November, 2012
The fall season began with a flurry of activities. We enjoyed the Officers’ BBQ headed up by Bruce Newell, our Second Vice President who was helped by all of your Officers, making it a memorable evening. Pat Foy made sure that we had the right amount of food and Brian McCandless manned the grill. Thanks to all who helped in a variety of ways.
The September meeting was especially interesting with important business conducted.
We voted to receive as a Resident Member Christopher Uhl. He is on the faculty at Ichabod Crane School.
We voted to receive John “Jack” McEneny as an Honorary Member. He was delighted to accept our invitation. Jack has been a good friend of the Society and has spoken at several of our events over the years.
We received with thanks and appreciate a gift from James McCann of prints of Scottish officers in full regimental dress.
We heard a preliminary report from the Special Committee on the Comprehensive Plan of the Society. The report has now been forwarded to the Board of Managers for review and implementation of the recommendations.
We approved an increase of dues for Resident Members from $125 to $250 per year and Resident Members under 35 years of age to $150 per year. There is no change in the Non-Resident dues. The increase is effective for the 2013 dues which are payable on November 1, 2012.
We approved the recommendation of the Board of Managers to discontinue the position of Resident Manager and to use volunteers to fill those responsibilities. Peter McLetchie has volunteered to serve as House Manager until November 30, 2013 and John Scott, Andrew Bigness and Dan Graves have volunteered to serve as House Stewards for the next year. The Stewards will arrange for the refreshments after our stated meetings.
Other important work is progressing.
In response to the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board of Managers voted to proceed with the renovation of the third floor. The project will include repair, painting, and carpet installation on the stairway and throughout the third floor. The cost of the project is less than $13,000.
The website is almost ready. Those who have access to email will receive their username and password for the Members section which is password protected.
The November meeting agenda will include:
The election of officers.
Recommended amendments to the Constitution.
It is my honor to announce that the Society has received a significant gift in memory of Martha Immel Creighton for the development of plans leading to the improvement of the Society’s Rooms, and particularly for the ground floor. The gift, in the amount $20,000 will start us on the way to claiming what has up to now been unusable but valuable space. We give thanks for the gift and most importantly for the friendship that we enjoyed with Martha.
Planned Giving – You should also know that we are working on a planned-giving program for the Society. As you remember other non-profits in your will, trusts, and other advanced and planned-giving programs, please start thinking about our Society. There will more about this after the first of the year.
Year-End Gifts – All of us receive solicitations for year-end gifts from a variety of entities. Make your St. Andrew’s Society one of those non-profit entities on your list to receive year-end gifts. This year is particularly important as the Board of Managers approved the expenditure for the work on the third floor. Please consider making that gift so that we will not have to dip into our endowment.
I look forward to seeing you on November 8 at 8:00 p.m.
Our sympathy is extended to Past President Roger Creighton on the occasion of the death of his wife, Martha on September 30.
St. Andrew’s Nicht – The reservation form for St. Andrew’s Nicht is enclosed in the mailed newsletter. We are delighted to be able to announce that Dr. Bruce Eelman, Associate Professor of history at Siena College will be our guest speaker. Dr. Eelman specializes in the Civil War and has written several books on the subject. He is highly regarded locally as an expert in his field of study and is frequently sought after as a speaker and visiting professor. He will focus his talk on the many native Scots who found themselves involved in this war.
Christmas Party – There will be a Christmas Party on Sunday afternoon, December 16 hosted by Jay Higle and Willard Bruce from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Wee Kitchen. Please bring something to share. R.S.V.P. to Willard or Jay.
Aye yours,
Joe
Joseph W. Shook, President