The monthly meeting of Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department was called to order on Tuesday February 10, 2015 at 1:45pm by President John Keane. The meeting was held at 850 Bryant Street in room #150 at the Hall of Justice.
Roll Call of Officers: President John Keane, Vice-President Sally Foster, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees John Centurioni, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, and Al Luenow were present.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to approve the minutes from our January 2015 meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Al Luenow and passed without objection.
Receiving Applications for New Members; Suspensions and Reinstatements: I will respond to the San Francisco Regional Academy on March 3, 2015, with Trustees Ray Kane and Leroy Lindo, and address the current Academy Class for WOAA signup. The 245th Academy Class is a Lateral Transfer Class with only 10 members. There are no suspensions. Suspensions occur in July of each year after our six month period. There were no reinstatements. The members dropped from the roll in January for non-payment of dues in a one year period were mailed their notices by registered mail.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor present to monthly bills and three paid death benefits (beneficiaries of George Jeffrey, Marta McDowell, and Jack Girot). Vice President Sally Foster presented outstanding charges for flowers sent to the beneficiaries of Girot and McDowell in the amount of approximately $255.00. Treasurer Taylor also presented the notice from our Auditors at Pilger, Burr, and Mayer that there will be an annual increase for services of more than $700.00. Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to pay the bills. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion which passed without objection.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: Vice President Sally Foster reported her floral fund report. See Communication and Bills for details. There were two reported deaths in January.
Anthony Carreon, age 59: Anthony Joseph Carreon was born on March 24, 1955 in San Francisco, California. Tony graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in 1973. Tony entered the San Francisco Police Department on June 26, 1978 as a member of the 131st Recruit Class. Tony was assigned to the Police Academy on Treasure Island, graduated, and assigned to Northern Police Station to continue his training in the Field Training Program. During his career in the S.F.P.D., Tony worked at various units including Mission Police Station (February 1979 through June 1984), Tactical Canine Unit (1984 to 1992), Ingleside Police Station (1992), and the Solo Motorcycle Unit at the Traffic Bureau. Tony earned a service retirement on January 31, 2006. Tony is survived by his Domestic Partner Luz Serrano, sister Bernadette Carreon Mason of Colorado, brother in law Thomas, twin nieces Jenna Paige and Miranda Leigh, Aunts Keitha Proctor and Belinda Vasquez, Uncles Anthony and Benito (Benny) Carrasco. Tony’s late parents were Oscar J. Carreon and Zelma D. Egbert of San Francisco. Tony had many cousins and friends who adored and loved him. He always looked forward to cheering on the San Francisco Forty-Niners, and the San Francisco Giants. In keeping with his wishes, there was no service. A memorial event was held for Tony at the Mariposa Yacht Club on February 8, 2015.
Nicholas J. Mahoney, age 77: Nicholas J. Mahoney was a Christmas gift in 1936 to his parents Florence and Mary Mahoney. Nick was born in San Francisco, California and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. Nick loved the outdoors and worked for a short period of time with the Forest Service. Nick served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 in the 32nd Infantry. After his military discharge, Nick worked for PG&E. At the age of 30, Nick joined the San Francisco Police Department and entered the Academy on February 16, 1967.Nick wore star #1591. During his twelve-year career, Nick worked at Taraval Police Station (1967), Central Police Station (1969), Ingleside Police Station (1977), and a return to Taraval Police Station in 1978. Nicholas left the Department on March 14, 1979 with a disability pension. He later joined the teamsters as a part-time driver. Nick’s passions in life were the outdoors and driving. Nick camped and fished in Alaska, Colorado, and Wyoming. Nick also preferred driving over flying. Nicholas is survived by his son Paul Mahoney, his brothers Francis and John Mahoney, and his former wife Mary. Nick was preceded in death by his parents Florence and Mary Mahoney.
Department award information was not available at the time of this publication.
Report of Special Committee: Trustee Ray Kane will head a new Special Committee to research and select an Actuary. The WOAA will seek a new investigation and report on our Age Limit requirement for membership. A study was completed many years ago which established our age requirement for membership at under 46 years of age. We will seek advice on age limit requirements in conjunction to our financial management, a long term effect if the age requirement were to be eliminated, and the whether an increase in dues is necessary to stay financially solvent in our unstable economy. Trustee Jim O’Meara volunteered to join Ray Kane on the committee.
Unfinished Business: Trustee O’Meara reported that he had consulted with an attorney at no cost, to review our proposed Constitution and By-Law changes. He was advised to seek another opinion and will now propose the services of a Labor Attorney. Trustee O’Meara stated he will meet with Paul Simpson and discuss the project and costs.
New Business: Vice President Sally Foster reported concerns regarding our Constitution and By-Laws in regard to our age limit requirements (discussed above in Special Committee Section), and our language regarding Trustees. All proposed changes to our Constitution and By-Laws must be voted by the membership. We are attempting to bring the WOAA, its Constitution and By-Laws, and our direction into the twenty-first century.
Good of the Association: No report this month.
Adjournment: President John Keane led our Board Members in a moment of silence for our fallen members. President Keane scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday March 10, 2015 at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant Street in room #150 at 1:45pm.
To All Members: The Dues are $72.00 per year each January. Active members now have their dues removed from one of their January pay checks. All members are required to pay in January.
Bills: We (I), have received an extremely large volume of telephone calls regarding the mailed invoices. Many members were complaining about not getting their invoices in January. We have not sent invoices in January since the implementation of auto pay through the San Francisco Police Credit Union. The invoices are not sent until all of the auto payments from the Credit Union are processed. This alleviates the problem of members who are on auto pay from receiving an invoice. Once we have processed all the Credit Union payments we can send out all the invoices. The names that remain will receive an invoice, again these invoices will not be sent out until ALL Credit Union payments are processed. Many retired members have taken our recommendation to use the auto payment system. Members can also use the pay pal option on our website. We will attempt to bill out in January next year, however, early February will remain a possibility.
I continue to give my thanks and gratitude to our continued supporters who assist in contributing to our successful operations. Retired Captain Paul Chignell of the POA, Jon Voong and Lt. Nick Rainsford of Personnel, and Inspector John Monroe of the Police Commission Office assist us monthly with contacting members to call us (Chignell), and with employment and award information of fallen members (Monroe, Voong and Lt. Rainsford).
Please visit our website at ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org’. The resources box on the upper right side of the tool bar will provide an option for a beneficiary form. Please complete a change of beneficiary, or any change of address, mailing address, or contact information on this form. Beneficiary changes must be signed by a Notary, or signed by one of our board members. Please mail these forms to our address at: WOAA, P.O. Box 880034, San Francisco, California 94188. I can be contacted by telephone at 415 681-3660, and by email at ‘markmac825@comcast.net’.