We have one more month of summer before the pace of SAR activity picks up again in September. All that we have for August is First Friday in Warrenton, this Friday; the District Meeting in Albany on the 12th and13th; and the Board of Managers Meeting at Pepper’s Grill on the 20th. At the Board of Managers Meeting we will finalize most of our plans for the remainder of the year and look ahead to 2017.
An important part of next year’s plan will be filling all of our officer and committee positions with the best people; and the best people are those who want to do the work. If there is a particular responsibility or task that you would like, now is the time to let us know. The nominations to elected offices will be presented at the October Chapter Meeting, and voted upon at the November Chapter Meeting. Those will quickly be upon us. The elected officer positions include:
President
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Chaplain
Historian
Registrar
Each elected officer serves for a one-year term, January to January.
The positions that are filled by appointment by the new president in January include, but are not limited to:
Color Guard Commander
Nominating Committee (2 most recent past presidents + 1 member)
Awards Committee (chaired by immediate past president)
Communications Committee
Webmaster
Newsletter Editor
Graves (recognizing and marking patriot and compatriot graves)
DAR Liaison
C.A.R. Liaison
Youth Programs Committee
Eagle Awards
Knight Essay Competition
Rumbaugh Orations Competition
Middle School Brochure Competition
Elementary School Poster Competition
JROTC Committee
Veterans Committee
Flag Recognition Committee
Public Safety & Heroism Committee
Medal for Heroism
Law Enforcement Commendation Medal
Fire Safety Commendation Medal
Emergency Medical Services Commendation Medal
250th Anniversary of the American Revolution Committee
Revolutionary Walk Memorials Committee
Great Bridge Commemoration Committee Member (Norfolk Chapter Chairs - we are co-hosts)
In addition to serving as an officer or committee member, I encourage you to participate in the various SAR activities and events, such as our Semi-Annual State Conference in Williamsburg, September 16-17. That is a great way to meet members from around the state and learn from them how to do what we do better. There are also several commemorations coming up, as you can see from our calendar on the Muster Call. These events are always a great time, with fellowship and ceremony. You don’t need a color guard uniform to participate, though if you come in uniform and participate in the color guard it is even better. Lon Lacey can help you assemble a uniform with little hassle and limited cost. If there is one event in the near future I would recommend to everyone it is the Victory Day Celebration at Yorktown on October 19th. Of course I also strongly encourage participation in the ceremony at Great Bridge on December 3rd. We co-host Great Bridge and that is the battle where our namesake Culpeper Minutemen won fame.
Check the calendar, see what we are doing, and come join us. If you have the time we could really use your time and talents serving as an officer or on one of our committees. I hope to see you at our meetings and activities.
Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, President