We are now into a busy time in our schedule: First Friday in Warrenton, Battle of the Capes this Saturday, wreath laying in Arlington, the 9/11 Ceremony and the Dan Lay grave marking on September 11th, Warrenton Heritage Day, Virginia SAR Semi-Annual in Williamsburg, Gathering of the Overmountain Men at Sycamore Shoals, and NSSAR Fall Leadership in Louisville. And that gets us to October, which is just as busy. If you would like to participate, there are many opportunities.
We are still looking for volunteers to take 2017 officer and committee positions. If you have an interest, please let me know. 2017 officers will be nominated at the October Meeting and voted on at the November meeting. The new president, who I expect to be Jerry Hubbard, will appoint the committee members. If you are interested, we will work with you to find a place to your liking. Check last month’s letter for a list of officers and committees. Added to the committees at the August Board of Manager’s meeting is an Audit Committee. If you have the skill for that, we could use you next year for a long overdue audit.
The Board of Managers also approved raising the cost to attend our chapter meetings to $25. Though we will strive to keep the cost to the chapter down at $20 per attendee, we need to cover guest meals and honorariums for our speakers. At the new price we will break even at 20 attendees at normal meetings. Meetings with large numbers of guest, such as the Community Awards Meeting in October, will still deplete the treasury, but most other meetings we will expect to break even.
The Board also considered increasing our chapter dues. At $15, we are the least expensive chapter in Virginia, and probably much further. We voted to keep the dues at $15, though you will see a surcharge on your Virginia Society dues to cover the 2020 Congress, which Virginia will host. In lieu of raising dues, we will attempt a fund-raiser or two over the next year, in addition to taking donations at Warrenton’s First Fridays.
Don’t forget Dan Lay’s grave marking, on the afternoon of Sunday, September 11th.
Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, President