OFFICERS AND BROTHERS:
On Saturday, April 20, 1996,assisted by Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Loomis, I installed the new Department of Tennessee at Jackson, Tennessee that was organized by Charles Yates. The new Department consists of three Camps.
On Saturday, May 18, 1996, I flew to Fort Myers, Florida and installed the new Department of Florida which was organized by Ronald Bair. The new Department consists of three Camps.
On July 13, 1996, assisted by Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Loomis, I installed the new Department of Missouri at St. Louis which was organized by Steve Leicht. This new department consists of four camps.
At this 115th Encampment I will issue the charter for the new Department of Kansas organized by Dean Speaks. This new Department consists of four Camps.
Brothers, the organization of four new Departments within one year has not been done in this organization in any of our lifetimes and a round of applause is due for these new Departments and those responsible for their organization.
The following accomplishments have been made during this administration.
1. We have never had an instrument in place to poll the membership for those who would like to work at the Department and National level and to put in place a data base listing these members and their expertise.
The member data form was created and placed in the Banner for this purpose and many of you have completed the form and sent it to the National Secretary. This base has been used for appointments and can be used to fill important positions within our Order.
2. With the expansion of our Order and the many problems that are being encountered by our Camps and Departments, I organized the National Legal Staff to assist the National Counselor. I am proud to announce that we now have 11 Brother attorneys who have volunteered for this position and they have been used in several areas of our country already.
3. A new form “2” has been put in place to replace the old form used for delegates to National and Department Encampments. We now have one form in place of six color coded forms that were previously used.
4. During the past administration over 20 requests for our two $1,000 scholarships were received. A scholarship committee was formed in this administration consisting of three educators within our Order to study these requests and make recommendations to the Commander-in-Chief. A scholarship request form was created to bring us in line with other agencies today. This year we received 67 requests for these scholarships and 21 forms with attached paperwork were received and reviewed by this committee. As a result of their work I have issued the two scholarships. The recipients are as follows:
Thomas D. Giffey of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, who is attending the University of Wisconsin and seeking a career in journalism and political science. His father is a Member Camp #2 in the Department of Wisconsin. Mr. Giffey placed first in his class of 92 in high school with a grade point average of 4.0 and a SAT score 1470.
The other scholarship award went to Paul J. Hutchinson of Adams, Massachusetts, who is attending Gettysburg College and is a Mmber of Camp #15 in the Department of Massachusetts. He is majoring in history and placed 10th in his class of 82 with a 3.29 grade average and a SAT score of 1210. He also acts as a guide at the Gettysburg Battlefield.
5. I have created a new recruitment award this year to be known as the B.F.Stephenson award named after the founder of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). This award is to be issued to the Brother that recruited the most new members since the last Encampment. There has also been placed in service a new Department Award for the top recruiter in each Department that has recruited a minimum of seven new Members into the Order during this administration. Nominees for these two awards must come through Department secretaries.
6. I have also requested that each Department submit the name of one of their Brothers to act as a regional reporter for their area to the Banner.
7. During this administration further advances into the internet world have been made building on the work done by the previous administration. A new special committee was formed entitled the National Communications and Technology Committee, chaired by Glenn Knight. Due to Brother Knight’s expertise and boundless energy, it has expanded far beyond my expectations. We now have our own home page which has resulted into thousands of requests for information on the Sons of Unon Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) and the GAR. It has expanded our recruitment effort in that it surpasses our magazine advertisements.
8. The Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR) newsletter the Guidon has been discontinued and is now placed in the Banner whereby all members can receive SVR news.
9. The Chief of Staff position has been reorganized and has no banquet function but now supervises all officer reports and reports from all standing and special committees. Andrew Johnson of the Maryland Department was appointed to this position and has done an outstanding job which has made the committee system more efficient.
10. Work was started last fall inquiring into the possibility of a National Headquarters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Much work and many meetings have been conducted during the course of the year. The fine points have been ironed out and we have received a contract which will be studied by our legal staff.
11. Certificates were created for the office of Past Commander-in-Chief, Past Department Commander and Past Camp Commander to be obtained through the Quartermaster to recognize those Brothers holding that office.
12. My final trip as Commander-in-Chief was to Richmond, Virginia on August 1 where I presented greetings from the SUVCW at their 101st National Encampment before an audience of 1,300 members. I was well received by all and there was much support for a 1999 combined event. We must keep the relationship going. I invited the new Commander-in-Chief, Peter Orlebeke to attend our Encampment.
I have taken part in 59 activities this year, traveled over 15,000 car miles, 4,475 air miles, 1,775 email messages handled, 795 mailings sent and received and over 351 to and from phone calls during the year. One hundred and sixteen members of our Brothers have been recognized this year for their service to the Order.
It has been an honor to serve as Commander-in-Chief during the past year and I wish to thank the membership for this opportunity. I especially want to thank all members of the National Staff for their dedication to the SUVCW. A successful year can only be accomplished through teamwork and dedication. I received 110 percent teamwork this past year.
Recommendations;
1. Retain the National Legal Staff;
2. Continue the Member Data Form and place it periodically in the Banner;
3. Continue the use of the scholarship form and committee with the proviso that the Commander-in-Chief has the option to accept or decline their recommendations;
4. Retain the B.F. Stephenson Award for the Member obtaining the most new Members in a year;
5. Keep the Chief of Staff position a working position and supervising all reports and committees;
6. Maintain the progress in the electronics field and encourage all nominees for National office to obtain email; and
7. Continue to recognize our Past Commanders at all levels with Certificates of Service.
Many old timers here remember when General Douglas McCarther retired from the military service. He addressed a combined Congress and made his now famous statement that “Old soldiers never die, the just fade away.” I’ve got news for you, this old soldier will not fade away but will serve the Order as long as I am able to do so.
David R. Medert Commander-in-Chief
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