Monthly Meeting

Ezra S. Griffin Camp # 8

May 18, 2024

The meeting was called to order in ritualistic manner by Commander Rich Ryczak.

Members in attendance:

Excused Officers: Howard Wolfe

The meeting was suspended by Commander Ryczak for the Departed Brothers Ceremony.  The following Brothers were honored: Charles Millich; A.M. Ridgeway; Joseph Sanborn; John S. Short; D.R. Stiles; Joshua R. Thomas; Norman Wheeler; Rudolph Windbrake; Roy E.W. Pearce; Henry J. Russell; Frederick R. Stark; John Williams; George Wines; David H. Morton; Charles Thomas; Charles F. Reed; Martin Simons; Joseph M. Phillips; George Hammer and Martin Horan.

Prior to the reading of the Minutes, Secretary Dixon addressed the body on changes made to Robert's Rules of Order.  Now that Minutes are sent digitally to members shortly after the meeting and then again during the week leading to the next meeting, a complete reading of the Minutes is not necessary unless a discrepency or change is noted.  Since taking office in December, Secretary Dixon has received communication from Brothers when a problem is found in the Minutes and immediately corrects it and re-emails the corrected Minutes.  Moving forward, a motion is all that will be needed unless a question arises.

A motion to accept the April Minutes was made by Tim Chase to accept the minutes and seconded by Jerry Skotleski. All were in favor.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

There was no tresurer's report.

ILLNESS/DISTRESS:

Jerry O'Malley continues to be in the Brothers' thoughts and prayers. 

Paul Rogan, Chaplain, was asked by Hal Myers to inform the Camp that Dale Keklock is in the hospital.  A card was passed around and signed by the members in attendance and will be sent to Dale.

APPLICATIONS:

Nathaniel Evans of Falls, PA - His 2nd great grandfather, Andris "Andrew" Brandt was a Captain with Company E of the 150th New York.

BALLOTING OF CANDIDATES:

A voice vote for accepting Nathaniel Evans into the Order was called by Commander Ryczak.  All were in favor. 

The normal order of business was suspended, and Nate was sworn in as a member of Camp #8.

CORRESPONDENCE:

All communications from the Department and National have been forwarded via email to all members.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

The Memorial Day Service planning was completed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Secretary Dixon brought to the Camps' attention that the PA Department Encampment Ad was due soon.  A motion to take out a half-page ad in the program was made by Tim Chase and seconded by Bill Burns.  All were in favor.

Jerry Skotleski brought up a concern with a typo that was made on the Camp 8 website in the April Minutes. In April, the Camp agreed to make a payment of $200.00 to the Memorial Association, however, on the website, the Minutes read $2000.00.  After a discussion amongst the Camp, Commander Ryczak asked Jerry Skotleski to chair an investigative committee to find out how the website is being maintained.

Jerry Skotleski made a motion to perform a complete audit of the Camp 8 books.  Due to the issues of late with other Camps in the Department, he is asking that the elected meembers of the Camp along with the Council perform the audit before the June meeting.  Tim Chase seconded the motion and all were in favor.  Commander Ryczak asked Secretary Dixon to email Treasurer, Howard Wolfe to set up a date to meet at the Museum.

Jerry Skotleski made a motion that Camp 8 will not make another donation to the GAR Memorial Association without financial audit of the GAR books being performed and presented to the Camp members.  He informed the Camp that he and Hal had an agreement that an audit would be performed and upon completion of the audit, it would be presented to the Camp.  At the end of the year, if the Camp was in stable financial condition, a donation to the GAR Memorial Association would be made.  The motion was seconded by Bill Fischer.  A voice vote was called, and all were in favor.

PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTION:

Due to the length of the meeting, Patriotic Instruction was postponed for the month.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:

Craig Kelly recognized Bill Fischer for his dedication and work on the ROTC program.

Bill Fischer showed the Camp members small clips that can be purchased for easily attaching our badges to a shirt.  He also asked Brothers that were Associate Members if they've been receiving the Banner.  He was informed that some Associate Members across the state were not receiving it.  No members in attendace reported any issues.

The next monthly meeting will be held on June 15th at 10am.

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

Respectfully submitted,

William J. Dixon

Secretary