Volume 10, Letter 1 of BREAK-9 featured a sailboat on the front page inviting us to sail on over to Lake Jackson for the March 4th meeting, An article from newly elected Sergeant-at-Arms Allan Tyler invited the Council to the Brazosport Hilton. There were four pages of good information about Area Council and Team activities. The editorial discussed the eight minimum qualifications for REACT International Field Directors. A timely short filler for anyone who ever felt discouraged was reprinted from the Wall Street Journal and ended "...Imagine how many people all over the world have been inspired by this awkward, rumpled, brooding man who signed his name simply, A. Lincoln." For emphasis, it was followed by a picture of the nation's 16th president.

Pages added at the end of the newsletter included a Life Membership application with the requirements for membership in this prestigious REACT group on the back as well as a registration form for the 1989 REACT International Convention to be held in Madison, WI on July 24-27.

In Lake Jackson, Jerry Jennison called the meeting to order and led the invocation. Allan Tyler led the Pledge of Allegiance. Jerry thanked those present for their cooperation during the preceding four years and then presented President Frank Stamps with the gavel. Frank introduced Irene Carpenter, President of Brazoria County REACT who welcomed the Council to Lake Jackson. Doris Williams, Mayor of Lake Jackson shared her experiences with local volunteer organizations.

Delegates were: Stacy Elms and Leon McCartney of Area II, Robert Beran and Philip Eakin of Area IV, Lee Besing and Keren Pratz of Area V, J. L. Riley and Charles Thompson of Area VII, and Weldon Pittman, Sr. and Judy Bell of Area VIII. There were no delegates from Area VI.

Frank presented Jerry with a Past President's Pin and said that he would receive a silver spur soon. Frank said that he had received a letter from International saying that Texas ranked third in the number of members in Teams making up the Councils. Judy Bell had won REACTor of the Quarter for the fourth Quarter of the year.

Bobby Jones reported prospects for a new Team in Kingsland, one in Rosenburg near Houston, one in Atascosa County south of San Antonio and one in Waco.

Jerry Jennison had been appointed point man for emergency management in Tom Green County. Attendance at a meeting in Austin put him in touch with former VOAID acquaintances, He recommended that the Council participate with VOAID and pay our representative's expenses during this participation. Jerry was appointed VOAID Coordinator for the State Council. He told about the forestry service's communications problems during the Big Country Fire (61mi X 26mi) in West Texas. He told about the TEXSSAR organization and suggested that the Council get involved with this group and have our information included in its computer bank.

Chuck Thompson noted that the new GMRS rules went into effect on January 2, 1989. If we have GMRS licenses, we can use any of the seven new channels. He suggested that we use 462.4375 as a direct for use at meetings etc. He told about repeater that fits on a wall and is programmable with an IBM PC. The cost is under $2400.00 and it works off both 110V and 12V. He warned us about firms who would like to charge us $85 to fill out a GMRS renewal application along with the $30 it costs to renew your license.

The Teams were warned that the new, bigger BREAK-9 format would take about twice the paper of the former version. Teams and Councils were asked to check their dates on the activities calendar to be sure the information was accurate.

The Council voted that the Teams be asked for a $30 donation each year. Rena Pittman proposed that the Council sponsor exchange of First Aid Kits for a $5 donation. Teams could realize a profit of a dollar per kit after they sent a dollar per kit to the Council. The project was accepted.

Stacy Elms told of the murder of Wendy Burdette, daughter of the Vice President of Ector County REACT. He had copies for each Team of the Proclamation that he received signed after the November meeting. He reminded the Council that REACT Month was May beginning this year. He announced that the new Awards Co-Chairmen would be Ron and Yvonne Spear.

Stacy Elms presented Team of the Month Awards:

• September, 1988 - Guadalupe County REACT for disaster preparedness in Hurricane Gilbert
• October - Lake Palestine REACT for community service, disaster preparedness in Hurricane Gilbert, several searches and other community services.
• November - Potter County REACT for monitoring 24 hours a day. During peak periods they have four monitors on the air.
• December - Dallas County REACT for such community service as bike-a-thons and other projects.

Bobby Jones presented the Emma Knox Award to Henry Pittman.

It was announced that Bell County REACT had nominated Richard Pratz for REACT International Field Director and the paperwork had been forwarded prior to the deadline. Bob Hitch told of the Texans who had been nominated for Field Director in the past and asked the Teams to support Dick's candidacy in an individual way. He asked those who knew REACTors in other states to write to them asking for support for Dick's candidacy.

Allan Tyler told of his Team's involvement with Special Olympics over several years. The State Games are in the Austin area and he wanted the State Council to support those games. Corky Bryant testified that he had been working with Special Olympics for 25 years and that we couldn't appreciate their efforts until we saw how hard the mentally retarded work at the games. The Council voted to look into assisting with the Special Olympics State Games.

Jerry Jennison presented Official REACT Member license plates to the 1987/88 officers and committee chairmen.

Fifty-nine people represented fifteen Teams and all six Area Councils. Area II won the State Travel Trophy with 11 people and 4169 miles. Their Travel Trophy was nearly a tie since Brownwood REACT was there with six people for 1890 miles and San Angelo REACT Association had five people in attendance for 1895 miles. The Area V Trophy went to Bell County REACT with two people and 416 miles.

Rockwall County REACT planned to have free Rodeo Tickets for those who arrived on Friday before the June 24th meeting in Garland at Day's Inn (I-30 and Belt Line Road).

The April-May BREAK-9, Vol 10, Letter 2 advertised May as REACT month on the front page. President Stamps welcomed McLennan County REACT, Team 4747, of Waco and urged a larger turn-out of members at the June meeting in Garland. Jerry Jennison expressed his thanks for the support Texas REACTors gave him during the four years that he served as State Council President and urged that they give Frank Stamps that same support. Teams were reminded to vote in the Field Director elections and told about the rule change which allows them to vote for the candidate of their choice without listing them all in priority order. Teams were urged to prepare the ballot and return it according to the instructions that come with it.

The four Texas Teams that had not yet renewed for 1989 were:

• Team C-687, Galveston County REACT;
• Team 500, Victoria County REACT;
• Team 3065, Grayson County REACT; and
• Team 4545, Piney Woods REACT.

More information was given about the ten-piece First Aid Kits that were the Council's most recent fund-raising project. Lee Besing wrote a full page article supporting Richard Pratz' candidacy and listing some of his qualifications to be a REACT International Field Director.

A short article on Common Sense Negotiations might bear rereading. The editorial notes that prompt communication resolves conflict and urges that members discuss issues with a REACTor whose opinion they trust before taking the issue to a higher level.

Wally Smith, the editor of Actions from Bell County REACT, urged all Texas REACTors to support Operation Life Saver and "Look, Listen and Live!" He reminded them that it takes a train engine traveling 40 miles an hour less than three seconds to go through a crossing whether your car is on the tracks or not.

Rules for the 1989 International Voting Placard contest were reviewed.

A flyer from the J. H. Schuler Co. showed the First Aid Kit and its contents and on the back had an order blank so each Team could order their own supply for distribution.

Volume 10, Letter 3 of BREAK-9, the June/July issue featured a pair of dancers inviting us to Rock On Over To Rockwall (Garland, actually). Telephone numbers for reservations at the Day's Inn and an easy-to-follow map to the meeting locations gave plenty of assurance that REACTors were expected and welcome. Wedding bells flanked the announcement of the marriage of Rebecca Anne and Stacy Elms on May 13, 1989.

News from sixteen Texas Teams and the Area V Council covered a little more than three pages. Reprints from the North/Northeast REACT Newsletter of Illinois and the Antelope Valley REACT Newsletter of California were included as well as a column on Women in REACT that was latter reprinted in The REACTer.

The editorial harped on an old subject - the need for ways to communicate by telephone with other Teams.

Another article noted that The REACTer was available on tape for the visually impaired through The Recording for the Blind Society in Austin. The article urged that REACT become a member service organization for ALL REACT members.

A further explanation of what Operation Lifesaver is and how it seeks to promote rail/highway safety was featured. It even gave us an address in Alexandria VA to write for further information.

One timely article urged us to conserve our most valuable resource, our experienced REACTors. The Little Known Facts column reviewed the Team information list which had been published in November 1988. It urged that the remaining eight Teams supply their officer lists. It noted that the first Monday night of the month was chosen as the meeting night for seven Teams. Only two Texas Teams then met twice each month: North Central Texas REACT of Wichita Falls and McGregor REACT. Two Area VIII Teams regularly met on Sunday. Only Potter County REACT met on Friday. It's wonderful that Teams meet their own needs, even in the selection of a meeting time and day. They have always done so, especially in uniform preference.

A preview of what to expect at the Madison, WI International Convention was included to entice REACTors to plan to attend the "Family Reunion". Sour Dough Bread starts and recipes were offered for delivery at the June meeting for a $3 donation to the State Council. (You can STILL reserve yours for delivery at any future State Council meeting at that same price. Let Keren Pratz know you want one and nag her until she remembers to get it to you!)

Jerry Jennison led the Invocation at the meeting in Garland on June 4, 1989. A Color Guard of Boy Scouts from Troop 83 sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Garland posted colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Dennis Bailey of Rockwall and Linda Smith of the Garland Convention Bureau welcomed the Council.

Delegates from Area II were Corky Bryant and Stacy Elms. Robert Beran and Ed Williford represented Area IV. Keren Pratz and Frank Graves were in their usual places representing Area V. Ivan Knox was there from Area VI. Areas VII and VIII also had their usual delegates: J. L. Riley and Charles A. Thompson; Weldon Pittman, Sr. and Judy Bell.

Special guests were former State Council President Grady Stephens who hadn't attended a Council meeting in eight years, his disabled wife Thelma, and Ron Mayes, Managing Director of REACT International.

Ron's remarks included disclosing a new membership contest sponsored by Shakespeare Antennas. He recognized Judy Bell as the winner of the year's K-40 Award for the most outstanding REACTor for 1988. Her expenses to the 1989 International Convention, a check for $500 and a nice trophy were furnished by K-40. Ron displayed the new REACT jacket which is available in a summer and a winter version, new caps as well as a proposed new Life Member cap, and talked about new shirts to be released in 1990. He recommended that Teams use the new Bobby Sherman tape available for $15 to which Team information could be added for an additional $6. He was presented a clock by Rockwall County REACT.

A Board resolution to be presented to REACT International supporting Richard Pratz as Field Director was not only approved by the Council but reinforced by the approved motion of Chuck Thompson to the State Council send it to Teams asking that they support Dick for Field Director.

Curtis Bell reported that the Board also recommended that a page be added to the BREAK-9 listing the names and Teams of people who have been honored with memorial donations to the State Council. A motion that this page be included in each BREAK-9 was approved.

Stacy Elms reported that he did not have a signed REACT Month proclamation from the governor's office.

Paul Lake presented a program on Search and Rescue and TEXSSAR. He said that TEXas Society of Search and Rescue exists to promote search and rescue in the state and help to set guidelines to bring Texas up to the standards of the rest of the country. Nine Teams were then mission ready. Communications will play a large part in this.

Frank read a letter from F. E. Healer telling about Mary's surgery. She was recovering at meeting time and had taken about 5 steps by then.

J. L. Riley asked the EMTs in the room to help distribute organ donor cards. He gave keys for the key rings of those who filled out those cards for him at the meeting.

Frank Stamps and Allan Tyler attended the 1989 state Special Olmypics on a fact-finding trip to see if the State Council could respond to the challenge to handle communications for the 1990 games. The decision was deferred until November.

Ron Mayes was again asked for the funds due from International for the 1987 convention. He asked for a letter from Guadalupe County REACT requesting the funds which he would then take to the Board of Directors for action.

More discussion was held on the donation of two REACTer subscriptions to The Recording for the Blind Society in Austin advocated by Travis County REACT. Stacy Elms, Ron Mayes and Jerry Jennison spoke against the donation. When Charles Thompson asked that we support Travis County REACT's resolution before the International Directors, the motion failed. (However the International Board did later tell Ron Mayes to send the subscriptions, but the Recording for the Blind did not receive them until the fall of 1989.)

A Bylaws amendment advocating one team/one vote was proposed. Grady Stephens spoke against such a change.

Fourteen Teams made reports at the meeting about projects their Team was working on. Lake Palestine REACT had a list of 20! Jerry Jennison said that San Angelo REACT Association would have their "state of the art" communications van at the meeting in Athens or at least have pictures to show the Council.

Jim Cook's baby daughter won the quilt embroidered with the names of Rockwall County REACT members. Judy Rogers won $65.50 from the 50/50 pot. Ron Mayes presented Kathy Turner with a pond of coffee from Cavanaugh's Inn in Spokane, the site of the 1990 International Convention.

The Emma Knox Award was presented to Judy Rogers for the manner in which she took care of her granddaughter during the meeting. Brownwood won the Area II Travel Trophy for six members attending having traveled 1,020 miles. Bexar County REACT won the Area V trophy with 2 people and 546 miles. Area VIII won the State Travel Trophy with 24 people in attendance and 1,880 miles. In all 70 people registered representing 15 Teams.

Robert Beran suggested that the Council hold its 15th anniversary meeting in Austin "where it all began".

While the formal meeting ended at 5:55 p.m. the fun and fellowship did not. Kathy Turner and her family and friends had prepared dinner for all attendees, more free rodeo tickets were available and Cindy England of Care Flight promised a demonstration at 8 a.m the next morning in the Lazy Boy parking lot next door to the Day's Inn.

The front page of the August-September BREAK-9 featured "flash" news reports of headlines from the International Convention: REACTor of the Year, BREAK-9 First Place, REACT-O-GRAM 2d Place, Actions from Bell Co. 2d, Council Placard REACT Theme 1st Place and Overall First Place, Field Director. A real series of triumphs! Curtis Bell came back from Convention with information he wanted to share on obtaining grants. VP Booby Jones wrote his congratulations to all Texas who placed in International competitions, including Richard Pratz on his election to the Field Director position. Bobby also thanked Rockwall County REACT for hosting a very good state meeting, and begged all Teams for information about the disaster equipment they had available He also announced the merger of Bexar County REACT and Guadalupe County REACT.

REACT's 14th Convention had a "Home is where the Heart is" theme and the theme set the stage for its success.

The useful program had letters of welcome from the Wisconsin governor, Madison's mayor, REACT President Chris White the Convention chm and planners. There was a congratulatory message from President Bush on July 26th arranged by Director Bob Stone. Sheet music was provided at the opening session so we could sing not only our national anthem but that of Canada and Great Britain properly. Fifteen Wisconsin Teams sponsored the convention. Reread the report in BREAK-9 for all the details, including a brief synopsis of Ron Mayes Membership Protention seminar.

Another of Keren's articles inspired by Army publications was "Successful Followership". Many REACT newsletters republished it.

Details of the unusual features planned for the November meeting in Athens appeared in a column entitled "Wine, Frank, Dance and Demo". Dallas County REACT reported the death of a 13 year member, George J. "Bill" McLeanan who died on April 12 age 71.

The new International Life Membership Chairman, Dick Cooper of New Jersey wrote an article advocating the purchase of Life Memberships before the dues increase from $12 to $17 which would make Life Memberships cost $340 instead of $240. A reprint of "The Windmills of Wichita" from the San Gabriel Valley REACT News of California was followed by answers to Harry Horton's questions by Richard Pratz and a heartfelt rebuttal called "No Wind" written by Wally Smith, LM 372 who had once been president of Glendale REACT, Treasurer of Spring Creek REACT, editor of Actions from Bell County REACT and later a founding member of McLennan County REACT.

Ron McCracken, REACT's Field Director in charge of Publicity, told of the item that he put in Modern Maturity, the AARP magazine. By August 12, 6,000 readers had requested information about REACT. A reprint of the article appeared on page 19 of BREAK-9, Volume 10, Letter 4 and is available to be reprinted by any Team or Council who wants to use it. Also on that page is a picture of a REACT window sticker that looks exactly like the REACT road sign that REACTors can buy from Ron for $2 including postage.

If "You've Accepted an Office" in REACT for the first time, you might want to read the short article that appeared on pp 20-21. Also on page 21 is explained the events which led up to the way our Area and State Councils approve new Teams, AND Richard Pratz' "30" asking for volunteers for a new BREAK-9 editor. In his "notes" on page 24, he told of having three past presidents at the meeting in Garland, his pleasure in being voted an honorary member of Area VIII and Rockwall County REACT, and selling the REACT International Mailing list under controlled conditions. He explained that being a Field Director changed his outlook by changing some of his points of view, but not his view points - a very profound statement!

An invitation from Lake Palestine REACT to the Wine and Cheese Supper hosted by the Athens Chamber of Commerce at the Hilltop Inn on November 10th, the meeting the next day, followed by a non-alcoholic country/western dance with live music furnished by The Creekside Band from Brushy Creek, Texas and a medical emergency demonstration by EMT worker on Sunday morning made a very different front page for the October-November BREAK-9. The meeting would be hosted by the Area VIII Teams and the Lake Palestine REACT Team in the Blackeyed Pea Capitol of the world!

Teams writing to REACT were advised to use a REACT logo on their envelopes to avoid their letters getting mixed with Modern Maturity article responses. Field Director Pratz begged Teams to keep their mailing address information up-to-date with the International office. When he wrote to the 176 Teams in his area of responsibility, many were returned for poor addresses, including two Texas Teams and one Area Council!

It was announced that Lee Besing would be the next BREAK-9 editor, on a trial basis. He was already President of Team 3622, the Team newsletter editor and Chairman of the Amateur Radio Group.

Rena Pittman thanked San Angelo REACT Unit 27 for assistance in finding the San Angelo Community Hospital when she was seriously bitten by a spider. (It took her two months to recover and would have been much worse if she had not gotten prompt attention.)

Team 3622 of San Antonio was able to assist with Hurricane Hugo Relief efforts in the Virgin islands through Ham Radio and Roy Botello's assistance in Puerto Rico with the American Red Cross paying his expenses. He went armed with a CB W/T, a GMRS W/T, a 2 meter H/T and the names of the 8 REACT Teams in Puerto Rico.

This issue carried a brief report of the Midwest REACT Conference in Wichita, which was attended by more Texas REACTors than usual, and the Oklahoma REACT Council meeting in Pauls' Valley on October 14. An article on scanners from Reli REACT, Inc. of New York proved informative. There was a reprint of the REACT-O-Gram article written by Steven J. Ross of Connecticut about how much he missed being a REACT member. The editorial emphasized again the value of Newsletters. The article on Effective Team Meetings on pp. 9-10 of Vol. 10, letter 9 might be worth a second look. An out-growth of it will be an in-house produced seminar by the Leadership and Training Task Group at the 1991 Convention in Melborne, FL.

"Notes from the Editor" asked that Teams communicate more with Field Directors by adding them to their newsletter mailing lists. He told of keeping things in perspective by remembering the poem about sticking your hand in a pail of water, then pulling it out to find out how much you'll be missed.

The meeting in Athens on November 11 began on time! F. E. Healer led the invocation. The Color Guard was made up of Webelo Scouts from the Crossroads Elementary School whose leader was Sarah Baggett. James Rogers, President of Lake Palestine REACT welcomed the attendees and introduced County Judge Winston Reagan and Sheriff H. B. "Slick" Alfred who welcomed the visitors to Athens.

The list of delegates looks much like that of the June Meeting of 1989, except that F. E. Healer was back in his place as Area II delegate. (Alternate Corky Bryant had served in June.)

Judy Rogers was elected Secretary to replace Richard Pratz who had to resign when he was elected Field Director. There was a lot of discussion on the new REACT International Team Charter agreement. Chuck Thompson and Jerry Jennison were tasked to write a letter to all Texas Teams for President Stamps' signature going into the requirements in detail, including suggestions on how to word a statement for the back of the dues checks.

Field Director Pratz announced winners in the REACT International Membership Drive: Rockwall County REACT won 1st Place, Collin County REACT was 16th, McGregor REACT was 17th and Guadalupe County REACT was 25th. They all won Shakespeare Big Stick antennas. Keren Pratz displayed the Voting Placard that won the best overall at the Convention. Bobby Jones thanked Allan Tyler for the new engraved position place cards for the Council officers.

A video presentation of their newly constructed Communications Van was shown by San Angelo REACT Association. They even telephoned the van's cellular telephone (915-656-7473) from the hotel phone. While that telephone is restricted to official business, you can reach the Team at that number.

Chuck Thompson announced that 462.6375 was adopted at the Convention as the official Interstitial GMRS frequency of REACT on GMRS.

Judy Bell resigned as Supply Chairman and Debbie Trammell of Lake Palestine REACT was appointed to replace her. Rena Pittman thanked Houston Metro for being the first Team to turn in money from the First Aid Kits they ordered. Jerry Jennison suggested that donated items be taken to the Brownwood meeting to be auctioned off. A motion was approved to hold such sales at each Council meeting.

Since the Awards Committee had not been functioning, Stacy Elms was reappointed chairman.

Lee Besing reported that he had contacted the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) for an application for a Texas State REACT Amateur Club (ARC). This would require 51% of the Club members to be ARRL members at $25 per year. This would entitle them to a subscription to QST magazine The Board had recommended that the Council support this proposal and a motion to this effect passed with only one delegate opposed.

The proposed Bylaws amendments were discussed. Changes to Article IV - 4.0 and Article VI - 6.004 and 6.05 were approved by the Council. The change to Article VI - 6.06 was denied and a motion to send it back to the Teams in each Area Council also failed. The word Recording will be omitted before Secretary throughout the Bylaws.

Stuart DeLuca was tasked to devise a survey to get information about Safety Breaks, which Teams have them and details about them. The results of the survey could be compiled and presented to prospective sponsors and as publicity for REACT.

A $4800 budget was approved by the Council.

Attention was called to a display of Convention materials displayed at the back of the room. Because the meeting was so lengthy, a motion was approved to defer Team reports to the next issue of BREAK-9.

Lucille Smith won $62 from the 50/50 pot. The deer rifle was won by Whinton Alexander of Longview. Jerry Jennison of San Angelo won the portable TV set.

Bobby Jones awarded the Emma Knox Award to Debbie Trammell.

Sixty-six members attended the meeting representing 18 Teams. Frank Stamps traveled more miles to the meeting than any other individual. San Angelo won the Area II Travel Trophy with 4 people and 819 miles. REACT Team 3622 won the Area V trophy with 3 people and 702 miles. Twenty-nine Area VIII people attended the meeting.