MEETING OPENED: 10:32 am – President Ed Patton presiding.

A moment of silence was observed by all those present in memory of recently deceased members William Ring and Kathryn McGuire.

NOTICE: THE GATHERING OF THE CLANS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 17TH, 2009 at 7:00 PM.

REPORTS:
A. Minutes of last meeting approved without additions or corrections. In future, the minutes will be posted on the website when they are completed. They will no longer be distributed individually.
B. The Treasurer's Report was submitted and accepted as read. Current balance is $1,818.71
The treasurer requested the authorization of funds to purchase from LDS the six Holy Cross Cemetery microfilms that we lack in our collection. Approved by the members present.
C. Membership
Current membership has dropped to 100.
It appears that much of our information is no longer accurate. We will be sending out a mailing to all members requesting an update from each.
Anyone wishing to place a query in the next issue of the Times needs to submit the information prior to November15th.
Individual genealogy reports continue to be wanted for inclusion in the binder located in the library. Information may be submitted in any convenient format.
Reminder: Donations to BIGS are tax deductible. Gift subscriptions may be purchased at any time and are a good way to promote membership.

OLD BUSINESS: A. Events
- The Parade Committee would like to obtain an American flag and holder for their use. The flag should be the equivalent of the Irish flag currently in use. Estimated cost of both items is $50. A vote of those present authorized the requested expenditure.
- The Irish Festival was the best one ever. There was a great increase in focus on Irish culture. Donna Shine will look into obtaining a larger BIGS banner for use next year.
Jim O’Dea would like anyone who took digital photos of the event to share them with him for posting on the website.

B. Projects:
- The display case construction has been delayed. Ed had originally commissioned an Amish craftsman to build it, but health problems have made it impossible for him to do so. Ed is currently looking for a satisfactory alternative.
- Holy Cross Indexing remains in progress.
- Cathedral Day Book project – a data base format has been designed. The information has been scanned to disk for the convenience of indexers.

C. Library:
- No book purchases were made this quarter, however we have received donations. Richard Demeter has donated two copies of his new book ‘Irish America’. We have also received four cartons of books that have not yet been cataloged. Several of these items look very promising.
Shelf space is a growing problem in the library. We do not want to stop accepting donations, but are not in a position to retain all of the materials donated.
- Hours: 1st and 2nd Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
3rd Tuesday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm

NEW BUSINESS:
The 2009 Gathering of the Clans will be held on Saturday, January 17th at 7:00 pm. There will be a joint theme focusing on Union Town and Fire Companies. Members who have pertinent materials are asked to bring them.
The microfilm/fiche reader presently in the library is large and awkward to use. It takes up valuable floor space and is rarely used. We will explore the feasibility of obtaining a newer unit that can serve as a reader as well as scan and digitize microfilm.

CORRESPONDENCE:
Jim Shine is responding to all queries. When he completes a research request he also enters the information into the ‘black box’ for reference by local researchers.

BUSINESS MEETING ADJOURNED: 12:02 pm

NEXT MEETING: Saturday, 1 November 2008 @ 10:30 am M. E. O'Grady-Fabinsky