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2007 Meeting Minutes

Minutes
of the
2007 Congress of the Western Brigade
held at
Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Springfield, IL
on
10 November 2007

I. 2007 Congress was called to order by Executive Agent Charles Lemons at 10:10AM CST. The following
representatives of member units were present:

Major Robert Murray of the 1st Minnesota was also present as a non-voting representative. Dave Wachtveitl of
the National Park Service, from Logan’s Brigade, was present from time to time as his duties for the Park
Service permitted. Gutzke also represented Associate member unit the 45th Illinois Infantry, and Jarvis
represented the 49th NY.
All representatives present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

II. Rosters were turned in to Executive Agent Lemons by those member units with representatives present
(except the 64th Illinois, received since). $40 dues were paid by those member units with representatives
present, with Executive Agent Lemons accepting payment in the absence of the Secretary/Treasurer.

III. Reports
A. Executive Agent Charles Lemons
1. As none of the other Officers are present, Lemons will cover all three reports.
2. The registration fee for our incorporation status in the State of Indiana is paid. This is a small
fee, under $10, due annually.
3. The Secretary/Treasurer is currently serving in Iraq, and is scheduled to be there for another
year. Lemons estimates there is currently “a couple hundred dollars” in the Western Brigade
bank account.
4. As noted in the Executive Agent’s report, the Secretary/Treasurer is unable to attend.
5. Willenbring appointed acting secretary for this Congress (m. Moffet, s. Gutzke).
6. Lemons will make out receipts today for those units who have paid dues, and will send
invoices to those member units who haven’t.
7. Stewart DeVane is currently our agent in Indiana (our incorporation status in that state
requires a contact address in Indiana). His unit, the 42nd Indiana, was not able to send a
representative to this year’s Congress, but wishes to remain in good standing with the Brigade.
8. Colonel Lavis sent a letter with Jarvis to be read to the Congress. Jarvis read the letter. The
Congress voted to accept the letter (m. Moffet, s. Willenbring).


IV. Old Business
A. Treasury Audit
1. Lemons will make a report to all member units when the planned treasury audit is completed.
2. Moffet asked Lemons what the Brigade’s current expenditures are – Lemons reported that
currently we have only two: the annual corporate registration in Indiana, and our $40 annual web
hosting fee. Lemons also reported that he has been paying the Indiana registration fee the last
few years himself, with the Sec/Treas on active duty. This inspired discussion on possible future
uses for our treasury moneys, since there is a significant positive difference between our annual
income and expenses.
3. Murray asked the Congress whether all member units were happy with the current level of
dues. There was general assent.
4. A motion was passed to table the treasury audit until Lemons can get a handle on the treasury
status, and for Lemons to notify the member units regarding the status of the audit email (m.
Willenbring, s. Borland).
B. Web Site Improvements
1. Moffet asked those present about member units’ use of the website.
a. Lemons stated it’s more for others’ use than our own - “What’s up with the Western
Brigade?” Neher agreed.
2. Moffet asked whether the tutorials on how to use various aspects of the website were still
available. They are currently part of the improvement process and temporarily unavailable.
3. Moffet asked whether the Congress representatives were all getting Western Brigade emails,
and suggested that everyone check the website to make sure their unit contact information is
correct there.
4. Lemons briefly spoke about a photo directory on the website, so that people can recognize
each other at events.
5. Lemons will update the website to reflect our new Colonel after the Congress, and will update
the list of member units.
a. Moffet stated that getting that information up to date, getting a handle on who we are as
a Brigade, is important.

V. New Business
A. Acceptance of New Units to Full Membership
1. Indiana Brigade
a. Neher offered to step out of the room for discussion. The offer was accepted.
b. Several concerns were brought up regarding Mill Springs, including the bagpiper and a
civilian mess in a company street. One representative stated that he would like to see the
Indiana Brigade at one more event, since Mill Springs was atypical for Western Brigade
events. “Can they go without canvas?”
c. It was mentioned that Western Brigade standards for camping style was not
communicated very well prior to Mill Springs.
d. There was also discussion regarding the fact that the Indiana Brigade is large enough
and organized enough to petition for membership in the First Federal Division directly,
and have their own place at the table at that level, or for the individual member units in
the Indiana Brigade to join the WB separately. Did the Indiana Brigade understand and
accept the advantages and disadvantages to the course they’re following?
e. A fifteen minute break was called at this point in the discussion.
f. Neher rejoined the Congress after the break. The concerns were discussed, and Neher
assured the Congress that the issues at Mill Springs were due to unclear standards, and
need not be repeated. Neher also stated that the Indiana Brigade is fully aware of the
various courses of action available, and desire to be a part of the Western Brigade as a
whole.
g. The question was called, and the Indiana Brigade was accepted as a full member of the
Western Brigade unanimously.

2. 45th Illinois
a. As there was no representative of the 45th Illinois present who could respond to
questions or discussion, the issue was tabled (m. Moffet, s. Borland, Gutzke abstained).
3. New units petitioning for membership
a. 13th US Regulars (South Dakota) would like to petition for membership. The 1st
Minnesota sponsors. The 13th could not send a representative to the Congress, and will
send in their dues and roster ASAP.

The Executive Agent declared the Congress in recess for one hour for lunch. Lunch was provided by Logan’s Brigade.

B. Elections
1. Colonel
a. One candidate was previously nominated, Jim Moffet of the 1st Minnesota.
b. With no other candidates, nominations were closed (m. Gutzke, s. Willenbring).
c. Moffet was elected by unanimous acclamation (m. Willenbring, s. Gutzke).
C. Other New Business
1. Murray suggested the Congress appoint a committee to review existing bylaws and
recommend necessary changes.
2. The Congress discussed changing realities in the hobby and world, including declining
membership in member units and modern communications technologies, and how certain aspects
of the bylaws no longer reflect the best interests of the Brigade.
3. Murray appointed lead in the effort to update our bylaws, and all member unit representatives
as members of the committee.

VI. Event Selection
A. 2008 Events
1. “Stand of Colors”, Westport (Kansas City), MO – 16-18 May 2008
a. http://www.standofcolors.org/
b. Good land, lots of space, variety of activities
c. Static and Advanced Camps
d. Many nearby attractions, such as the Arabia Museum, WWI museum, Pres. Truman’s
Presidential Library, Watkins Woolen Mill, and Fort Leavenworth. And good barbecue.
e. Proceeds from the event go to the local Rotary Club’s camp for disabled children – a
good cause.
2. “At High Tide”, Gettysburg, PA – 27-29 June 2008
a. Units registering to march with the WB must include “Western Brigade” as part of their
unit affiliation.
b. The possibility was put forward of registering through the WB. No action.
c. A large number of units have expressed a desire to join the WB at Gettysburg, with a
possibility for 8 or more companies plus up to 4 more from the Indiana Brigade totaling
as much as 350 men. Organizing this may become a challenge, but Col. Elect Moffet has
both our needs and those of the event organizers in mind.
d. Common approval of a ration issue at the event - $10-$15 per man, all or nothing,
nobody abstains. Simple fare, coffee, sugar, salt pork, and hard bread. Plans are already
under way.
e. Registration may open as soon as 1 December 2007, and is expected to fill up fast.
There are “only” 1000 slots held for Western Federals.
f. No scenario is planned for Friday. Our plans to camp on the GNMP site near the
Pennsylvania and Minnesota Monuments fits that: arrive Thursday, camp over night, drill
on Friday, and march across the Park Friday afternoon and evening to the event site on
adjacent land.
g. Route of march still being planned, expect 3-4 miles. All is dependent on getting
permits from NPS, which is not guaranteed.
3. Chickamauga – Fall of 2008
a. Brought up by Neher on behalf of Col. Lavis.
b. No information available on this event at this time
c. This event was not discussed at the NSA meeting in May 2007.
d. No action taken.
e. Another 15 minute break was called.
B. 2009 Events
1. Pea Ridge Campaign, Jonesboro, Arkansas – April 2009
a. 1200 acres in eastern Arkansas.
b. Mike Moore has put up $40,000 in seed money
c. Many logistical details have already been worked out.
d. We will be moving, no static camps.
e. This will be Mike Moore’s last event commanding the AoT.
2. “Bummers”, Camp Thunder, Molena, Georgia – 13-15 November 2009
a. “Campaigner” event
b. Col. Lavis and Art Milberg of the WIG have discussed cooperating on future events.
i. One or two companies of WIG with the WB at Gettysburg in 2008
ii. WB to Bummers in 2009
c. Site is a Boy Scout Reserve
d. Scenario is Sherman’s March to the Sea – 350 of Sherman’s Bummers burning stuff
down. Gutzke expressed approval.
e. Planning is still very preliminary
C. NSA meeting, Nashville, TN – January 2008
1. Date announced at the Congress was “last weekend in January”, but 1FD website says “third
weekend in January”.
2. Col. Elect Moffet may not be able to get there.
D. 2010 Events
1. Nothing on the table for 2010.
E. Next WB Congress set for 8 November 2008, at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site,
Springfield, IL, 10AM Central Time.

VII. For the Good of the Brigade
A. The WB is the most viable field organization in Federal reenacting today.
B. Col. Elect Moffet called for volunteers for staff positions at all Brigade events.
1. Has good candidates he can call on in Minnesota and elsewhere.
2. Doesn’t want to gut the “13½th Minnesota Regulars” company.
3. Wants to spread the experience around, build for the future.
4. May depend on local representatives from member units to help scout things out in lieu of him
traveling everywhere himself.
C. Due date for dues for 2008 are set at 1 January, 2008.
D. WB should create a SOP document for “How the Brigade does things”, setting down standards for
member units to live by at events. This will help new groups during their probationary period.

The 2008 Congress was adjourned by Executive Agent Lemons at 3:00PM.



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