Press releases and programs [2 of 2]

              Page 2 - State Conference President, 2/17/76
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. James Kemp, was assigned the
task by the Committee to discuss in a perscn-to-person conversation th«-
Cornmittee's counter propose !s„  After a conference call by the Chairman
Mr. Kemp, on December 2, 1975, to discuss additional projections as to
the merits of the counter proposals with the Committee members, new in
struct ions were given the Chairman, and Mr. Kemp arranged for a meet in;
with Mr. Wilkins in his office, on Tuesday, December 9, 1975, at 1:30 A,
IN REFERENCE TO MR. KEMP'S MEETING WITH MR. WILKINS
Mr. Kemp met with Mr. Wilkins on December 9, 5975, at 11:30 A.M,,
and reported that the meeting was cordial, and that Mr. Wilkins express
ed once again his concern for orderly transition and said so three,(3)
times.
It was agreed between the Executive Director, Mr. Wilkins and Mr,
Kemp, the Chairman of the Committee, and the Committee sustained the
position, that of accomplishing transition without d»gnity, would be
irreparable harm to the Association's image, and Mr, Wilkins reputation
St was agreed by ail concerned that the integrity and reputation of the
Association is not to be damaged by abrasiveness on the part of either
Mr, Wilkins or the National Board of Directors.
In view of the meeting by the Chairman of the meeting with Mr.
Wilkins the Committee unanimously recommended the following to the
National Board of Directors at its January 12, 1976, meeting:
1. That Mr. Wilkins be re-elected as the Executive Director,
effective January, 1976.
2. That inasmuch as Mr. Will; ins insists upon retiring at the
conclusion of the St. Louis National Convent i or. s   July, 1977,
that he also be re-elected for a six, (6), month period,
January, 1977 through July 31, 1977.
The Committee recognizes that this may require, th?s recommendation not withstanding, additional legislative act son
in the January, 1977, National Board of Directors meeting.
3. That Mr. Wilkins be given the title of "Executive Director
or Secretary Emeritus", fit  the conclusion of his duties,
July 31, 1977.
4. That the Association continues to pay the premiums for health
and medical coverage for the duration of Mr. & Mrs. Wilkins
respective lifetime.
5. That Mr. Wilkins be retained for a three, (3), year period
following his retirement, as a Consultant to the Association,
at an annual fee of $10,000.00 to be paid monthly.
The Committee reminded the National Board that the Executive
Director's Pension P!an established by the Board, effective
in 1973, of a $12,500,00 figure, (which also included Mr.
Wilkins social security), appears to have been based on half..
(4), of his $25,000.00 Salary, as of the time of that Board
action.
The rationale of this voting decision on the part of the
Committee, is that a reduction from $40,000.00 per year
salary, which is the salary now, to $12,000.00 per year
pension, including social security, is not in keeping with
good conscience.
6. That the Chairman of the National Board of Directors immediately appoint a "Search and Screening Committee", to begin
the selection process of finding a replacement for fir. Wilkini
I want to inform you that the Search and Screening Committee has
been appointed and is now at work. The majority of the National Board
of Directors Executive Committee are members of the Committee.
There were some other stipulations in the report of the Committer
to the Board which need not be mentioned at htis time.  However, with