Department of Tennessee Minutes of the 2006 Encampment
The 11th Annual department encampment was held 28
Jan 06, in
The Department Council (Brothers Harned and Pearce being absent) and Department Officers held a brief council meeting in the conference room at 8:30AM. The past year’s expenses and income of the Department were listed and a tentative budget was outlined. The continuing membership in the Central Region Association was discussed, and the council determined to present it to the Encampment for a decision on whether to continue membership. The need to switch our checking account from one with a service charge was emphasized again. It is a high priority item for this coming year.
The department encampment began in accordance with the rituals of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW).
The Secretary collected credential cards, and a total of 18 delegates-in-good-standing were present (see entry on Credentials for camp representation).
The roll call of officers showed all present except for two councilors, Brothers Harned and Pearce and Counselor Ed Duffel, each a PDC. Department Commander Atchley appointed Brother Bill Butler as Guide and Brother Doug Fidler as Guard.
Greetings to the encampment from Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer were read.
The following guests were introduced and extended greetings:
National Commander in Chief, Brother Don Darby
Bickerdyke Tent #2 Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Organizer and Past President, Ms. Sarah Anderson
Sons of the American Revolution representative, Brother Doug Fidler
Auxillary to Sons of the Union Veterans, Mrs. Jane Atchley
Department Commander Atchley thanked the “guests” for their attendance.
NC-I-C Darby made the following remarks:
- Brothers were encouraged to
attend the National Encampment this August in
- 300,000 Union Veterans are now listed in the database for the graves registration project. The project is making it easier to input new information and access present files.
- He urged camps to compile their camps’ history and present a copy to the department for historical purposes.
- This past year the SUVCW has added 6 new camps and approximately 400 new brothers.
- He reminded brothers of the several charitable foundations that the Sons support.
- Changes are coming, to be announced later, to the JROTC award program.
- Brother Hogan,
- Thanks were given to National Executive Director for his recent memo listing the details of dept. and camp sec’s duties.
The Dept. Credential Committee reported 18 Brothers present as accredited delegates for the encampment. The following was the camp representation:
- Sultana---------------------- 2
-
- Farragut--------------------- 2
-
-
-
- Byrd------------------------- 1
Total------------------------------- 18
Reports:
The Department Commander then called for department officers. Copies of reports are made part of the minutes and attached to the file copies in the Dept. Secretary’s files.
At 10:20 AM, the encampment rose and held a moment of silence to honor the memories of the lost crew of the “CHALLENGER” which fell from the sky at that moment 20 years ago.
Upon resumption of encampment activities, each camp gave their annual reports. Copies of these reports are attached to and made part of the official minutes report.
The following communications were issued:
- A letter from Brother James Hamby (Dept. of Maryland) requesting consideration for his running for National Council of Administration;
- Copies of the Executive Director’s description of secretaries’ duties was passed out to those camps present.
Committees Reports:
On behalf of the Bylaws committee, Brother Geoffrey Hintze presented administrative changes to Dept. bylaws. All changes were approved by the members present, and the new Dept. bylaws were signed by the National Commander. The approved changes are attached to the minutes’ file copy.
New Business:
Brother Ed Duffel, PDC wrote a letter to the Department requesting that Camp dues to the Dept be suspended in order to help struggling camps have some “breathing room” and get back on their feet.
A lively discussion followed. Brother Shawn, DC, prefaced the discussion with the stipulation that any decision would apply to all camps and be limited to one year. One suggestion presented by Brother Talbot Hackett, Dept. Jr. Vice, was that camps should consider suspending their own dues rather than Dept dues.
A subsequent motion was presented that the Dept. act to suspend Dept. dues for one year. The motion failed with a unanimous voice vote.
A discussion followed regarding the Dept.’s membership in the Central States Region. After deciding that no benefit has been received by any brother during the past 5 years that we were a member, and no future benefits were anticipated, the encampment voted to discontinue membership.
The next issue was a discussion of registration fees for future Department Encampments. For the past several Encampments a $10 fee had been collected. This had covered mailing costs, charges for conference rooms and other miscellaneous Encampment fees. The issue was referred to the Dept. Council in order to generate a proposal and present a recommendation at next year’s encampment. This was proposed by Brother Hackett, Dept. Jr. Vice. The National Commander-In-Chief, Brother Darby added that the council could make this decision on behalf of the department.
The Department recessed for an hour’s lunch.
Upon the resumption of encampment business, Jr. Vice President Dusty Nicholas of the Bickerdyke Tent #2 DUVCW, was introduced by Sister Sarah Anderson and welcomed by the Brothers. She extended Tent greetings to the encampment assembly.
Brother Doug Fidler (Byrd), a
history professor at Phillisippi State College,
Awards:
Brother Shawn Atchley, DC next presented the following awards:
- Best
- Best Camp Website-------------------------------
- Best
- Outstanding Brother commendations--------------- Brother Brian Hogan
----------------------------------------------------- Brother C. H. Engle
----------------------------------------------------- Brother Barry Spink
- Eagle Scout award--------------------------------- Brother Perry Green
- Outstanding Camp---------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
- Outstanding Department Brother------------------- Brother Talbot Hackett.
In addition Past Commander Certificates were awarded to the following brothers:
-
-
Al Smith, PDC,
- John Anderson, PDC Farragut
-
Richard J. Kochendorfer,
- Les Davis,
-
Talbot Hackett,
- Jay Hacker, Byrd
Department Elections:
A ten minute recess was then declared in order to caucus for department officer candidates for 2006. The Encampment then resumed with the following Brothers nominated as officers for 2006:
Department Commander-------------- Geoff Hintze, PCC
Senior Vice Commander-------------- Joe Johnson,
Junior Vice Commander--------------- Sam Gant,
Secretary/Treasurer------------------- Bill Butler,
Council-------------------------------- John Anderson, PDC, Farragut
Shawn Atchley automatically rose to the office of Council upon becoming a Past Department Commander.
Voting then followed with all candidates being elected unanimously.
Installation:
The Installation of Department Officers for the year 2006 was conducted by National Commander in Chief Don Darby in accordance with the Ritual. The newly elected officers then assumed their stations.
The following two appointments were made:
- Patriotic Instructor------------------- Carl Addison,
- Chaplain-----------------------------
Delegates for the National Encampment:
It was moved that if any member would contact the Department Commander and express a desire to be declared a delegate for the encampment he would be authorized to attend the encampment if qualified. This was seconded and passed unanimously.
2007 Tennessee Department Encampment:
Brother Steve Pearce proposed
Minutes:
The rough notes of the 2006 Encampment were read and approved.
The Encampment was then closed with the SUVCW ritualistic ceremony.
Respectfully submitted for your approval,
For Shawn Atchley, PDC
Charlie Engle, PDS/T
13Feb06