Tampa Chapter, Sons of American Revolution
Minutes of the March 17, 2012 meeting

Call to order: A monthly meeting of the Tampa Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, was held at Piccadilly Cafeteria, Tampa, Florida on March 17, 2012.The meeting convened at 12:00 pm, President John Skillman presiding, Mike Frayn, secretary.

Compatriot Jack Bolen gave the invocation.  Compatriot Mike Frayn led the Pledge of Allegiance. Compatriot Paul Ergler led the SAR Pledge.

Members in attendance: Alan Bell, Jack Bolen, Ed Clark, Robbins Denham, Terry Doan, Paul Ergler, Paul Farley, Bill Floyd, Mike Frayn, Chuck Hawley, Leo Kelly, Charles Klug, Luke Lloyd,, Marty Miller, Ed Neugaard, Gray Reese, John Sessums, Terrell Sessums, John Skillman, Ken Skillman, Bob Yarnell and Dick Young, 22 in total.

Guests in attendance: Ellie Skillman, Licia Sessums, June Bolen, Lisette Young, Dave Bryant, Margie Reese, Glenn Clepper, Neva Sessums, 8 in total.

At the direction of President Skillman, members and guests introduced themselves. President Skillman recognized all past Presidents and thanked them for their service.

Approval of minutes: President Skillman asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of the February meeting. Hearing none, he approved the minutes as published in the Newsletter.

Officers' reports:
President: President Skillman advised the members that Jack Spangler and Chuck Copeland resigned their positions due to personal reasons. The Board of Governors appointed Mike Frayn and Paul Ergler as Secretary and Treasurer respectively on Saturday, March 17, 2012.
Vice President: Vice President Bob Yarnell advised the members that the Armed Forces Military Museum will provide our speaker for the May 2012 meeting.
Secretary: No report
Treasurer: No report
Registrar: Compatriot Alan Bell reported 1 supplemental application had been approved by National for Chuck Hawley. He also reported that he is waiting on a Record Copy for Glenn Clepper to submit his application. He received an application from Dave Bryant which is ready to go to State and National.

Compatriots Alan Bell and John Sessums participated with the Color Guard at the Saramana Chapter's Wounded Warrior luncheon on Saturday, February 25, 2012 where approximately 50 wounded warriors dating back to World War II were awarded the Sons of the American Revolution Wounded Warrior Medal.

New business:
            President Skillman declared that there was a quorum necessary to conduct business for the chapter. He advised the membership that the By-laws and Constitution Committee had approved the proposed Constitution and By-laws and he called for motions to approve both.

            New Constitution Approval: Motion: Moved by Charles Klug that the proposed Constitution be approved. Luke Lloyd seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
            New By-laws Approval: Motion: Moved by Charles Klug that the proposed By-laws be approved. Luke Lloyd seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
            A copy of the new Constitution & By-Laws is available on the Chapter website for the reference of all Compatriots. Printed copies will not be distributed.

Announcements:
Compatriot Jack Bolen explained the workings of the JROTC award program. He solicited assistance from members to assist with making presentations at local high schools.
Compatriot Bob Yarnell reported that the winner of the Knight Essay Contest was a local student.
President Skillman announced that he is looking for a chairman for the Boy Scout Committee.
Compatriot Charles Klug announced that he attended the Last Naval Battle ceremony in Merritt Island in March and provided the membership with a synopsis of the battle.
Compatriot Charles Klug announced that he attended the Presidents’ Day luncheon of the DeSoto Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution at Palma Ceia Country Club.
President Skillman announced the dates for an upcoming conference on the American Revolution in Charlottesville, VA June 22-24, 2012. This year's topic will be presentations by 10    university professors on different biographers of Thomas Jefferson. The cost is $250 not including lodging.
President Skillman offered challenge coins to the first 10 members to bring in a new member. Compatriot Luke Lloyd explained the origin of the challenge coin.
President Skillman advised the members that the state chairman for Veterans Affairs was seeking a volunteer for a regional co-chairman. This committee is responsible for reporting to the State Chairman chapter activities that would be considered for the USS Stark Memorial Award.
President Skillman solicited volunteers for the Constitution Day Committee. Luke Lloyd and Charles Klug volunteered.

Awards:
Compatriot Alan Bell presented Chuck Hawley with a supplemental certificate for ancestor Squier Hill.
President Skillman awarded Compatriot Mike Frayn the Military Service Medal.
President Skillman awarded Compatriot Charles Klug the Last Naval Battle Medal.
President Skillman was awarded a lapel pin, medal and certificate for his donation to The Center for Advancing America's Heritage.
President Skillman awarded Compatriot Terrell Sessums the Silver Good Citizenship Medal, which required prior approval from the State.
President Skillman directed that Compatriot Sessums' abbreviated biography be entered into the minutes:

BA, UF, 1952
USAF, Captain, 1952-1956
JD, UF College of Law, 1958
Honorary Law Degrees from Florida Southern, Rollins, Flagler, and USF
Legislative Aide & Legal Assistant to State Senator Sam Gibbons, 1959-1961
Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, 1972-1974
General Counsel, Tampa Port Authority, 1974-1989
Florida Board of Regents, 1979-1988; Chairman, 1986-1988
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, President, 1983-1984
Special Council to US Senator Bob Graham, 1995
Recipient of Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Florida, 1973
Director of the following:
            GTE, Florida, 1986-1993
            Southeast Bank, Tampa Bay, 1973-1991
            Blue Cross Florida, 1977-1978
            Museum of Science & Industry, 1990-1994
            Moffitt Cancer Center, 1984-1991
            Florida State Fair Authority, 1995-1996
            Florida Chamber of Commerce, 1987-1996, Chairman, 1992-1993
            Florida Independent College Fund, 1988-1990
Trustee of the following:
            Time Warner Trust, 1983-1998
            University of Tampa, 1978-1991, Chairman 1988-1990
            Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1980-1988
            United Methodist Foundation for Higher Education, 1998-2006
Distinguished legal career as a Partner of:
Albritton, Sessums, Gordon & Ryder, 1961-1984
Macfarland, Ferguson & McMullen, 1984-1997
            Salem Saxon PA, 1998-2003
            Salem Law Group, 2003-Present (of Counsel)

March Speaker: Compatriot Bob Yarnell spoke of the diary of Colonel Thomas Browne, a Loyalist who was the commander of the East Florida Rangers and their role in the American Revolution.

Compatriot Paul Ergler led the recessional.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 1:54pm.
Mike Frayn
Secretary                                                                   21 March 2012
Tampa Chapter
Sons of the American Revolution