Minutes of the 09 March 2024 meeting

TRMN Steering Committee: March Meeting Minutes (Unofficial) Date: 09 March 2024
Time: 1000 Pacific / 1300 Eastern / 1800 BST
Location: Google Meet

Attendees:

Mike Garcia – Chair

David Westover (IAN) – Vice Chair

Zach White (GSN) – Steering Committee Secretary

Laura Lochen (RMN)

Mike Houghtaling (RMMC)

John Neitz (Proxy for RMA)

Garret Bitker (Proxy for Civ Corps)

Wayne Bruns (Civ Corps)

Cindy Van Wyhe (BoD Secretary)

Non-Voting Attendees/Guests:

Mike Romero (Speaker of the HoL)

Mitch Dunn (CNO Elect RHN)

AJ Olsen (Deputy MotC)

Sam Deitzman (Deputy Commandant, IAN)

William Underhill (CoS of the GSN)

The meeting was called to order at 1009 PST.

Agenda Item 1:

There were no opening remarks made by the Chair. Roll Call was completed, and a quorum was declared at 1009 PST.

Agenda Item 2:

A motion was made by the Chair to approve the minutes from the January meeting. This motion was seconded, and the Chair and Secretary called for a vote by acclimation. There were no objections, and the minutes were approved unanimously. The minutes are to be posted to the TRMN forums for review by the membership.

Agenda Item 5:

Agenda Item 5 was moved up to seat a new Branch Head for the Republic of Haven Navy. Due to the timing of the previous CNO’s resignation, the Chairman exercised their prerogative under Section 4 of PD-BOD-1001 to appoint a new Branch Head, however, called for an acclimation vote. There were no objections. Mitch Dunn was appointed the new Chief of Naval Operations of the Republic of Haven Navy and promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet, RHN (F-6), effective 09 March 2024.

Agenda Item 3:

The Steering Committee considered four (4) nominations for Knighthoods during the March meeting. Those awards that were confirmed will be awarded in April per PD-SC-1007. In the interest of award privacy, the names of the nominees have been omitted. The first was for a member nominated to be created Member of the Order of the Golden Lion. Wayne Bruns nominated this member, and his proxy, Garret Bitker, recused himself from the vote. There was a brief discussion, and the Secretary called the vote:

Mike Garcia Aye

David Westover (IAN): Aye

Zach White (GSN): Aye

Laura Lochen (RMN): Aye

Mike Houghtaling (RMMC): Aye

John Neitz (RMA): Aye

Garret Bitker (Civ Corps): Abstain

Cindy Van Wyhe (BoD): Aye

The member’s nomination to be created as a Member in the Order of the Golden Lion was confirmed on 09 March 2024.

The second was a member nominated for an elevation to their Order of King Roger. Justin Dupras nominated this member. There was a concern about the timing of the elevation, as the member was just created to the immediately lower rank in the Order less than two (2) months ago. Garret Bitker motioned to table the nomination. Mike Garcia seconded. The decision was made by acclimation to table the nomination until the September 2024 Steering Committee meeting. The Secretary informed the nominator.

The third was a member nominated to be created a Knight of the Star Kingdom. This member was nominated by Cindy Van Wyhe who recused herself from vote. There was extensive discussion concerning this nomination. Laura Lochen suggested, and Zach White motioned, totable the nomination. Garret Bitker seconded. The decision was made by acclimation to table the nomination until the September 2024 Steering Committee meeting. The Secretary informed the nominator.

The final consideration was a member nominated to be created a Knight of the Star Kingdom. The member was nominated by Mike Romero at the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Commons. There was a brief discussion, and the Secretary called the vote:

Mike Garcia Aye

David Westover (IAN): Aye

Zach White (GSN): Aye

Laura Lochen (RMN): Aye

Mike Houghtaling (RMMC): Aye

John Neitz (RMA): Aye

Garret Bitker (Civ Corps): Aye

Cindy Van Wyhe (BoD): Aye

The member’s nomination to be created as a Knight of the Star Kingdom was confirmed on 09 March 2024.

Agenda Item 4:

This item was the confirmation of the decision by both Houses of Parliament to award the Andermani Empire version of the Parliamentary Medal of Valor to member Ender Turner. The Steering Committee discussed the confirmation briefly. As both Houses had voted to award the medal, and there was no need to entertain a veto, the Secretary called for an acclimation vote. There were no objections. The member’s nomination to be awarded For Merit with Oak Leaves (IAN Parliamentary Medal of Valor) was confirmed on 09 March 2024. Cindy Van Wyhe asked if it would be beneficial for the Steering Committee to see the nomination documents for future confirmations. The Secretary and the committee agreed. Future confirmations will have the nominations attached. There was a further brief discussion on how to award the medal. The Secretary will provide David Westover with a document to be signed by all three members, Mike Romero, Jesse Krug, and the Branch Head.

Agenda Item 5:

Divisional branch reports were sent before the meeting for review by the Steering Committee. All Voting and Ex-Officio Member Branch Heads submitted component reports. There was supplemental information provided by Garret Bitker regarding a motion that needs to be added to the Action Without Meeting concerning the Civilian Corps. The Secretary will add it to the Action Without Meeting.

Agenda Item 6:

The Chair inquired if there was any discussion needed on the one (1) AWM item voted on since the January meeting that was included in the agenda. Hearing none, the Chair moved to confirm the AWM item by acclamation vote. There were no objections.

Agenda Item 7:

David Westover, as Chairman of the AO review Committee, delivered his report on the activities of that committee. He indicated that the Steering Committee is still waiting on confirmation of Policy Documents sent to the Board of Directors in September, as well as some more recent. He did note that those items were on the agenda for the meeting scheduled for 10 March 2024. Further, it was discussed that there is still a bit more work to do with the consolidation and clean-up of Admiralty Orders, but the work of the Sub-Committee is nearly complete.

Agenda Item 8:

The Chair inquired if there was any new business to be brought before the Committee. There was none.

Agenda Item 9:

The secretary recapped his “do-outs” from the meeting, as well as the items being added to the Action Without Meeting section of the Discord.

Agenda Item 10:

The May meeting was scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024, at a new time. The meeting will be at 1700 PST (5 PM PST) to better accommodate some of the committee member’s schedules. An agenda and meeting invitation will be sent to participants via the established methods before the meeting.

Agenda Item 11:

The Chair noted that there were no closing comments! The meeting was adjourned at 11:18 PST.