PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS MEETING

14 October 1999

President Lloyd called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. in the Grant Room of the Union League in Philadelphia. Chaplain Proctor led the Board in prayer.

PRESENT: Messrs. Cheyney, Clattenburg, Di Stefano, Fenstermacher, FitzGerald, Frick, Graham, Gresh, Hoyt, Johnson, Lewis, Lincoln, Lloyd, Moore, Morgan, Morris, Proctor, Van Gulick, Walkup, Ward, G. Wood and H. Wood.

MINUTES: President Lloyd noted that the minutes for February, May and June meeting had recently been mailed to the members of the Board by the Executive Secretary, but not all Officers and Managers had received them. Additional copies of the minutes for those three meetings were therefore made available to the Board at this meeting and consideration of their adoption would be taken up under New Business.

SECRETARY'S REPORT: Secretary Clattenburg reported that seven members of the Board had regretted their absence from the meeting. They were Messrs. Bowden, Burke, Byrne, Gordon, Groff, Loughran, and Salisbury.

The current membership of the Society, as of 30 September 1999, stands at 1,084 active members. This number includes 20 Life Members and one annual member for whom the Society has no current address. Total membership includes 23 Junior Life members, raising the sum of all names on the roster to 1,107.

The Secretary reported that two members had requested that the Board accept their resignation. They are Frank Walter Veri (PA Soc. #5023, elected 18 October 1972), who resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and William Schley Roebling (PA Soc. #5875, elected 14 September 1995), who resides in Pennington, New Jersey. Both members are currently in good standing. President Lloyd noted that Mr. Roebling is a past president of the New Jersey State Society. Vice President Johnson moved that both resignation be accepted. The motion was duly seconded and on vote, unanimously adopted.

The Secretary reported that former member Eugene Albert Bolt, Jr. (PA Soc. #5877, elected 14 December 1995) had requested re-instatement to membership. The Board dropped Mr. Bolt from the roll of members on 31 December 1998 for failure to pay his 1998 annual dues. In making his request for re-instatement, Mr. Bolt has paid both his 1998 dues and his 1999 dues. President Lloyd asked if anyone knew of any reason why the Board should not act favorably on Mr. Bolt’s request for re-instatement. Hearing none, the President called for a motion. On motion made and duly seconded, the Board voted unanimously to re-instate Mr. Bolt to membership.

The Secretary reported that Vaughan Lee (PA Soc# 5657, elected 12 February 1987) had requested a transfer to the General Society’s Member-At-Large status. Mr. Lee is a resident of Camden, Maine and unable to attend Pennsylvania Society events. President Lloyd asked if anyone knew of any reason why Secretary Clattenburg should not recommend Mr. Lee for transfer to Member-At-Large status. Hearing none, the President called for a motion. On motion made and duly seconded, the Board voted unanimously to accept Mr. Lee’s request for transfer and instructed Secretary Clattenburg to assist Mr. Lee in expediting the necessary documentation.

The Secretary also reported that Robert Smith Bookhammer, III (PA Soc. #5763, elected 14 February 1991) had requested a transfer to the Texas Society. Mr. Bookhammer is a resident of Mesquite, Texas and unable to attend Pennsylvania Society events. President Lloyd asked if anyone knew of any reason why Secretary Clattenburg should not recommend Mr. Bookhammer for membership in the Texas Society. Hearing none, the President called for a motion. On motion made and duly seconded, the Board voted unanimously to accept Mr. Bookhammer’s request for transfer and instructed Secretary Clattenburg to assist Mr. Bookhammer in expediting the necessary application and documentation.

Secretary Clattenburg concluded by reporting that both a newly-elected member, Franklin Ross Grove, Jr. (PA Soc. #5957, elected 10 June 1999) and a long-time member, John Ellsworth Sholl (PA Soc. #5326, elected 12 January 1978), had exercised their option for life membership, paying the life membership fee in a single, lump sum. Two more recently-elected members, Edwin Sipler Hart, III (PA Soc. #5951, elected 5 May 1999) and Orville Anderson Petty, III (PA Soc. #5961, elected 10 June 1999), have also chosen to exercise their option for life membership, but are paying the fee in three equal-sized installments, as authorized at the 1999 Annual Meeting.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Ward distributed copies of his Profit and Loss Budget Comparison reports for the period 1 January through 30 September 1999. He noted that year-to-date income had met budget expectations and that year-to-date expenditures were under budget expectations. He observed that this is the kind of report a treasurer likes to give. He thanked the Officers and Managers for their diligence in controlling expenditures. He summarized his report by stating that the Society’s finances continue to show positive trends.

Treasurer Ward made two specific comments. He asked the Board to note that the Society’s gift of $7,500 to the Paoli Battlefield restoration project had been debited against the budget of the Special Projects Committee. The funds for this expenditure had been accrued in fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998 and should not be debited against the 1999 Special Projects budget line. An adjustment will be made in the next Treasurer’s report.

He also reported that the appraiser’s 1999 report on the Society’s artifacts shows an increase of $108,758 or 20% over the value reported last year. The appraised market value of the Society’s historical collection now stands at approximately $600,000. The Treasurer concluded his report on that positive note and asked if there were any comments or questions. Hearing none, President Lloyd asked for a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. On motion made and duly seconded, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Treasurer’s report.

REGISTRAR'S REPORT: Registrar Fitzgerald stated that it was his unhappy duty to report that in the period since the June meeting of the Board of Managers the following members had been reported to the Society as having died: Roland Leslie Larrabee, of Ocean City, New Jersey (PA Soc. #5750, elected 14 June 1990); Stanley Omwake, of Winston Salem, North Carolina (PA Soc. #3051, elected 13 April 1933; John Ten Broeck Runk, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA Soc. #3242, elected 9 April 1936); Robert Howell Witmer, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania (PA Soc. #3799, elected 8 November 1945); and Frederick H. Starling, Jr., of Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania (PA Soc. #4737, elected 12 October 1967).

President Lloyd asked all those present to rise and Chaplain Proctor led the Board in memorial prayer.

It was also noted that a former member, Isidor Paul Strittmatter, III (PA Soc. #5337, elected 11 May 1978, and dropped from the roll of members in 1997 for failure to pay annual dues) had died. Though only 44 years old, Mr. Strittmatter had been ill for some time.

HISTORIAN’S REPORT: Historian Groff regretted his absence from the meeting, but submitted a written report outlining his priorities for public programming. The Executive Secretary distributed copies of the report and President Lloyd urged the members to review it carefully. The Historian’s report discussed the following specifics: a) a recent request for funding from the National Liberty Museum; b) the support of the Society and the Color Guard for the preservation and interpretation of the Paoli Massacre site; c) the possibility of contributing to a new monument at Washington Square; d) the continuing partnership with the National Constitution Center. The National Liberty Museum is a new institution, largely the work of its founder, and is housed in the building of the former Maritime Museum, at 321 Chestnut Street. Historian Groff is not able to recommend funding for the National Liberty Museum at this time. The American Revolution Patriot Fund, which the Society has supported in the past, is seeking approval from the Fairmount Park Commission and the National Park Service to replace the large, stone monument to the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution, which stands at the center of Washington Square. Those approvals have not yet been forthcoming and the cost of a new monument is estimated at well over $100,000. With the outcome of the decision-making still unclear, Historian Groff does not believe that consideration of funding for Washington Square is appropriate at this time.

A copy of the report of the Historian is attached to these minutes.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: President Lloyd reported that he had received several communications from officers of the Sons of the Revolution in Louisiana, inquiring as to the Pennsylvania Society’s interest in hosting the Friday evening reception at the General Society’s Triennial meeting in New Orleans in September 2000. The Pennsylvania Society has traditionally contributed $5,000 to the host State Society to defray the cost of the reception. The Louisiana Society has forwarded to President Lloyd two proposals from their caterer, the first totaling $7,056 and the second $9,408. President Lloyd asked the Board to adopt a resolution committing the Pennsylvania Society to the $5,000 level of support and noted that if the Board adopted the resolution, he would ask Captain Salisbury if the Color Guard would match the funding voted by the Board. Treasurer Ward recommended that arrangements be made directly with the caterer rather than issue a check for $5,000 to the Louisiana Society.

Following discussion, Vice President Johnson moved that the Society provide funds for this event in an amount not to exceed $5,000, conditioned upon the requirement that all necessary arrangements be made directly with the caterer and not through the Louisiana Society. President Emeritus Lincoln seconded the motion and on vote it carried unanimously.

President Lloyd reported secondly that he had received a pleasing communication from Michael Steinberg, President of the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Trust, the Society and its Color Guard for the generous gift of $15,000 to underwrite the publication of Thomas McGuire’s volume, The Battle of Paoli, which will appear in the summer of 2000. Mr. McGuire has also written the President and expressed his appreciation. Mr. McGuire, of course, was the Society’s guest speaker at the Washington Birthday Ball. Kyle Weaver, the editor of the publisher, Stackpole Books, has also written and thanked the Society and its Color Guard for its generosity.

President Lloyd reported lastly that he, as a member of the General Society’s Executive Committee, and Vice President Johnson, as the Assistant General Treasurer and Pennsylvania Representative to the General Society, will be attending the General Society’s Board of Managers meeting in Southern Pines, North Carolina beginning tomorrow, 15 October and continuing through Sunday, 17 October. He noted that the Board may expect reports from both himself and Vice President Johnson at its November meeting.

ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE: President Lloyd reported that the Admissions Committee had met on Tuesday, 12 October and again conducted extensive business. The Committee reviewed and approved eight proposals for membership, including two proposals for Junior Life Membership. Those proposed for regular membership are Matthew Glenn Christ; John William Garels; Hugh Robert Parrish, III; Stefan Gilbert Pasymowski; Emanuel Paul Peters; and David Davidson Sanderson, III. Those proposed for Junior Life Membership are James Jonathan FitzGerald, son of Registrar FitzGerald, and Timothy McIntosh Wiener.

In addition, the Committee noted that two Junior Life Members had attained the age of eighteen and are now eligible for admission to regular, Life Membership. They are Andrew Crawford Colket, born 13 August 1981 and elected a Junior Life Member on 8 October 1987, and Christopher Keator Rorer, born 1 February 1981 and elected a Junior Life Member on 14 December 1995. President Lloyd asked if anyone knew any reason why Mr. Colket or Mr. Rorer should not be elected regular Life Members. Hearing none, he asked for a motion. Mr. Ward moved that Mr. Colket and Mr. Rorer be elected regular Life Members. Mr. Gresh seconded the motion and on vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Fourthly, the Committee reviewed four applications for membership, all of them approved by the society’s verifying genealogist, Robert Barnes. The Committee voted to recommend these men for admission to membership in the Society. They are Richard Konrad Fischer; Eric Edward Leon Guenther, Jr.; Stephen Wesley Holt; and Rev. Dr. Richard Upsher Smith, Jr. President Lloyd asked if the Board had any comment or question on the Committee’s recommendation. Vice President Johnson moved that these four candidates be elected to membership in the Society. Mr. Harvard Wood seconded the motion and on vote, it carried unanimously.

Finally, the Admissions Committee reviewed the supplemental applications of John Ellsworth Sholl (in right of Abraham Oberholtzer and Jacob Zartman, Sr.), Color Guard First Lieutenant Richard Dana Smith, Sr. (Joseph Smith), and Junior Member Richard Dana Smith, Jr. (Joseph Smith). The Committee noted that the Society’s verifying genealogist had approved these supplemental applications. Registrar FitzGerald moved that the approved supplemental applications be accepted by the Board and that the Secretary notify the members. The motion was duly seconded and on vote, unanimously adopted.

BUDGET COMMITTEE: Vice President Frick reported that the Committee would meet on Thursday, 28 October 1999 and begin to compile a budget for Fiscal Year 2000. In preparation for that meeting, Chairman Frick distributed an information packet and budget comparison to each of the committee chairmen and asked that they forward their comments to him no later than Monday, 25 October.

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Vice President Johnson reported that as of 30 September 1999 the market value of the Society’s portfolio stood at $2,858,000, an increase of approximately $200,000 since June of this year. He also presented a report that calculated the required growth rate for the Society’s portfolio in order to achieve financial independence by the time the Rorer Trust terminates in the year 2022. The report assumes that the portfolio’s market value must reach $7,473,000 by 2022 in order to replace the income lost when the Trust ends. To reach that goal, today’s portfolio will require a compounded annual return of 6.25%, a rate of return well under earlier projections, which had predicted the need for a rate of approximately 15%. Vice President Johnson believes the 6.25% rate of return is entirely within reasonable expectations. Treasurer Ward congratulated the Finance Committee, noting that the portfolio has enjoyed a 40% return on investment over the past twelve months.

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE: Counselor Cheyney reported there were no resolutions pending that needed to be presented to the Board.

AMERICAN HERITAGE COMMITTEE: Chairman Walkup reported that the Committee intended to purchase 150 copies of the Battle of Paoli book and distribute them free of charge to libraries and historical societies in the Delaware Valley. The Committee will purchase the books from the publisher at cost and distribute them at no charge in order to guarantee that libraries have the volume on their shelves.

INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMITTEE: In the absence of Chairman Byrne, President Lloyd reported that both the Independence Day Luncheon and the Let Freedom Ring public program took place as planned on July the Fourth and were extremely well received.

President Lloyd stated his intention to invite Vice President Burke to be the Master of Ceremonies in 2000. He also noted that the Committee had scheduled its first planning meeting for 2000 for Wednesday, 3 November 1999.

NEW CITIZENS’ RECEPTION: Chairman Hoyt reported that the Committee would soon host its third reception for new citizens this year. He predicted that the Society would host approximately 100 new citizens, whose collective origins were in as many as twenty-five foreign countries. The Committee will serve light refreshments and present music by Banjo Joe. President Lloyd commended Chairman Hoyt for his efforts in expanding this program.

SARATOGA-YORKTOWN ANNIVERSARIES COMMITTEE: Chairman Morgan reported this event is scheduled for Saturday evening, 23 October 1999 at the Philadelphia Country Club. While a good turnout is expected — approximately 150 people — it appears that the event conflicts with another program presented by the First City Troop that same weekend. The attendance of Younger Members is therefore expected to be lower this year. A new orchestra will debut with the Society, the Moonlighters, a big band of about 14 members. Mr. Morgan hopes they will set a new and re-invigorated tone for the event.

SPECIAL PROJECTS: President Lloyd described to the Board the several steps by which the Society and its Color Guard had designated the gift of $15,000 to the publication of the book on the Battle of Paoli. The Paoli Battlefield Preservation Trust has voted to relieve the Society of its 1996 designation, that the funds be used for markers at the site itself and for educational outreach programs at the site and permitted the funds to be re-directed to Stackpole Books. The projected date for publication is the summer of 2000. President Lloyd will write a Foreword to the book and the Society’s insignia will appear on the title page. President Lloyd expressed his delight at the match made between the Society’s goal of educational outreach and in the Preservation Trust’s need to publish, in a single source, the entire story of the Battle of Paoli and its significance in the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777.

VALLEY FORGE COMMEMORATION: Chairman George Wood reported that the Committee is considering two churches as candidates for the Valley Forge Commemoration / Annual Church Service for 2000. The leading candidate appears to be Old St. David’s Episcopal Church and the service tentatively set for Sunday afternoon, 30 April 2000. Mr. Wood intends to present finalized arrangements at the November meeting of the Board.

WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY PARTY COMMITTEE: Chairman Morris reported that he has confirmed the Society’s reservation of the Union League for 19 February 2000 and is also exploring the possibility of new musical accompaniment for the event. His Committee is open to nominations from the Board for an event speaker.

YOUNGER MEMBERS: In the absence of Chairman Bowden, there was no report.

THE COLOR GUARD: In the absence of Captain Salisbury, there was no report.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Chairman Harvard Wood reported that the processing of applications for membership has settled into a smooth and reliable pattern. There are at present 39 applications in process, 31 of which were initiated in either 1998 and 1999. The number of inactive applications is therefore much smaller than in years prior to 1998.

He also reported that income from sales of Society paraphernalia has increased $1,800 over the same time period in Fiscal Year 1998. He commended the Executive Secretary for promoting this merchandise and fulfilling the orders from members.

OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: In the absence of Vice President Burke, there was no report.

TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE: Vice President Lewis regretted his absence from the meeting, but submitted a written report. The report described the Committee’s progress, including the registration of the Society’s web site on a number of Internet search engines; the production of an online Centennial Register updated through June 1999; the development of an interactive version of the Centennial Register; the decision of the Color Guard to add to the web site both color photographs and brief written descriptions of the flags in its collection. The report also included a spreadsheet or chart which graphed the increase in monthly use of the site. The number of pages viewed by users remained under 1,000 per month until November 1998, then increased rapidly to more than 4,000 per month, and after a few months of leveling off, increased again in August to more than 7,000 pages. The number of monthly "hits" on the web site has therefore increased by tenfold since this time last year.

A copy of the report of Vice President Lewis is attached to these minutes.

REPORT OF LANCASTER COUNTY CHAPTER: Regent Moore reported that the Lancaster County Chapter turned out a significant number of members and guests at the Independence Day event in Philadelphia. On 4 September, the Chapter sponsored a reception for new citizens at the Lancaster courthouse. The Chapter is moving forward with plans to purchase 1,000 booklets on the history of Lancaster for distribution to local school children and libraries. The Chapter’s annual meeting is scheduled for 7 May 2000 at the Lancaster Country and President Lloyd has graciously agreed to be the Chapter’s guest speaker.

REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL SOCIETY: Vice President Johnson reported that he looks forward to attending the General Society’s Board of Managers meeting in Southern Pines with President Lloyd and will report in detail at the Board’s November meeting.

OLD BUSINESS: Mr. FitzGerald reported to the Board on a survey conducted for the Society by students at Rowan University School of Communications. The students had completed their project and published a paper titled, "Public Relations for the Year 2000 and Beyond: Issues and Strategies of the Public Relations Practitioner." The Younger Members Committee of the Society provided Rowan with financial support for publishing this booklet.

NEW BUSINESS: President Lloyd asked the Board if it was prepared to consider the adoption of the minutes of the February, May and June meetings, which had been distributed at the beginning of the meeting. Upon motion made and duly seconded, the Board voted to adopt the minutes of the February, May and June meetings as published.

There being no further business to come before the Board, President Lloyd asked the Chaplain to lead the members in prayer and thereafter adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Theodore Clattenburg, Jr.

Secretary

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