Minutes of the Meeting of the Dallas Chapter
TEXAS SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
August 12, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 8:32 a.m. in the Mesquite Room at the Embassy Suites (13131 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas) by Chapter President, Tom Smith. Most members had previously processed through the breakfast line.
Past President and Acting Chaplain Art Ingalls indicated that he was unaware of health concerns and gave the Invocation for the Day.
Past President Clifford Slagle led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag, Compatriot John Morton led the Pledge to the Texas Flag, and Compatriot D. A. Sharpe led the Pledge to the SAR Flag. Past President Tracy Pounders led the members in the singing of "America."
Past President and Head Greeter Ralph McDowell introduced and thanked our Greeters, Compatriots Randall Jones and Louis Patterson.
Guests and prospective members attending the meeting were then introduced.
Past President Art Ingalls shared a humorous story with the chapter.
President Tom Smith and Past President Art Ingalls displayed two flintlock rifles that were donated to the Dallas Chapter by Richard G. Clampitt for use in parades and displays.
Compatriot D. A. Sharpe gave an Americanism presentation to the membership. He shared historical information about his ancestor Lt. George P. Sharpe (Scherp).
President Tom Smith made the following announcements:
ØCompatriot John Morton was acknowledged for chairing our Poster Contest where our 2005 Poster Contest Winner, Sara Ludlow, won First Place in the State Contest and Third Place nationally. John has agreed to chair the Poster Contest again this year. Past President Mark Hansen has agreed to serve as Essay Contest Chairman again this year.
ØThe chapter is in need of an Oration Contest Leader.
Ø The Dallas Chapter has again been invited to join the D.A.R. as their guests at the Jane Douglas House during the Texas State Fair (September 29th thru October 22nd). Volunteers were invited to participate by signing up to work a.m. or p.m. shifts during the Fair. Sign-in sheets will again be available at our September 9th meeting.
Ø Current membership rosters were made available to members
ØPresident Tom Smith presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Compatriot Mike McKinney for his service as Chairman of the 2005 Oration Contest.
President Tom Smith announced the availability of a set of new books which describes the History of the Texas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, titled “Volumes I & II of the TXSSAR History (from 1896 – 2005)”. He acknowledged the participation of Past President Tom Whitelock as a contributor to the production of the books.
Registrar Jim Templin announced that the Dallas Chapter currently has 298 members and 15 members pending. He announced that pending members could check their application status online at www.sar.org.
Registrar Jim Templin then presented chapter Secretary Allen Christian with a Supplemental Membership Certificate for the service of his ancestor Patriot William Skelton.
Registrar Jim Templin installed Compatriots George Alfred Monroe, Wayne Curtis Pedigo, Franklin Chester Rembert, and Michael Sheldon Smith into the Dallas Chapter as members. Compatriot Monroe’s ancestor was Patriot John Cochran, Compatriot Pedigo’s ancestor was Patriot Bailey Anderson, Sr., Compatriot Franklin Rembert’s ancestor was Patriot Alijah Rembert, and Compatriot Michael Smith’s ancestor was Patriot Captain John Wall. Membership certificates and lapel rosettes were presented to the new Compatriots.
By motion from Past President Tracy Pounders and a second from Compatriot John Morton, 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 33 members and 14 guests were in attendance. He also reported that the chapter’s checking account balance was $1,874.93, the Minuteman Fund had a balance of $8,264.25, and the Richie Fund balance was $27,506.58.
Second Vice-President Robert Clark reported that he had just returned from a meeting of the Board of Managers where he now serves as TXSSAR Chancellor. He had no other announcements.
District VI Vice-President Tom Whitelock reported that the hospitality demonstrated during the 116th NSSAR Congress by the Dallas Chapter was both appreciated and outstanding. He then presented framed Certificates of Appreciation to the following participants: Dick Arnold, Barbara Baker, Charles Baker, Jack Carney, Robert Clark, Bob Coker, Garland Fairbairn, Grady Fairbairn, James Farbairn, Rick Fawkes, Mark Hansen, Art Ingalls, Martin Lyford, Graham Martin, John Morton, Ralph McDowell, Frank Pounders, Tracy Pounders, Lee Richie, D. A. Sharpe, Cliff Slagle, Barbara Smith, Tom Smith, James Templin, and Hank Voegtle.
District VI Vice-President Tom Whitelock then presented a special award to Compatriot John Morton for his faithful service of hospitality during the National Congress.
First Vice-President Charles Baker acknowledged the special participation of the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts during the Fourth of July parade in Lake Highlands. He presented Scoutmaster Ken Meaders (Scout Troop 890) and Scout John Housewright (Not present at the time.) Certificates of Appreciation for their participation in the parade. In addition, each Scout received a $2 bill. He also presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Cub Scout Pack 890. Cub Scout Pack Master Stephen Hotz accepted the award.
Dr. Baker showed a video of part of the Memorial Service from the July Dallas Congress and then presented the film ‘Spirit of Liberty”, produced by American Village, located in Alabama as the presentation of the day. He announced that Dr. Ed Countryman, an SMU Professor, would present “Spies and Traitors during the American Revolution” at the September Chapter meeting.
After Treasurer Byron Christian presided over the door prize drawings, the Benediction was given by Acting Chaplain Art Ingalls, followed by the SAR Closing led by President Smith, who adjourned the meeting at 9:58 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Allen L. Christian
Secretary, Dallas Chapter-TXSSAR