2020 Spring Leadership Conference and Trustees Meeting

27 Feb - 1 Mar 2020                                   Louisville, KY

  The 2020 Spring Leadership Conference and Trustees Meeting was held this past weekend at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY.  Fifteen Virginia SAR members from Ten chapters, with four wives, plus eleven dual members attended the meeting.  President Bill Schwetke, accompanied by his wife, Cat led the Virginia Delegation and Pat Kelly, who was accompanied by his wife, Jennifer, represented us as our National Trustee.  The Chapters represented were Col Fielding Lewis, Col James Wood, II, Col William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, Fort Harrison, George Mason, George Washington, Richmond, Thomas Jefferson,

Virginia SAR Members at Spring Leadership, seated, left to right: Dual Member PG Lindsey Brock, Billie Brock, Virginia SAR 1st Vice President Jeff Thomas, Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke, Cat Schwetke, Virginia SAR National Trustee Pat Kelly, Jennifer Kelly, Cilla Tomme, Dual Member PG Mike Tomme. Standing, left to right: Nancy Alter, Dual Member PG Warren Alter, Dual Member Dan Woodruff, Dual Member and Treasurer General Bruce Pickette, Rita Pickette, Dual Member Gary Green, Dual Member Andrew Lyngar, Chancellor General Pete Davenport, Virginia SAR Surgeon Kirk Sheap, Norma Sheap, Brett Osborn, SAR Foundation President PG Joe Dooley, Dual Member and Registrar General Doug Collins, Dual Member Jack Bredenfoerder, Laura BredenFoerder. Not in the picture: Dual Member John Barlow, Mark Brennan, Dual Member Ed Butler, Tim Dioquino, SAR Foundation Vice President Mike Elston, Larry McKinley, Ken and Liz Morris, Dual Member Greg Ohanesian and Barbara Ohanesian, Darrin Schmidt and Mike Weyler.

     Most compatriots arrived and the first committee meetings were held on Thursday, That evening 10 compatriots and four wives met for dinner in the Brown Hotel.  Along with good fellowship information was shared and plans made for the committee meetings the next day.  Also at this gathering Virginia SAR 100th President Bill Schwetke present the first two Centurion Challenge Coins, awarded for exceptional service to the Virginia SAR.  The first numbered coin went to Cat Schwetke, for her constant support of the Virginia SAR through the preparations for the 2020 Congress and exceptional service as our First Lady.  The second coin was presented to Chancellor General Pete Davenport for his wise council to the Executive Committee as our immediate past president.

Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke presents the first Centurion Challenge Coin to the Virginia SAR First Lady Cat Schwetke.

Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke presents the first Centurion Challenge Coin to Chancellor General Pete Davenport.

     On Friday Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke presented the third numbered Centurion Challenge Coin to Secretary Wayne Rouse for his exceptional efforts and close coordination with other members of the leadership.

Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke presents Centurion Challenge Coin #3 to Secretary Wayne Rouse. Bill is wearing one of the Hunting Shirts that will be worn to identify volunteers at the 2020 Congress in Richmond. Each Volunteer will receive one. These were made possible by Pete Davenport.

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     Developments at these meetings  of interest to the Virginia SAR include endorsement by the Trustees of an increase in the application fee for new members and supplements.  The proposed increase still does not cover the cost to process an application, especially the time of the Genealogy staff.  This proposal will be voted upon by the delegates at Congress this summer - you can be a delegate, just contact Secretary Wayne Rouse after you have registered for Congress.  The Genealogy Committee is also considering increased fees for applications including DNA analysis to help cover the very expensive use of time to vet such applications.  The DNA surcharge is still in subcommittee and not ready for a vote.
     The Color Guard Committee considered the latest revision of the Safety Guidelines, and they are just lacking inclusion of additional guidance from the Legal Advisory Committee and will likely be voted on at the Color Guard Breakfast this July in Richmond.

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     The Trustees endorsed a list of nominees for National Officers for 2020-2021 which will be voted upon by the delegates at Congress in Richmond:

PRESIDENT - DAVIS WRIGHT (DE)
SECRETARY - BRUCE PICKETTE (GA) (VA DUAL)
TREASURER - JOHN DODD (CA)
CHANCELLOR - MIKE ELSTON (VA)
GENEALOGIST GENERAL - BOB FISH (WV)
REGISTRAR GENERAL - DOUG COLLINS (KY) (VA DUAL)
HISTORIAN GENERAL - BILL STONE (AL)
LIBRARIAN GENERAL - TONY VETS (LA)
SURGEON GENERAL - DARRYL ADDINGTON - (TN)
CHAPLAIN GENERAL - DWIGHT ELAM (FL)

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     At Leadership the Virginia SAR had a table to advertise the 2020 Congress and solicit donations with medals, lapel pins, brooches, and raffle tickets for exquisite knives and powder horns.  The table was tended mostly by our wives, but also Tim Dioquino, Pat Kelly, Larry McKinley, Brett Osborn, Wayne Rouse, Bill Schwetke, and Mike Weyler.  The medals and raffle tickets were especially popular with the donators.

Trustee Pat Kelly and his wife Jennifer, talk 2020 Congress with Un Hui Yi, wife of Jim Fosdyk of California, and a staunch supporter of the 2020 Congress efforts.

Trustee Mike Kelly and Virginia SAR First Lady Cat Schwetke, both of whom spent hours at our table.

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     The Spring and Fall Leadership Conferences are where a lot of the work of our society is accomplished, mostly by the committees.  Any compatriot who has an interest in attending would be welcome and we will find a place for you on one or more of the committees.  Contact Bill Schwetke if you are interested in participating in Fall Leadership in Louisville, Sep 24-27.  Even attending one day can be worth the trip - most committee work is done on Friday.

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