San Antonio Chapter #4 TXSSAR

Sons of the American Revolution

 

Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

 

December 10, 2009

Lion & Rose Pub

 

I.        Call to Order

      President David Bowles called to order the regular meeting of the Executive Committee at 11:40 A.M.

 

II.     Roll Call

      The following Committee Members were present: David Bowles, Peter Baron, James Taylor, Frank Rohrbough, Courtland Snyder, George Harcourt, Harry Long, Joe Ware, Rueben Perez, Ed Heath, John Orr and Jerry Fulenwider.  Other chapter members attending included John Hollje, Jay Lewallen, Bob Brady, Rene Villarreal, Santos Villarreal and Ron Graves.

 

III.   Approval of Minutes

      President Bowles called for the review of the Minutes of November 4, 2009. A motion was made and seconded to approve them as written. The motion passed.

 

IV.  Treasurer’s Report

      President Bowles asked for Compatriot Baron to present the Treasurer’s Report for December 2009. He noted that the Chapter had an ending balance for November of $5946.56 which includes a net gain of $3876.37 from the Gala that was held on November 11th. A motion was made and seconded to accept the reports as presented. The motion passed.

 

      Compatriot Baron stated the he would close the Guarantee Bank Checking Account because the incoming Treasurer (Compatriot John Dupree) preferred to use the Wells Fargo Bank which is located at his work place. An Audit will need to be performed on the Guarantee Account after it is closed.  

 

Compatriot Perez made a motion which was seconded to authorize the action to close the Guaranty Account and open a new Account at Wells Fargo Bank. The motion passed.

 

Compatriot Baron asked for a motion to mail out tax statements documenting donations made to Chapter for the Gala Silent Auction, ROTC Program and the Snyder Scholarship Program. A motion was made and seconded. The motion passed. The statements will be mail to members in late December 2009 or early January 2010.

 

V.     Old Business

a.    Knight Essay Contest: President Bowles reported the Minnie Piper Foundation provides the candidates for our annual award and that he would select the best essay for review and approval by the Executive Committee in January. He is seeking a volunteer to take over this program for 2010.

b.   ROTC Program: Compatriot Snyder stated the awards program is on track for 33 high schools and 3 universities. He stated has 16 volunteers. Awards will be presented starting in March with most be presented in May.  

c.    Genealogy Report: Compatriot Taylor provided a complete review of all applications for the year noting that 9 new applications have been sent to National and 2 others are in process at TXSSAR. He reported 5 Youth Members, 9 members transferring from other SAR chapters and 22 prospective members working on their applications.

d.   Law Enforcement Awards: Compatriot Baron noted that we have no awardees for this year.

e.    Color Guard: Compatriot Frank Rohrbough reported that we participated in the US Military Veterans Parade on November 7th.  We had 7 SAR Members participate – 4 from SASAR Chapter and 3 from the Boerne Chapter. Compatriot Heath noted that he had participated with the Boerne Chapter in the Comfort Parade on November 28 at 7 PM; the Color Guard led the Parade. Compatriots Taylor and Stephen Rohrbough served as the Color Guard for the Joint Holiday Party of the SAR/DAR/CAR on December 5th at the San Antonio Country Club.

f.     Flag Award: Compatriot John Orr reported that he was working on several more Flag Awards. We have made two presentations this year – one to Mr. David Allen Van Rite and one to the City of Terrill Hills, Bexar County, TX.

g.    Veterans Programs: Compatriot Taylor reported that he had attended the Quarterly Meeting of VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) on December 3rd. He noted that the VA has many programs providing support to the veterans, such as Bake Sales, Bus Ticket Fund for wounded warriors, and donations to the Holiday Fund. He reported that 7 members partnered with the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Alamo Chapter to decorate the Hospice Clinic and Ward at the South Texas Veterans Hospital in San Antonio for the Holidays on December 4th. We will assist in the takedown of the Christmas decorations on January 4th at 9 AM.

h.    Speakers for 2010: Compatriot Perez stated that he has lined up most of the speakers for our Chapter Meeting in 2010. He reported that President General, NSSAR, Ed Butler would conduct the induction of the new Officers for 2010 at the January 20th Meeting.

i.      Snyder Scholarship: Compatriot Baron noted that a meeting of the Committee would be held immediately following this meeting. He noted that the Fund is doing well with a Fund Balance of $28,350 and the first $1000 CD maturing to cover this year's award.  The committee is looking to fund one scholarship next year from among 17 applications.

 

VI.  New Business

a.    Award of 25-Year Membership Pins: President Bowles recognized the long-time membership of two of our members by presenting SAR’s 25-Year Membership Pins to Compatriots John Hollje and Harry Long.

b.   Installation of New Members: President Bowles proposed that new members be inducted at a special meeting outside normal Chapter Meetings. Oftentimes, he believes that the routine business of Chapter Meetings with guest speakers overshadows any induction ceremonies that are held. He thinks the ceremonies are sometimes abbreviated and fail to give the proper respect that new member deserve.  He asked the Committee to consider holding a Special Induction Ceremony once or twice a year where inductions are the only focus of the meeting. By giving new inductees our full attention, it may result in new members becoming more active in SAR and our Chapter activities.

c.    Distribution of Funds Raised from the Gala Celebration: Compatriot Harcourt made a motion that $1,700 of the net profits (of $3800) be allocated to the Snyder Scholarship Fund. The motion was not seconded. After some discussion, Compatriot Perez made a motion to “table” the matter until the February Meeting of the Executive Committee when the new officers could address the matter. The motion was seconded and passed.

d.   Wreaths Across America:  Compatriot Baron asked if the Chapter wanted to participate in the NSSAR supported program “Wreaths Across America” on December 12th at a local cemetery honoring veterans who have passed away. After some discussion, a motion was made and seconded to not participate in this nationwide event this year. The motion passed.  

e.    Budget for 2010: Compatriot Baron discussed the Chapter Budget for 2010.  He noted that the Proposed Budget totals $4145 with an income of $4050. For details, see attached Budget. After some discussion a motion was made and seconded to accept the Budget as proposed. The motion passed.

 

VII. Adjournment There being no other business to conduct, President Bowles adjourned the meeting at 12:52 PM.

 

 

 

Frank Rohrbough, Recorder