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Susan Larson, International BOD Representative reports: Janice
Pelletti, Tennessee Chapter, and her support team of no more than five, nailed it. Knoxville is truly a delightful location
for any meeting, the downtown being only three blocks from our hotel. Friday’s activities were entirely on Knoxville
Downtown Island Airport, including seminars and a BBQ. Saturday morning’s business meeting at the hotel featured a new
addition to our vocabulary – Voluntold! We could immediately see how appropriate this word could be in the realm of
99s volunteerism, or perhaps better described as some good old-fashioned arm-twisting. 
As there was no way to travel on Friday from New Mexico and arrive before that day’s activities, I chose
to travel on Thursday and enjoy Friday morning on my own, touring the Knoxville area, taking in the luscious countryside (remember,
I live in a desert), and visiting some historical sites. The weather cooperated beyond expectations, although some who planned
to fly from Florida had to make alternate arrangements. Terry and three more with her plowed through just fine.
Approximately 20 days in advance of the business meeting, Governor
Carbonell emailed a packet of documents, including the agenda, minutes of the previous meeting, proposed Section bylaws changes,
and a copy of the July 24, 2014 letter from the IRS recognizing the Southeast Section’s group exemption (BIG YEA). Her
message was as follows: Good morning ladies: I have attached your
agenda packet for the upcoming meeting.  Please bring this with you on your tablets, iPads or bring a printed version as we will not be making extra copies. If
you are unable to print or if you do not have a tablet, please let me know and I will print a copy to bring for you. I look
forward to seeing all in Knoxville. Thanks, Terry
After all that the New Orleans Chapter did to ensure hospitality far above and beyond and
lend two meeting planners to the 2014 Annual Conference, it was great to see four chapter members at the Section meeting.
So often we see those chapters deeply involved in a project essentially drop out of sight for a year or more due to exhaustion
and overwhelm. It wasn’t the case this fall. At the meeting, Int’l Director Corbi Bulluck, Int’l Secretary
Lisa Cotham and I graciously accepted a check for $12,000 payable to the HQ Operating account, from Janet Gonzales. With but a few accounting matters yet to settle, this represents HQ’s 60% of the net proceeds from the Annual Conference.
The attendance was finalized at 194 99s and 70 guests.
In discussion about the budget, it was noted that the Section Governor receives an annual allowance of $2000, of which
$850 is for each of two IBOD meetings in OKC, the balance toward her registration at the Annual Conference. As the cost to
attend seven meetings each year by IBOD members is extraordinary, this International Representative (and I suspect many to
follow me), is very grateful that the Southeast Section members voted to reimburse two nights lodging at Section meetings
for the International Representative to attend. Her meeting registration fee is already waived/absorbed by the host chapter.
 One additional piece of information regarding finances, former SE Section Governor Cheryl Cichocki died recently and left
the bulk of her estate to The 99s. Known is that 10% is to go to The 99s Operating account at HQ, 20% to the Endowment Fund,
20% to the AEBP, and the balance to other local 99s activities. Beyond her home, her net assets are unknown. Terry Carbonell
and Cecile Hatfield are further researching the bequests.
In a scheduled Facetime moment, Governor Carbonell
presented the Chapter Charter to the St. Croix Island Paradise Chapter. Tres cool! These ladies are excited to be a part of
The 99s and they are sure to host a Section meeting soon.
The
Section voted to submit an International Bylaws change as it is believed that the wording in Article V, Section 1, A. 1) needs
to be changed to properly include the new Student Pilot category. Upcoming Section meetings will be May 15-17, 2015
in St. Petersburg, Florida and September 24-27, 2015 in Huntsville, Alabama. Saturday afternoon we roamed the city,
its Farmers Market and toured the East Tennessee History Center before the day’s culmination with a buffet dinner at
the hotel. Subsequently, many attendees trundled over to the tower adjacent to the World’s Fair Park for a view of the
city at night, while I trundled up to my guestroom for a 2:45 AM alarm to catch what must be the first flight out of Knoxville.
We departed ahead of schedule at 5:20, arriving in Dallas while it was still dark, and home to New Mexico by 9:30 local time.
My deepest thanks go to Terry Carbonell and Janice Pelletti for their heartfelt hospitality.
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