79^th New York ~ Rolling Party, 19 February 2005 ~ Meeting Minutes

 

Meeting called to order by Susan at 2:45.

 

Members present: Douglas, Steve, Patti, Joel, Dave, Bob, Alyssa, Wendy, David, Stefan, Emilio, Susan, Carrol, Michael, Susie, Elizabeth, Cindy, Roxane, Claude.

 

Welcome

Susan received no submissions for modifications to our Rules and Regulations.

 

Unit Membership Form

Membership forms are new this year. Their purpose is for collecting unit dues, members’ contact information, and keeping track of “who’s joining”.

ACWA dues are separate from 79^th dues, and must be paid in conjunction. The purpose of unit dues is for future equipment purposes.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Our current balance is $1241, not including unit dues paid today. We made about $700 last year, after expenses. Douglas has been working closely with Bob Todd; our compliments to Bob. Some loaner gear was acquired last year by one of our members – he hasn’t been reimbursed.

 

Authorization of Expenditures by BOD

It was presented to the membership that we approve a “petty cash expenditure” of a maximum of $50. This would cover minor expenses incurred by the board, including copying/printing of paperwork. This was approved unanimously.

 

Expenditures for Equipment

Claude stated that our first new expenditure should be a unit flag(s). Our original plan was to purchase 2 flags, one battlefield flag and one presentation/commemorative flag. Dave Mascitelli was going to assist us, but he has since fallen out of communication. Steve knows a flag maker. Susan motioned that Steve, Claude and Patti be appointed to our Flag Committee. Motion passed. Steve will contact this flag maker and get an estimate on a 4”X6” National flag, with the stars in a St Andrew’s Cross pattern. This estimate will be presented and voted on at Knight’s Ferry. A company guideon was also a possibility. Discussion followed.

Steve declined the unit’s offered reimbursement for last year’s purchase of loaner gear.

It was agreed upon that flags need to be the first purchase priority for the 79^th, and loaner rifles second.

The membership approved $300 of the unit funds to go towards the purchase of a (probably used) rifle; purchase placed in the able hands of Claude. Also approved was the use of approximately $500 for the purchase of a flag.

 

Modifications to Bylaws

Wendy wished to clarify the wording of minors in camp without their parent/guardian present on site. Elizabeth is almost finished with Guardianship forms which would take care of this.

Douglas pointed out a wording problem in the “active membership definition” section which also pertains to voting rights. Members approved to change this problem as quickly as possible.

Also noted was an inconsistence in age limits for taking the field. This will be changed to match the wording in the ACWA bylaws; membership approved.

Our Rules and Regulations have been in place for a year, and are ready to have “Draft” removed from the heading. Elizabeth volunteered to edit and refine our current R&Rs, with revision date of today; membership approved.

 

Loaner Gear

Steve proposed the use of a “sign-up sheet”, as keeping track of loaner gear has been a problem. He proposed that a Corporal at the event would keep control of loaner gear, with a list in the gear box. The Corporal would have sole access to the gear box. Michael volunteered to take care of this. Douglas suggested taking an inventory of our gear, and numbering it. Dave made the point of the necessity of keeping gear within the 79^th; membership was in agreement on this.

 

Camp Etiquette/Guest Guidelines

Susan would like us to put together a pamphlet for new recruits/guests explaining who we are, what we do, and what we expect in the way of authenticity. Steve stressed again the importance of military etiquette. Soldiers – especially NCOs – need to address each other by rank during public hours. It was suggested that all members get in the habit of addressing each other by their titles/surnames during public hours.

Susan will put together a box of old magazines, papers and other reading material for loan to the membership.

 

Term Limits/Promotions

Term limits were not deemed necessary, since we have a democratic voting procedure in place. In the future, we would like to use paper ballots for elections to encourage more members to run for leadership positions.

The question of soldiers moving up the ranks was discussed. Soldiers should earn their rank, and be groomed for promotion, and promotion should be based on merit and personality in addition to skill; this goes for former officers from other units who may join us. Steve and the NCOs will write up “minimum requirements” for officer candidates, which they will present to the group.

 

Camp Duties

Nighttime provost needs to be shared by all soldiers – rank doesn’t matter. Non-military members are exempt from this requirement. Provost is basically a fire and drunk watch, not a police patrol. If health and safety precludes a soldier from this duty, there are other volunteer tasks in the battalion, including explosive/ground charge work, but not medical tent demonstrations. Federal battalion will keep a paper trail of duties performed by the individual so loads are shared.

Daytime duties can be relegated down through the ranks, so Privates will be doing a majority of the grunt work.

Soldiers are required not to leave camp without authorization from our officer or NCOs.

 

Schedule of Events

March 19/20 – Knight’s Ferry. We are camping on the bridge side by the information building (and bathrooms). There is a spaghetti feed Saturday night. Information will be posted on the website.

April 23/4 - Woodland Games. Michael will coordinate. This is a paid event, and so far does not conflict with an ACWA reenactment.

May 7/8 – NCWA Gibson Ranch. The ACWA will be attending as a guest club, and will have their own battalion if enough rifles show up.

May 25-27 - Roaring Camp School Days. The 79^th gets a lot of money for this – come if you can!

August 6/7 – RACW McCloud. A fun event – Carrol will coordinate for all wishing to make the long drive.

September 24 – Dixon Scottish Games. We also get paid for participating. Carrol will coordinate.

 

“From the Floor”

Kevin wished to tell us that John greatly appreciates our attention to authenticity and our faithfulness to drill. We are an example to the rest of the club, and we thank him for his kind words.

 

Meeting adjourned at 4:45.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Elizabeth Quivey, Secretary