The annual meeting began at 10:00 a.m. with Chair John Kay presiding. After welcoming everyone to the meeting, Dr. Kay announced that charter membership to date is approximately 280. Membership renewal in the Society was encouraged. All persons who joined by the organizational meeting on July 12th of last year are due for renewal. Dr. Kay stated that the Society has now achieved 501(c)(3) (non-profit) status, and donations since 10/27/2003 are and will continue to be tax-deductible.
Mr. Bud Hill, Treasurer, gave the financial report of the Society (attached). A motion was made to approve the financial report. The motion was seconded and passed.
All those related to Byron Herbert Reece were asked to stand, and they were recognized by applause.
Mr.
Fleming Weaver spoke on the plans for the Reece farm property. He introduced
architect Garland Reynolds, who gave a brief presentation of physical plans for
the property, such as a plaza, pavilion, amphitheater and visitor center. Mr.
Weaver shared levels of giving and sponsorship levels for the development of the
Reece property (attached). A motion was made to accept the proposed giving
levels. Motion was seconded and passed.
Mr. Lamar Paris, chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the slate of directors for the 2004-2005 year. One nomination was made from the floor for Mr. Ken Johnston to be added to the current list of nominated directors, bringing the total to 29. The motion to accept his nomination was seconded and passed. A motion was then made to accept the entire slate of directors (list attached), and the motion was seconded and passed.
Dr. Raymond Cook presented the Society with the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame plaque that he had accepted from The University of Georgia for Reece. Dr. Cook also shared that although he had tentatively agreed to donate Byron Herbert Reece letters to Emory University, he hopes to see them in the possession of the Society.
Dr. Alan Jackson gave a progress report on the publication of Reece letters. The publication, a collaborative effort of Dr. Cook and Dr. Jackson, is ready to go to press and will be published by the Mercer University Press. Dr. Jackson recognized Dr. Kay for his work with the Society and the success of the first annual meeting.
Mrs. Janice Moore introduced the speaker, Dr. Hugh Ruppersburg of The University of Georgia, who spoke on the topic “Why Georgia Needed (Why Georgia Needs) Byron Herbert Reece.” Following his talk, a brief break occurred.
Mrs. Helen Lewis introduced the Byron Herbert Reece DVD, and segments of the DVD were shown to the membership.
A head count of 115 was given for the meeting, and Mr. Tom Jeffery was recognized for his technical help.
Mr. Lamar Paris recognized Dr. John Kay for his work by presenting him with a gift.
Following the general meeting, the newly elected board of directors met for officer elections. A motion was made to leave the current slate of officers (John Kay – Chair; Lamar Paris - Vice-Chair; Dawn Lamade – Secretary; Bud Hill – Treasurer; members-at-large of the executive committee – Charles Hill, Janice Moore, Fleming Weaver) as they stand for the 2004-2005 year. The motion was seconded and passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemary Royston, acting secretary
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