MONTHLY MEETING

EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

December 19, 2020

 

The Zoom meeting was called to order in ritualistic fashion by Commander Jerry Skotleski.

 

Other members in attendance were:

Bob Shaffer Craig Kelly Jerry O'Malley Jim Jones
Mike Passero Timothy Chase Bill Fischer Howard Wolfe
David Sykes Rich Ryczak

Officers Excused: Chaplain, Hal Myers

Guest: Danielle Shaffer, Ladies Bannen-Long Auxiliary #10

 

The minutes for the November meeting were read. A motion was made to accept the minutes as read by Jim Jones and seconded by Timothy Chase. All were in favor.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: 

          As of today, we have 84 Members of which 16 are Life Members 

          34 Members have paid their dues. 

 

A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made by Jim Jones and seconded by Rich Ryczak.  All were in favor. 

 

SICK MEMBERS

PCC Frost Decker has Covid.  Timothy Chase and his family are recovering from Covid and are doing well.  Life member Eugene W. Long has passed away on December 4, 2020.

 

APPLICATIONS: 

Awaiting paperwork from Fred Hunt

 

EAGLE SCOUT REPORT: 

Jim Jones reported that 6 scouts are in various stages of projects.  1 scout will have their ceremony in June 2021.  Two female scouts will be part of a televised ceremony on February 21, 2021.  Jim reported that Pike County Eagle Scouts have merged with Westchester County, NY and they are now called the Greater Hudson Valley Eagle Scouts.

 

CORRESPONDENCE: 

There were more general orders and they have been emailed to members.  Secretary Shaffer told members that our Camp is now officially a 501c3.

 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Commander Skotleski thanked Craig for the list of events we’ve done for the Camp.

 

Secretary Shaffer told members that we had made $476 in donations and $370 for Memorial Association donations.  Thank you cards will be sent out to members who donated.

 

Howard Wolfe suggested that a letter be sent to members about donations.

 

Jim Jones thanked everyone for their input for the New Member Handbook he is working on.  He is eliminating the By-Laws and any monetary amounts to keep the book as up to date as he can.  This booklet will be emailed out to new members as they join to help them understand a little bit more on the organization.

 

Jerry O’Malley brought up one of the Department Orders on Preserving/Protecting Monuments and what we should do.  Jim Jones stated that our responsibility is to motivate people to take care of the monuments and cemeteries.  Timothy Chase said that these questions should go to the Public Relations of the National Organization (David Demmy, Executive Director of the National Museum).

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Howard Wolfe brought up that 2 camps will be taking over the Lincoln Dinner in Harrisburg and the Appomattox Luncheon.  More information to come.

 

The Lincoln Day Ceremony will be held on February 13th at the Lincoln Monument in Nay Aug Park, weather permitting.  Time of the event to be determined.

 

GOOD OF THE ORDER: 

Our next meeting will be held by Zoom on January 16th at 10:30 am or unless changed by the Commander.

 

Bill Fischer announced that the Steamtown Historical Society is closed and should reopen on January 4th.  Bill officially retired from Steamtown on December 18th.

 

PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTION: 

PI Jerry O’Malley did a brief lecture of veterans benefits after the Civil War.

 

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

Robert C. Shaffer

Secretary