Minutes of the 116 th Annual Congress of the Commandery-in-Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States

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1 Minutes of the 116 th Annual Congress of the Commandery-in-Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Commander-in-Chief Robert J. Bateman called to order the 116 th Annual Congress of the Commandery-in-Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States at 8:45 a.m., Saturday, October 20, 2001, at the Omni Hotel, Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia. Chaplain-in-Chief Agnew offered the invocation and a prayer for the armed forces of the United States. Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief Bury led the Pledge of Allegiance. Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief Niermeyer read the Preamble of the Order. Recorder-in-Chief Kane read the roll call of Officers and Commanderies OFFICERS Commander-in-Chief, Major Robert J. Bateman: Present Sr. Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Gordon R. Bury: Present Jr. Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Douglas R. Niermeyer: Present Recorder-in-Chief, John K. Kane II: Present Treasurer-in-Chief, Lee Allen Tryon: Present Registrar-in-Chief, Barry L. Cornell: Present Chancellor-in-Chief, Jerry Zillion: Present Judge Advocate-in-Chief, Benjamin C. Frick: Present Chaplain-in-Chief, Christopher M. Agnew: Present Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. W. Courtney Fleenor: Present Editor-in-Chief, LTC Thomas P. Curtis: Absent COMMANDERIES California: Absent Connecticut: Present District of Columbia: Present Illinois: Absent Indiana: Absent Iowa: Absent Kansas: Absent Massachusetts: Present Michigan: Present Missouri: Present Nebraska: Present New York: Present Ohio: Present Pennsylvania: Present Texas: Present Virginia: Present Wisconsin: Present Recorder-in-Chief Kane read the Minutes of the Mid-Winter meeting held February 11, 2001 at the Channel Inn, Pier 7, 650 Water Street SW, Washington D.C. Discussion Followed. A motion was made to change the wording of two previously passed motions, firstly, that the Commandery-in-Chief provide financial assistance to the Commandery of Pennsylvania to support the legal efforts to preserve the Civil 1

2 War Library and Museum in Philadelphia, and secondly that an initial cap be set at $30,000 for this financial assistance to the Commandery of Pennsylvania. MOTION: delete the words to the in both motions, and substitute the words along with. MOTION: Past Commander-in-Chief Sullivan, SECOND: Past Commander-in- Chief Carroon; MOTION: That the Minutes be accepted as amended MOTION: Sr. Vice-Commander-in-Chief Bury; SECOND: Webmaster Harrison; REPORTS OF OFFICERS Commander-in-Chief Bateman presented the Commander-in-Chief s report summarizing the accomplishments that occurred during his term of office and thanking the various officers and companions that have helped him and the Order. He officially commended Jeffry Burden, Commander of the Virginia Commandery for his wonderful job in hosting the 116 th Congress. Sr. Vice Commander-in-Chief Bury presented the Sr. Vice-Commander-in-Chief s report. He brought up the subject of the tremendous number of hits on our web site which he felt can be a great aid in developing interest in new membership, particularly in view of the resurgence in patriotism. He also noted that the State of Kentucky, which is under the Ohio Commandery, is planning in 2009 to celebrate Lincoln s 200 th Birthday, and that the Ohio Commandery passed a resolution to hold the Annual Congress in Kentucky that year to further celebrate his birthday. Jr. Vice-Commander-in-Chief Niermeyer presented the Jr. Vice-Commander-in- Chief s report. In his report he discussed attendance at the 115 th Congress in St. Louis. He also noted that Texas, Rhode Island and LMU in Tennessee have expressed interest in hosting the 2003 or 2004 Congress. He discussed his involvement with the various commanderies, particularly with those in the organizing stage including Iowa and Colorado, which are new commandery prospects. Recorder-in-Chief Kane summarized the Recorder-in-Chief s report stating the merchandise and certificate problems were pretty much under control and that the recordation system appeared to be working efficiently. Registrar-in-Chief Cornell presented his report showing the total membership approvals for the year as being: 20 Hereditary, 10 Associates and 3 Honorary. Actual members accepted were 32. 2

3 Chancellor-in-Chief Zillion presented his report discussing his involvement with Lincoln Memorial University(LMU) and bringing us up to date on happenings there. He reported that President Jerry Bishop, a MOLLUS supporter had to resign due to very ill health. At the National Symposium held at LMU museum in April, the vault and special art gallery were dedicated to MOLLUS. Past Commander-in-Chief Carroon opened the Symposium and acted as moderator for one of the topics. Also, Past Commander-in-Chief Sullivan and Chancellor-in- Chief Zillion each contributed $1000 to defray expenses. These funds were matched by the Commandery-in-Chief with $2000. The Order was well represented with past Ohio Commander Karl Schaeffer and his wife Rose, Mike Sullivan, Jerry Carroon and Jerry Zillion in attendance. Treasurer-in-Chief presented the Treasurer-in-Chief s report which was discussed in detail. He stated that the assessment notices were late and that the payments from the commanderies were a little slow coming in. He read a letter from Companion William Upham giving MOLLUS a gift of 100 shares of Mosely Paper Company stock. Editor-in-Chief Curtis s report was read by Recorder Kane. (At this point Commander-in-Chief Bateman invited the ladies of DOLLUS into our meeting to hear a tribute to Florence Stanley and to hear the discussion about the litigation with CWLM) Commander-in-Chief Bateman read a portion of his report paying tribute to Florence Stanley, Past National President of DOLLUS for a most generous donation to the Memorial Fund to help preserve the MOLLUS Collection in Philadelphia. The contribution made in the spirit of her late father, Companion Joseph W. Stanley is for $2000, and is the second largest individual gift MOLLUS has received in the past 10 years. Judge Advocate-in-Chief Frick presented his report discussing primarily the disposition of the California litigation and the status of the on-going litigation with CWLM. Attached to his report were proposals from CWLM for resolution of all matters in dispute regarding the Collection of the CWLM. Also attached was a summary of the proposed response to the CWLM letter of 10/10/01. A lengthy discussion followed. MOTION: Continue the Commandery-in-Chief s support of the efforts made by the Commandery-in-Chief and the Pennsylvania Commandery toward resolving the litigation with CWLM MOTION: BG Greene; SECOND: Jr. Vice-Commander-in-Chief Niermeyer; 3

4 MOTION: Continue the Commandery-in-Chief s financial support along with the Pennsylvania Commandery, in the amount of an additional $30,000, to resolve the litigation with CWLM. MOTION: Past Commander-in-Chief Sullivan; SECOND: Past Commander-in- Chief Carroon; MOTION: In the interest of time, the reading of the written reports from the individual commanderies should be tabled. Motion: Surgeon-in-Chief Fleenor; SECOND: Sr. Vice-Commander-in-Chief Bury; A presentation was made by BG Malcolm Smith for the New York Commandery of a gift of $1000 to the Memorial Fund, and $500 for the Legal Fund. National Webmaster and Membership List Coordinator Keith Harrison gave a detailed report with statistical data on membership and the web site. He noted that in some commanderies the number of associate companions was exceeding the ratio limit. Junior Vice-Commander Niermeyer discussed briefly about transferring the MOLLUS War Papers from the Missouri Internet site to the MOLLUS site. OLD BUSINESS Item A: Previously discussed Item B: Previously discussed. Jr. Vice-Commander-in-Chief Niermeyer will write letters to the Florida, South Carolina and Maryland Commanderies notifying them that they are officially deactivated and their members will have a limited time (February 1) to transfer to an active commandery. Item C: Previously discussed Item E: Previously discussed Item F: Previously discussed Items H & I MOTION: Defer these items for the next Commandery-in-Chief MOTION: Webmaster Harrison; SECOND: Surgeon-in-Chief Fleenor; 4

5 Item K: Previously discussed Item L: Previously discussed Item G: Report by Past Commander-in-Chief Lowell V. Hammer, Chairman of the Committee on Battlefield Preservation/Historic Sites/Archives and Museum. MOTION: To approve $1550 in funding for the Battlefield Preservation/Historic Sites/Archives and Museum Committee s efforts. MOTION:Past Commander-in-Chief Hammer; SECOND: Sr. Vice Commander-in-Chief Bury; Item D: Chancellor-in-Chief Zillion presented investment guidelines for the Commandery-in-Chief to follow. Discussion followed. MOTION: To approve the guidelines MOTION: Webmaster Harrison; SECOND: Surgeon-in-Chief Fleenor; Item J: Past Commander Karl Schaeffer requested reconsideration of the 1889 Meeting Amendment Ritual as prescribed under Article IV of the By-Laws of 1889(as amended) and by order of Lt. Gen. Philip Henry Sheridan. MOTION: That the 116 th Congress recommends that all commanderies follow the meeting format as prescribed in Article IV of the 1889 By-Laws (As Amended) MOTION: Surgeon-in-Chief Fleenor; SECOND: Past Commander-in-Chief Carroon; NEW BUSINESS Item A: Treasurer-in-Chief Tryon reported that MOLLUS does not have a specific budget for all operations, for the entire year. Our investment advisors, R. W. Baird & Co. requested an investment authorization on file in their office. Therefore; MOTION: That the Finance Committee be authorized to act on investment issues, buying and selling securities etc. in our investment account. MOTION: Webmaster Keith Harrison; SECOND: BG Michael Greene; 5

6 Jr Vice-Commander Niermeyer, discussed activating Rhode Island as an active commandery. MOTION: Make Rhode Island an active commandery. MOTION: Jr. Vice Commander Niermeyer; SECOND: Commander-in- Chief Bateman; Item B: Report of the Nominating Committee made by Past Commander-in-Chief O Connell. The following companions were nominated for the respective offices: Commander-in-Chief: Gordon R. Bury Sr. Vice-Commander-in-Chief: Douglas R. Niermeyer Jr. Vice-Commander-in-Chief: Benjamin C.Frick Recorder-in-Chief: John K. Kane II Registrar-in-Chief: Barry L. Cornell Chancellor-in-Chief: Karl F. Schaeffer Judge Advocate-in-Chief: Herbert K. Zearfoss Treasurer-in-Chief: Lee Allen Tryon Chaplain-in-Chief: Christopher M. Agnew Surgeon-in-Chief: Dr. W. Courtney Fleenor Editor-in-Chief: LTC Thomas P. Curtis Council-in-Chief, Voting PC-in-C Michael P. Sullivan PC-in-C Robert G. Carroon PC-in-C Lowell V. Hammer PC-in-C Robert J. Bateman Jerry Zillion Council-in-Chief, Non-Voting McClernand B. Crawford Jeffry C. Burden Paul J. Kinyon Warren M. Wells Jr. Waldren K. Post II MOTION: to elect the proposed slate of officers and councilors. MOTION: Past Commander-in-Chief Hammer; SECOND: Webmaster Harrison; Commander-in-Chief Bateman called Webmaster Harrison forward to present him with an 1897 vintage framed photograph of the Cup that had been presented to the Michigan to the Michigan Commandery. Commander-in-Chief Bateman invested all the newly elected officers into their respective offices. Item E: The Pennsylvania Commandery will host the 117 th Congress in Philadelphia on October 11-13, 2002 Benediction by Chaplain-in-Chief Christopher Agnew 6

7 Commander-in-Chief Bateman adjourned the meeting at 11:40 a.m. Respectfully submitted, John K. Kane II Recorder-in-Chief 7

Mid-Winter Meeting of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States February 11, 2001

Mid-Winter Meeting of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States February 11, 2001 The meeting was called to order at 2:08 p.m., Sunday, 11 February 2001, at the Channel Inn, Pier 7, 650