Minutes of the Meeting of the Dallas Chapter
TEXAS SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
February 11, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 8:08 a.m. in the Ballroom at the Embassy Suites, (13131 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas) by Chapter President, Tom Smith. Most members had previously processed through the breakfast line.
Chaplain Frank Pounders reported that Helen Templin’s (wife of Compatriot Jim Templin) health has improved, and she is returning home from the hospital today. Also, Compatriot Laurie Crapo is in ill health and deserving of our prayers. Chaplain Pounders reported that Compatriot Philip Montgomery, Jr., has passed away. The Chaplain then proceeded to give the Invocation for the day.
The Pledges of Allegiance to the United States Flag, the Texas Flag, and the Pledge to the SAR were respectively led by Compatriots Martin Lyford, Mike McKinney, and Tracy Pounders. Dallas Chapter President, Tom Smith led the members in the singing of "America."
Compatriot Ralph McDowell introduced and thanked our Greeters: Mark Hansen, Glenn Toal and Randy Jones. Our Guests at the meeting were then introduced.
President Tom Smith announced an opportunity for members to attend a Distinguished Lecture Series, presented by Dr. John Boles, at Saint Michael and all Angels Church, Saturday, February 18, from 9 to 12 a.m. The subject of the lecture is “The Faith of Our Founding Fathers” and “The American Ideal of Religious Freedom.” A handout was made available to members.
John Morton, Poster Contest Chairman, announced that eleven posters were available for members to critique in order to select the best to become the Dallas Chapter’s representative in the Elementary School Poster Contest. The poster contest’s theme for this year is “Winter at Valley Forge.”
President Smith announced that the annual meeting of the TXSSAR will be held at Sugarland, Texas, on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of March. He indicated that registration forms were available on-line.
President Smith informed the membership that the chapter has lost approximately 30 members. He asked members to actively recruit prospective members with a goal of one new member for each Compatriot.
Compatriot Art Ingalls shared a humorous story with the chapter.
President Smith then acknowledged that Compatriot Charles Baker had a birthday during the month of February.
By motion from Tracy Pounders and a second from Dick Jones, the reading of the Minutes of the previous meeting (as posted on the website) was waived and approved by a unanimous voice vote.
Treasurer Byron Christian reported that 38 members and 14 guests were in attendance. He also reported that the chapter’s checking account balance was $362.35, the Minuteman Fund had a balance of $8,087.08, and the Richie Fund balance was $27, 313.48.
Registrar Jim Templin inducted five new members into the chapter. The five new members are Compatriots
Bradley David Bender, David James Bender, Alpheus Sloan, III, Randall Brackin Jones, and Patrick William Jones. Their respective ancestors were Captain Nathaniel Austin, Captain John Sloan, and Jonathan Franklin.
Past President John Warterfield was presented a Twenty-Five Year Membership Certificate and Pin honoring his years of membership in the SAR and the Dallas Chapter by President Smith.
Past President Tracy Pounders was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for his service as liaison to the CAR.
Perfect Attendance Awards were presented to Art Ingalls, Ralph McDowell, Robert Spence, and Tom Whitelock. It was noted that Ralph McDowell has 12 years of perfect attendance and Tom Whitelock has 5 years of perfect attendance.
Second Vice-President Robert Clark asked for volunteers from the membership to aid in the presentation of ROTC and Good Citizenship Awards to local high schools and colleges.
Past President Mark Hansen, Essay Contest Chairman, introduced our George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest winner, Erica Lastufka. Erica read her essay titled “Hidden Heroes: Revolutionary War Intelligence” to the membership. Erica was awarded with a Certificate and a check for three hundred dollars.
Compatriot Grady Fairbairn reported the need for reading material for area veterans’ hospitals. He also shared that the Dallas Military Ball will occur on the 4th of March and invited members to attend.
First Vice-President Charles Baker made the following announcements:
ØThe Color Guard will represent the chapter on March 6th at the Gaylord Texan by the Presenting of the Colors at the convention of the International Gas Processors.
ØThe speaker for the March chapter meeting will be Major General Charles Bond of Chenault’s Flying Tigers of World War II.
First Vice-President Charles Baker then introduced the speaker for the day, Dr. Jody Potts. Dr. Potts presented “Remembering the Bill Of Rights” where she integrated techniques that utilized both the left and right hemispheres of the brain to facilitate learning. After the talk, Dr. Baker presented Dr. Potts with a Certificate of Appreciation and Liberty Bell.
President Smith asked for Other Business. Past-President Tom Whitelock reported that Cory Sikes would represent Region 2 in the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oratory Contest.
After the door prize drawing, the Benediction was given by Chaplain Pounders, which was followed by the SAR Closing led by President Smith, who adjourned the meeting at 9:55 a.m.
After the meeting, the members gathered for a group picture for the State Historian and member voting was completed for the best poster.
Respectively submitted,
Dr. Allen L. Christian
Secretary, Dallas Chapter-TXSSAR