The annual meeting of the Nevada Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NVSSAR) was held at the Tuscany Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, April 5, 2008.

In attendance at the 2008 annual meeting were Compatriots Ben Allen; Fred Boughton; Glenn Browne; John Burnett; James Graver; John Harney, Jr.; Dan Orr II; Rev. Anthony Perry; Charles Recker; Mike Roszelle; William Schmidt; Glen Sheard; Paul Theile and Brian Worcester. Cheryl Giordano, Alicia Graver and Penny Husson were guests at the meeting.

NVSSAR President John Burnett called the meeting to order at 5 PM and welcomed those present.

The Pledge of Allegiance and the SAR Pledge were recited and Rev. Anthony Perry blessed the meeting.

We were honored to have Mrs. Anita Sheard, the Regent-Elect of the Nevada Society of the DAR, visit with us for a few minutes at the beginning of our meeting. Mrs. Sheard briefly addressed the gathering before she had to depart to attend to DAR business.

President Burnett presented the following awards:
       For his exemplary service and devotion to the SAR, Brian Worcester, the immediate-past VP General for the Western District, was awarded the SAR’s ............... Patriot Medal
.        For his outstanding and continuing support of the Boy Scouts of America, Dr. Dan Orr II received the SAR’s Burt Boy Scout Volunteer Award..
       Dr. Orr also received a Certificate of Appreciation for his service as a member of the Silver Palm Club of the SAR’s King Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund.
       An SAR Law Enforcement Medal was presented to Edgar Harney, an acting lieutenant of the Nevada Highway Patrol.

NVSSAR Secretary Ben Allen reported that SAR membership in Nevada had increased from 123 at the beginning of 2007 to 134 at the beginning of 2008. Since January 1st of this year, an additional two (2) new members have been added to the state’s roster bringing total membership to 136; 53 in the Northern Chapter and 83 in the Signers Chapter.

Compatriot Allen regretfully reported that, since the last annual meeting in 2007, NVSSAR Compatriots Fred Cutler III; Frank Johnson, Jr. and Bruce Kenney have passed away. They’ll be sorely missed.

Compatriot Allen reported that 37 entries were received for the 2008 Knight Essay Contest and that this year’s winner was Miss Nia Jennings of Boulder City High School.

Compatriot Galen Good was thanked for chairing the Essay Committee and Compatriots Len Becker, Fred Boughton, John Burnett, Jim Graves and Rev. Anthony Perry were thanked for serving as the contest judges.

Compatriot Allen reported that there had been no entries received for the American History Award Contest.

Compatriot Allen, as NVSSAR Treasurer, reported a state treasury balance of $571 with all debts paid.

There was no old business to be discussed.

President Burnett called for new business and Compatriot Allen moved that the slate of officers for the NVSSAR and for the Board of Trustees of the Paul Jones Trust as proposed for 2008 by the Nominating Committee be accepted. The motion was seconded by Compatriot Fred Boughton.

President Burnett asked if there were any additional nominations from the floor and Compatriot Allen rose to move that three new positions be created and included in the NVSSAR’s officers for 2008. The three new positions and the candidates for the new positions are:
       Assistant Secretary/Treasurer – Fred W. Boughton, Jr.
       Assistant VP Communications – Michael F. Roszelle
       Assistant Registrar – Roger H. Goeb

The motion was seconded by Compatriot John Harney. It was noted that the addition of these three new positions will give the NVSSAR backup support in several key state offices. There were no further nominations and the amended slate of officers was approved unanimously. (A complete listing of the NVSSAR officers and the Paul Jones Trust Board of Trustees for 2008 is attached to these minutes.)

Compatriot Glen Sheard moved that the NVSSAR’s participation in the SAR’s American History Teacher Award program be discontinued. The motion was seconded by Compatriot Glenn Browne. It was noted that there has been no interest exhibited for the program by the teachers in the state and that we’ve seen no returns from the considerable efforts that have been expended by the NVSSAR to promote the program. The motion passed unanimously.

Compatriot Ben Allen moved that the NVSSAR’s participation in the Knight Essay Contest also be discontinued. The motion was seconded by Compatriot John Harney. Compatriot Allen pointed out that neither the state nor the chapters had the resources to continue with the program. The budget for 2008 was $500 and some $750 was actually expended for the program.

Compatriot Paul Theile expressed his feeling that, inasmuch as 37 essays had been submitted this year and interest in the contest in high schools seems high, it is to the NVSSAR’s benefit to continue the essay contest. Compatriot Theile asked Compatriot Allen if he would withdraw his motion, which Compatriot Allen did, and Compatriot Theile then moved that, if a means to fund the project without involving disbursements from the state or chapter treasuries can be found before September 1st of 2008, the program be continued. The motion was seconded by Compatriot Glenn Browne and passed unanimously.

President-elect Fred Boughton took the floor to appoint an Essay Committee composed of Dr. Dan Orr II (Chair), Glenn Browne, Rev. Anthony Perry and Michael Roszelle to pursue the question of funding and continuing the essay contest.

Compatriot Brian Worcester moved and Compatriot Paul Theile seconded a motion to donate $100 to the DAR State Regent’s Project Fund. The motion passed and incoming NVSSAR President Fred Boughton was asked to present the check to the DAR State Regent at the banquet held following the NVSSAR annual meeting.

There was no other new business to be discussed.

The newly elected NVSSAR and Paul Jones Trust officers were then sworn into office by Past VP General-Western Region Brian Worcester.

The NVSSAR President’s medal and neck ribbon were passed on to new NVSSAR President Fred Boughton by outgoing President John Burnett. This medal and neck ribbon were donated to the NVSSAR by past NVSSAR President Brian Worcester and is passed on from President to President.

Outgoing State President John Burnett was thanked for his service to the NVSSAR and, in recognition thereof, was presented with a Past State President’s certificate and lapel pin by incoming State President Fred Boughton.

In remarks for the good of the order, incoming State President Fred Boughton took the floor to appoint the following NVSSAR Committee Chairmen for 2008:
       Boy Scout Committee – Dr. Daniel L. Orr II
       CAR Committee – John E. Harney, Jr.

NVSSAR Secretary Ben Allen cited and thanked Compatriots Fred Boughton and Bill Schmidt for their exemplary service to the NVSSAR respectively as Registrar and VP Communications. These gentlemen were applauded for their work by the Compatriots present.

The SAR closing was recited and the 2008 annual meeting of the NVSSAR was adjourned by Compatriot Burnett at 6 PM

. Respectfully submitted,
Ben L. Allen, Secretary
NVSSAR
April 14, 2008