The Gold Country Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

Minutes of the 19 December 2009 Meeting

At Shady Glen Estates, Colfax

By Compatriot Keith L. Bigbee

President Wayne Griswold called the meeting to order at 2:45 P.M. Earl Young gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Bob Gentry. Smitty Virgil then led the SAR Pledge.

Attendance: There were 19 members, 17 guests, and four junior members in attendance.

General Business: President Griswold asked for a motion to approve the November meeting minutes as published in the newsletter. A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

New Member Inductions: President Griswold then moved into the induction of new members starting with our newest junior member Michael Manifor, followed by the induction of Richard Manifor, Stephen Manifor, Brian Manifor, Kyle Young, and Aaron Young. Both Kyle and Aaron were prior youth registrants and are now junior members. What a great time for so many new members to be inducted. Congratulations to all.

Business: President Griswold then asked for a motion to suspend all business until the January 2010 meeting. A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

Fellowship: Head table introduction were made beginning with Past President Earl Young and his wife Ann, Immediate Past President Keith Bigbee and his wife Cyndy, and Immediate Past CASSAR President and National Trustee Stephen Renouf and his wife Joy. After head table introductions were made, everyone enjoyed a wonderful potluck dinner, including ham, numerous wonderful pasta and potato dishes, and a myriad of delectable desserts.

Presentations: President Griswold then asked Armida Manifor to come forward. She was presented the Medal of Appreciation for her diligent efforts in gathering the necessary documentation for four of the new members inducted earlier in the program.

The Bronze Baron von Steuben Color Guard Medals were awarded to Kyle Young, Aaron Young, and Kile Bigbee for their many years of Color Guard service to the chapter. Joshua Brown and Nathaniel Stowells were not present to receive their awards.

In honor of his many years of paid membership in SAR, Earl Young was presented with a 10-year service pin. Dave Perkins, who was not in attendance, will be presented a 20-year service pin during the next chapter meeting.

Dave Gilliard, Barry Hopkins, Smitty Virgil, Winona Virgil, Bill D. Welch, Jeanette Welch, Earl Young, and Ann Young were recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation for conducting 24 presentations in eleven schools reaching more than 800 students for the Americanism Poster Contest program. This contest is one of our chapter’s landmark activities with a high level of participation. Such success required the time and dedication on the part of these individuals.

Dale Ross was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for his service as captain of the Gold Country Chapter Color Guard as well as member of the CASSAR Color Guard. Dale has done an excellent job of coordinating our Color Guard to ensure we are present at many events.

Dave Gilliard and Keith Bigbee were each awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster for the Meritorious Service Medal, as they are both recipients of this medal. They continue to devote significant time and energy at both the chapter and state levels.

Mike Lucas, who was not in attendance, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding and award-winning efforts as our newsletter editor and webmaster. It was noted that Compatriot Lucas’s editorial skills was awarded the National Society’s Best Chapter Newsletter Award during the Atlanta Congress this past July.

Past CASSAR President and National Trustee Steve Renouf installed the chapter’s new slate of officers for the coming year. Dave Gilliard escorted the following new officers forward to be sworn in.

President (1 year term)	Keith Bigbee
First Vice President	Mike Holmes (not present)
Second Vice President	William A. Welch
Secretary	Ed Beyer
Treasurer	Bruce Choate
Registrar	Smith Virgil
Historian	Barry Hopkins (not present)
Chaplain	Ron Williams (not present)

In closing, President Griswold concluded his awards portions of the program with two final presentations before turning the meeting over to newly installed President Bigbee. He asked Coreena Ross and Cyndy Bigbee to come forward and he presented them with a gift basket from Bath and Body Works. This was in appreciation for the support they had given him during his tenure.

He then asked Past CASSAR President and National Trustee Stephen Renouf and his wife Joy to come forward. He thanked them for their attendance explaining to the chapter that they had attended the last four Christmas parties. In appreciation President Griswold presented them with a gift package from Ghirardelli Chocolate.

President Bigbee presented Past President Griswold with a Past Presidents Pin and an engraved business card holder as a thank you gift from the chapter for his years of service.

Closing: Earl Young gave the Benediction and Bill A. Welch led the SAR Recessional. Meeting was adjourned at 4:15.