MONTHLY MEETING

EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

December 10, 2022

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

Other members in attendance were:

Officers Excused: Patriotic Instructor Jerry O'Malley

Guest: Scott Teeters, Camp #89

Minutes from the November meeting were read.  A motion to accept the minutes as read was made by Tim Chase and seconded by Gary Snyder, all were in favor. 

TREASURER'S REPORT:  

Howard Wolfe reported we are in good shape.  Members are sending in their dues and membership cards for 2023 are on order.  A motion to accept the treasurer's report was made by Giovan Lisi and deconded by Bill Fischer, all were in favor.

MOTIONS:

The motion to raise the dues for Camp #8 to $50 was read for the 3rd time.  A brief discussion happened as to why the dues were going up.  Scott Teeters informed us that Camp #8 is ahead of the process compared to other camps he is in touch with.  The motion was voted up and all were in favor. Dues for Camp #8 are now officially $50.

The 2nd motion on the changes of the By-laws was read.  The charges are in large scope and were attached to the November minutes and this month's minutes below.  There was no discussion on the motion.  All were in favor.  The 3rd and final reading will be held at the January 21st meeting.

MOVING OF THE MUSEUM:

Howard Wolfe explained how the move to the mall was now happening.  After a meeting with Mr. Basalyga (owner of the mall) and the agreement reached.  Mayor Cognetti secured funds for the move with Cadden Brothers.  The move will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, December 28th and 29th.

Lastly, Giovan Lisi has carrid the colors of the camp for over 10 years at numerous ceremonies and parades in our area and in Gettysburg.  For this dedication to Camp #8 and the Color Guard, Giovan was promoted to the rank of Corporal of the Camp Guard.  On behalf of the entire camp, Giovan, THANK YOU for your unwavering and consistent dedication to Camp #8.

Commander Skotleski thanked everyone for their attendance and coming to help pack up for the move.

With no further business or discussion, the meeting was closed in ritualistic fashion by Commander Skotleski.

Respectfully submitted,

Jerry Skotleski

Commander

for

Rober C. Shaffer

Secretary

BY-LAWS DRAFT UPDATE, REVISED:

Recommended changes to the Camp #8 By-Laws proposed by Bill Fischer, PCC

ARTICLE II - MEETINGS

 SECTION 1.  The stated meeting of the Camp shall be held the third Saturday of each month, unless changed by a majority vote.  No meetings will be held during the months of July and August.

 SECTION 2.  The location of the meeting shall be the G.A.R. Memorial Library and Museum, Lower Level Scranton City Hall, Washington Ave & Mulberry Street, Scranton, PA 18501, unless changed by a majority vote. 

 SECTION 3.  A special meeting may be convened by order of the Commander with the consent of Camp Council, providing no less than seven (7) days notice be given to all members.  No business shall be transacted except that for which the meeting was called.

SECTION 4.  Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

RECOMMENDED CHANGE: [corrects the meeting's location official address]

SECTION 2. The location of the meeting shall be at the G.A.R. Memorial Library and Museum, Lower Level, Scranton City Hall, 340 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503, unless changed by a majority vote.

Recommendation additon: [codifies recent National changes regarding electronic meetings}

SECTION 5. The Camp, Camp Council and Camp Committees may conduct electronic meetings or provide electronic participation to in-person meetings, provided all provisions detailed in Article 4, Section 1, of the National Constitution (CC&R) are met.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1.  Membership of the Camp shall be of three classes:

  A. Lineal & Collateral; Male descendents no less than fourteen (14) years of age, that are blood relative of soldiers, sailors, marines, or members of the Revenue Cutter Service who were honorably discharged from the War of the Rebellion of 1861 - 1865.

  B. Life Members; In accordance with National Regulations.

  C. Associates; Not of Lineal descendent.  Associates are permitted in Ezra S. Griffin Camp #8, provided that the number of Associates in the Camp shall not exceed one third (1/3) of the total membership of the Camp at the time of election.  At no time during the meeting of the Camp can business be transacted if the number of Associates in attendance exceeds forty-nine (49) percent of the total attendance at said meeting.  Said Associates are permitted to serve in any Office, elective or appointed in this Camp, but are not eligible to hold elective offices of the Pennsylvania Department or the National Offices of Cammander-in-Chief, or Senior/Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief.

RECOMMENDED CHANGE: [changes language to be more in line with National definitions and corrects that Associates can serve in any elected or appointed Department office (per National Constitution 2021 update]

SECTION 1.  Membership of the Camp shall be of three classes:

  A. Members.  Male descendants no less than fourteen (14) years of age who meet the qualificatiuons stipulated in Article III of the National Constitution and Section 5 of the Articles of Incorporation.  Members are lineal or collateral blood descendats of honorably discharged Civil War Union Veterans.

  B. Life Members.  Members who have fully paid the requisite Life Membership fee as established by the National Organization.

  C. Associates.  Males at least fourteen (14) years of age who do not meet the qualifications stipulated in requirements for membership established by the National Organization.

          (1) The combined number of Associates shall not exceed one third (1/3) of the total roster of the Camp at the time of election.  At no time during a meeting of the Camp shall business be transacted if the number of Associates in attendance exceeds forty-nine percent (49%) of the total attendance then present at said Camp meeting.

          (2) Associates may not be elected, appointed, or otherwise assume the offices of Commander-in-Chief, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, National Secretary, National Treasurer or be apoointed Commanding Officer to the Sons of Veterans Reserve.  However, Associates are permitted to serve in any elective or appointed Office in this Camp or in the Pennsylvania Department.

  D. The Camp can recommend Honorary Membership for an individual but only the Commander-in-Chief, with approval of the National Council of Administration, can award such membership.

ARTICLE IV - APPLICATION FEE

SECTION 1. The Application Fee for membership shall by Thirty Eight Dollars ($38.00).  Twenty-Three Dollars ($23.00) to the Department and Seven Dollars ($7.00) to the National Department and Eight Dollars ($8.00) to the Camp.  Subject to change.

RECOMMENDED CHANGE: [reduces the need for future changes by removing sepcific dollar amounts]

SECTION 1. The Application Fee for membership shall be the current National application fee, the current National and Department per capita dues along with the current Camp dues, all dues pro-rated as noted on the current Form 30.

ARTICLE V - DUES

SECTION 1. Dues for all members will be Thirty-Eight Dollars ($38.00) per year.  Subject to change.

SECTION 2. Should Per Capita Tax be increased by the Department or National Headquarters, the amount of the increase shall automatically by applicable to the members and shall be levied in the period said increase is due and payable, after being approved by Camp Council and the Commander.

SECTION 3. Dues shall be used for the administrative expenses of the Camp only.  Funds to support other activities of the Camp or donations from the Camp shall come from other fundraising activities.

RECOMMENDED CHANGE: [clarifies requirements, especially for Life Members, and removes specific dollar amounts to reduce future By-Laws changes]

ARTICLE V - DUES

SECTION 1.  Camp dues cover the period from January 1 through December 31.

SECTION 2. Annual dues shall be payable by February 15 of each year to the Camp Secretary.  Members who do not pay annual dues by the deadline may be dropped for non-payment by vote of the Camp.

SECTION 3.  Annual Camp dues shall be the sum of current National and Department per capita dues and an amount agreed upon by the vote of the Camp, except as noted in Section 4 below.

SECTION 4.  Life Members do not pay National per capita dues.  Department per capita and Camp dues for Life Members are subject to the specifics outlined below.

  A. 2012 Life Membership Program Participants.  Camp members who have been accepted as valid National Life Members under the National Life Membership Program established in 2012 shall have their annual Camp dues credited with an amount equal to the existing annual National per capita dues.  These Life Members remain subject to paying Department per capita and Camp dues.

          (1) The Camp Treasurer will not submit National per capita dues for a member in this category.  Department per capita dues will continue to be submitted.

          (2) There shall be no National organization reimbursement to the participant's under the 2012 Liber Member Program.

  B. 2001 Life Membership Program Participants (closed to new partisipants effective 1 July 2012).  Camp members who have been accepted as valid National Life Members under the National Life Membership Program established in 2001 shall have their annual Camp dues credited with an amount equal to the existing National per capita dues.  These Life Members remain subject to paying Department per capita and Camp dues.

          (1) The Camp Treasurer will not submit National per capita for a member under this category.  Department per capita dues will continue to be submitted.

          (2) There shall be no National organization reimbursement to the participant's Camp under the 2001 Life Member Program.

  C. 1996 Life Membership Program Participants (closed to new participants effective 19 August 2000).  Camp members who have been accepted as valid National Life Members under the National Life Membership Program established in 1996 shall have their annual Camp dues credited with an amount equal to the existing annual National per capita dues.

          (1) The Camp Treasurer will not submit National per capita dues for a member in this category.

          (2) Upon written request by the Camp Secretary or Treasurer, an annual reimbursement in the amount of twelve dollars ($12.00) shall be made to the Life Member's Camp.

  D. Pre-1996 Life Membership Program Participants.  Camp members who have been accepted as valid National Life Members under the National Life Membership Program established prior 1996 sjall have their annual Camp dues credited with an amount equal to the existing annual National per capita dues.

          (1) The Camp Treasurer will not submit National Per Capita Dues for a member in this category.

          (2) Upon written request by the Camp Secretary or Treasurer, an annual reimbursement in the amount set by the National Council of Administration shall be made to the Life Member's Camp.

  E. Annually between 1 January and 31 March, the Camp Secretary or Treasurer shall submit a request to the National Treasurer requesting reimbusement for pre-2001 Life Members.

  F. If the amount credited for National Life Membership exceeds the Annual Camp Dues, the excess shall become part of the general funds to the Camp.

SECTION 5.  Dues shall be used for the administrative expenses of the Camp only.  Funds to support other activities of the Camp or donations from the Camp shall come from other fundraising activities.

ARTICLE IX - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 4.  The Secretary shall perform all duties pertaining to his office, keep all books of record, shall make duplicate quarterly reports to the Department Secretary on the first days of January, April, July and October upon the forms prescribed by the Order and furnished by the Department Secretary, showing all gains and losses in membership and the total membership, one copy of which shall be forwarded together with the per capita tax covering the entire membership dues from the Camp to the Department Headquarters on or before the tenth (10th) day of the month, the other to be placed on file in the Camp.  He shall draw all requisitions upon the Treasurer for expenditure of money, upon the order of the Camp and submit the same to the Commander for his approval, keeping a book for that purpose.

RECOMMENDED CHANGE: [taken from the National Constitution.  Quarterly reports have not been required for many years]

SECTION 4.  The Camp Secretary shall perform all duties pertaining to his office, keep all books of record, shall make duplicate annual reports to the Department Secretary on or before the 30th day of April upon the form prescribed by the Order, and furnished by the Department Secretary, showing all gains and losses in membership and the total membership, one copy of which shall be forwarded together with the per capita dues, covering the entire membership, dues from the Camp, to the Department Headquarters, the other copy to be placed on file in the Camp.  He shall draw upon the Treasurer for the expenditure of money, upon the order of the Camp, and submit the same to the Commander for his approval, keeping a book for that purpose.