MONTHLY MEETING

EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

February 17, 2018  

The meeting was called to order in ritualistic fashion by Commander Mark Zurinski.

Other members in attendance were:

Guest:  Alfred C. Carty (Dept of PA Cmdr) and Paul Burlon

Officers Excused:   James Jones, Bob Shaffer

The minutes for the January meeting were read. A motion was made to accept minutes as read by Jim Kobeski and seconded by Hal Myers. All were in favor.

The financial report was read by Joe Long.

          There is $4131.81 in the treasury

          January ticket winner (#788) held by Kelly Denicola

A motion was made to accept report as read by Mark Myers and seconded by Dale Keklock. All were in favor.

SICK MEMBERS:

Craig Kelly is ill.  Bill Fischer remembered John Dye of McKinley Camp #21, Dept of Ohio (one of Bill’s former camps), who recently passed away. Of note, Brother Dye had purchased the original 1901 McKinley Camp #21 Charter years ago at an antique store and donated it back to the camp in 2008 after the camp was reestablished as an active SUVCW camp in 2007.

APPLICATIONS:

Received from James White; will be forwarded for review and action.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Several G.O.s have been issued by the SUVCW CinC and were forwarded by Bob Shaffer to camp members via email.

NEW BUSINESS:

Joe Long noted that stickers have been made for March and wants to make them for April.

Discussion on dates for March and April meetings; agreed dates of March 17 and April 21, 10:30 am.

Bill Fischer requested camp vote on his PCC status reinstatement request as part of transferring his Dual Camp membership primary camp from Humboldt Camp #9 (Dept of KS) to Griffin Camp #8. Joe Long made the motion and Hal Myers seconded; all were in favor. Brother Fischer will draft a letter for Cmdr Zurinski’s signature to go to Dept Secy for consideration and vote at PA Dept Encampment in June.

Scott Teeters has submitted a letter of resignation from serving on the GAR Library & Museum Board. Dale Keklock is recommended to replace Mr. Teeters.

Hal Myers lauded the GAR Library & Museum’s partnership with the Lackawanna County Library System, which enhances public notice for special events such as the upcoming U.S. Grant living history presentations by Ken Serfass at the museum on March 24 at 1:00 pm and 3:30 p.m. Topic will be the Vicksburg Campaign.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:
 Bill Fischer shared that he is giving presentations on the US Colored Troops at the Carbondale Library this Tuesday, Feb 20, starting at 5:30 pm, and at the Taylor Community Library this Thursday, Feb 22, starting at 6:30 pm. Also, he is presenting an Aviation in World War I at the Albright Library on Weds, March 21, starting at 6:30 pm.

Jerry Skotleski is interested in getting the speaker lined up for Memorial Day festivities.

Jerry O’Malley seeks to form an executive committee made up of the camp commander, auxiliary president, and the Civil War Library & Museum president and treasurer, in order to improve communications, reduce conflicting ideas, discuss proposals/issues in advance of deadlines, monitor progress, plan future efforts, review award nominations, and forward agreed upon recommendations to the greater membership for voting.

PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTION:

Jerry O’Malley continued to speak on the early months of 1863, particularly Gen Hooker replacing Gen Burnside, the heroic efforts of the US Army Ram Queen of the West in the Mississippi and Red Rivers, ongoing French and British interests in the American Civil War, and winter preparations for the Spring 1863 campaigns.

With no further business, the camp was closed by Commander Zurinski in ritualistic manner.

The Auxiliary then joined the camp for a Civil War music presentation by Mark Myers that was enjoyed by all.

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Fischer
Acting Secretary