MONTHLY MEETING

EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

September 9, 2017  

The regular meeting was then called to order in ritualistic fashion by Commander Hal Myers.

Other members in attendance were:

Absent:  Chaplain, Scott Teeters

Guests:  George Gyuriska

The minutes for the June meeting were read.  A motion to accept the Minutes was made by Jerry Skotleski and seconded by Giovan Lisi.  All were in favor

The financial report was read by Joe Long with the following information:

          Ticket winner for May: Emil Siwack

          Ticket winner for June: Giovan Lisi (donated money for the Book Project)

          Ticket winner for July: Dan McGee

          No ticket winner for August #907

A motion to accept the report was made by Dave Teeters and seconded by Giovan Lisi.  All were in favor.

SICK MEMBER:

Suaan Mertz's mother and Department Commander Carty's grandmother Arlene C. Carty, passed away on August 27, 2017.  Harry Mertz, husband of President Mertz is very sick.  Commander Myers made a motion to send $100 to Help with her expenses, seconded by Giovan Lisi.    All were in favor.

APPLICATIONS:

Mark W. Carlisle, son of PNP Faye Carlisle

CORRESPONDENCE:   

DO #1 Message from New Department Commander Alfred Carty; GO #25 Revocation of Department of Colorado/Wyoming; GO #26 Meritorious Service Award to Dexter A. Bishop; GO #27 Meritorious Service Award to Terry Ray Dyer, PDC; GO #28 Meritorious Service Award to Nick Kaup; GO #29 Meritorios Service Award to David McReynolds, PDC; GO #30 Meritorious Service Award to Donald Palmer, PCinC; GO #31 Meritorious Service Award to Henry E. Shaw Jr., PCC; GO #32 Awards presented at the 136th National Encampment; GO #33 Violation of C & R removing Idaho from the Department; GO #1 Message from new CinC Mark Day; GO #2 Legal Actions regarding removal of veterans' monuments; GO #3 Hyphenated Names in Formation of New Camps.  Letter sent to Elizabeth Bianchi to thank her for her donations to the Museum.

COMMITTEE:

Eagle Scout Coordinator Jim Jones reported no activity over the summer.

OLD BUSINESS: 

Commander Myers reported that there was no news on the lease issue.  Howard Wolfe and Mark Zurinski thanked Hal for all he has done.

NEW BUSINESS:  

With a show of hands it was decided by majority thaty our next Meeting and Open House will be held on October 21, 2017.  We will also have an Open House on October 9th.

Craig Kelly reported that Julie Esty will be hosting the Departed Players Tour at the Dunmore Cemetery on October 1st and October 8th.

Secretary Shaffer let the members know of the donations by Elizabeth Bianchi.

On October 5th, at 5pm Commander Myers and Jerry O'Malley will be giving a lecture at the Museum entitled "War on the Homefront" to the Scranton Reads Committee, of which they are members.

Commander Myers was called by Marie at the Scranton Public Library and was told in the event we had to vacate the building, she could store our Library on the third floor there.  A reporter from the Scranton Times approached the Mayor and he said we would not be moving.  A lot of rumors are floating around, but nothing is definite.  Howard Wolfe commended Commander Myers for getting information out to the community.  The Commissioner also told him he could help us get a $5000 grant.

Howard Wolfe commented that we should get the Museum certified.  Commander Myers said he would ask for help from the members of the GAR.

Commander Myers commented that Railfest was very successful on September 2nd.  A lot of people came to the table and were interested in the book binding campaign.  Sunday was not good at all because of the weather.  The Curator at Steamtown was very pleased on what we are doing.  Mark Zurinski also commented that there was alot of people at Railfest.

We are now in possession of a set of books to further enhance our capability to research Civil War soldiers.

Commander Myers reported that Nominations of Officers will be held in OCtober and he has decided to run for another term.

Joe Long said we need more help in the Museum for Open House.  It is always the same people.

Commander Myers announced that we will have an Open House at the end of the month because we did not have one at the beginning of September.  Craig stated that it was too late to get notice out to the papers.

A discussion was held on the subject of soliciting donations from visitors and the public in general.  Howard Wolfe will make a few different signs and bring them in so that we can discuss them.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:   

Secretary Shaffer reported on two donations: Mrs. Peter Judge gave a donation in memory of her husband Peter; and Deborah Hollinger made a doantion in memory of her father, Robert H. Myers.

Patriotic Instructor Jerry O'Malley gave a brief talk on this day, September 9, 1863, on what was happening in Tennessee.  These events lead to the Battle of Chickamauga.

With no further business, questions or discussion, the meeting was closed in ritualistic manner.

                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                   Robert C. Shaffer

      Secretary