35TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND BUSINESS MEETING

A wonderful weekend greeted those that attended the 35th Annual Conference and Business Meeting that was held at the Best Western Regency Inn in Marshalltown on April 13-14-15, 2007.  Immediate Past President Doug Goebel was the conference chairperson. 

The Board of Directors meeting was held on Friday morning, allowing all of the board members to help set up for the conference on Friday afternoon.  Later in the day, as the other guests arrived, many were able to greet old friends that they had not seen since the last conference.

Friday evening, everyone was able to meet in the ISRLOA hospitality room to visit and enjoy the company of those that they may not have seen since the last conference.  The Cherokee Police Reserve hosted the hospitality room during the evening followed by music and dancing poolside with DJ's "Smitty and Nula".  The Cherokee reserve members provided those in attendance with Bar-B-Que pork sandwiches as well as many other snacks.  Many also enjoyed some of the local restaurants in the Marshalltown area.

Saturday morning began with registration and the opening ceremony.  President Robert Taylor opened the 35th Annual Conference and Business Meeting by calling for the presentation of the colors.  ISRLOA Chaplain Pastor Gary MacManus, a State Center reserve officer, gave an opening prayer. After welcoming everyone President Taylor then introduced Conference Chairperson Doug Goebel.  He then welcomed everyone to Marshalltown and then introduced Marshalltown Mayor Gene Beach, Marshalltown Police Chief Lon Walker, Marshall County Sheriff Ted Kamatchus and Cherokee Sgt. Brett Gannon who welcomed all of the members to the Marshalltown area.

The morning activities finished with district meetings and the annual business meeting, which included reports of officers, business of the association and the election of a new 2nd Vice President.

Saturday afternoon's activities included a seminar conducted by the Multi-Jurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training Center (MCTFT) located at St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida.  The seminar topic was Courtroom Testimony Overview by instructor Robert O'Neill.  The seminar focused on training to articulate facts in a courtroom or disposition setting in a professional and accurate manner as a means to successful prosecution.  Topics of the seminar included documentation, pre-trial meetings, depositions, preliminary hearings, types of court cases, types of examinations, courtroom demeanor and attire, testifying, defense tactics, witness credibility and experience documentation.

Saturday evening began with the annual banquet.  Adam Johnson of Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School, Dubuque was recognized as the Grand Prize winner for his essay on drugs.  Guest speaker was Sheriff Ted Kamatchus, current president of the National Sheriff's Association.  After the banquet everyone was entertained by comedian Ron Kenney.

Sunday morning started with a brunch, at which time the new 2nd vice president, Rod Fitzgerald of the Cherokee PD was introduced.  The trophies from the 2006 shoot were presented to the winners by ISRLOA chief range officer Ted Kamatchus and shoot chairperson Quinn Turner.

This year's conference again proved to be a huge success and those that attended enjoyed a educational and fun-filled weekend.  Once again, exhibitors were on hand to show the latest equipment in law enforcement.  The 2008 Conference and Business Meeting will be held in Coralville.