MONTHLY MEETING

 EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

October 19, 1995

 

The meeting was called to order by Commander Russell P. Jones, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Other members in attendance were:

Joe Long	Dennis Rightmire	Bill Lindberg	Phil Jones
Bob Shaffer	Russ W. Jones	Bob Yeager

 

The minutes from the June meeting were read.  A motion to accept the minutes was made by Bill Lindberg and seconded by Dennis Rightmire.  All were in favor.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Joe Long read the financial report with the following information:

     The Help Fund is now at $72.50

     Monthly winners: June (Don Weiland); July (Lori Jones); August (Debbie Kusmack); & September (Bob Keene)

     3 Members still have not paid their dues

 

A motion to accept the Financial report was made by Bill Lindberg and seconded by Bob Shaffer.  All were in favor and the report was referred to the audit committee.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Cannon Issue - On May 25th we received a letter from Attorney O’Brien stating that the Preliminary Objection voiced by Pritchard was denied.

 

Bob Yeager reported that he was contacted by Beverly Pitts of the Civil War News in reference to the cannon issue.  She had written an article that was in the September issue of the Civil War News.  He also talked to Wayne Stark of Pittsburgh and he supplied Bob with all the particulars concerning the cannon.  He also informed Bob that the cannon may be in a personnel collection in Tennessee.

 

Commander Jones reported that Pritchard was due in Scranton for a deposition, but was rescheduled due to illness.  It is rescheduled for October 12th.

 

Secretary Shaffer read E-Mail messages received by Joe Long from various officers of the Department and National Organizations.  Brief summary - any legal practitioner should contact the Camp’s attorney.

 

Commander Jones reported that the July 4th Ceremonies at Lake Lincoln went very well.  Member carrying flags were: Joe Long, Russ W. Jones and Russ P. Jones.  Bob Price represented the Camp with the dignitaries.

 

Bill Lindberg reported the Open House held in September went well.  He stated that few guests knew of our organization and those attending were very interested.  He also stated that not many Camp members were in attendance.

 

Bob Yeager reported that the Junior Century Club had 39 members that visited the Museum in September.  Carl Miller’s presentation was excellent.  Bob also stated that this type of exposure is great for the Museum.

 

Joe Long reported that the dinner at the Tripp House did not go as well as expected.  There were 27 guests and 2 of the couples were members who had never attended any function.  A plan for at least 40 - 50 people was expected.  Ruth Lindberg and some other ladies made favors.

 

Dennis Rightmire reported that his Re-enactment Group (81st PA) cleaned a Cemetery in Freeland.  They raised some stones and found some Civil War Veterans’ graves.  There was also a stone with the inscription GAR Post 147.        

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Phil Jones brought in an article from the Times Leader written about a valley training camp called Camp Luzerne.

 

Joe Long discussed life memberships.  Camp can accept payments for anyone interested.  The fee has gone up from $150 to $300 and may go up again.  If interested, contact Joe.

 

A discussion was held concerning raising the camp’s dues.  The last raise was in 1992 when they went from $12 to $15.  In January, it is expected that the Per Capita tax will increase by $.80.  Bob Yeager stated that it would be better to raise them a little at a time and not one big jump.  Bob Shaffer made a motion to raise the dues $3.  Bill Lindberg seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  There was also a discussion about a cut-off date for dropping members for non-payment of dues.  There will be a meeting in Gettysburg in January to address this issue.

 

Commander Jones appointed a membership committee consisting of Bob Yeager, Dennis Rightmire and Phil Jones to review the application for Associate Membership for Thomas MacHale.  He has no verification actual lineage at this time.  He is researching.

 

Russ also presented a Certificate from the Department Commander to the Camp for meeting its membership goal for 1994-95.

 

Discussion - Camp logo on checks.  Is it necessary? Joe Long will donate $25 toward the printing and the camp would donate the other $25.  Further discussion in December.

 

Further discussion to be held on the essay contest.