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June 15, 2005

TO:  Vice Presidents, Officers and Chapter Presidents

FROM:  Joe E. Harris, Jr., President NCSSAR

SUBJECT:  Quarterly Progress Report and Summary

The intent of this list is to provide you with a periodic look at our activities in order to keep you abreast of the issues we often struggle with as an organization.  I will begin each summary with an overview of our condition according to the stated objectives.

  1. Membership.  Secretary Frank Horton (Marquis de Lafayette Chapter) continues to send me a steady flow of new member certificates for signature.  Most of these are assigned to a chapter.  Those that are not assigned are pushed in the direction of the closest chapter.  We are on track to meet the year-end goal of 675 active members but your diligence with dues collection this fall will determine if this goal is met – something to think about for now and organize for later.
  2. New Chapters.  Randy Steele, Trustee Elect (LTC John Phifer Chapter), continues to recruit for a new chapter in the northwest (Boone) section of the society.  Claude Snow (GEN Francis Nash Chapter) of Chapel Hill, NC has committed to reorganizing the General Francis Nash Chapter and has laid out a plan of action to do so.  Steve Pittard, Eastern Area VP (Marquis de Lafayette Chapter), is working the northeastern (Elizabeth City) section of the society and hopes to create a new chapter there.  The goal is to create a new chapter in each area of the society.
  3. Observances.  We are not unified as a society with respect to this goal.  Participation for in-state sites and celebrations is poor based on my observations.  Instate society observances must be scheduled and not over looked or cast a side.  Chapter activities should orient around and be focused on society sponsored events not chapter scheduled activities.  The Battle of Kings Mountain (October 7, 2005) is the next in-state sponsored observance.  The Marquis de Lafayette Chapter is the hosting chapter of this 225th anniversary celebration.  This is a National Society calendared event.
  4. Fund Raising.    An area neglected and long over due for attention has finally been initiated.  Thanks to Bob Owens (LTC Felix Walker Chapter) we now have a method to receive donations and bequeaths for the society’s use.  Participating in the new Charitable Gift Program (CGP) is one way to build a stronger society.  We are now receiving gifts, and thank you for your interest and generosity in building a stronger society.  To date, we have received $500 in donated funds other than for the JROTC Endowment Fund, the George Washington Endowment Fund or the Center for Advancing America’s Heritage.
  5. Communication/Visits.  We must communicate to be organized.  This aspect of society operations is occurring, but we need to do more.  Talk to your members – share your information.  Be it by newsletters, web sites, casual meetings, email, telephone calls or structured activities, communicating our purpose creates a sense of awareness and belonging.  Thanks to Steve Avent (Halifax Resolves Chapter) we now enjoy one of the most user friendly and attractive web sites anywhere in the National Society.  I just cannot over emphasize the use of www.ncssar.com as an instant trove of pertinent information.
  6.  National Society Activities.  The next National Trustees meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2005 in Louisville, KY.  The day prior, September 30, is a workday for all the national committees.  All compatriots are encouraged to attend this two-day affair.  In my view, national trustee meetings are mini conventions – fewer folks in a convention atmosphere.  The trustees meet twice a year; once in the fall and again in the spring.  Refer to www.sar.org for more information pertaining to the national trustees meetings.
  7. State/National Conventions.    The Raleigh Chapter has graciously consented to host our next State Annual Convention, April 7-9, 2006.  In conjunction with this convention, C.D. Williams, Vice President General Elect (Blue Ridge Chapter), will conduct a South Atlantic States District meeting.     As the first quarter of society operations (since the installation of officers) draws to an end, many of us are preparing to attend the 115th Annual Congress, July 2-6, 2005 (national convention) in Louisville, KY.  The congress is a great event – just ask anyone who has experienced one.  If you have not attended, you ought to seriously consider it in 2006 – Dallas, TX.

 On April 9th a new term began with an installation of officers at the conclusion of the state annual convention.  The LTC Felix Walker Chapter conducted a fine operation in Asheville, NC and is to be congratulated for a job well done. The next day I met with the four vice presidents to discuss our society’s objectives and to identify chairmen for our various committees.  A chairman for the essay contest remains unidentified otherwise we have a balanced mix of chairmen spanning the width of the society.  Halifax Day, April 12th, hosted by the Halifax Resolves Chapter, a National Society calendared event, has progressed well but rainfall on a weekday, Tuesday, created conditions for poor attendance.   C. D. Williams and I traveled to Sarasota, FL in late April and attended the South Atlantic States District meeting conducted by the district VPG.  At this meeting I nominated C. D. for district VPG.  His nomination was unopposed and the vote unanimous.  He will be installed on July 6th at the National Congress.  During the month of May, I attended two chapter meetings (Halifax Resolves and Marquis de Lafayette) and two very well planned and executed Revolutionary War observances – Patriots’ Day on May 14th (Alamance Battleground Chapter) at the Alamance Battleground State Park and Buford’s Massacre (SCSSAR) at the Lancaster County, SC Park.  Our color guardsmen provided outstanding support for these in and out-of-state events.  On June 11th the Catawba Valley Chapter conducted an outstanding memorial service and grave marking ceremony at the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill near Lincolnton, NC.  This was another national society calendared event and again, thanks to our color guardsmen for their strong support at the Ramsour’s Mill observance.  At the end of this period our strength is 688 compatriots.