MONTHLY MEETING

 EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

September 21, 2006

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

Other members in attendance were:

Minutes of the June meeting were read and approved by a motion by Ray Sulger and seconded by Bob Sulger.  All were in favor.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Joe Long read the financial report with the following information:                    

     Winner of the June 50/50 drawing was #013, no one has come forward

     Winner of the July 50/50 drawing was Greg Mancuso

     Winner of the September 50/50 drawing was Gerald Butler

     Members help fund at $177.50

     End balance of $2,847/80 in the checking account.

     There was a $290.00 profit on the sale of car decals made by Howard Wolfe.

A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Bob Shaffer and seconded by Mike Grayson.  All were in favor.

Commander Baker rescheduled the audit of the books until October 19, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. and said he would be present if needed.

OLD BUSINESS:

The Department Encampment at Fort Washington went very well and there was a good turnout.  Howard Wolfe was elected to the position of Dept. Jr. Vice Commander.  The National Encampment in Harrisburg was said to be the best attended in 40 years.  Magnets and shirts sold at both events. 

Howard Wolfe reported that at the Mid-Year Meeting all monetary and committee results would be announced.  Commander Baker reported there would be a change this year to the Remembrance Day Parade at Gettysburg.  The Ceremony at the Woolson Monument would take place first and then the would assemble for the parade 45 minutes later.

The Ceremony at Olde Mill Village was moved to the Village Green in Milford due to the recent flooding in June.  It was well attended by all.  It was also discovered that there is a Sutler in downtown Susquehanna.  Flyers were handed out about the Open House on November 11, 2006.

The 4^th of July Flag Ceremony went well and many members attended.

Joe Long, Russ Jones and Howard Wolfe met with the Mark Perry Law Firm to discuss the rent and other issues.  The Firm says that we are not paying a reasonable rent.  The members reiterated that we have a low income and we would not be able to pay what they had in mind.  It was agreed that the rent would stay the same for now and Russ gave them a check to pay until the end of the year.  John Hart and Al Sweeney met with the Mayor about this issue, but neither was present to add any information.  The National Organization is going after a tax exempt status to try to help.  Consensus of the meeting was that we should probably prepare to vacate the building.

Joe Long reported that he met with Patty Lawler at the Museum and did about a one half hour presentation.  Joe thought it was going to be longer, so a lot of material may not have been covered.  The documentary should be aired on Channel 61 sometime in October.

NEW BUSINESS:

Commander Baker reported that there would be a bus trip sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Civil War Round Table.  The cost is $25.00 per person and will leave the Sears parking lot at the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday, October 21, 2006.  Reservations should be made by the first week of October.

Joe Long suggested we hold nomination of Officer in October, elections in November and installation of Officers in December.  There was no outcome to this suggestion.

A discussion was held about the upcoming Christmas Party.  The probable date of Thursday, December 7^th was set.  Further discussion was deferred until after the meeting.

This year's Appomattox Day Luncheon will be held at Genetti’s in Williamsport on Saturday, April 21, 2007.

Joe Long presented a G.A.R. Keppi donated to the Camp.  The brother was a member of the Schwartz Post #218, Moscow, Pennsylvania.  Be belonged to the 199^th PA Volunteers and is buried in the Old Maple Lake Cemetery.  He died in 1928.

There was a ceremony at McDade Park on September 11^th and Joe Long took the Camp Flag.  It was attended by many veterans.  Barbara Ferguson spoke about Charles Jones, Company G, 187^th PA Infantry killed at Petersburg, Virginia in 1864.

Ray Sulger suggested that we find out when events are going on and that we put together a small kit to hand out to attendees.  This would include information about the SUVCW Department as well as the Camp, an application and anything else that would help to get the people interested in our organization.

Howard Wolfe suggested that we have a Brother each meeting to talk about different aspects of the Civil War or maybe a story about his relative, and not to last not more than 15 minutes.

An application for a new member was presented by Secretary Shaffer for Norman R. White sponsored by Joe Long.  The Committee consisted of Commander Baker, Bob Sulger and Mike Grayson.  The application was approved by all.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Secretary Shaffer presented the following correspondence:

• Official Proceedings for the 125^th PA Department Encampment

• List of Department Officers for 2006 – 2007

• Department Order #3 2005 – 2006

• Department Order #1 2006 – 2007

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

Respectfully submitted,

Robert C. Shaffer

Secretary