Minutes of the October 17, 2009 meeting of the Tampa Chapter SAR

President Bell called the meeting to order at 12:04. Luke Lloyd offered the invocation. Ed Neugaard led the pledge to the flag and the President led the pledge to the SAR.

Members present: Jack Bolen, Marty Miller, John Sessums, Terrell Sessums, Allen Bell, DeVeux McLean, Ira Ward, Chuck Copeland, Chuck Hawley, Rodney Stebbins, Ed Neugaard, Milton Alexander, Cy Gamber, Bill, Floyd, Dick Young, Robert Koehler, Luke Lloyd II, Robert Yarnell, and Kevin Yarnell.

Welcome guests: June Bolen, Jeanne Lloyd, Judy Copeland, Lissette Young, and Sharon Lloyd

The President introduced the guests.

The minutes of the September meeting were approved.

The secretary reported that the membership list has been added to the chapter website. Members’ ancestors are also listed. He asked members to verify that the ancestor list is complete as those records were obtained from the state and some supplemental applications may be missing.

Dues ($30 for National, $20 for Florida, $15 for the chapter) need to be paid next month. There was a brief discussion regarding the chapter’s tradition of asking for a few extra dollars.

The Treasurer reported a balance of $2,165.07 and petty cash of $87.84.

Luke Lloyd gave a brief report on his activity as registrar. He thanked Judy Copeland for her fine work on her husband’s application.

Vice President Yarnell reported that the nominating committee had a full slate of officers which will be published in the newsletter. Speakers are nearly all arranged for the rest of the year. A speaker for May has been confirmed.

Jack Bolen gave a brief report on his new role as DAR liaison. He has made contact with the DeSoto DAR chapter as they are in our area and we already have two of their members who are familiar with us. He extended an invitation to them to attend our December joint meeting with the CAR. In addition Jack hopes we might be able to provide a color guard for one of their functions in the spring.

The Florida DAR is supporting the PAWS for Patriots program which provides guide dogs which are given to blinded veterans and other needy persons. Jack attended a presentation on this program and visited their training site in Palmetto. The organization receives no government funding and relies on private donations. Jack is working with Bob to have a speaker to attend our February meeting. Luke and Jeanne have also visited the facility and suggested that a field trip for the chapter might be worthwhile. The membership seemed interested in this project and Jack moved that any voluntary funds collected with the 2010 dues be given to the PAWS for Patriots program. The motion was seconded and passed.

The President reported that the color guard will present the colors at our December meeting. He also came across a 1995 letter asking for participation in a wreath laying ceremony at the Oak Lawn cemetery and was unsure if the event was still held. Lissette Young told the meeting that the ceremony was held last year. Alan will pursue this as an opportunity for the color guard.

Rod Stebbins gave a report on the ancestry database that had been discussed at the September meeting. After a brief history, Rod announced that Ed Neugaard has agreed to maintain this database. Rod has given a copy of the records to Ed which include 79,341 individuals and 11,243 surnames.

The secretary, in his duties as state secretary, determined that Marty Miller is celebrating his 25^th anniversary as a member of the SAR- all of which has been with the Tampa Chapter. On behalf of the chapter, President Bell presented Marty with a 25 year service pin.

The meeting recessed for lunch.

The President called on Vice President Yarnell to introduce our speaker. Rodney Kite-Powell is the Saunders Foundation Curator at the Tampa Bay History Center. Born and raised in Tampa, he joined the staff in 1994 and has written extensively on the history of Tampa and Hillsborough County. Rodney spoke on their new facility that opened on Jan 17^th this year. A slide show of the Center provided the membership with a virtual tour. Rodney offered a great deal of information on both the exhibits shown and background on the workings and mission of the Tampa Bay History Center.

Rodney’s presentation was very well received by the membership. After a question time the President presented Rodney with an SAR coffee mug in appreciation for his time and program.

Marty Miller won the 50/50 and donated the proceeds to the chapter. Thus $14.00 was added to the treasury.

The President led the recessional, Luke Lloyd offered the benediction, and the meeting adjourned at 1:59 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Yarnell

Chapter Secretary