MONTHLY MEETING

EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

October 19, 2019  

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

Other members in attendance were:

Officers Excused: Commander Jim Jones and JVC George Gyuriska

Guest: PDC Chris Carty

The minutes for the September meeting were read. A motion was made to accept minutes as read by Dale Keklock and seconded by Jerry O'Malley. All were in favor.

The financial report was read by Joe Long. 

          He also stated that dues are being collected.

A motion was made to accept the financial report as read by Mike Passero and seconded by Dale Keklock.  All were in favor.

SICK MEMBERS:  

JVC Jerry Skotleski reported to the Camp that his mother is sick and in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's.

Craig Kelly reported on the passing of Brother Kenneth Snook, husband of Auxiliary President Linda Snook.

CORREPSONDENCE:

GO #4 Merge Job Descriptions; GO #5 Revocation of Charter of Garfield Camp #1 Dept. of Maine; GO #6 Veteran's Day; CO #7 Passing on PNP Sally Krantz, Dept. of New York; Request for CW attired members to help with fundraiser in Danville; Request for donations to help in the refurbishment of the mausoleum of Major A.P. Davis.

Joe Long made the motion to donate $25.00 to the refurbishment of the Davis mausoleum and $15.00 to the fundraiser in Danville.  The members were polled and all were in favor.  Motion was passed.

OLD BUSINESS:

The last reading of the motion to raise the Camp dies from $38.00 to $39.00 was made.  Acting Commander Jerry Skotleski called for a vote and all were in favor.  Motion was passed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Commander Jones asked Jerry to read these four items into the Minutes:

• Camp Council should have a new member elected every year for a term of three years since one member steps down each year.

• Each appointed or elected officer must be told in no uncertain terms that they are assuming an obligation to the Camp and to the members and are expected to fill the obligation which includes attendance at meetings.  The Commander will remove an officer promptly should there be unexcused members.

• He suggest strongly that we adopt the practice of standing when addressing the Commader and saluting.  This way the Commander can maintain more orderly control over the debate and discussions.

• He suggests that consideration be given to certain positions being temporarily combined, that is Guard and Guide, JVC and Chaplain and support of the Secretary and Treasurer can be addressed by electing an assistant Secretary/Treasurer that can provide backup for both persons while learning the functions.

Joe Long stated that it is hard to find members for positions.  Craig Kelly supported the idea of progression of status for new members.

Craig Kelly gave some information on a Past President of the Ladies of the GAR, Violet Fahrenholt, that is buried in an unmarked grave in the Dunmore Cemetery.  Auxiliary member Julie Esty portrayed her in the last version of the Dearly Departed Players and told her life story.  At this time, Craig made a motion that the Camp purchase a grave marker in the amount of $55.00 to be placed at her grave and that we hold a ceremony in the fall to dedicate her grave.  Joe Long seconded the motion and all were in favor.

Dale Keklock will bring information to the next meeting concerning a fundraiser to help the Camp with finances which entails the selling of beef sticks.

Joe Long asked that a member be found to take over as Treasurer as he will be stepping down as of April 1, 2020.

The meeting was suspended so that Susan Mertz of the Ladies Auxiliary could address the Camp as to the possibility of having the Lincoln Ceremony that was cancelled back in April.  It was decided that we would hold the Ceremony on November 16, 2019 at 9:30am at the Memorial at Nay Aug Park.  Members should arrive between 9 and 9:15am.

Nominations of Officers:

     Commander - Jerry Skotleski by Craig Kelly seconded by Jerry O'Malley 

     Sr. Vice Commander - Jim Jones by Jerry Skotleski seconded by Bob Shaffer

     Jr. Vice Commander - Mike Passero by Bob Shaffer seconded by Jerry O'Malley

     Secretary - Bob Shaffer by Craig Kelly seconded by Dale Keklock

     Treasurer - Joe Long by Bob Shaffer seconded by Craig Kelly 

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:

Dale Kelock was on the Dr. John G. Kuna radio show where he talked about the videos he has taken and about local history.  The show is recorded on Wednesday afternoon between 3 and 3:30 and is aired on Saturday.  It is also for Community Outreach and exposure.

PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTOR:

PI Jerry O'Malley talked about this day in 1864 which included the capture of Atlanta, continual threat in Petersburg, the unnerving loss of Confederate territory.  He also told of the Confederate appearance in Sr. Albins, Vermont.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Robert C. Shaffer

Secretary