December 10, 2005
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. in the Dallas Room at the Embassy Suites, (13131 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas) by Chapter President, Tom Whitelock. Most members had previously processed through the breakfast line.
Chaplain Frank Pounders reported Gary Sisson was on sick call and the Chaplain then proceeded to give the Invocation for the day.
Pledges of Allegiance to the United States Flag, the Texas Flag and salute to the SAR Flag were respectively led by Compatriots Peter Rowley, Bill Richardson and Bob Clark. Since immediate Past Chapter President Judge Tracy Pounders was temporarily indisposed, without a designated leader the members sang “America”. President Whitelock then reported that PCP Ralph McDowell had received checks at Albertsons and Safeway/Tom Thumb in the amount of $94.00 for the Chapter’s activities. The President then challenged the chapter’s members to identify two unique features in this year’s President’s messages in the chapter bulletin. The Compatriot who identifies the special text clues will win dinner for two at the restaurant of the president’s choosing.
Next week we will have a special meeting on December 17, 2005 to install Marine Lance Corporal Karl Klammer into the SAR prior to his deployment to Iraq. The Americanism program was then presented by Second Vice President Charles Baker. In it, he gave a video presentation of the SMU Constitution Day event and of the SAR Color Guard’s participation in the Dallas Veterans Day Parade.
Past State Historian Dr. James Johnson was then introduced, who presented two commemorative bicentennial medals to the chapter. The President next recognized head greater Rick Fawkes and his wife. He then recognized a total of thirty-four guests which included a number of prospective members. This included wives and Compatriot Lauri Crapo, the last President of the Blaine Wilhoite Chapter in Irving. PCP and Jokemeister Art Ingalls then enlivened everyone with the joke for the day.
Treasurer Allen Christian reported that 42 members were in attendance and that the checking account was at $802.36. The Minuteman Fund had a balance of $7,961.43 and the Richie Fund totaled $27,092.12.
The Minutes of the previous meeting (as posted on the website) was read by Bob Clark with only one minor amendment. Registrar, James Templin presented DAR Jacqueline Strickland with the SAR Medal of Appreciation. Mrs. Strickland had also previously donated $100 to the Dallas Public Library in honor of the assistance of our former chapter registrar with her grandsons’ SAR applications. Second Vice President Charles Baker proposed it and it was seconded by Mike McKinney. Registrar Jim Templin then reported that we now have a total of 306 members with nine applications pending. It was also announced that Past Librarian General Lloyd Bockstruck gave a donation to the Genealogy Department of the Dallas Public Library in honor of Tom Whitelock and in gratitude for Lloyd’s award of the Gold Good Citizenship Medal by the NSSAR.
First Vice President Tom Smith then announced that Dallas Police Substation Chief Cindy S. Villarreal wrote a thank you to him for the photos he sent of the November 21, 2005 award ceremony at the Dallas Northwest Police Substation for the five recent police hero awardees. These awards were made by the chapter for the saving of two lives during heavy rain on October 31, 2005.
Chapter Veterans Affairs Co-chairman James Fairbairn then made a request for reading materials to be donated for the Veterans hospitals in Dallas and Bonham. He also reminded all that their VA Affairs tally sheets were due before month’s end. C.A.R. liason PCP Judge Pounders had nothing to report. At that point, President Whitelock described his efforts to obtain a C.A.R. member from Dallas to enter their oration contest. DAR liaison Jack Carney advised that a number of DAR members are attending the December chapter meeting today. Tom Whitelock described his attendance at the DAR Constitution Brunch and thanked the DAR members for attending today’s joint meeting and hoped that they will enjoy the special holiday gift for them located on the tables.
The PCP Jack Carney introduced our speaker for the day, Mrs. Catherine Turocy. In her honor, President Whitelock wore his resplendent Colonial Formal “Party Going” suit to the meeting. Ms. Turocy gave an interesting talk and demonstration of Eighteenth Century dance. At the conclusion of her presentation, Ms. Turocy was presented with a certificate of appreciation and another token of thanks by the chapter in the form of a small gift.
Motion by Judge Tracy Pounders, seconded by Graham Martin, that the following be elected by acclamation for the 2006 term:
|
President |
Tom Smith |
Registrar |
Jim Templin |
|
|
1st Vice President |
Charles Baker |
Historian |
unfilled |
|
|
2nd Vice President |
Bob Clark |
Chaplain |
Frank Pounders |
|
|
Secretary |
Allen Christian |
|||
|
Treasurer |
Byron Christian |
|||
President Whitelock read a resolution in support of Charles Bragg for Genealogist General of the NSSAR. Next we sang Happy Birthday to the Dallas chapter members with December birthdays, particularly those who were in attendance.
After the door prize drawing, Compatriot John Morton, the Chairman of the School children poster contest, announced that preparations are in the works for the event. The Benediction was given by Chaplain Pounders, which was followed by the SAR Closing led by President Whitelock, who adjourned the meeting at 9:59 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,