Byron Herbert Reece Society
Annual Meeting
May 21, 2005
At 10:05 a.m., Dr. John Kay called the second annual meeting of the Byron Herbert Reece Society to order.
Mrs. Louisa Franklin, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Young Harris College, welcomed the group on behalf of YHC.
Dr. Kay read from Dr. Raymond Cook’s book on Reece, and then gave a brief report on membership. At the end of 2004, the BHRS had 301 charter members and 50 lifetime members. The non-renewal rate is currently at about 20%, and all members were encouraged to submit their renewals as soon as they receive their notices. Dr. Kay gave words of appreciation to Dawn Lamade for all of her hard work.
The June 2004 BHRS minutes were presented for comments. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. Motion passed.
Mr. Bud Hill, Treasurer of BHRS, gave a Treasurer’s Report. A motion was made and seconded to approve the report. Motion passed.
Mr. Fleming Weaver, Chair of the Farm Development Committee, gave the farm report through a DVD presentation. The video presentation included plans for improvements, existing farm implements to be displayed, and repairs needed at the farm site.
An Appalachian Regional Commission grant application for a $50,000 matching grant is to be sent to Washington, DC in the coming week. Jimmy Tallent of United Community Bank has pledge $50,000 for the welcome center.
Mr. Weaver gave the report for Lydia Sartain, chair of the Capital Campaign Committee. Each member present was given a letter of intent for the purpose of making their own financial contribution to the farm project. Members were also asked to provide names and contact information of other prospective donors.
Representative Charles Jenkins, Chip Pearson and Mike Giles were all recognized for HR 295, which dedicates a section of Hwy 129 as the Byron Herbert Reece Memorial Highway. The resolution also recognized Byron Herbert Reece as Georgia’s Appalachian Poet/Novelist. Representative Jenkins presented the resolution to the Society.
Mr. Lamar Paris gave the Nominating Committee Report for the 2005-2006 slate. The bylaws of the Society allow for 35 members, and a slate of 34 was presented. No additional individuals were nominated and a motion was made to close. Motion was seconded, and the slate was elected by acclamation.
Mrs. Janice Moore, Chair of the Program Committee, introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. John Stone, who presented a provocative address entitled “This World Like a Knife.”
Following Dr. Stone’s presentation, Dr. Raymond Cook and Dr. Alan Jackson shared highlights of their upcoming book on Reece entitled, “Faithfully Yours: The Letters of Byron Herbert Reece.”
Dr. Kay then gave the following closing remarks: The next annual meeting will be either in May or June of 2006. The specific date will be sent out as soon as possible. Members were encouraged to renew their memberships as soon as they receive their renewal notice. Also, he encouraged Society members to become better acquainted with Reece by reading his works or works about him.
Following the general meeting, there was a brief board meeting where the following business was conducted. First, a motion was put forth so that the current bylaws could be amended when necessary. The proposed bylaw would read: “These bylaws may be amended at any time by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors, present and voting” (Section 9.8). Motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the proposed amendment to the bylaws.
The board then voted to create a new office – Membership Secretary. The current description of Recording Secretary does not include many of the duties that the current secretary is doing. Therefore, it is necessary to create this position so that all membership issues (applications, record keeping, renewals, etc.) can be addressed by a single officer of the board. A motion was made to create the position and seconded. Motion passed.
Finally, Mr. Lamar Paris presented the slate of officers nominated for 2005-2006:
Chair – Dr. John Kay
Vice- Chair – Mr. Lamar Paris
Secretary – Ms. Dawn Lamade
Treasurer – Mrs. Jan Bennett
Membership Secretary – Mrs. Kay Yandell
Members-at-Large: Mr. Charles Hill, Mrs. Janice Moore, and Mr. Fleming Weaver.
A motion was made to close the nominations. Motion was seconded and the slate was approved by acclamation.
This concluded the board meeting following the general meeting of the Byron Herbert Reece Society.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemary Royston, acting Secretary