The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting at 1:00 pm on June 13, 2017 at the Hall of Justice.
Roll Call: President John Centurioni, Secretary Mark J. McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees Ray Kane, Al Luenow, John Keane, and Sally Foster were present. Vice President Leroy Lindo and Trustee Jim O’Meara were excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Sally Foster made a motion to accept the minutes from the May 2017 meeting. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Receiving Application; Suspensions and Reinstatements: On July 1, 2017 any member who has not paid his or her dues will have their WOAA membership suspended per Article III, Section 3 of our Constitution and By-Laws. The President will suspend the named members at our July 2017 meeting. These members who have not paid their dues will be suspended from all benefits and privileges of the Association. The Recording Secretary shall note the name(s) in the minutes, and shall notify the member in writing, of such action. A registered letter will be sent to the member’s last known address. Presently, there are approximately 100 members who are delinquent in paying their dues. Trustees Ray Kane and Jim O’Meara, and I responded to the San Francisco Police Department Regional Training Center (academy) and presented our membership to the 256th Recruit Class. We signed up the entire class of 34 members. The 256th Recruit Class were approved by vote of the Board for WOAA membership. Recruit Class members do not become permanent members of the WOAA until they graduate from their probation period in the S.F.P.D.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor presented the monthly bills and reported death benefit payments to the beneficiaries of Robert Hanssen and Jason Lynch. Trustee John Keane made a motion to pay the bills. Trustee Sally Foster seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: We received the sad news of the passing of our following members:
Ray Symington, age 87: Raymond W. Symington was born in San Francisco, California on April 6, 1930. Ray passed away on May 28, 2017 in Walnut Creek, California. Ray is survived by his daughter Linda Thyken, son Tim Symington, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Ray was an apprentice fitter for PG&E prior to joining the S.F.P.D. Ray joined the San Francisco Police Department on September 19, 1955 and was assigned to star #1545. Ray worked the following units during his career: BSS (January 3, 1956), Ingleside Police Station (March 9, 1959), Southern Police Station (May 1, 1970), Crime Specific Task Force (CSTF) (October 9, 1977), and finally back to Southern Police Station on July 19, 1978. Ray was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on May 1, 1970 and sent to Southern Police Station. Ray retired with a service pension on May 31, 1983 after nearly twenty-eight years of service to the city of San Francisco. Ray was awarded a 3rd grade Medal of Valor that was later upgraded to a 2nd grade Medal. For services rendered on June 22, 1967 Ray responded to a call of a robbery committed by a suspect who was in possession of a sawed-off shotgun. Ray followed the suspect’s trail to a dark building basement. Ray, with every reason to believe the suspect would use his firearm, cocked his own shotgun while searching in the dark. Ray, alone in the basement, located the suspect and his accomplice who surrendered to Ray. It was reported in his obituary that Ray was awarded four commendations and a Purple Heart between 1962 and 1967. No further information was available. Ray guarded the President of Visa for several years after retiring from the S.F.P.D. Ray enjoyed playing golf and bar tending at holiday parties.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Unfinished Business: The Board will read the proposed changes in our Constitution and By-Laws for a final approval. Trustee and last year’s WOAA President Sally Foster has been working diligently on this project. Sally provided copies for all the board members. Upon approval, the proposed changes will be sent out to the entire membership for a vote.
New Business: Treasurer Dean Taylor proposed a new change to our language regarding our audits. The WOAA approved the language. Trustee Sally Foster has made the modification and change to the Constitution and By-Laws proposed changes.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Centurioni led the Board in a moment of silence for all our fallen members. President Centurioni scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday July 11, 2017 at the Hall of Justice in Room #150 at 1:00pm.
To All: Please visit our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Beneficiary forms can be accessed on our website by clicking on RESOURSES on our face page. New beneficiary changes require a signature from a Notary, or by a WOAA board member. Please use the beneficiary forms for address and contact number changes. Address and contact number changes do not require a signature from a Notary or board member. We express our thanks and gratitude to the following people who assist us each month: Retired S.F.P.D. Captain and current POA Defense Administrator Paul Chignell, David Ng of Personnel, Sgt. Rachael Kilshaw and Risa Tom of the Police Commission Office, Ray Shine editor of the POA Journal, Retired Lieutenant Rene LaPrevotte of the Gold Country Reaper website, and the entire Traffic Solo Command who bestow their gracious generosity each month by providing us with a location for monthly meetings and space for our files.