MONTHLY MEETING

 EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

June 16, 2005

The meeting was called to order by Commander Howard Wolfe in ritualistic manner followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a Roll Call of Officers.

Other members in attendance were:

The minutes from the May meeting were read.  A motion to accept minutes was made by John Hart and seconded by Mike Grayson.  All were in favor.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Joe Long read the financial report with the following information:                    

     End balance currently $1,798.00

     April ticket winner – Mary Mazzaccaro

     May ticket number 180

     June ticket winner – Mary Mazzaccaro

A motion to accept the financial report was made by John Hart and seconded by Ray Sulger. All were in favor and the report was referred to the audit committee.

COMMITTEES:

John Hart stated he had 6 new members; 3 are Heredity,  2 Juniors and 1 Associate member.

John Hart  also reported the he was able to get the necessary hardware to get the 50 ft. flag pole in Forest Hill Cemetery back in working order. The Dunmore Fire Dept. provided a ladder truck and installed the parts. A flag was purchased and a Ceremony was held on Memorial Day. An effort is being made to put back the flag pole in the Veterans section of Dunmore Cemetery.

Letters were sent to area schools explaining the mission of the Fife and Drum Corp inviting students to join and take the free lessons. The program is to start in July.  A pizza party will be held at the Radisson on Friday June 24^th,  prior to the Campfire, to introduce the new members of the Fife and Drum Corp.

OLD BUSINESS:

A discussion was held regarding yearly dues.  At the present time our dues are $26.00.

It was suggested that our members be informed of how that money is divided.  The following is how it is done:

• $18.00 goes to National, $5.00 goes to Department to pay the per capita tax. $3.00 stays with Camp #8.

• This 3 dollars barely covers the postage to each member for the year.  It was learned that at the Department Encampment they were going to raise that per capita tax by $2.00 leaving our Camp with only one dollar per member.

With that in mind, a motion was made by John Hart and 2^nd by Mike Grayson to increase our dues to $30:00 a year.  A vote was taken and all were in favor.

ENCAMPMENT:

The G.A.R Museum will be open Friday the 24^th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with members of the S.V.R on duty.  Two cars will be running a shuttle service from the Radisson  to the Catlin House and then to the Museum and back to the Radisson.

A living history exhibit will be in place at the Radisson with a tent and the  personal equipment of Sgt Frost Decker

Registration is set to start at 7:00 am, opening ceremonies to start at 9:00AM

NEW BUSINESS:

John Hart suggested we bring a proposal to the National Encampment to have students still in school, especially High School and College, be allowed to pay ½ dues because of other financial concerns at  that time.  It is believed that this would help retain younger members that might have to decide between our order and something else.

The 4^th of July flag ceremony was discussed and Russ Jones volunteered to carry the Spanish American war flag. The other flag bearers would be decided before the event.

With no further business, questions or discussion, a motion to adjourn was made and the meeting was closed in ritualistic manner.

Respectfully submitted,

Raymond Sulger for

Robert C. Shaffer

Secretary