Compatriots,
We are at a very pivotal time in our history. In a few short years we will be at the sesquicentennial of the War Between the States. All around our Confederation there are events already being planned and this is going to bring a focus on us, the Sons of Confederate Veterans. We need to take total advantage of this time and use it to our advantage.
To meet this challenge we need men who bring talents to the table, and who will not embarrass our organization. It is time that we move beyond contentiousness, and to bring our membership together under a common banner to meet the Charge of Gen. S.D. Lee. Our “enemies” are outside our organization, it is time that we make our organization something that our members will enjoy partaking in, and ignore those who seek to divide us.
I treasure and cherish my family’s Confederate heritage and wish to celebrate our common bonds as Brothers in the Cause.
The SCV is the largest and most recognizable organization for the promotion of Confederate Heritage. It is time for the SCV to meet its full potential, and for us to take our place in “mainstream” America, in an honourable fashion.
The “Charge” that S.D. Lee has given to the SCV has a very special meaning to me and my family. The Strain men hold the SCV and our charge in high regard and the cause for which our ancestor fought runs through our veins still today. One of our ancestors was Brig. General George Washington Gordon of the 11th Tennessee Infantry and Commanding General of the UCV from 1909 till his death in 1911. My love for our honourable historical society runs very deep, and I firmly believe that we are the only men left that can vindicate our forefathers’ good name."Today is the day of redemption Compatriots not tomorrow, not yesterday, TODAY!
We have serious work to do, that needs to be done in an aggressive and imaginative manner, emulating the principles our ancestors stood for. It is time to look at our problems with new eyes, keeping in place the wisdom gleaned from the lessons of the past. Here are some ideas that I have that can insure that these goals are accomplished.
(1) Sesquicentennial of the War for Southern Independence: With proper planning and leadership this event will offer a tremendous opportunity to grow our organization. I am proud to be a member of the current administration’s “Sesquicentennial Committee” and we are currently discussing ways to use both print and electronic media to increase our exposure in a positive manner. This could offer a tremendous spike in our membership nationwide but in order to take advantage of this opportunity we must be prepared to take the lead in this observance.
(2) Disciplinary Procedures: These problems are of concern to our entire membership and are amplified due to uncertainty or outright ignorance of proper procedures. As your representative on the General Executive Council I will work to have a detailed manual prepared that will enumerate every step of the disciplinary procedure thereby eliminating improper dispensation of these actions. This manual should be in the hands of every Division and Camp to guarantee that all are in compliance with our National Constitution.
(3) “New Member Packet”: I will also work to have a packet of essential information on the structure and operation of our organization including Camp, Division, Army and National functions and responsibilities. This information could be supplied to each Camp on an inexpensive CD to be printed for each new member as needed.
(4) Recruiting and Retention: These are key to the perpetuation of every organization. Overall we do an outstanding job in recruiting but we fall far short of acceptable performance in retention. As your councilman I will personally work with each Division in the Army of Tennessee to isolate the reasons for this failure and see them resolved. With proper methods and leadership there is no reason why our organization should not achieve an 80% retention rate.
(5) Nationalized Billing: A glaring problem in retention is untimely, inefficient or slipshod billing procedures. Each year we lose thousands of members simply because they were not notified of the proper dues date. Division wide billing has proven effective in the South Carolina Division for a number of years and could be refined even further on a National level.
(6) Total Army Cohesion: Our Army is not only the largest army in terms of membership but also in geographic distance. From the Florida Keys to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we are the Army of Tennessee. Often Divisions in our Army feel left out or ostracized due to zip code with no regard for blood. As AOT Councilman it will be my goal to work with the Army Commander to develop cohesion, communication and respect between each of our Divisions and our Army will be stronger for it. Compatriots, we are a “Band of Brothers” and all have a birthright to be in the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
(7) Expansion of Youth Camps: The true key to the perpetuation of any organization is the interest and involvement of young members. We currently have the Sam Davis Youth Camp in operation and it is doing an excellent job in educating those young people in attendance. In the past couple of years we have had two camps, one being co-ed. As AOT Councilman I will work to have that format expanded to include a centrally located Camp in each of the three Armies so that every Division can not only send a young person to Camp but also make the travel to that Camp financially realistic.
There are many other issues that I feel need to be addressed by the GEC and that I would like to have input into. Two of special interest to me are the update of our National website to make it more effective and user friendly not only for our current members but for prospective members “looking us over.” I also would like to see our current awards system examined and improved to see inclusion be more balanced and recognition improved.
“Leadership with a VISION focused on the FUTURE, not the past!”
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