Minutes February 23, 2008
Secretary’s Report
The Washington’s Birthday meeting of the NH Society, Sons of the American Revolution was held at the Yard Restaurant in Manchester, NH on February 23, 2008. President Hayes called the Board of Managers to order at 10:20am.
The officers and members of the Board of Managers in attendance were Compatriots Arnold, Carter, Duckoff, Hayes, Melville, Moore, Rand, Stark, Witham and Wood.
The invocation was postponed until lunch.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS:
The Secretary’s report from November, 2007 was read and approved.
Treasurer Mike Stark delivered the Treasurer’s report. The Society’s current account balance is $14,779.86. We have received approximately $6,385 for annual dues and the National portion will be forwarded soon. According to the Treasurer, the dues received account for approximately 90 percent of the Society’s membership. The remaining members with dues outstanding will be contacted in the coming days. Additionally, the 2006 and 2007 financial books have been submitted for audit and those results should be available soon. The Treasurer’s report was accepted subject to audit.
President Hayes delivered his report to the membership. He discussed a recent letter to President General Bruce Wilcox, as well as background on the upcoming Trustees’ vote on moving the National Headquarters. President Hayes has been in close contact with Trustee Finlay “Jack” Coles and VPG David Hockensmith concerning the relocation, and is awaiting a response from PG Wilcox.
President Hayes has represented the SAR at several CAR meetings recently as well, where citizenship awards were presented to several CAR members. Erin Jackson and Deidre Carson both received the Bronze Good Citizenship medal.
President Hayes also announced information concerning the upcoming New England District SAR Leadership Conference being organized by VPG Rev. David Hockensmith. The program is expected to be held May 2-4 in Mount Snow, Vermont. Several New Hampshire Compatriots have been asked to participate in conference panels. Additional information will be forthcoming from the Vermont Society and the NED.
Chaplain Rev. Gregory Reynolds and Society Historian Benjamin Hampton were unable to attend. National Trustee Finlay Coles was also unable to attend; however, President Hayes announced that the next trustees’ meeting will be held on February 26-28.
Chancellor Mike Gunnison was unable to attend, as was Registrar/Genealogist Hans Jackson.
A motion to approve officers’ reports was made, seconded and voted in the affirmative.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Compatriot Carlton Rand continues his service as Chair of the Program Committee. He acknowledged that organizing efforts for future meetings are moving along well.
Compatriot TJ Rand reported on the Society’s technology/webpage activities. He recently uploaded a number of files to the NHSSAR website, and noted that he can post meeting minutes online from now on as well.
Compatriot John Moore reported on Eagle Scout presentations. This year, seventeen (17) presentations have already been made, and there are several presentations scheduled for the near future.
In Compatriot Jackson’s absence, President Hayes reported on CAR activities. The New Hampshire CAR will be hosting a regional conference this year. SAR members are strongly urged to attend, especially for the dinner banquet. Details should be forthcoming soon. Additionally, New Hampshire CAR President Deidre Carson has organized efforts to identify revolutionary patriots in New Hampshire as her state project.
Compatriot Mike Rounds has assumed responsibilities for the Society’s publicity and public communications from Compatriot and Mrs. Jackson. Compatriot Rounds has contacted several local media outlets and will be organizing some well-deserved SAR publicity. Also, he will be sending information and photos to the national society for publication in the SAR Magazine.
Motion to accept the committee reports was made, seconded and voted in the affirmative.
OLD BUSINESS:
Some brief remarks concerning the Center for Advancement of America’s Heritage were made by the membership to follow up on President Hayes’ report. Discussion on the Society designing logo T-Shirts and mugs was postponed. Discussion on letters to law enforcement officials and National Guard units was also postponed. However, President Hayes noted that the Society will be presenting an award to the Adjutant General of New Hampshire at the luncheon. Major General Kenneth Clark, the Adjutant General, serves as the head of the New Hampshire National Guard.
NEW BUSINESS:
Compatriot Garrett Lear, the Patriot Pastor, was introduced as a new member of the New Hampshire Society.
President Hayes announced some upcoming events of interest. At the Annual Meeting in April, the Nurse House Singers will be performing. John Stark Day festivities will be held on the 4th Monday in April. As previously noted, the NED Leadership Conference will be held from May 2-4 in Mount Snow, Vermont. And the CAR Regional Conference will be held in mid-July.
President Hayes led discussions regarding possible field trips. Prospective locations for day (or weekend) trips include the American Independence Museum, Exeter; NH Historical Society Museum, Concord; Minute Man National Historic Park; the Rebecca Nurse Homestead; Valley Forge or Gettysburg; Strawberry Banke; or historic homes in Portsmouth. Other locations were suggested by the membership and will be further discussed at the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned for lunch where the Society hosted Lt. Col. Paul O’Shaughnessy of His Majesty’s 10th Light Infantry as the keynote speaker. The Society presented Major General Kenneth Clark, Adjutant General of the State of New Hampshire, with the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal for his many years of service.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Arnold