (Kerr Clowns), Arabia (Klassic Klowns), El Maida, El Mina (Nem Loof) Beaumont, El Mina Braz Galveston,

 

Following the roll call of units President Henson requested the reading of the minutes of the Midwinter meeting held on February 27, 2009.  A motion was made and seconded to waive the reading of the minutes.  The motion passed by unanimous vote.  Copies of the minutes are posted on the clown web site and can be reviewed at any time.

 

The next order of business was the reading of the audited treasurers report.  A complete detailed financial summary of the income and expenses of the association since the mid-winter meeting in February 2009 was read.  A motion was made and seconded to except the treasurer’s report as read.  The motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

President Henson requested Parliamentarian Eddie Cox to pull the units for any Black Camel visits since our last meeting. A roll call of units was given and the following members have passed since our February meeting.  Sam “High Brows” Morrow of the Arabia Clown Jewels, John “Candy” Strude and Mack Morris of the Ben Hur Srekoj Clowns, Bill Taylor of the Sharon Clowns, and Fred Daulson of the Suez Abliene Clowns.

 

T.S.C.A. Chaplain Richard Bishop offered a prayer of remembrance for our deceased members.  The names of our deceased members will be added to our

friends remembered list on the clown web site.

 

President Don Henson then presented 2008 Unsung Hero awards to Billy “Shadow” Neimeyer Jr. of the Maskat Clown Unit and Phillip “Dumpling” Caldwell

of the Sharon Clowns.

 

Maskat clowns presented President Don “Lil-Bit Henson a check in the amount of $800.00 to Donated to the I.S.C.A. Sneaker fund.

 

Bill London Past President 2008 – 2009 of I.S.C.A and chairman of this year’s assemblyman presented a check in the amount of $395.00.  These were funds

raised selling chances on a DVD player by the assemblymen.

 

The money raised was donated to the I.S.C.A. Sneaker fund.

 

The next presentation was by President Don “Lil-Bit” Henson.  Don presented a check to the I.S.C.A. sneaker fund in the amount of $3,396.80.  These were funds raised during mid-winter.

 

President Don “Lil-Bit” Henson invited First Vice President Sam “Lucky” Taylor to the Podium to introduce his installing marshal to install the new officers

for the ensuing year 2009-2010.

 

First Vice President Sam “Lucky” Taylor invited Mike “Splatter” Ford Assistant Rabban of Ben Hur and a member of The Texas Shrine Clown Association to the podium to do the honors of the installation.

 

Because I was not present at the installation I am going to use the information I received through an e-mail from Sam Taylor as to the proceeding that took place for the installation of the new officers for 2009-2010.

 

“Sam “Lucky” Taylor’s installation as Texas Shrine Clown Association President and Al “Wood” Rice’s installation as Texas Shrine Clown Association Chaplin was not the ordinary installation of the past.  Splatter was chosen to administer the oaths to each of the incoming officers and when Splatter and Lucky are allowed to plan an event tradition goes out the window.

 

Woody was installed first as Chaplain receiving a giant “Pope’s Hat, shawl, and 15-10 Commandments after the 15 tablets were dropped and broken.  Eddie “Fireplug” Cox received a light saber to enforce the rules of conduct as parliamentarian and may the force be with him.

 

Mike “Mikee” Sluiter, Ray “Radar” Dark, and Greg “Fuzzy” Talley were sworn in as assemblymen.

 

Bob “Checkers” Mantle who was absent due to illness, was installed as Secretary/ Treasurer (Eddie Cox as a stand in) and presented with a Big Chief Tablet and Giant Crayon.  Eddie jumped back and forth in line taking Bob’s place and his own as they were sworn in.

 

Jimmy “Firecracker” Jennings became our new Second Vice-President. 

 

Bobby “Ice Bucket” Miller took the oath as First Vice President.

 

Sam “Lucky” Taylor was sworn at then in as President.  He was presented with a Red Foam Nose, as he took his oath.  Splatter presented him with a bag of gravel, then reading closer and realizing there was not an “r” in the text a  plastic squeaking gavel.  Then thinking he needed a more prominent gavel presented him with a Croquet Mallet.  He then plucked off his Fez and had First Lady Erica place his new State Fez on his head, after crowning him with a swat up side the head.

 

Sam addressed the assembly , thanking his wife Erica for tolerating his clown antics, thanking the Srekoj Clown unit and the Ben Hur Divan and temple for supporting him, and the Association for allowing him to serve”.

 

Here are the new officers for the ensuring year 2009-2010.

 

President                                                 Sam “Lucky” Taylor                                         Ben Hur Srekoj Clowns

First Vice President                                 Bobby “Ice Bucket” Miller                                Alzafar Nemnuf

Second Vice President                             Jimmy “Firecracker” Jennings                            Sharon

Secretary/ Treasurer                                Bob “Checkers” Mantle                                    Hella

Chaplain                                                  Elwood “Woody” Rice                                     Ben Hur Srekoj Clowns

Parliamentarian                                        Eddie “Fireplug” Cox                                        Hella

Assemblyman                                          Mike “Mikee” Sluiter                                        Alzafar Kerr Clowns

Assemblyman                                          Ray “Radar” Dark                                            Sharon

Assemblyman                                          Greg “Fuzzy” Talley                                          Maskat

 

Newly installed Sam “Lucky” Taylor presented Don “Lil-Bit” Henson a plaque from ISCAfor funds donated to the sneaker fund during the year 2008-2009.  He also presented Don a plaque from The Texas Shrine Clown Association for an outstanding year.

 

President elect Sam Taylor thanked the Maskat Clowns for their help with the clown breakfast.

 

Sam gave a brief overview of the dates and times for clown midwinter 2010 in Austin, Texas.

 

Texas Shrine Clown Mid Winter 2010 will be held in Austin, Texas.  Hosted by Ben Hur Srekoj Clowns.   The headquarters hotel will be the Crown Plaza located at the intersection of  HWY 290 & I35.  All details and registration forms will be posted on the clown web site.

 

President Sam Taylor recognized all the Past TSCA Presidents in attendance.  A toast was given in their honor for the many years of service.  Those in attendance were.

 

Barry Johnson  1996-1997

Pete Peters       1997-1998

George White   2003-2004

Eddie Cox        2004-2005

Don Henson     2008-2009

 

President elect Sam Taylor gave a brief overview of the times and location for competition.

 

The judges meeting for competing units followed the breakfast meeting.

 

Chaplain Elwood “Woody” Rice gave the closing benediction.

 

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:00 AM in peace and harmony.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Mantle

Bob “Checker” Mantle

TSCA Secretary / Treasurer