While this was not an election year for new leadership, it was a vital meeting to vote on numerous and key amendments to our National Constitution.  These amendments were outlined in the last issue of the Confederate Veteran for the membership to review.

Of primary importance was an amendment that would limit the number of Past CIC’s (Commander’s in Chief) from serving on the National Executive Committee.  At present, all past CIC’s serve with voting powers for Life. The proposed amendment change would grant only the Previous 3 Past CIC’s a vote on the Executive Council.

With 2 sides to this debate, one in favor and one opposed, this years’ reunion proved to be a gathering that will be remembered in the years to come. The debate was heated and very passionate on both sides. And with much of the past SSCV (Save the SCV) rhetoric silenced, there is still a contingent of sympathetic followers remaining who are not in favor of necessary Reform to our Constitution.

In a nutshell, and in my opinion, CIC Ron Wilson has taken a vital and necessary course of action to move the SCV toward a more Proactive stance in the defense of Southern History and Heritage.  The opponents, who are referred to by some as “grannies” don’t want to relinquish their positions of power and prestige and they were able to strike a blow to the reforms these various amendments proposed.

The delegates that represented the McGowan Camp were:   
Robert Roper, Stewart Lambert, Stan Crews, Harry Sandlin, Randy Simpson and Mark Simpson, Chairman.

For the record, the delegation representing the McGowan Camp, agreed to cast all 10 of its votes in favor of these amendments. Unfortunately, the 2/3rds majority required for amendment change was not supported.  It was close, but the vote fell short of making the revisions that many of us deem necessary for the future of the SCV.

In addition, debate and “stall” tactics from the opposition absorbed significant time, ultimately causing some amendment authors to make motions removing their amendment from the agenda. The most critical amendments did remain but as stated earlier, were defeated with just under the 2/3rds required.

For those of you reading this, who are new to the SCV, don’t be troubled by what appears to be a division among the ranks.  More than a thousand compatriots from Florida to Washington, California and New York came together for this reunion.  We all may very well share a mutual history of Confederate ancestry, but it has been my observation that we are still separated by different cultures and regional experiences.

We will stay the course and continue our support of the SCV and CIC Ron Wilson and I believe we will achieve the reforms needed at next years Reunion.