Annual MeetingMarch 8, 2020
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WELCOME
MEMBERS,SPONSORS AND GUESTS!
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Dear Friends and Supporters,
It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve as Operation Support Our Troops-
America’s Executive Director since May 2018. When Deb and I began mailing care packages in
2003, we never dreamed that our small effort would become a full-blown military service
organization and would still be thriving all these years later. Nor did we realize how the needs
of our military community would continue to grow and change over the years. With the help of
our great volunteers, sponsors and supporters, we have been able to consistently grow and
adapt to meet these changing needs.
Our military continues to serve and protect our freedom and way of life with over 170,000
service members deployed to over 150 countries around the world. While the media focuses
on the latest political skirmish of the day, we cannot allow ourselves to forget not only those
that are deployed but those who continue to struggle with the wounds of war, both seen and
unseen. Operation Support Our Troops-America has not and will not waiver from the fulfillment
of our mission, to provide comfort and care for our military community both at home and away.
We do this through the implementation of our four main programs.
As I step down as the Executive Director and look ahead to our new Executive Director, Scott
Maxson, to lead this great organization I am humbled by the commitment of all of you and the
support given to our military, their families, our veterans and families of the fallen.
Our work is not done, and I hope we can continue to count on you to be a part of our
mission. On behalf of all of those we are honored to serve, I thank you.
Bill Rickert
Meeting Agenda Welcome
Official OSOT-America Business
Executive Structure
Upcoming Events
Treasurer’s Report
Election of 2020 Board of Directors
OSOT-America Program Review
Honored Partners and Guests
Supporter Recognition
Social Hour and Dinner
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Jack SchifflerJack Schiffler, a friend and supporter of OSOT-
America since the beginning passed away yesterday.
He will be missed. Semper Fi my friend.
1945-2020
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Executive Structure
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Upcoming 2020 Events
St Patrick’s Day Parade - Naperville March 14th
Jewel Shop N Drop - March 27th and 28th
Jewel Shop N Drop - April 24th and 25th
Memorial Day Parade - Naperville May 25th
Jewel Shop N Drop - June 19th and 20th
July 4th Parade - Hinsdale July 4th
Labor Day Parade - Naperville September 7th
Over The Edge - Naperville September 11th and 12th
Jewel Shop N Drop - October 2nd and 3rd
Red, White and Blues event - Hinsdale- October 17th
Leap of Faith- Pinehurst, N.C.- October 25th-27th
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Official Business
With Regard to the Future of the Organization
Voted on by Active Members
Active Members not Present Vote by Proxy
Vote Taken by a Show of Hands Unless a Member
Requests a Written Vote
Identify Quorum is present
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Treasurer’s Report
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2019 Financial Report
Continued Good Financial Standing
• In compliance with IRS nonprofit requirements
• No significant audit findings for Prior Year 2018
• Cash reserves
• $ 759K as of 12/31/19
• Maintained GuideStar Exchange Platinum for Transparency
• Maintained 4 Star rating by Charity Navigator
• Sustaining 100% score on Accountability and Transparency
• 92 cents of every dollar goes to our programs
• Again top rating from Great NonProfits
2019 Financial Report
Type 2019 2018 $ Change % Change
Non-Cash / In Kind Contributions
611 540 +71 +13%
Cash Donations 446 511 -65 -13%
Over the Edge 180 0 +180 +100%
Rockin For the Troops 0 152 -152 -100%
Healing Field 38 0 +38 +100%
Clay Soot/Shoot for Vets88 101 -13 -13%
Total Income per above 1,363 1,304 +59 +5%
Income ( in thousands)
2019 Financial Report
Type 2019 2018 $ Change % Change
Over the Edge 131 0 +131 +100%
Rockin’ For the Troops 0 -41 +41 +100%
Red, White and Blues 0 64 -64 -100%
Clay Shoot/Shoot For Vets 52 79 -20 -24%
Healing Field 13 0 +13 100%
Net Fundraising Income 196 102 +94 +92%
Net Fundraising (in thousands)
2019 Financial Report
Type 2019 2018 $ Change % Change
Rockin For the Troops 0 193 +193 +100%
Red, White and Blues 0 34 -34 -100%
Swingin’ For the Vets/Clay Shoot
41 34 -7 -20%
Over the Edge 49 12 +37 +308%
Healing Field 24 0 +24 +100%
Total Fundraising Expenses
114 273 159 -58%
Fundraising Expenses (in thousands)
2019 Financial Report
Type 2019 2018 $ Change % Change
Package Donations & inventory purchases
610 552 +58 +11%
Package postage 122 120 +2 +2%
Veteran Services 130 126 +4 +3%
Leap of Faith, G.I. Yoga, Women’s
Health/Wellness55 39 +16 +41%
OSOT-America Overall 23 44 -21 -48%
Total Program Expenses
940 881 +59 +6%
Program Expenses (in thousands)
2019 Financial Report
Type 2019 2018 $ Change % Change
Total Fundraising 114 273 -159 -58%
Total Programs 940 881 +59 +7%
Total Administration 337 304 +33 +11%
Total Expense 1,391 1,458 -67 -5%
Overall Expenses (in thousands)
2020 Board of
Directors Election
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Role of Board of Directors Determine Mission and Purpose
Select, Supervise and Assist Executive Board
Provide Financial and Organizational Governance
Ensure Compliance
Help Develop Resources
Develop Effective Planning
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Board Election Process• Board Candidates Identified and Interviewed by
Current Board
• Slate Approved by Board for Presentation to General Membership
• Slate of Candidates Submitted to General Membership for Election
• Membership Elects Board of Directors
• Board of Directors Appoint Specific Positions at First Board Meeting
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Board of Director Roles
Chairman…………Main Board Liaison to President
President………...Provide guidance and oversight
Vice Pres…………Provide backup and support to Chairman and
President
Treasurer…………Oversees Finance Team
Legal ……………..Provides Guidance on Legal Issues
Non-Profit………..Provides Input & Guidance on Non-Profit Issues
Fundraising ……..Helps Develop Additional Funding Resources
Military …...........Provide insight into interaction with military community
Member at Large…Fill in where needed
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2019 Board of Directors Justin Smitherman - Chairman
Deb Rickert - Founder and former CEO
Dan Dexter - Treasurer
Bill Strening - Legal/Recording Secretary
Scott Maxson - Board Member (Resigned Nov.)
Bruce Kannry - Board Member
Wayne Marshall - Board Member
Matt Metzger - Board Member
Rick Smolke - Board Member
Joe Dalpino - Board Member
Marty Walker - Board Member
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2020 Board of Directors Slate
Justin Smitherman
Deb Rickert
David LaBarre
Alice Leong
Carl Pedersen
Bill Kohnke
Rick Smolke
Bill Strenning
Alan Salter
Matt Metzger
Wayne Marshall
Bruce Kannry
Jeremy Hirst
Marty Walker
Joe DalPino 21
Many Thanks
- Thank you to Dan Dexter who has provided years of service and expertise to OSOT-A
- Dan has served on the BOD since nearly inception, his positions have included
- Treasurer
- Chairman
- Member at Large
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2020 BOD Applicants- We had a total of 7 new applications this year
- We interviewed and offered BOD positions to 6 of the 7
- We created an advisory panel for 2020
- Panel will be composed of individuals who have had or can possibly be future BOD members
- These individuals will play a role (similar toBOD) but will not have a vote or have to meet the BOD requirements throughout the year
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2020 BOD Applicant
- Please stand and tells us a little about who you are and your background
- David LaBarre
- Alice Leong
- Carl Pedersen
- Alan Salter
- Jeremy Hirst
- Bill Kohnke
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2020 Board of
Directors motion to
approve
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Program Review Active Duty Support
Comfort and Care Package Program
Christmas Stockings
Over The Edge
Family Resource and Support
Leap of Faith
Presentation Team
Returning Veteran Outreach
Veterans Assistance Program
GI Yoga
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2019 Comfort and Care Package Program
4,400 boxes shipped
90,972 pounds shipped
Packed and shipped our
2 millionth pound in
February 2019
$122,098 spent on
postage
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ABC CHANNEL 7 ChicagoNEWS
Stacey Baca
Link to ABC 7 Chicago Segment
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Christmas Stockings Over 8,000 stockings shipped
last year vs. 6500 in 2018!
78 outside groups came to
help put together the
Christmas stockings for our
troops for a total of 2,653volunteer hours
OSOT-America volunteers also
put together Christmas
stockings for other Veteran
groups, including: Hines VA
and Fisher House as well as
the USO at O'Hare Airport and
the Great Lakes Naval Base.
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Over The Edge 2019 1st Over The Edge event held at Hotel Arista in
Naperville on September 14, 2019
Individuals raised funds through an online platform to rappel down the side of Hotel Arista
Event also included: military members on site with interactive displays, sponsorship tables, Scott McCay from 95.9 The River as DJ, and Mission BBQ donated lunch for volunteers.
Event netted $131,000
Stacey Baca from ABC 7-Chicago rappelled live on the air during the evening news on Friday, September 13 during our VIP day.
Over The Edge 2020 will be held on September 12th, 2020 at Hotel Arista.
Fundraising link for 2020: https://fundrazr.com/osot-america-2020
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Over The Edge 2019Stacey Baca ABC 7
VIDEO HERE
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2019 Leap of Faith
21st Leap of Faith
Seminar completed
October 2019
656 participants since the
first seminar in 2011
Island Dolphin Care
Southern8ths Horse Farm
U.S. Army Golden
Knights/All Veteran
Parachute Team
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2019 Presentation Team Team Leader-Kathy Clark
(Need more volunteers to interact in community)
30 presentations given by the Presentation Team
Requests taken a [email protected]
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Presentation Team
Anyone want to join? Please let us know at
What do you do as a Presentation Team member?
Speak to small or large groups about what we do – show
off a care package
Attend events and interest people in volunteering or
setting up donation drives
You choose which events you are willing to do
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2019 Veterans Assistance Program
94 veterans helped with $131,867 in support
Updated and revamped program for 2020 effective
3/1/20
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2019 GI Yoga
Five classes a week
10-15 students per class
Free demonstrations at the
DuPage Vet Center
Students develop a sense of
community with each other
due to their Veteran status
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2020 Honored Partners
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Dr. Doug McKinley
Time to Eat!
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Thank you to
Mission BBQ in Downers Grove for generously donating today’s meal!