Department of Tennessee

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

 

Minutes

Annual Department Encampment

(26 Jan 2008)

 

The thirteenth annual Encampment of the Department of Tennessee was held January 26th, 2008 at the Alabama State Archives in downtown Montgomery, Alabama. The Major General James H. Wilson Camp #1 hosted the event.

 

The Department Council, Department Officers and CinC Kuhn held a brief Council meeting at 10:00 am prior to the Encampment meeting. The Department checking account was reviewed and found in order. Dept and Camp EIN #’s listed below.

 

Dept of TN                  62-1778475                 Fort Donelson #62       61-1287703

MR #63                       62-1689493                 Col Robert Byrd #8      02-0698094

MG JH Wilson #1        63-1198242                 Sultana #1                    unknown

Farragut #6                  62-1643004                 Sanders #1                   in suspension

Taylor #53                   63-1257680

 

CinC Kuhn indicated it was time to close Sanders #1. The checking account with $44 needs to be closed and the monies along with the Charter returned to the Dept.

 

The Department Encampment began at 10:30 am in accordance with the rituals of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War.

 

The roll call of department officers showed all elected officers present except for two councilors, Brothers Atchley and Pearce. A roll call of Camps showed the following represented; Fort Donelson, Missionary Ridge, Wilson, Taylor, Byrd and Farragut. Sultana (in suspension) was not represented. It was noted that PDC Atchley was battling health issues was wished the best from all those in attendance.

 

Guest Sara Anderson was introduced. She read a thank you letter from the National DAR and the SUVCW Daughters of Union Veterans.

 

National Commander in Chief Charles E. Kuhn was introduced and welcomed to the Encampment. The CinC made the following remarks:

Commander Kuhn stressed the importance of the Camp EIN numbers. They are needed to retain the IRS tax exempt status. Also encouraged us to include Junior Members when possible to keep interest in future members. Was asked to go into further details why National needed a clarification of the junior and associates membership status. CinC Kuhn encouraged participation in the new Department of Georgia and South Carolina ceremony on May 10th, 2008.

 

Department Commander Hintze appointed Brother Kent Wright to act as guide. The Guide collected credential cards from 12 delegates in good standing.

-Wilson                        4

-Taylor                         4

-Fort Donelson 1

-Byrd                           1

-Missionary Ridge        1

-Farragut                      1

- Sultana                       0

Total                           12

 

 

Reports:

The Department Commander called for reports from the Department Officers and Camps. Copies of the reports are made a part of the minutes in the Dept. Secretary’s files. The following were submitted.

Department Commander Report

Senior Vice Commander Report

Junior Vice Commander Report

Treasurer’s Financial Report

Secretary’s Membership Report

Wilson Camp Report

Taylor Camp Report

Byrd Camp Report

Missionary Ridge Camp Report

Farragut Camp Report

 

Additional comments made by Brothers listed below.

Brother Fidler asked that all BSA Eagle Scout Awards given out during the year be reported back to him. Also reported the Blount County Historical Museum opened Sept 15th 2007. Brother Sam Gant reported that the Fort Donelson Camp is gaining strength. Brother Hogan gave the Graves Registration Report. Slide shows of yearly activities were shown from Wilson and Taylor Camps. Wilson’s presentation included a briefing of Alabama’s observance of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War with suggestions as to how individual SUVCW camps can get involved.

 

New Business:

Department voted on and unanimously approved the two resolutions from National to clarify Junior and Associate membership.

 

Approved Brother Doug Fidler as one of the Department Delegates to the National Encampment in August.

 

The following Brothers were nominated as Officers for 2008.

 

Department Commander – Kenneth Early (Wilson)

Senior Vice Commander – William Butler (Wilson)

Junior Vice Commander – Samuel Gant (Fort Donelson)

Secretary/Treasure – Tod Jenness (Taylor)

Department Council – Geoffrey Hintze, PDC (Taylor)

                                    John Anderson, PDC (Farragut)

                                    Steve Pearce, PDC (Taylor)

 

Voting followed with the slate of candidates being elected unanimously.

 

The Installation of Department Officers for the year 2008 was conducted by CinC Kuhn in accordance with SUVCW Ritual. The newly elected officers assumed their stations.

 

2009 Department of Tennessee Encampment.

Brother Samuel Gant proposed Spring Hill, TN as the site for the next Encampment with Fort Donelson acting as host. The encampment offer was so moved and unanimously agreed. Time and date to be communicated separately.

 

Minutes:

Brother Jenness moved to have the reading of the minutes waived, with a draft circulated for final approval. The encampment approved the motion.

 

The Encampment was then closed in accordance with the SUVCW Ritual.

 

The tour of the Alabama State Archives was one to remember. The historic Flag restoration project is monumental. Being so close to actual Flags men carried into battle in defense of their ideals made the tour very humbling.

 

Members of the Encampment adjourned to the Maxwell Air Force Base to enjoy dinner, friendship and Wilson Camp’s 10th anniversary celebration.