MONTHLY MEETING

EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

March 18, 2023

The meeting was called to order in ritualistic manner by Commander Jerry Skotleskia at our new location at the Marketplace at Steamtown Mall, Scranton.

Other members in attendance were:

Officers Excused: Patriotic Instructor Jerry O'Malley, SVC Rich Ryczak and Treasurer Howard Wolfe

Guests: PDC Chris Carty, Ed McMullen and Ron Skamanich

Minutes from the February meeting were read.  A motion to accept the minuteswas made by Bob Shaffer, seconded by Giovan Lisi, all were in favor.

TREASURER'S REPORT:  

Howard Wolfe gave a balance for the camp which includes National and Department per diem to be transferred later this spring.  A payment for $295 was made to renew the camp domain name, and a payment of $65 was made to the GAR Memorial Association for half of the February utilities cost.

No mention of pending website renewal was made at the February camp meeting, so the camp did not have the opportunity to discuss and vote on the renewal payment.  This should be done at the January or February 2024 camp meeting before next year's renewal deadline.  Discussion concerning the camp website noted that some members are in favor of keeping it and others not.  As long as the camp has the website, it must be kept current to be useful to the camp and to the public.

To expedite the first utilities payment for the new meeting space, the treasurer unilaterally made a payment to the GAR Memorial Association of Scranton (which holds the lease for the mall space) for half the bill.

The camp, at the April camp meeting, needs to discuss what is the appropriate amount for the camp to pay in support of utilities that the camp only meets at the museum space once per month.

A motion was made by Dale Keklock to accept the abbeviated treasurer's report and seconded by Tim Chase, all were in favor.

ILLNESS/DISTRESS:

Jerry O'Malley continues to have lingering health concerns. 

Prayers for Mark Myer's wife who resides in a skilled care facility

Jim Jones was recently hospitalized in South Carolina but is recovering at his home there

CORRESPONDENCE: 

All General and Department Orders have been emailed to members.  The main point of discussion were the orders rescinding the charters for two camps in other departments for repeated non-compliance.  Additional discussion occurred about the updated Skill Set Survey to assist National, in particular, as it considers moving the National HQ to a location where there is space to expand.  There is no timeline for such a move, being only exploratory for now.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 

The amended camp By-laws were reviewed, approved, and signed by Department commander DiFebo.  The updated camp by-laws were emailed to camp brothers, with a hard copy sent to the camp secretary

Annual dues ($50) were due to the camp treasurer by March 1st.  Bill Fischer emailed repeated reminders of that deadline, and sent letters with the same to camp members with no emails.  Bill Fischer also reminded life members that they could transfer to Memorial Camp #300 (the PA Department-at-Large camp) if they were not inclined to pay the required annual      Department per capita and camp dues (this year amounting to $17).

Only two life members, Robert Sulger and Steven Long, requested transfer to Camp #3000, transfers completed.

Bill Fischer also let camp members know that they could request, in writing, an Honorable Discharge from the Order.  No non-renewing members chose this option and will be given General Discharges.  Per the C,C&R, Chapter I, Camps, Article II, Membership, Section 3(a), members "may be dropped for non-payment of dues by a vote of the camp."

The name of non-renewing members, including nine life members, were read, and discussion followed.  A motion was made by Hal Myers to drop the non-renewing members from the camp roster, seconded by Mark Myers.  After a final discussion, the camp voted in the affirmative.

Bill Fischer will prepare and submit the Camp Annual Report (Form 27) before the April 30th deadline

The camp's annual Lincoln Remembrance ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 15th, following the camp meeting.  The ceremony shall begin at 12:30pm at the Lincoln monument in Nay Aug Park.  Auxiliary #10 were invited into the meeting for event planning, with Commander Skotleski organizing the agenda.  Mark Myers can provide accordian music.  Discussion ensued concerning photos taken at the ceremony, with Bill Fischer reminding the camp that G.O. #7, series 2021-2022, requires for the protection of camp members, the following statement on ALL camp print and media:  "Individuals attending events hosted by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, by virtue of their attendance, agree to the usage of their likeness in the Banner, any Camp or Department Newsletter, any SUVCW website and/or on any SUVCW Social Media outlet, promotional brochures, or any other SUVCW material."  This statement must be included on brochures, on the camp website, Facebook page, etc.  While non-SUVCW media outlets may still require "releases" to include photos on their sites, this protects our camp and Order on our sites.  Bill Fischer will prepare and distribute a media release for the Lincoln Remembrance.

Camp 8's Memorial Day service will be held on Monday, May 29th, at the GAR plot in Dunmore Cemetery.

Flag replacement at Dunmore and Forest Hill Cemeteris will occur on Saturday, May 6th (rain date Saturday, May 13th).  Time to be finalized at the April camp meeting.

Commander Skotleski will contact the Dunmore HS Band director and local dignataries, and is coordinating the agenda.  Tim Chase will research a new sound system.  Dale Keklock will check if he can get flower petals from the florist he works for.  Craig Kelly, who has obtained petals in past years, stated that getting them immediately after Mother's Day improves chances given possible excess unsold flowers.  Guest Ed McMullen said that he would check to see if he could get his VFW post's electronic bugle for playing of Taps.

Cannon pedestal in Cathedral Cemetery's GAR plot continues to deteriorate.  Hal Myers spoke with groundkeepers who said that a VFW post has committed to make the repairs before Memorial Day; need to continue to monitor the sistuation.

Commander Skotleski forwarded to Bill Fischer an RFI from DUVCW Susan Peterson  concerning possible SUVCW membership for her father, Norval Treat.  Bill Fischer emailed Susan on February 19th and again on March 16th, but has not heard back from her.    

NEW BUSINESS:

Bill Fischer offered several camp by-laws amendments, along with the reasons he believed they are important for the camp.  Discussion ensued, with a motion made by Craig Kelly to accept the amendments, and seconded by Bob Shaffer.  Discussion continued, with the camp voting in the affirmative to move the amendments for a second reading ast the April camp meeting.  The proposed B-laws amendments will be emailed as an attachment with these minutes.  Members can offer comment for inclusion in the second reading and discussion.

Departed Brothers Remembrance will occur at the May camp meeting.  Craig Kelly provided an overview while Bob Shaffer has a spreadsheet that he has continued to compile of late Griffin Post #139 and Camp #8 members.  Those to be remembered will be determined NLT the April camp meeting, along with remembrance details.

Although information has yet to be provided by the PA Department Encampment committee, the camp has agreed to purchase a full-page ad for the encampment booklet, assuming cost is similar to past years.  Only information distributed thus far is Altoona Grand Hotel contact info (attached).  Additional information should be coming out in the next month.  If you plan to attend the Department Encampment, you must obtain a credential card from Bill Fischer.

There are two public Facebook pages associated with Camp #8.  Lt. Ezra S. Griffin, Camp #8, PA Department, SUVCW (The last entry on this site was July 1, 2014, and it is unclear who the site admin/moderator is) and Ezra S. Griffin - Camp #8, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (Dale Keklock listed as the site admin/moderator, and has posted his activity videos to this site.  Others have posted photos, etc.)  Unfortunately, being a public site, there have recently been posts made that are inappropriate and refelct poorly on the camp.  Two entries offer clothing for sale with the SUVCW and SUVCW CinC logos, which are proprietary to the National Organization, and are not authorized.  Bill Fischer forwarded notice to the CinC and National Chief of Staff, who forwarded the email to the National Couselor for comment (no response yet).  Bill Fisher also noted similar activity on his dual Kansas camp's Facebook page.  Camp discussioin ensued concerning whether this site should remain a public site or be made private.  Any change is permanent per Facebook rules.  The PA Department Facebook page went private more than a year ago to better control content.  The camp decided to keep this Facebook page public in order to better serve the public.  Dale Keklock will keep tighter control on posts, deleting inappropriate posts and blocking those users who abuse the site.  Tim Chase agreed to become a second admin/moderator to assist Dale in keeping content appropriate.

The camp's annual IRS 990-N was filed by Bob Shaffer.  The PA Department EIN Report is annually filed by the Department Secretary/Treasurer to the National Treasurer NLT March 15th.  Bill  contacted the PA Department Secretary/Treasurer to ensure that Camp #8 was not missing a Department deadline.  Department Secretary/Treasuere Rob K. stated that Camp #8 is not covered under the Department/National group tax exemption status.  In reviewing the camp's 990 records, Bill noted a December 15, 2016 letter from the IRS to the camp stating: "Our records show you were previously tax exempt as a subordinate under group exemption number 0429.  Because you applied for and were granted your own individual tax-exempt status, you no longer rely on your affiliation with a parent organization for recognition of your tax status."  Bill Fischer asked if group exemption number 0429 is for the camp ot if it is the exemption number for the GAR Memorial Association of Scranton.  If so, is is appropriate for the camp to be under the GAR Memorial Association since they are seperate entities, and the GAR Memorial Association is not part of the SUVCW.  More research is needed to clarify this issue.

The annual Camp Patriotic Instructor Report (Form 40) is due to the Department Patriotic Instructor NLT April 1st.  Hal Myers will contact PI Jerry O'Malley to find out if he is able to complete the report.  If not, the Secretary will complete and submit the form.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:

Mall security needs to be notified in advance of and then escort members who are moving historic weapons to/from off-site activities.

PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTION:

Assistant Patriotic Instructor Giovan Lisi was prepared to offer PI but due to the length of the camp meeting, Giovan agrred to provide it at the April camp meeting (and possibly have two instructions offered then).

Next camp meeting to be held on Saturday, April 15th at 10:30am, with the Lincoln Remembrance to follow at Nay Aug Park, beginning 12:30pm.

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

Respectfully submitted,

William E. Fischer Jr., PCC

Secretary

BY-LAWS RECOMMENDED CHANGES:

Recommended changes to the Camp #8 By-Laws proposed by William E. Fischer Jr., PCC

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

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

     Change to Read:

SECTION 2. The location of the meeting shall be the G.A.R. Memorial Library and Museum, Room 220, The Marketplace at Steamtown (Mall), 300 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503, unless changed by a majority vote.

**At the time (October 2023), the recent By-laws changes were offered, the camp did not know where it was moving to, only that it was leaving City Hall.  Although the clause, "unless changed by a majority vote" allows for camp meetings at other locations, the camp will likely never again hold a meeting in the Scranton City Hall.  Therefore, given that another amendment is being offered (below), it makes sense to change the location in the camp By-laws.**

ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP

     Add to By-laws:

e. The camp does not allow Junior Members or Junior Associates

**Camps may have Junior Members/Associates (ages 6-13) per the PA Department By-laws Article XVI.  However, PA has added many requirements such as an FBI Background Check, Child Welfare Check, and others following the Jerry Sandusky conviction for all (such as Scout leaders, youth group leaders, child care workers, etc.) who may come into close contact with juveniles during organized activities.  It is best to codify in the camp By-laws an addition that clearly states no junior membership.  A camp member (or a member of the public) with children under 14 years of age is not prevented from bringing those children to appropriate camp activities (such as Memorial Day flag placement/ceremony) but must maintain loco parentis status (the term used in the PA Department By-laws) during the event.  This addition protects the camp and its members.

The Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, P.C. (Pittsburgh Area Law Firm) provides the following:

     The Pennsylvania custody statute does not define "in loco parentis," but Pennsylvania courts have found a person to stand in loco parentis to a child when they have taken on parental responsibilities and duties, with the consent of the biological parent.**

ARTICLE XVI - AMENDEMENTS

SECTION 1. All amendments to these By-laws must be made in writing and/or email and read on two (2) consecutive meeting nights.  Action on any amendment shall be taken the next meeting after the last reading, notice being made to membership.  A majority of those voting shall be sufficient to make an amendment a part of the By-laws.

     Change to Read:

ARTICLE XVI - AMENDMENTS, ALTERATIONS, OR DELETIONS

SECTION 1. All amendements, alterations, or deletions to these By-laws must be made in writing and/or email and read at two (2) consecutive meetings.  Action on any such changes shall be taken immediately after the second reading and discussion, notice of proposed changes having been previously made to camp membership via email following the first reading.  A simple voting majority of members in attendance following the second reading shall be sufficient to make amendments, alterations, or deletions a part of the By-laws.

**The requirement for two readings and waiting another month to vote on recommended changes is unduly burdensome given the opportunity for all camp brothers to participate in discussion during the two readings as well as the opportunity non-attendee camp brothers have to offer comments via email to enhance meeting discussion.  The two readings provide sufficient time to review, discussion, and then immediately voting on any proposed camp By-laws amendments, alterations, or deletions.