News from the R.I. State Lodge FOPA

American Income Life Insurance Information Coming to You

Check your mailbox for a mailing sent by your local lodge under the auspices of the R.I. State Lodge FOPA, and paid for by American Income Life Insurance.

Included in the mailing is information from American Income Life on an insurance benefit for you, your spouse and your children in the event of accidental death or dismemberment at no cost to you. Please read the information carefully and returned the enclosed card to designate your beneficiary.

Please be aware that you are under absolutely no obligation to send in the card or speak with an agent. This is a benefit to which you are entitled as a member of the state lodge. If you have questions or concerns, contact our AIL agent Robin Andrade at 1 508 951-0353.

Highlights from June Meeting

Washington County Lodge #40 FOPA hosted the June meeting, which featured a general business meeting, a guest speaker and a cook-out. Our guest speaker was Bob Shaw, father of the late Sergeant Steven M. Shaw of the Providence Police Department. Sgt. Shaw was shot and killed in 1994 while searching for a robbery suspect. For more information on Sgt. Shaw, please see http://www.odmp.org/officer/617-sergeant-steven-m.-shaw. Mr. Shaw spoke about the C.O.P.S organization (Concerns of Police Survivors), which provides resources to help families, friends and colleagues of police officers killed in the line of duty cope with their loss. See http://www.nationalcops.org/ for more information on C.O.P.S.

In the general business meeting, State Treasurer Chris Lyskawa was commended both for his participation in the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade and for the commendation to him and his fellow firefighters from the city of Cranston for their heroic efforts during the recent historic flooding.

Also during the meeting, the assembly voted to pass Bro. Lyskawa’s proposal to update the methods by which the state lodge handles its financial business, including online banking. The body also adjusted the lodge’s annual budget to more realistically reflect its revenues and expenses. In addition, the body voted to begin its fiscal year on October 1.

Following the meeting, those assembled were treated to a traditional cookout provided by members of Lodge #40 under the leadership of President Michael “Sled” Gledhill.

top left: Bro. Jerry Seel (East Providence Lodge #1) flipping burgers; top center: members of the Charlestown Ambulance crew enjoying the cookout; top right: Washington County President Mike “Sled” Gledhill with guest Bob Shaw; bottom left: Bro. Don Childers (Warwick Lodge #7) studying his plate; bottom right: Bob Shaw with Bro. Peter Tripant (Westerly Lodge #10)

Next Meeting Scheduled for September 20

The next meeting of the R.I. State Lodge FOPA is scheduled for Monday, September 20, 2010, at 7pm. The location is to be announced. Minutes from the June meeting will soon be available on the Downloads page, and agenda for September will be available for download at least two weeks before the upcoming meeting.

What’s New

On Sunday, May 2. several members of the R.I. State FOPA participated in Aquidneck Island Police Parade in Newport. Bro. Chris Lysawa towed our float/trailer, ably assisted by his two sons. State President Candy Seel, state Secretary Rob Rainville, and East Providence Lodge #1 State Trustee Jerry Seel also marched. Newport Lodge FOPA Lodge #8 President, David Myers, was on duty along the parade route. Attorney General Patrick Lynch and State Senator Peter Kilmartin watched from the reviewing stand.

Photos courtesy of Bro. Rob Rainville

With regret, the R.I. State Lodge FOPA has accepted the resignation of Bro. Ted Thorpe (Cumberland Lodge #14) as State Secretary. Bro. Rob Rainville (Cumberland #14), current Sergeant-at-Arms, has volunteered to fill the remainder of Bro. Thorpe’s term. Thank you, Bro. Rainville, and thank you, Bro. Thorpe, for your years of service to our lodge.

Several associate lodges will be holding police memorial services in May, including East Providence on the 16th, North Providence and Warwick on May 23. Come out and honor your local law enforcement heroes who have gone before us.

R.I. State Lodge FOPA Note Cards Available

An application form and rules and regulations are now available on the Downloads page on this site, along with contact information for Bro. Keith Percival who has graciously offered to be coordinator of the float and trailer program.

R.I. State Lodge FOPA Donates to Scholarship Fund

On behalf of the R.I. State Lodge FOPA, President Candy Seel presented a $500 check to the Raymond C. Pezzullo Scholarship Fund at the FOP state holiday get-together on December 16. This donation was made in honor of retired state Treasurer Anthony Palmieri. The photos below were taken by state Sergeant-at-Arms and official photographer Rob Rainville.

top left: President Seel presents check to State FOP President Ziggy Quinn and Bro. Raymond Pezzullo; top center: scholarship recipients with Bro. Pezzullo; top right: National Trustee Hugh Clements and President Quinn honor Providence police officer for his meritorious service; bottom left: Bro. Rob Rainville with Senator Kilmartin; bottom right: Bro. Anthony Palmieri with friends

The R.I. State Lodge FOPA is coordinated through its officers and the trustees selected by each associate lodge (see associate lodges page for trustees). Officers are elected at the biennial FOP/FOPA conference.
The current officers are listed below.