The Gold Country Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

Minutes of the 21 February 2009

President Wayne A. Griswold called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. Bill A. Welch gave the Invocation. Bob McClurg led the Pledge of Allegiance and Bill Anderson led the SAR Pledge.

Attendance: Eighteen members and five guests attended the meeting.

Guests Recognized: President Griswold recognized guest speaker Sonja Vargas of CALSTAR, Crane Walden who recently transferred from the Sacramento Chapter, as well as Compatriots Supervisor Jim Holmes and Mayor Mike Holmes. Also in attendance were DAR members Jeanette Welch of the Gold Trails Chapter; Coreena Ross, Joanne Cupp, and Ann Young from the Capt. John Oldham Chapter; Io Beyer from the Emigrant Trail Chapter.

President Griswold presented Compatriots Bill D. Welch and Dave Gilliard with Distinguished Service Certificates for their exemplary service to the chapter. He also presented Certificates of Appreciation to Compatriots Bill Anderson and Andy Rowe for their help with the elections last year. He then presented Compatriot Ernie McPhearson with both the State Society Von Stueben Medal and the National Bronze Color Guard Medal. President Griswold thanked Ernie for the stamped Medallions he provided the National Congress.

Guest Speaker: Our Guest Speaker Sonja Vargas, Community Service Coordinator with CALSTAR, provided a great power point presentation on all the history and aspects of the CALSTAR Program. Since 1983, CALSTAR has been saving lives throughout Northern and Central California. They have flown over 35,000 patients quickly and safely. They are a private, not for profit organization. Their mission is to save lives, reduce disability, and speed recovery for victims of trauma and illness through rapid transport, quality medical care, and education. There are twelve bases throughout California with sister bases in several western states. They are activated by the 911 systems and respond within five minutes. She spoke of the different type of accidents they respond to year round including skiing and motorcycle. Sonja also spoke of the “Golden Hour”, that first hour of critical care.

She also provided the Chapter with an opportunity to join the CALSTAR membership program. After the presentation, President Griswold presented Sonja with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Reports:

Americanism Poster Contest: Chairman Dave Gilliard reported the chapter had received a $250.00 donation from Assemblyman Roger Niello. A letter of appreciation has been sent to Assemblyman Niello. The team has visited ten schools making 21 presentations to approximately 815 students. Pre-judging will take place March 14th at 9:00 A.M. in the community room at Shady Glen Estates. Final judging will take place at the March 21st regular meeting.

Secretary: Keith Bigbee reported $69.00 had been collected at the January meeting for the Travis USO and that he had made copies of recent Supplemental Applications and passed them on to Membership Chairman Earl Young.

Treasurer: Bruce Choate reported the chapter had a current balance of $14,910.19 in our Vanguard account and $3,120.00 in our checking account.

Registrar: Earl Young reported for Smith Virgil, who was not at the meeting, that there were six new applications at National and one Supplemental Application for Andy Rowe.

Genealogist/Membership: Earl Young reported there were currently 32 on the list for possible membership with the support of Io Beyer. He also reminded us of the Youth Member planning meeting following the meeting.

Chaplain: Ron Williams was not in attendance; Wayne Griswold commented there was nothing to report. Everyone was encouraged to inform Ron if someone knows of a member in need of remembrance or encouragement.

Programs:

JROTC: Mike Holmes reported that he had attended the Whitney High School JROTC Ball and presented an award to the outstanding cadet. Mike also spoke of the trouble with low enrollment in the JROTC programs. The award presentation for South Lake Tahoe will be coming up in April or May.

Color Guard: Dale Ross noted that there would be a Color Guard presentation March 7th at 2:00 P.M. in the Lakeside Room at Auburn Regional Park for the John Oldham Chapter DAR. The Color Guard will also be doing a flag folding ceremony. (Editor’s Note: This event was subsequently cancelled.)

Eagle Scout: Dale Ross said that he had recently received four applications.

Knight Essay: Earl reported that Michael Miller, a senior at Colfax High School, was the Chapter winner of the Knight Essay Contest.

Valley Forge: Earl Young reported that he had received an application from Juli Longtin of Meadow Vista for the Valley Forge Teacher Program.

Unfinished Business: President Griswold said the special election has been set for May 19th by the state. He also said we are still looking for volunteers for Secretary and chairmen for the Knight Essay and the Valley Forge Programs.

New Business: President Griswold showed a flyer for Compatriot Dave Perkin’s new book Tales of a One -Room Country School. His book is available from Amazon.com.

Closing: There was a moment of Silence in Remembrance of Passed Chapter Compatriots. Bill A. Welch gave the Benediction and Wayne Ford led the SAR Recessional. A total of $97.00 was collected for the Travis USO. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 A.M.