November 2013
I have several news notes from our last meeting and news about events that have occurred since September.
Officers Barbeque – Our September meeting was preceded by the traditional barbeque presented by your officers as a way of welcoming the membership home from summer vacations. I can safely say that no one left the meeting hungry! Thanks to the officers who rolled up their sleeves, prepared and served the delicious fare and endured the heat of the grill.
Amendments to the Constitution – The membership approved amendments proposed by the Past Presidents. You will find another proposed amendment at the end of this newsletter that will clarify the date of the St. Andrew’s Nicht observance. The vote will occur at our upcoming meeting. The Constitution will be posted on the website after the November meeting.
Building Repair and Garden Care – Thanks to the House Committee and particularly Rich Hixon, Jim McPhee, and House Committee Chairman Ed Lass for patching the walls and painting the restroom on the second floor. The Garden Committee has kept the garden in good shape this summer. Thanks to Don McIntyre, chairman of the Committee, along with Peter McLetchie, Jim McPhee, Jack McEneny and Charles Marshall for their work.
Malt Tasting – By the time that you read this, we will have enjoyed a malt tasting on October 29. Thanks to Peter McLetchie for organizing the tasting and to Jack Fenimore and Timothy Thornton for presenting two malts.
Architect’s Report – We met with John Myers, our architect on October 23 to see the revised plans for the basement project that includes suggestions that will make the rest of the building more accessible. The final revisions will be presented to the Board of Managers and the full membership for input and recommendations.
Our Budget – You will find an updated financial statement and your 2014 dues statement in the newsletter that was mailed. Dues are payable on November 1.
Book Club – On October 14 our Book Club with members and guests of the Society and three other book clubs in attendance met in the Rooms to hear a presentation by local author Joseph Persico about his newest book, Roosevelt’s Centurions: FDR and the Commanders He Led to Victory in World War II. Mr. Persico signed books following his talk. Refreshments were prepared by the Society book club. Check the General News page of the website for a picture.
Remembrance Day at Albany Rural Cemetery – Remembrance Day observance was held on October 20 at the St. Andrew’s monument in Albany Rural Cemetery. James Burns, chairman of our cemetery committee thanked Willard Bruce for arranging for us to use the chapel and for conducting a very interesting and informative tour of the grave-sites of many of our past presidents. The Service of Remembrance was led by our chaplain, the Rev. Nixon McMillan with music provided by piper Richard Powell, II. The tour ended at the chapel with a reception prepared Society Steward John Scott. Pictures are on our website.
A Personal Note – My term as President will end at the close of St. Andrew’s Nicht with the installation of a new President. It has been a great pleasure to serve with all of your officers who have fulfilled their duties efficiently, effectively and with obvious commitment to the Society. Other members have served on standing and special committees and have worked together to lead us through some challenging and exciting times in the life of the Society. I could fill up the page with thanks to the many who have worked but that is a dangerous thing to do as I might miss someone. I want to mention some of the major projects that we have undertaken during my tenure and remind us that these projects have been accomplished only because of the teamwork. One: A special committee was appointed to review our resources and bring recommendations about our future. Many of their recommendations have been implemented. Two: we developed and launched a website. Three: Following the loss of our resident manager, the House Committee pulled together to clean out the third floor and then we developed a plan and implemented it for the refurbishing of the area. The newly decorated area is now ready for use. With the third floor vacant, the Board of Managers opened a discussion about the use of the building and the decision was made not to hire or secure a resident manager and instead utilize the talents of our membership in that position. I felt that we needed one person to serve in that capacity and appointed a House Manager. Four: A generous financial gift was contributed to enable us to secure the services of an architect commissioned to evaluate the building and develop plans for the use of the basement and make the building accessible. That is still a work- in-progress and will be presented to the Society in the coming months. Five: Without a resident manager we needed to arrange for the services that he had performed so I appointed three Society Stewards who now serve you after our meetings and at other times such as at the reception for the recent Remembrance Day. Six: To ensure building security, we recruited twenty members to perform weekly inspections of the Rooms. Seven: The Garden Committee along with some extra help prepared the area and laid sod in our garden so that we would have a green carpet. They have maintained the flower beds through the summer months making the garden an inviting place to be. Eight: The Book Club which was organized in 2012 has offered another avenue for friendships to be formed and deepened. Nine: We continued and fine-tuned procedures for the routine maintenance of our building and the Board of Managers has continued to be good stewards of our property. Ten: The work of the officers continued along the traditional lines established by the Society over the years. We fine-tuned some, such as publishing a treasurer’s report for the membership, and making greater use of the internet to communicate with our members. That is another task that needs further improvements. Finally, I mention with gratitude and appreciation the Past Presidents who supported me and mentored me along the way. There is a book called The Presidents Club that describes the “fraternity” of the past presidents of the United States. Our Society has that unofficial “fraternity” and without it the president would have to find his own way. Our past presidents provide good counsel, an informed sense of history, and friendship along the way. Thanks to each of them. As I said early, I could mention the many names of those who have worked tirelessly for the good of the Society, but surely I would be miss one. More importantly, you know who has worked hard for the good of the St. Andrew’s Society. Along with you, I applaud each one.
NEXT MEETING – Our next meeting on Thursday, November 14 will be at 7:00 p.m. The election of officers will be held and we will vote on one proposed Constitutional amendment. The slate of officers and the reservation form for St. Andrew’s Nicht are included in the mailed newsletter.
Proposed Amendment to the Constitution – The Past Presidents recommend the following amendment to Article 12 of the Constitution by striking the last sentence and replacing it with the following: “When St. Andrew’s Day happens on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, on Sunday or a holiday, the following Monday shall be observed as the festival. The Executive Committee may move the date of the festival if there are extenuating circumstances.”
COMING EVENTS
St. Andrew’s Nicht – Monday, December 2. Social hour at the Rooms at 6:00 followed by dinner and program at the Fort Orange Club. Ladies and guests. Highland dress is encouraged. Complete and return the reservation form as soon as possible.
Book Club – Thursday, December 5. We will meet at the Spectrum Theatre to view The Book Thief then dine at a local restaurant followed by a discussion of the book and film at the Rooms. Contact me for more information.
Aye yours,
Joe
Joseph W. Shook, President