Minutes of the December 17, 2005 meeting of the Tampa Chapter SAR

President Bolen called the meeting to order at 12:03. Chaplain Luke Lloyd offered the invocation. Marty Miller led the pledge to the flag and the President led the pledge to the SAR.

Members present: Jack Bolen, Marty Miller, Luke Lloyd, Barry Marler, Ed Leary- a new transfer from the Maryland society, Robert Yarnell, and Kevin Yarnell.

Welcome guests: June Bolen, Allison Williams, Jeanne Lloyd, Mrs. Marler, five CAR members and their advisor.

The weather being poor the president postponed the business until after lunch and recessed the group for that purpose.

President Bolen reconvened the meeting.

The SAR membership approved the minutes of the November meeting as published in the newsletter.

The secretary reported that the annual report was coming along with 22 of 32 members having renewed. The president offered to contact these people.

The treasurer reported a balance of $2,397.99. This does not include the recently collected dues.

June Bolen offered an update on the health of Janett Tetrick.

The president made a few comments regarding membership issues for our chapter. He had published an article on this topic in the December newsletter. The primary concerns are the lack of any significant growth and the aging of the current members. He read excerpts from an email from John Skillman who spends time in Virginia and reported on how the meetings there are conducted.

The President passed on suggestions that had been made that might help the visibility of the organization. A color guard is a possibility. The state is working on a program wherein 1 minute radio spots are aired on local radio stations. A brief discussion followed. The president’s intent was to raise the issues and have a more in depth discussion in January.

Barry Marler, our newest and youngest member, was in attendance having just returned from his first semester at Georgia Tech. The President called on Barry to share some of his experiences during the semester. Following his remarks the Secretary presented Barry with an Eagle Scout award in reorganization of his Eagle Scout achievement last summer.

The next item of business was the election of officers. A quorum was certified and no nominations were offered from the floor. A motion was made and seconded to elect the slate of nominates as published. The slate was elected unanimously.

The CAR then presented their program. Valerie, the current Ft. Brooks president, discussed the National D-Day museum in New Orleans. The goal of the CAR is to contribute $5000 to the education outreach of the museum. Barry added some information about the museum in light of the hurricanes. Fortunately, they did not suffer much damage. Specifically, the bulk of their artifacts were on the second floor.

Next Bob Yarnell offered a review of colonial Christmas time. We tend to think Christmas was a wonderful celebration but in truth very little was done to celebrate Christmas. In the north, Christmas was looked down upon, work was common, and it was actually outlawed in Massachusetts. In Pennsylvania the German influence led to a 12 day celebration starting on the 25^th and running for the next 12 days. People went to church on the 25^th and ate the large meal at the end of the 12 days. Bob ended by pointing out that the settlers at Jamestown were the first to observe Christmas and under severe circumstances. A brief question and answer session followed.

Marty Miller won the 50/50 drawing. He donated his share to the treasury which was thus enriched by $5.00.

President Bolen led the recessional. Chaplain Lloyd gave the benediction. The meeting adjourned at 1:27pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Yarnell

Chapter Secretary