Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides, Inc. May 20, 2011 Business Meeting Minutes

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1 Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides, Inc. May 20, 2011 Business Meeting Minutes I. Call to order and roll call. Roy Frampton called the order the regular meeting of the ALBG at 7:11 pm on May 20, 2011 at Valentine Hall on the campus of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This followed a presentation by Adams County Historical Society Director and LBG Wayne Motts on plans for the renovation of Schmucker Hall. ALBG made a donation of $1,000 for the project. There were 21 licensed members and 3 associate members present. II. Approval of Minutes from the March 18, 2011 Meetings The minutes of the March 18, 2011 Business / Dinner meeting have been posted for some time in the Guide room, the Association Offices and on the Association website. Phil Lechak moved, seconded by Deb Novotny to accept the minutes as posted. They were approved by a voice vote. III. Approval of Treasurer s Report Treasurer Phil Lechak distributed the Asset/Fund Summary Report for the period ending April 30. We are about $1800under budget in expenses for the year to date. There being no questions or requests for clarification Howie Frankenfield moved, seconded by Wayne Motts to accept the report. This was approved by a voice vote. IV. Committee Reports Standing Health and Wellbeing John Fuss reported that so far this year we have sent flowers or planters nine times for deaths or illness of members, former members or family of members. We are slightly over budget in this category because of the unusual amount. Membership - Phil Lechak reported that total ALBG membership now stands at 329 members, an increase of 5 members from the March report. Of the 152 Licensed Battlefield Guides, 116 are Association members (76%) There are 213 Associate members, 191 dues paying and 22 complementary. Four LBG-candidates have taken their oral exam since the last report. Three (Jim Miller, Maureen Quinn and Dean Harry) have passed and been licensed. One LBG, Gary Ratay, has resigned from the guide force. Seminar In the absence of Stuart Dempsey, Phil Lechak reported that the Spring Devil s Den seminar was very successful with 62 paid participants. It netted the ALBG $2,900. Due to the lack of registrations the Manassas 150 th Anniversary Weekend was cancelled by the committee at its last meeting. Registrations for our fall seminar are already exceeding last year s registrations at this point with 25 paid participants. (There were 18 at this time in 2010) Website Fred Hawthorne reported that he renewed our domain registration in March for the.biz

2 and.com domains. These are now protected through March of Our.net domain was also renewed until The basic gettysburgtourguides.org domain will not expire until April 11, There were no reports for the Audit, Certification, Continuing Education, Finance, Library, Newsletter and Public Relations committees. IV. Committee Reports Select Picnic Deb Novotny reported that the date of the annual family picnic has been set for July 13, 2011 at 5 PM until dusk at the Artillery Ridge campground. Tony Delacy volunteered for Spirits detail. Statistics John Fuss presented the official statistics for the first six months of the 2011 guide year as follows: Visitor Center Door Count 322,449-6, % Car & Van Tours 3, % Bus Tours 1, % Cemetery Walk and Exams % Total 5, % Winter Schedule Fred Hawthorne gave the report detailing twelve proposals that will be present to Guide Supervisor Clyde Bell in regards to adjustments to the winter schedule. The complete details and statistics were posted on the website some time ago. Many conversations were had with guides working the schedule last winter. A survey was sent to all 78 full time guides with 29 returning them. There were no reports given for the Banquet, Nominating, Road Clean Up, or Visiting Scholars committees. V. President s Report President Frampton reported that last Monday he and Gar Phillips (as a non-albg) guide, met with Superintendent Kirby and Joanne Hanley where the subject of appropriate signage for guided car tours was a topic of discussion. Mrs. Hanley admitted the signs were a mess but they would be changed when the new fees go into effect. When asked about this year several possible solutions were discussed. Another topic of discussion was the recent punishment of an LBG by the Foundation. The Superintendent understands guides are NOT employees of the Foundation and said the park will develop a policy on the missing of busses and proper methods of getting rid of an unwanted bus. VI. Old Business Fred Hawthorne (on behalf of the committee reviewing ALBG standing rules) presented copies of the proposed revisions. He then moved, seconded by Phil Lechak, that the membership adopts the revised Standing Rules of the Association as presented. This was approved unanimously.

3 Fred Hawthorne moved, seconded by Tom Vossler that the membership and non-member LBG s be polled on the topic of whether or not they agree with the proposed fee increase for January 2012 coupled with the corresponding increase in the Gettysburg Foundation s ticketing fee. This was approved on a voice vote with one negative and one abstention. VII. New Business Fred Hawthorne moved, seconded by Phil Lechak to adopt the twelve proposals developed by the Winter Schedule committee to be presented to the Guide Supervisor for implementation in the fall. Approved by a voice vote with none in opposition. Fred Hawthorne moved the adoption of the following resolution, seconded by Andie Custer- Donahue. Resolved that the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides strongly protests the disciplining of a guide by an employee of the Gettysburg Foundation. Guides are tested and licensed by the Federal Government under the auspices of the National Park Service. Guides operate under the direct supervision of the Gettysburg National Military Park superintendent via his representative, the Guide Supervisory Ranger. Any disciplining of a Licensed Battlefield Guide must follow due process procedures and must originate from the Superintendent s Office, GNMP. Passed unanimously by the membership. VIII. Election of Officers Current. IX. Good of the Association Tom Vossler reported that Armed Forces Day will be tomorrow and Sunday, One big event is the opening of a new exhibit relating to the American Civil War. It will take place from 9 AM to 5 PM each day and there is no admission fee. John Fitzpatrick reported that in conjunction with Flag Day the USMC will accept worn or damaged flags for proper disposal. He will put a bag in the guideroom to collect them. Roy Frampton reported that June 30, 2011 at 6 PM the membership is called upon to meet to place flags on the Civil War Graves in the National Cemetery. X. Adjournment Tony Delacy moved that the meeting be adjourned and there being no additional items of business it was declared so at 8:12 PM. Respectfully submitted, Fred Hawthorne, Secretary Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides

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