Minutes of the HFA Business Meeting
October 7, 2012
St. Augustine, FL
(Subject to approval at the annual meeting in Blue Ridge, Georgia July 20, 2012)
The Higdon Family Association business meeting was called to order at
9:30 AM by President, Frances Higdon Smith. The Rev. Shelby smith led
the invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Frances Smith.
Frances welcomed everyone for attending and sent out a special welcome
to new members, plus some existing members who have not attended for
some time.
The minutes from the 2011 meeting in Fort Worth TX were read by
Secretary Martha Higdon Tidwell, Jane Brackett moved to approve and
Martha Tidwell seconded and the motion passed
Special mention regarding members not in attendance: Eva Woods sent her
regrets that she could not attend as with her 'advancing years' and
turning 90 years young, keeps her from travelingas she would like. Carol
Tyrrell sent regrets due to the recent passing of her husband, Joseph
Richard Tyrell, in June. Long time member and attendee, Eugene Smith,
was also absent, do to a serious accident on July 10th. He was still
recuperating.
Randy and Carolyn Cole were notably absent as they are in the throes of
building their new house in Blue Ridge GA. Charles P. and Nancy Higdon
were also absent and sent their regrets. Charles is experiencing some
severe back pain and is unable to travel. Lastly, Bill and Janice M.
Higdon were not in attendance as Janice needed to take care of some
personal matters regarding her parents.
Janice J. Higdon spoke about the progress on Eugene Smith's work in the
most recent scrapbook for 2008-2010. Technologist, Janice J. reports
that the web site is up and running and asked for any new input to use
on the site. She recently finished the scanning of DVD's of the four
completed scrapbooks from 1975-2010. Pictures, letters, incorporation
year, many noted mentions about specific family members. DVD's are
catalogues by year: Book 1, 1975-1984; Book 2, 1984 forward. DVD's were
free to members, one per family, and were available to pick up during
the meeting.
Shelby Smith gave a praise of gratitude to Janice J. for all the hard
work that she has given to the web site and DVD's. A round of applause
followed.
Sally Higdon Swain suggested that we talk about WCU (Western Carolina
University) and Charles E. Higdon and Bonnie Higdon. She stated that Eva
Wood had contacted them to be a repository of Higdon materials. They
currently have everything we have on the Higdons housed there. Books
can be checked out for on-site research only. Frances Smith talked about
her visits to WCU and encouraged all who can to try and visit
Newsletter Report: Barbara Tedford reported that the newsletter
continues to appear bi-monthly. Average cost, $133.43. Newsletter is
sent via e-mail along with 92 mailed copies. Barbara was, once again,
thanked for her wonderful work with the newsletter.
Necrology Report: Barbara Tedford read names of HFA members and other
relatives who had died in the past year. She asked that we all observe a
meoment of silence to honor those who have gone before us. Shelby Smith
performed a song "Find Us Faithful" in memory of those passing.
Treasurer Report: Martha Tidwell read the report furnished by Treasurer,
Janice M. Higdon. At the close of business, June 20, 2012, the
Association has a General Fund balance of $15,727.41; a Scholarship Fund
balance of $115,009.55; and an Archive Fund of $2,611.91. Total funds
in Chesapeake Bank - $133,328.87. A more detailed accounting was
provided to all members present. Janice J. Higdon moved to approve, an
dFrank Higdon seconded, an d the motion passed.
Membership: Frances Smith provided this information provided by Janice
M. Higdon. 3 new 2012 members; 4 removed from membership rolls due to 2
years without payment; 3 Emeritus members - Joann Smith, Opal Willis and
Helen Allison. HFA has 67 current members with 18 members who had not
renewed for 2012 at that current time. Once again, discussion followed
that we need to try and encourage our younger family members to
considering joing and attending the annual meetings.
Scholarship Award: Information from Chairman, Bill Higdon, indicated
that all five applicants came highly recommended. First recipient is
Amber Smith of Leitchfield KY (granddaughter of Eugene Smith), who plans
to attend Eastern Kentucky University in the Fall. Second recipient was
Cody Lee Sluder of Ashville, North Carolina (grandmother, June Higdon
Sluder), who will attend the University of North Carolina. Both will
receive awards of $1000.00 each. Special mention was given to the
"Treasure Chest" - this is a special place to contribute monies and
special gifts for scholarships. Results of a special silent auction will
be announced during the banquet.
Barbara Higdon contributed a beautiful leaded glass church with candle
and some interesting handmade bags. Other auction items will appear and
can be bid upon before the banquet. Monies made during this auction will
go to the scholarship fund. A reminder was given that all scholarship
applications are due by March 31, 2013 to Bill Higdon.
Resolution: Shelby Smith wanted to again, give special recognition to
both Janice J. Higdon and Barbara Tedfor for their many housrs and time
given to the HFA. A round of applause followed.
Nominated Slate of New Officers: Martha Tidwell read the slate of
nominees for office for the 2012-2013 year. The nominees are as follows:
President - Jane H. Brackett, Blue Ridge, GA;
1st Vice President - Karen Nave Fickes, Bethesda, MD:
2nd Vice President - Kristin Nave Yokoyama, Redondo Beach, CA;
3rd Vice President - L. Frank and Barbara Higdon, Rockport, TX
2-Year Directors - Paul E. Brown, Tulsa, OK, and Charles A. "Chuck" Higdon, Toms River, NJ;
1-Year Directors - Carolyn G. Cole, Blued Ridge, GA and Nan Harrison,
Honorary Director - Jo Ann Smith, Raleigh, NC;
Secretary - Martha H. Tidwell, Plano, TX;
Treasurer - Janice M. Higdon, Moon, VA;
Nominations Chair and Parliamentarian - Frances H. Smith, Greensboro, AL
(committee Martha H. Tidwell, Nan Harrison);
Newsletter Editor - Barbara W. Tedford, Elkins, WV;
Historian - Eugene Smith, Leitchfield, KY;
Technologist - Janice J. Higdon, San Antonio, TX;
Scholarship Chairman - William R. (Bill) Higdon, Moon, VA (committee
members, Charles P. Higdon, Clinton, TN and Sally H. Swain, Lebanon,
TN).
There being no additional nominations from the floor, motion was made by
Nan Harrison to accept the nominees for office as read. Motion seconded
by Shelby Smith. Motion passed unanimously.
Incoming President, Jane Brackett, is strongly considering holding the
2013 HFA meeting in mid-July. Jane, also, passed out surveys an
dbrchures to gain information of interest. Martha Tidwell suggested that
this be included in the newsletter. Nan Harrison, also, suggested that
we send out a postcard to 'save the date.'
New Business: Frances Smith had received an e-mail from Mark Guidry
regarding a desk that Frank B. Higdon had given him. Mark had worked
with Frank for 20 years, lives in Atlanta, GA and was wondering is
anyone in the Higdon family wanted this desk. Inquiries can be made to:
msguidry@bellsouth.net.
2012 Meeting - small but mighty attendance - 25 members registered but
only 21 attended. Small attendance was primarily due to the many
illnesses, accidents, etc. Frances and others are hopeful that
attendance will pick up for the 2013 meeting in Blue Ridge, GA. Frances
announced that the banquet
will be held in the hotel this evening (Saturday) at 7:00 PM. New
officers will be installed during the banquet.
With no further business, Janice J. Higdon moved to adjourn and Frank
Higdon seconded, motion passes, the meeting adjourned at 10:45 AM.
Respectively submitted
Martha H. Tidwell
Secretary
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