MINUTES OF 2007 ANNUAL MEETING
(As transcribed from the Fall 2007 Pine Tree Colonial)
The annual meeting of the members of the National Society, Sons of Colonial New England, was held on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at the Army and Navy Club on Farragut Square in Washington, DC.
The meeting was called to order by the Governor General, His Excellency Robert E. Grim. The invocation was given by the Chaplain General, the Rev. D. Gene Patterson, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by the Deputy Governor General, Richard S. Austin.
As a new departure, the Annual Meeting was held in conjunction with the Order of the First Families of Rhode Island and Providence Palntations, 1636-1647.
The Governor General welcomed all in attendance, introduced the Society's officers who were present, indicating that it had been his pleasure to serve during his now-ending two-year term. He then introduced Governor General Peter Arrot Dixon of the Rhode Island group, who introduced those of his officers who were present.
The Secretary General Barrett McKown then stated that an edited version of the minutes of last year's meeting had been included in the recent Pine Tree Colonial newsletter. The full version of the minutes, moreover, had been passed out before the meeting. It was moved, seconded, and agreed to that the text passed out be approved. The Secretary General noted that Society insignia were available for sale at the meeting.
The Treasurer General, John Hallberg Jones, then gave his report for the year ending 31 December 2006. There was a total active roll of 151 members, 39 Annual members, and 112 Life members. The total assets of the Society were then $64,363.10. The checking account balance was 1,646.36, the savings account balance was $3,008.48, the brokerage cash account balance was $2,108.26, and the Society's portfolio of securities had a market value of $57,600.00. Income for the year totaled $13,261.71. This was primarily from dues, fees, merchandise sales, and it included $7,768.05 from securities income. The expenses for the year totaled $2,993.57, including $1,300.00 in donations, and for genealogist's fees, website, record storage rent, Pine Tree Colonial, roster printing, insignia purchases, and meeting costs.
The Registrar General was unable to be present. His report, included in the Spring 2007 issue of the Pine Tree Colonial, indicated five deceased, four new members, and one application in process.
The Director's report was given by Andrew M. Johnson. The positive auditor's report, rendered by Michael Swisher, was accepted with appreciation. The past governor general's insignia will be available soon. The new officers, which are selected by the directors for the 2007-2009 term, will be:
Governor General: Richard S. Austin
Deputy Governor General: James K. Raywalt
Secretary General: Richard S. Austin
Treasurer General: John Hallberg Jones
Registrar General: Arthur Louis Finnell
Chaplain General: Rev. Gene Patterson
Chancellor General: Duane L.C.M. Galles
Editor, Pine Tree Colonial: Duane L.C.M. Galles
Under the rubric of new business, Mr. James K. Raywalt was nominated by Director Andrew M. Johnson for the office of Director for the three-year term ending in 2010. There were no nominations from the floor. A unanimous ballot was therefore cast for Compatriot Raywalt with Honorary Governor General Owen Johnson casting the proxies for members unable to attend. The current Directors now are: Col. Andrew M. Johnson ('05-'08), Chairman, Michael S. Swisher ('06-'09), and James K. Raywalt ('07-'10). Governor General Robert E. Grim was nominated and elected as an Honorary Governor General.
It was moved, seconded, and passed to continue the annual donations ($1,300 total) to the New England Historic and Genealogical Society ($500), the New England Society for the Preservation of Antiquities ($300), and $100 each to the Connecticut Ancestry Society, Genealogical Society of Vermont, New Hampshire Society of Genealogy, Maine Genealogical Society, and the Rhode Island Genealogical Society. All societies were heard from regarding our donation. It was also moved, seconded, and passed that an annual donation of $100 be given to help support the Hereditary Society Community website.
Past Governor General C. Owen Johnson reported that the meeting for the First Families of Connecticut and the First Families of Massachusetts would be held in Massachusetts on October 12th. Governor General Peter Arrot Dixon indicated that the Rhode Island group would be meeting in Rhode Island in early October as well.
We were pleased to have as our guest and luncheon speaker Dr. Lewellyn M. Toulman, who was introduced by Peter Arrot Dixon as "The Most Travelled Man on Earth." The topic of his speech was "Pitcairn Island, The Mutiny on the Bounty, and the Connections Between the Pitcairn Islanders and Rhode Island and New England." Copies of the speaker's recent book, The Most Travelled Man on Earth, were available for purchase.
It was announced that the meeting for next year will be on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at the same time and place as the meeting for this year.
Following a splendid lunch of New England clam chowder, Atlantic salmon, Caesar salad or grilled rib-eye steak, the business meeting of the Society was adjourned. The Rhode Island flags decorating the tables were given to the ladies present at each table.
Respectfully submitted,
Barrett L. McKown, Secretary General
