May 8th, 2026

Minutes of the Association’s 2026 1st Quarter (calendar year 2026) Board of Directors Meeting

 

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1Q/FY 26 CCRA Board of Directors Meeting

Transcript

https://otter.ai/u/PS8Nt2b523ilQC1ktBRYujEOoMU?view=summary

Overview

**Financial Update and Regimental Week Costs** Budget is currently over by $2,000, but a $5,000 donation from Avon is expected to help offset this. The Green Dragon Ball table gift cost was reduced by $2,000. **Gift Shop Profitability** Gift shop is increasing profit margins to 200-500% through strategic purchasing and will open one Saturday a month to capture museum traffic. **Best Sapper Warrior Competition** Approximately 60 participants are expected for the competition during regimental week. **New University Partnership** A partnership with Columbia Southern University will provide tuition discounts and two-year scholarships to CCRA members and their families at no cost to the association. **Scholarship Committee and Application Deadline** Volunteers are needed for the scholarship committee; applications are due by May 31. Social media reminders will be sent to encourage applications. **Corporate Membership and Donations** Avon has committed to a donation and future tech is a potential new corporate member. Efforts continue to recruit additional corporate partners. **Event Planning and Participation** Regimental week planning is ongoing, with final agenda and RSVP links to be distributed soon. Members are encouraged to attend and participate in fundraising activities.

Action Items

  • [ ] @Jeff Brodeur – Post scholarship reminder on LinkedIn (one LinkedIn post) to help promote scholarship applications and deadline

  • [ ] @Jeff Brodeur – Solicit volunteers and form the scholarship selection committee (seek an odd number of volunteers, plan committee meetings in June, and coordinate announcement in early July)

  • [ ] @Jeff Brodeur – Send the decision emails (regimental estimated costs with 10% wiggle room; Columbia Southern University partnership details; and call for scholarship committee volunteers) to the board/recipients

  • [ ] Provide the tablecloth to Scott Estes for the June 18 industry-engagement booth (Jay confirmed he has the tablecloth from last year)

  • [ ] Pursue corporate membership prospects (follow up with Avon success, reach out to Future Tech and other targeted companies like Leidos and Momentum and coordinate with Toby as needed)

  • [ ] Finalize regimental t-shirt order quantities (work numbers for students, cadre, AIT/officer participants—roughly 600 from 84th estimate) and place the order so shirts arrive in time for regimental week

  • [ ] Confirm coin/table gift order and ensure delivery to be in hand before May 28 if that coin option is selected

  • [ ] Meet with Jeff to develop an alternate plan for graduations held in the chapel (plan to operate across the street or other course of action so gift shop/booth can capture attendees when on-campus participation is restricted)

  • [ ] Create and run advertising/notifications (signs, outreach) for the monthly payday Saturday gift shop opening and manage staffing so additional Saturday hours do not increase weekly payroll

  • [ ] Ensure ordered items for the Best CBRN Warrior competition and regimental-week merchandise are received and in hand within the next two weeks as planned

  • [ ] Coordinate and prepare the industry-engagement booth/skit for the June 18 event (reprise a previous skit in a new format) and handle logistics for the booth

  • [ ] Send the weekly business/regimental update email (include Protection Week outcomes, Best CBRN Warrior and regimental week details) and distribute it tomorrow as promised

  • [ ] Prepare and send two or three social media blasts (reminders) about the scholarship deadline (due May 31) and include a call for donations/pledges to encourage contributions

  • [ ] Prepare a one-page CCRA fact sheet summarizing commitments, resources, and accomplishments for regimental week outreach and member conversations (hip-pocket card)

Outline

Regimental Week Cost Estimates and Table Gift Issues

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur discusses the major change in the Green Dragon Ball table gift, noting a significant reduction in cost from $4,335 to $2,000.

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur requests Shane Wolfe to cover the financials and cost estimates, mentioning the School House’s request for a one-sided coin as a table gift.

  • Shane Wolfe mentions Kevin’s work on the regimental week t-shirt design and the inclusion of the spouse’s luncheon in the cost estimate.

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur and Shane Wolfe discuss the CCRA social event, noting the success of last year’s event and the plan to give out tickets for the first 100 attendees.

Budget Overrun and Avon Donation

  • Shane Wolfe inquires about the budget status, and Dr. Jeff Brodeur confirms they are over budget by almost $2,000.

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur mentions the expected donation from Avon, which will help cover the budget overrun.

  • Shane Wolfe and Dr. Jeff Brodeur discuss the donation of masks to the best CBRN warrior and the potential extra $5,000 from Avon.

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur notes the plan to donate a third of the t-shirts to the schoolhouse and sell the rest, aiming for a balanced approach.

Gift Shop Operations and Traffic Analysis

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur provides an update on gift shop operations, mentioning the identification of best-selling items and the increase in profit margin.

  • Kevin Albrecht discusses the plan to open the gift shop on payday Saturdays, aiming to capitalize on high museum traffic.

  • Scott Estes and Kevin Albrecht discuss the average museum traffic on Saturdays, noting around 70-75 visitors per Saturday.

  • Kevin Albrecht mentions the challenge of getting soldiers and their families to visit the museum and gift shop during graduation ceremonies held in chapel areas.

BCWC and Corporate Membership

  • Kevin Albrecht updates on the BCWC competition, noting the need to order around 600 t-shirts for participants.

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur and Kevin Albrecht discuss the timeline for receiving the coins for the Best Sapper Warrior competition.

  • Jay Reckard provides an update on corporate membership, mentioning the addition of Avon and a verbal commitment from Future Tech.

  • Scott Estes mentions the upcoming industry engagement event and the need for a table cloth for promotion.

Columbia Southern University Partnership

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur introduces the partnership with Columbia Southern University, offering discounts and scholarships to CCRA members and their families.

  • William King and Jay Reckard express support for the partnership, noting its potential to boost enrollment and provide more scholarships.

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur explains the process for volunteers to join the scholarship committee and the deadline for scholarship applications.

  • Shane Wolfe and Dr. Jeff Brodeur discuss the need for social media blasts to remind members about the scholarship deadline.

Regimental Week and Final Remarks

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur confirms the next Commandant update is scheduled for May 4 and mentions the three decisions in the queue for email.

  • Dr. Jeff Brodeur welcomes Dave Wilcox to the meeting and discusses the decisions for email, including the regimental week cost estimate and the Columbia Southern University partnership.

  • William King suggests creating a one-page fact sheet about CCRA’s accomplishments for regimental week.

  • Scott Estes announces Jay Reckard’s induction into the Fayette County Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for gymnastics.

Shane Wolfe

Business Manager

Chemical Corps Regimental Association

PO Box 437

Fort Leonard Wood, MO  65473-0437

Phone:  (573) 329-0600

Email: ccramanager@embarqmail.com