Secretary’s Report
The Veterans’ Day meeting of the NH Society, Sons of the American Revolution was held at the Red Blazer Restaurant in Concord, NH on November 10, 2007. 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, Duckoff, Hampton (Jr.), Hayes, Jackson, Melville, Moore, Reynolds, Rand, Witham, and Wood. Connor Jackson and Christian Getchell of the John Stark Society, CAR, were also in attendance.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of Clayton Beale Wentworth, Jr. of Dover, and for Curtis Eliot Bemis, Jr. of Jupiter, Florida.
The invocation was postponed until lunch.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS:
The Secretary’s report from September, 2007 was read and approved.
The Treasurer was absent. President Hayes read the Treasurer’s report, announcing the society’s financial condition. The current balance in the society’s checking account is $9,865.66 – which does not include receipts or expenses from the Veterans Day luncheon. The register has been provided to Compatriot Dave Getchell and the Finance Committee for them to use in developing a budget. The data from the bank transactions will be provided to Compatriot Joseph Melville soon for the audit of the society’s financial records. A reminder was made that members should mail their 2008 dues to the Treasurer as soon as possible. The Treasurer’s report was accepted subject to audit.
President Hayes delivered his report, which included NED news, society communications, the website, and recent events. NED Vice-President General David Hockensmith will be running as a candidate for Chaplain-General of the National Society. At the NED meeting, the members present voted that the District support Rev. Hockensmith’s candidacy.
The NH Society was represented at the District meeting by President Hayes, and Compatriots Arnold, Hampton, Jackson, and Wright. At the meeting, President Hayes conveyed the NH Society’s views on the CAAH fundraising campaign.
President Hayes announced that the New England District will be hosting a Leadership Conference in May 2008. The conference will be held from May 2-4 at the Mount Snow Resort in West Dover, Vermont. For additional information, contact Rev. David Hockensmith.
President Hayes noted that Compatriot TJ Rand had successfully updated the society’s website, and observed that Compatriot Rand did an excellent job. Recently, President Hayes, Compatriot and Mrs. Benjamin Hampton celebrated the Revolutionary era at the First Parish Church in Hopkinton, NH. Additionally, President Hayes has sent a communication to Musterfield Farm, as requested, in regards to the SAR’s absence this past year in events there. Correspondences have been received from the Georgia SAR and the New Hampshire Society of the Union Veterans. (The correspondences were circulated during the meeting). President Hayes also announced that Compatriot Tom Kehr had located an SAR monument on Badger’s Island (formerly Langdon Island) off of Portsmouth.
Chaplain Rev. Gregory Reynolds reported on the services offered by the Chaplain. He offered some reflections on the separation of church and state and gave a brief history of the chaplaincy.
National Trustee Finlay “Jack” Coles was unable to attend. However, President Hayes announced that the next meeting of the trustees will be held from February 26-28, 2008. Additionally, the New Hampshire Society recently received the Colorado Award from the National SAR – given to the society with the highest percentage increase in membership during the year. The New Hampshire Society was also recognized for its support of the CAR.
Chancellor Mike Gunnison was unable to attend.
Registrar/Genealogist Hans Jackson reported on new members and prospects. As of November 10, 2007, there are 45 persons on the society’s prospect list. Five application kits were mailed during the fourth quarter of 2007. Three applications have been received / reviewed by the registrar and are awaiting payment. In the calendar year, the registrar has forwarded nineteen applications to the National Society; seventeen have been approved and two applications are pending. (New members were inducted under new business.)
Motion to approve the officers’ reports was made, seconded and voted in the affirmative.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Finance Committee, chaired by Compatriot David Getchell, presented the proposed budget to the Society. The members present reviewed and commented on various aspects of the budget. (The proposed budget was approved under old business.)
Compatriot TJ Rand made comments regarding the society’s new website. The site is updated regularly and provides much more information than its predecessor.
Compatriot John Moore spoke on behalf of the Eagle Scout Committee. Three certificates were recently passed out and the committee is remaining active in the community.
Compatriot Jackson remarked on the John Stark CAR. The society has been incredibly active, accepting nineteen new members in 2007 – which brings the society’s membership to approximately 145 current members.
Motion to approve committee reports was made, seconded and voted in the affirmative.
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussions resumed on the National Society’s campaign to build a CAAH (Center for Advancing America’s Heritage). The President presented a letter to be sent to the National SAR on behalf of the NH Society, consistent with the wishes of the membership at the last meeting. Compatriot Benjamin Hampton commented on a letter he had authored and sent along as well. The membership voted to instruct President Hayes to forward the letter to National SAR, and also to distribute the letter to the broadest possible constituency, including to recipients of the SAR-TALK email list.
The society’s budget for the coming year was proposed by the Finance Committee. Motion was made to approve the budget (as revised), seconded and voted in the affirmative.
The membership resumed discussions about selling logo T-shirts and/or mugs. A sample mug and coaster is currently being designed. Once finished, the membership can decide whether to pursue the project as a fundraising effort.
Secretary Arnold reported that very little had been done regarding the letters to law enforcement, fire departments and National Guard units – a project discussed/voted on at the Constitution Day meeting. However, he noted that a mailing directory is being developed.
NEW BUSINESS:
The NH society voted to accept membership applications from the following individuals:
Ian M. Coughlin Kenneth E. Upton, Sr.
Hobart G. Rand David McCain
Steven Dunn James T. Holland
Jarrod Ean-Dixon Garret Ean
John Garrigan Charles Garrigan
Compatriot Joseph Melville brought the membership’s attention to current events of interest taking place at the Museum of New Hampshire History in Concord.
The meeting adjourned for lunch, where author James Nelson spoke on his recent book Benedict Arnold’s Navy. CAR members presented veterans with certificates of appreciation. Compatriot Ben Hampton presented the Silver Good Citizenship Award to Cmdr. David Kenney, USN for his service to the community, his efforts in promoting an appreciation of history, and for overall good patriotism. Additionally, President Hayes administered the oath to Compatriot James Veach.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Arnold