On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, I attended the monthy State Board meeting at the NYS FOP Headquarters in Hicksville. Several issues were discussed. 

NEWS:

• FOP Plates Program: The License Plate Program is going strong. Active members now have to be enrolled for 2 years before qualifying to apply for FOP plates.
• Good of the Lodge: There is a new benefit offered for refinancing student loan debt. Go to: collegeave.com/foprefi. Is your Lodge celebrating a milestone anniversary this year? Please let me, Mike Nied know as far in advance as possible via an email, fop38prez@aol.com so that I may request the National Lodge issue a specail certificate to be sent to you to commemorate the occasion. First Net (AT&T) will be on a new bandwith. $45 a month for talk, text and data. There are (3) new vendors that were introduced to the membership: 1: Nationwide Mortgage Brokers Inc., 2: LibertyHome Guard (Home Warranty Policy), 3: United Members Choice Warranty (Automobile Warranty Coverage).
• NYS FOP President's Report: President, Mike Essig, NYS FOP 45th Anniversary Dinner to held in October 2025. 
• The FOP Legislative Committee: Under the NY "Safe Act", members were reminded that a Health Professional is able to pull your firearm. 44 states have responded with results of polling their members as to their Presidential Pick. 42 states endorsed Trump, 2 states voted for NO endorsement. Thank you to our members that responded.
• Charity Committee: None
• Zone Presidents: Gave their reports.
• N.Y.S. FOP Disaster Assistance Reponse Team: The DART Team was down south helping out. 
• Secretary's Report: Secretary, Lauren Holz, stated that compliance was the biggest issue and urged All Lodges to contact their Zone Presidents for assistance. Income Tax forms MUST be filed with the IRS.
• Survivor's Aide: State Secretary, Lauren Holz read the names of nine (9) FOP Active members who passed away and asked for a motion to approve a payment of $250 for each member. Motion was unanimously approved. Lodges must submit a list of members over the age of 62 (For survivors aide purposes) to make sure there is (NO break in service). Dr Ente, Police Surgeons Lodge donated $5,000 to the Survivors Aid Fund. The recent Cigar Night netted almost $40,000 that will cover future Survivor Aid payments. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the evening.
• State FOP Foundation: Easterseal Toy Drive, Lodge 81 donated $100, Total collected was $5,800
• National Memorial: None 
• NYS Empire State Police Officer Memorial: Our State FOP Memorial was held on May 4, 2024. The 2024 Memorial held in Hicksville was attended by over 700 guests, making it the largest. All Lodges were asked to donate to help cover the cost. 
• National FOP: The National FOP continues to offer benefits for the membership to avail themselves of. They are listed on the National FOP website at www.fop.net. Use of the FOP logo is strictly prohibited without prior authorization of the FOP. There is a big push to have active members to apply for the FOP Legal Defense Plan, esprecially those who are retired who carrya firearm. Enroll now as the rates are going up in 2025.
• National FOP Covid-19 Information: The FOP continues to maintain a dedicated website, www.fopcovid19.org, with updates on relevant news for our members. 
• Chairrman of the Trustees: None
• National Trustees Report: go to DOWNLOADS/FORMS on this website.
• State FOP Scholarship Committee: You can also download the 2022 Scholarship Form here: Go to DOWNLOADS/FORMS on this website.
• Treasurers Report: Treasurer: None  
• NYS Conference: None 
• National FOP Conference: National Trustee, The 2025 convention will be held in Miami, FL. August 2 - 8, 2025
• Guest Speaker: None
• Next State Trustee's Meeting: September 25, 2024   

The State also wanted to remind members about the Copyright of the FOP logo. If you make anything with the FOP logo you must obtain permission.

The State will be conducting audits of the lodge paperwork. One of the main issues they will be checking is to see if the member has submitted a copy of his or her law enforcement ID active or retired. This has become an issue with the insurance company that holds the AD & D life insurance policy for the FOP. If a member has passed away and a claim is filed for the insurance the lodge must produce a copy of the members signed application as well as a copy of his or her active or retired photo ID. If the lodge does not have this the claim will be turned down. So if the member has not yet submitted a copy of his or her ID please do so at once. If you are an associate member you must submit a copy of your drivers license.

Remember to always check the State Lodge website at www.nysfop.org and Lodge 81 website at www.nysfop81.org for additional information about any upcoming events, meetings dates etc. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Sonny Maxon

State Trustee Lodge 81