Minutes of Junior Oratorical Meeting – September 12, 2007

In Attendance: 

           Chairman: Nate Fernald (Distr 4)                      Excused/Absent

            Vice Chairman: Dave Victor (Distr 8)

Dr Ruth Wrigley (Distr 2) (Scribe)                                E

Charlie Cook Vice Commander (Distr 1)

Dan Webster (Distr 7)                                                  A

Joe Caouette (Distr 3)

Ray Lapointe (Distr 3)                                                  A

Dale Mitchell (Distr 8)

Deb DeMers (Distr 8)

Jack Neylon  PDC NEC (Tabulator)

Roland Patnode PDC Alt NEC (Tabulator)

Benjamin Talford  PDC (Tabulator)

Albert Latulippe (Distr 4) (Time Keeper)                      E

Greg Lapointe (Distr 3) (Time Keeper)                         E

Don Small PDC (Distr 3) (Head Usher)                        E

John Zachodny (Ex-Officio)

            Guests: Sandy Neylon (Distr 8) (PDP)

                        Kathryn Fernald (Distr 4) (PDP)

A salute to our flag, the pledge of allegiance, and a moment of silence in remembrance of our departed comrade Darryl Sykes began the session.

Chairman Nate Fernald spoke and discussed with the committee the following topics:

• Budget.  The program has been provided a Budget of $2,300.00 for this year by the Department Finance Committee.  Nate gave everyone a copy of the budget details and asked for approval of expenditures.  A couple of adjustments were made and the committee approved unanimously the budget.

• School Listings.  Nate passed copies of school information (addresses, contacts, etc.) to each district representative.  Deb DeMers committed to updating the lists.

• Topics and Changes.  Nate informed  the committee of the three articles of the Constitution that the contestants would be speaking of for the contest.  He also reiterated the latest rule of the contestants not being able to read their presentation but that they could use cue cards.

• Participation.  Nate expressed his desire that there would be sixteen contestants (two from each district as allowed by rule) this year.

• Problem Districts.  Noting the void created by the death of Darryl Sykes, Nate said he was certain that District 6 would continue its efforts in the program.  He expressed some concern and said he would contact the District 7 Commander in hopes of getting their participation.

Charlie Cook gave the members a web site for home schoolers:  chenh.org.

Joe Caouette briefed the committee concerning issues at the national level for the program.

No date was set for the next meeting .  The committee adjourned at 7:56pm.

Copies to:         Commander Chuck Lewis

            Dept Adjutant John Zachodny

                        Dept WEB master Doug Micklon