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September 15, 2005

 

TO:  Vice Presidents, Officers, and Chapter Presidents

 

FROM:  President

 

SUBJECT:  Quarterly Progress Report and Summary, July through September, No. 2

 

A.  Progress of Stated Objectives:

 

  1. Membership.  The society has met the year-end goal of 675 active members.  We must maintain this plateau entering into the next year, beginning 2006 dues collection now.  Waiting until November to begin collection is too late.  On January 1, 2006, Harry Goodman, Treasurer, will drop from active membership all delinquencies.   Next come the reinstatements, and we never recapture all those dropped for non-payment of dues.  The goal is to enter 2006 with at least 675 active members on the society’s roster.

  2. New Chapters.  Shortly after the release of this report the General Francis Nash Chapter (Chapel Hill and surrounding counties – central area) will meet to reorganize.  I congratulate Claude Snow for his initiative and wish him and the chapter the best.  Randy Steele anticipates an October organizational meeting in the Boone/Blowing Rock area to form the nucleus of a new western area chapter.  Over in the eastern portion of our society discussions continue for a new chapter in the Elizabeth City area.

  3. Observances.  Chapter activities should orient around and be focused on society-sponsored events rather than chapter scheduled activities. Every chapter is asked to be represented at every major NC Society celebration.  These include the following six events in annual order:  Moores Creek Bridge, Guilford Courthouse, Halifax Day, Patriots Day, Ramsours Mill, and Kings Mountain.  The schedule for each is listed on the web site’s Calendar and Events Page.  225th anniversary celebrations are planned at both Kings Mountain (October 7, 2005) and Guilford Courthouse (March 18, 2006).

  4. Fund Raising.  When the request for assistance from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina was received, many if not all of us reached into our pockets and gladly gave money to the Red Cross and Salvation Army.  This was an act of mercy and compassion for the storm survivors.  In the same manner donations by you for a specific purpose or contributing to a specific fund raising activity provide needed relief to the society.  Monetary relief is needed to eventually restore the oration contest.  It is a goal to participate in the poster contest this year.  We need to increase the cash awards currently presented to the winners of our remaining society contests, and it is our intent to host the National Congress in 2011.  We now have a method to receive your much-needed assistance.  The instructions are on the web site.  Use the navigation bar on the left side of the site and locate Donate to the NCSSAR and double click on this page.  The instructions provide all the information needed to make a contribution for a worthy cause and to provide relief to the society.  Here you will find great flexibility with sending a tax-deductible donation.  Your gift of assistance or relief for a worthy cause makes a big difference.  The fundraising goal is $10,000 over the next two years.  Current year-to-date donations received equal $500.

  5. Communication/Visits. The Treasurer General (TG), Bruce Wilcox, has just published an article in The SAR Magazine titled SAR Outreach Programs located on Page 4 of the Summer Edition.  This article is a product of a committee chairmanship given him by President General (PG) Roland Downing.  TG Wilcox, Chairman of the Task Force to Develop Outreach Support, is charged with educating the general membership on the functions and value of the existing programs and to gain an expression of support.  On my visits to your chapters I will bring the same message – Outreach Programs, the benefits of each to you and for those lives we seek to enrich.  To help reach out to everyone across our society you are needed to first encourage the members to read TG Wilcox’s article.  I will follow up on this with my own presentation beginning at the board of managers meeting next month.  My travel schedule is posted on the society web site.

  6. National Society Activities.  Unchanged from the previous or report

  7. State/National Conventions.  The next state annual convention will be conducted in Raleigh, NC.  In keeping with the spirit of Article VII of our society Constitution, the convention dates are 7 – 9 April.  This is as close to April 12th – Halifax Day – as it can get.  The Convention Planning Committee has executed the contract for another exciting general meeting of the membership.  PG Downing has received and accepted our invitation to be with us in Raleigh.   Again referencing The SAR Magazine beginning on Page 10 of the Summer Edition, the 115th Annual Congress was a great success because it is was a great event.  The delegation from your society had a wonderful time.            Congratulations to those members receiving national awards and well deserved national society recognition.  116th Annual Congress is scheduled July 8th through the 12th inside the Intercontinental Hotel in Dallas, Texas.  If you have not experienced this before, consider attending.

 

B.  Period Summary.

 

John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene Chapter, has been appointed as the new chairman of the essay contest.  We also have a need for a Chancellor.  Although not a demanding position, Chancellor is a great way to volunteer legal opinions, and the need for this specialized advice arises from time to time.  If you know of anyone suited for this job please contact me.  This past July I attended the 115th National Congress in Louisville, KY.  Later that month I brought greetings from the society to the youth attending the 55th SE Regional CAR Meeting in Greensboro, NC.  During the period I attended chapter meetings in Wilmington at the annual picnic, Fayetteville X 2, and the Salisbury Chapter’s joint meeting with the LTC John Phifer Chapter.  I also attended a portion of the NC CAR Summer Workshop in Raleigh and met with VPG Williams in Southern Pines for a short coordination meeting.  At the end of this period our strength is 703 compatriots.