The 4 “C’s” of Camp Building

From the Orphan Brigade newsletter (points to ponder for our camp)

Communication: a camp has to have several modes of communication in order to be successful. The camp newsletter is the foundation, but is augmented by electronic (email, website) and personal (phone calls, visits)

Connection: Members have to feel connected to a camp, or they will drift away. Communications help lead to relationships within the membership that keeps people anchored. From how they are greeted at their first meeting, to phone calls seeing how they are doing, the goal is to connect.

Camaraderie: It has to be enjoyable and uplifting to be a member. Camps must seek activities that increase esprit’ de corps, and must avoid distractions that divide.

Cause: a camp must have a reason to exist. This should be a combination of short and medium-term projects, along with longer term ideals. Without a direction to be working on, the camp will wander aimlessly until it withers.

April 10th, Dr. Glen Spann to Speak

Glen Spann is an Associate Professor of History at Asbury College, and pastor of the High Bridge Union Church in High Bridge. A Texan by birth, Dr. Spann graduated from Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary, and earned his Ph. D. at Johns Hopkins University. Of course, Glen also happens to be the Commander of our camp! We will be in our accustomed place, Columbia’s Steak House on N. Limestone in Lexington, and the accustomed time: Meeting and dinner at 6:00 p.m., speaker at 7:00 p.m., and feel free to come a little early to socialize.

"Mac" Coffman Impresses at March Meeting

If you missed the March camp meeting, you missed a special one. We were regaled by renowned and prolific historian Edward “Mac” Coffman. He covered a number of topics, ranging from his works on World War I to his interviews with both Confederate and Union veterans. We were also honored to have Army of Tennessee Department Councilman Ed Butler join us.

Camp 100 Hosts Army of Tennessee Meeting

Our camp hosted the Army of Tennessee and AoT Commander Kelly Barrow on March 15th, at the Old Fayette County Courthouse. What better place to meet than a building with statues of John Hunt Morgan and John C. Breckinridge outside, and in a room with a portrait of W. P. Breckinridge hanging on the wall? This marked the third time our camp has had the honor of hosting the AoT. Thanks to Keith Mathis of the A. J. Ringo Camp #1509, New Castle, IN for the pictures. Pictured at right is Dr. Tom Hiter, Kentucky Division Commander, giving welcome and opening the meeting.

Army of Tennessee Commander Kelly Barrow welcoming the troops. Kelly also spoke on the importance of communications in the SCV, and the new communications tools at work, such as SCV In the Know and the SCV Blog.

Don Shelton, camp 100 member and SCV Chief of Staff, was supposed to speak on heritage defense, but wandered off on French philosophers for a while (again). At least he did come back to the Lincoln specialty plate scandal discussion eventually.

Camp 100 member and SCV Judge Advocate General-in-Chief Burl McCoy speaking on a variety of topics, from upcoming SCV events, to Confederate highlights of Lexington, to legal issues that the SCV faces.

Pictured here is SCV Membership Services Coordinator Bryan Sharp (sometimes known as "Squirrel") talking about recruiting, retention and member outreach.

Right: Camp #100 member and SCV Executive Director Ben Sewell, who spoke on a number of initiatives and ongoing programs that the SCV has available to members.