Minutes of the Meeting of the Dallas Chapter
TEXAS SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
June 10, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 8:04 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 indicated that he was unaware of health concerns and gave the Invocation for the day.
Past President Tracy Pounders led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag, Past President Jack Carney led the Pledge to the Texas Flag, and Compatriot Martin Lyford led the Pledge to the SAR Flag. President Tom Smith led the members in the singing of "America."
President Tom Smith reported to the membership that Nathan White (SAR, Secretary General) and Compatriot Lee Richie (whose father founded the Richie Fund) were in attendance.
Past President and Head Greeter Ralph McDowell introduced and thanked our Greeters, Compatriots Richard Fawkes, William Barnard and Herbert Jones.
Past President Art Ingalls shared a humorous story with the chapter.
President Tom Smith led the chapter in a discussion regarding the chapter’s meeting starting time. After discussion, Past President Tracey Pounders proposed that the August Chapter Meeting start at 8:30 a.m. Compatriot D. A. Sharpe seconded the proposal. By voice vote, the proposal was approved by the chapter’s members.
Guests and prospective members attending the meeting were then introduced.
Past President Ralph McDowell shared with the membership the generosity of Compatriot James Templin and his wife, Helen, during the annual Polka-Fest Parade in Ennis. Compatriot Templin and his wife provided refreshments to fellow compatriots in his home at the conclusion of the parade. Past President McDowell then presented Compatriot Templin with a photograph of the participants taken during the festivities.
President Tom Smith gave an Americanism presentation to the membership. He shared a story about the service of one of his ancestors, Brigadier General John Lamb, and brought a portrait of General Lamb that was painted by Compatriot Thomas Pelham Curtis, II, of the Wisconsin Society.
President Tom Smith announced that there would be no Chapter Meeting in July as members will be attending the National Congress.
First Vice-President Charles Baker made the following announcements:
ØA short DVD movie, made by the Alabama SAR will be presented during the August Chapter Meeting. He then discussed future presentations as well as guest speakers for the rest of the year.
Ø Future Color Guard events include:
· Flag Day in Dallas at Valley View Mall on June 14, and
· Two Fourth of July Parades in Dallas: Lake Highlands and Park Cities.
President Tom Smith and SAR Secretary General Nathan White presented Meritorious Service Awards to Past President Tom Whitelock and First Vice President Charles Baker.
President Tom Smith presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Past President Jack Carney for his work with the DAR.
By motion from Past President Tracy Pounders and a second from Chaplain Frank Pounders, the reading of the Minutes of the previous meeting (as posted by Chapter Secretary, Allen Christian, on the chapter’s website) was waived and approved by voice vote.
Treasurer Byron Christian reported that 39 members and 7 guests were in attendance. He also reported that the chapter’s checking account balance was $2,155.52, the Minuteman Fund had a balance of $8,200.51, and the Richie Fund balance was $27,294.38.
Second Vice-President Robert Clark reported that the Dallas Chapter has awarded twenty-five Bronze ROTC Medals, one Silver ROTC Medal, and eleven Bronze Good Citizenship Medals to local Dallas area schools.
Registrar Jim Templin reported that the chapter currently has 295 members and has 16 pending applications for membership. The Chapter’s goal is to be over 300 members.
Registrar Jim Templin installed Compatriots James Ivan Latham and Charles Howard Waskow into the Dallas Chapter as members. Compatriot Latham’s ancestor was Patriot Captain George Elliott and Compatriot Waskow’s compatriot was Patriot Stephen Doughty. Compatriot Robert Coker and District VI Vice-President, Tom Whitelock, presented Compatriots Latham and Waskow with membership certificates and lapel rosettes.
District VI Vice-President Tom Whitelock, demonstrating colorful Texas vests, informed the Dallas Chapter members of opportunities to serve as host during the upcoming 2006 SAR Congress meeting to be held in Dallas. He specifically indicated the need for members to assist at the Welcoming Desk each day during the Congress at the hotel. President Tom Smith shared the need for drivers to the barbeque at Storybook Ranch on Saturday evening, July 8.
President Tom Smith then introduced the speaker of the day, SAR Secretary General, Nathan White. Secretary General White talked about the SAR National Congress that will be held in Dallas and stressed the need for membership participation. He recognized the contributions of several Dallas Chapter members for their efforts in the preparation for the SAR National Congress. Secretary General White then discussed his vision for the future of the National and Texas Societies of the SAR. He specifically discussed membership dues and the need for recruiting prominent members and maintaining a strong organizational structure.
Compatriot Robert Clark presented Compatriot Alpheus Sloan with the War Service Medal, for his service during the Vietnam War.
SAR Secretary General Nathan White announced to the membership an opportunity to participate in a drawing: for twenty dollars, a member has an opportunity to win five acres of land located east of El Paso.
After Treasurer Byron Christian presided over the door prize drawings, the Benediction was given by Chaplain Frank Pounders, followed by the SAR Closing led by President Smith, who adjourned the meeting at 9:54 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Allen L. Christian
Secretary, Dallas Chapter-TXSSAR