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March 15, 2006

TO:  Vice Presidents, Officers, and Chapter Presidents

FROM:  President

SUBJECT:  Quarterly Progress Report and Summary, January through March, No. 4

 A.  Progress of Stated Objectives:  

  1. Membership.  Including dual (14) and life (25) members, the society reported 660 members for the year ending December 31, 2005.  Losses resulting from non-payment/collection of dues dropped our strength below 675 members beginning January 1, 2006.  The objective is to end 2006 with 775 members.  
  2. New Chapters.  The General Francis Nash Chapter ( Chapel Hill ) is on the verge of reactivation.  When active again, this chapter will become part of the Central Area.  There is much interest for new chapters in Elizabeth City/Greenville, and “Little” Washington .  These would fill a large void currently present in the northeastern section of the society.  Hope for a new western area chapter in Boone still exists.    
  3. Observances.  Every chapter should present a wreath at each annual major society event.  There are only six – two in each area.  There has been observed improvement in chapter participation at our historical celebrations.  
  4. Fund Raising.  The 2006 Fundraising Project has begun.  Sales are brisk.  To date the cash outlay (- $2,500) has been recovered.  Net profit from sales is approximately $1,000 and increasing with each $25 ticket sold.  Charitable Giving Program (CGP) to date has yielded $2,000.  Money generated from fundraising and CGP will be used for the 2011 Centennial Celebration.
  5. Communication/Visits.  We are talking to one another but the connectivity can be improved.  We continue to devise ways to inform the membership of our activities in and out of state.  An informed society is a healthy society.  Improved communications through innovation have been noteworthy.
  6. National Society Activities.  Seven compatriots attended the Spring Leadership Conference/Trustees Meeting (February 24/25, 2006) in Louisville , KY.   This was a respectable turn out and indicates the level of interest your society has taken with the business affairs of the national society. 
  7. State/National Conventions.  Convention registration forms are posted on the respective web sites.  This is considered to be an annual meeting (state/national) of the general membership.  The state annual convention meets April 7-9 in Raleigh and the Annual  Congress meets July 8-13 in Dallas , Texas .   

 B.  Period Summary.

 The following positions need immediate fillers – volunteers needed: 

Ø      Arthur M. and Berdena Kings Eagle Scout Scholarship coordinator (previous BSA experience is desired)

Ø      Junior ROTC and Senior ROTC Medals and Certificates coordinator (no experience required)

The final quarter of the first year (of a two-year term) has been another very active period.  Many of us have participated in celebrations of great magnitude.  The 225th anniversaries in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War have inspired us to pay our respects for what was accomplished on the battlefields of South and North Carolina .  But aside from these major sites and celebrations other significant events have occurred this period. 

For the first time since being implemented the society will participate in the Americanism Elementary School Poster Contest for fourth and fifth grade students.  We have also recently reactivated the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest for high school age students.  Both of these contests are aimed at our children, and are focused on their understanding of the country’s struggle for independence.  These programs create educational opportunities for our young people to learn about their country, and it also provides an excellent vehicle for them to learn about the SAR.  During this period many of us participated in living history presentations.  We should use every opportunity to enter the classroom and teach when invited.  The other Youth Programs (George M. and Stella S. Knight Essay, Arthur M. and Berdena King Eagle Scout, and Outstanding J.R.O.T.C. Cadet contests) are in various stages of determining a winner. 

While local chapter activities continue to attract prospective new members, others of us are working on the national scene.  The society’s level of involvement in national committee work continues to increase, and this kind of interfacing brings home more light – as they say – to share, thus generating more interest, and appeal for what we are about, and for what we attempt to accomplish.  The society is engaged in a fundraising project for the first time in many years.  All our chapters are involved in the project, and though it produces additional revenue, it also helps to unify us. 

We have made it known that our intention is to host the National Congress in 2011 – the society’s 100th birthday year.  This has been clearly communicated from our representatives to the members of the Congress Planning Committee.  Now we are generating the funds needed to celebrate our existence that began in 1911.  The society’s Charitable Giving Program received another cash donation this period, and our George Washington Endowment Fund campaign produced three more Fellows.  The society treasurer is receiving capital building funds for the development of the Center for Advancing America’s Heritage (CAAH).  A gift from the society (Society Friend) will be donated as soon as one thousand dollars is collected.  Every chapter is asked to make a contribution. 

During this period several new products were released to assist in our business operations.  A webzine was studied and now is an addition to our expanding website.  Upgrades to the website continue to enhance its effectiveness for our member’s use.  The society’s official handbook was updated and is currently being upgraded for greater support to the leadership of every chapter.  Members of the society continue to strengthen their bonds with our female counter-part (DAR) and the children’s organization (CAR).    Efforts continue to distribute national society educational outreach and youth recognition programs post cards to every compatriot.  This busy period culminates the first year of a two-year term in office.  At quarter’s end our strength is 675 compatriots.

 I wish to visit to the Bethabara Chapter, Blue Ridge Chapter, LTC Felix Walker Chapter, and LTC John Phifer Chapter.  These should be scheduled through the appropriate Area Vice President.