The Gold Country Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

Minutes of the 25 April 2009 Meeting

At Lou LaBonte’s Restaurant, Auburn

By Compatriot Keith L. Bigbee

President Wayne A. Griswold called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. Earl Young gave the Invocation. Smith Virgil led the Pledge of Allegiance and Dale Ross led the SAR Pledge.

Attendance: Twelve members and eleven guests attended the meeting.

Guests Recognized: President Griswold recognized guest speaker Jack Duncan and his wife. Also in attendance were DAR members Coreena Ross and Ann Young from the Capt. John Oldham Chapter; Io Beyer and Winona Virgil from the Emigrant Trails Chapter.

General Business: President Griswold asked for a motion approving the March meeting minutes as published in the chapter's newsletter. Dave Gilliard so moved, Bob McClurg seconded, all in favor, the motion was carried.

Repots:

Treasurer: Bruce Choate reported the chapter had a current balance of $15,935.93 in our Vanguard account and $832.25 in our checking account. He also reported that voluntary pledges are coming in and he will have a more detailed account in the near future. He noted the primary expense this period was for the poster contest awards.

Secretary: Keith Bigbee thanked Compatriot Young for taking the minutes in March and reported that two letters were received from Travis USO thanking the chapter for its generous support. President Griswold inquired as to how much we had donated to Travis USO this year. The treasurer reported that $392 has been donated thus far. Compatriot Wayne Ford spoke about his personal experiences in using the USO and what a valuable service it is. Compatriot Dave Perkins then shared that he had recently received the inaugural issue of the USO magazine On Patrol which illustrates all they do for our service members and their families. He also shared his personal experiences with using these services and noted that, in his opinion, there is no better program to support. He handed the magazine to President Griswold to review and to make available to other chapter members who would like to see it.

Registrar: Smith Virgil reported that no new applications or supplementals were submitted but he expects to receive two next week for submission.

Genealogist/Membership: Earl Young reported there were two applications out for signature and four more expected shortly. He noted the Junior Membership Committee would be receiving more information next week. President Griswold urged those members of the committee, who had not yet commented on Earl's email regarding the program, to submit their comments to him as soon as possible so we can move forward with this valuable program.

Chaplain: Ron Williams was not in attendance. Wayne Griswold commented there was nothing to report; however if someone has any knowledge of a member who was in need of a sympathy or get well card to please let Ron know.

Programs:

JROTC: President Griswold reported that Mike Holmes will be presenting Outstanding Cadet Awards at South Lake Tahoe May 8th and at Florin High School May 27th.

Color Guard: Dale Ross noted that there are three current requests for our Color Guard to join Color Guard members from other chapters: Wreaths across America in Dixon on Memorial Day, the opening ceremony for Sacramento County Veteran's Service Center at McClellan AFB on June 1st, and a SAR Proclamation at the San Francisco Presidio, honoring our Spanish compatriots on June 27th. Interested members should contact Color Guard Captain Dale Ross. If you do not have a uniform, one can be secured for you.

Eagle Scout: Dale Ross said he has distributed four packets recently.

Valley Forge: Earl Young reported that our sponsored applicant, Julie Longtin of Meadow Vista, was selected for the Valley Forge Teacher Program. She is very excited and grateful for this opportunity. It was noted that Gold Country has sponsored six winning teachers for this insightful program, the most of any chapter in the state.

Poster Contest: Dave Gilliard reported that there were eight entrants at the state level and Gold County Chapter's entrants took 1st and 2nd place, with third place going to our sister chapter, Mother Lode.

CASSAR Meeting Report:

Several Gold Country members attended the CASSAR spring meeting last week and President Griswold asked them to share their experiences.

Compatriot Young spoke first noting that Gold Country Chapter again took the award for Best Large Chapter, as we have consistently done since we became a large chapter (72+ members.) In addition, Gold Country Chapter took first place in several chapter award categories. A listing of the awards is shown on page 9. (Editor’s Note: A listing of chapter awards through the years can be viewed at http://www.goldcountrysar.org/awards.html.) Earl noted that the $20 application fee for junior membership was abolished bringing the youth registrant and junior membership programs closer into alignment. Earl congratulated President Griswold on his receipt of the Distinguished Service Medal. This is the highest medal awarded by the State and each president may only award one during his term. Everyone acknowledged it was well deserved.

Compatriot Bigbee added that this was a very productive meeting. He noted that there were by-laws revisions including a new conflict of interest policy and there was discussion on new regulations for a 501(c)3 organization. A budget was approved which included increased amounts for the youth programs, and they are working on document retention. He then announced that he was elected VP North.

President Griswold then announced the other chapter members that were elected to state office at the meeting: Earl Young, State Genealogist; Dave Gilliard, State Poster Contest Chair; and Wayne Griswold as California Society Executive Vice President. President Griswold also pointed out that Keith Bigbee was awarded the Silver Von Steuben Color Guard medal and Robert E. Burt Boy Scout Volunteer Medal.

David Perkins spoke concerning his pride in the growth of this chapter. As the only participating charter member, he recalled the days when the chapter was unknown at the state level; now hearing a report that we are the leading chapter in the state in the number of awards and officers is a wonderful accomplishment.

Cyndy Bigbee reported on the activities of the Ladies' Auxiliary, noting that in order to meet IRS guidelines the Life Membership program will be abolished; each Life Member will become a Founding Member and be offered the return of their $100 fee. Yearly dues were raised from $5 to $10. She encouraged all ladies to join and to attend a state meeting if they ever have the opportunity.

Coreena Ross thanked the group for the opportunity to serve as CASSAR Ladies Auxiliary president. She noted that the auxiliary will be including recognition for the poster contest winner in future contests.

Unfinished Business: President Griswold said Special Election poll workers program is on target. There is still need for a morning shift (6:00A.M.-Noon) worker in Roseville. Contact Wayne to volunteer. So far there are eleven members signed up for the CALSTAR group plan. Four more are needed to get the group rate.

Guest Speaker: Dave Gilliard introduced Mr. Jack Duncan. Mr. Duncan was born in Sacramento and resides in Sterling City. He was an Air Force Navigator in WWII and has a B.S .in Mechanical Engineering. He retired from a career at Lawrence Livermore Labs in the design and testing of nuclear weapons. He has written two books; one is on highway locations in Placer County and the other on the construction of the railroad at Cape Horn. In his spare time he enjoys restoring antique automobiles.

Mr. Duncan had an extensive slide presentation documenting his research on the facts versus legends surrounding the construction of the thirteen miles of railroad encompassing Cape Horn. He addressed such questions as whether there were deaths, how sheer the cliff was, and tools used in carving out the track. Much of his information was gained through collaboration with Ed Strobridge, a direct descendant of the original superintendent of the project. He pointed out several inconsistencies in the historical reporting of this amazing feat. As he noted, there are no primary sources of information. All we know is anecdotal or second hand. As with all historical information, legends appear real as they are repeated through time. Mr. Duncan also presented information on how the Cape Horn area had been altered as engines became larger and heavier. It was a very insightful and interesting presentation. At the conclusion of his presentation, President Griswold presented Mr. Duncan with a Certificate of Appreciation.

New Business: Coreena Ross is the program director for the 2009 Cub Scout Day Camp in Nevada City. There is expected to be 400-450 youth and adult leaders there. They are seeking volunteer aid to prepare and serve the BBQ on June 20th. As this is a regular meeting day, she was hoping the chapter could meet prior at the LDS church where she has secured a room. Earl Young made a motion which was seconded by Keith Bigbee. The motion was approved and carried. More information will follow.

President Griswold announced that, as he will become CASSAR President in April of 2010, the chapter will be hosting the spring meeting. This will be discussed further at the Executive Board Meeting immediately following today’s meeting. President Griswold invited any interested members to attend.

Closing: There was a moment of Silence in Remembrance of Passed Chapter Compatriots. Earl Young gave the Benediction and Dave Perkins led the SAR Recessional. The helmet was passed around for contributions to the Travis USO. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 A.M.