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All,
I registered at the first announcement. I joined the society only last year and attended my first conference in Williamsburg in 2011. It was a most enlightening experience for my wife and I. I would encourage all of you to make ever effort to attend and support this society. Currently I am trekking through Virginia and Maryland this week polishing up my presentation on Dr. Hunter H. McGuire. Just yesterday I had the privilege to interview Dr. Hunter H. McGuire, Jr (his great grandson) and visited the Richmond Capitol grounds where the ''old man's" statue resides as well as the Chimborazo Hospital site, Hollywood Cemetery and Chancellorsville Battlefield. Today I will visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, MD. Finally wrapping up our journey end of week in Winchester and Lexington, VA.
Everywhere I have been, once the park rangers, docents & guides realize the reason for my short sojourn, their eyes light up and they come forth with tidbits of information on the topic of medicine during the Civil War and hard to find information on Stonewall Jackson's surgeon.
While not a reenactor, I am a student of history and a collector of early American medical antiques. I have very strong feelings about keeping history alive and interesting for our children and our society as a whole. It would be devastating to lose such an important society during the sesquicentennial remembrances of the War between the States.
Regards,
Yusuf (JP) Saleeby, MD
-----Original Message-----
From: JOHN REAM III
To: members
Sent: Tue, Jan 24, 2012 10:59 am
Subject: Re: SOCIETY IN DIRE STRAITS
From: JOHN REAM III
To: members
Sent: Tue, Jan 24, 2012 10:59 am
Subject: Re: SOCIETY IN DIRE STRAITS
Fellow members,PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SOCIETY. I have already registered for my wife and myself and got room reservations for fear of the motel running out. We are looking forward to this unusual opportunity. Please get on the wagon with us. John Ream
----- Original Message -----From: PauletteSent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 1:20 PMSubject: RE: SOCIETY IN DIRE STRAITS
Pete,As a brand new member of this society, I am hoping and praying that the conference IS NOT cancelled. I live in Atlanta and have been to Port Columbus ,Andersonville, and Ft Benning’s new infantry museum. These places are absolutely wonderful! The towns of Columbus and Oglethorpe area are darling and well worth the trip. I am so excited about meeting the other members and networking. Since I joined, I have gotten so much out of this organization by asking questions to several members for resources as I write my book.
I was a president of a national nurses organization and when every other group was going belly up, we grew and had our own conference and netted $120,000! It was all due to determination of the Board and other members to make this group the representative of our nursing specialty. This organization( SOCWS) is just that…a specialty where no other group can provide the kind of discussions, networking and expertise that is offered. Hopefully, the membership will continue to see the value of this organization and gathering for an annual conference.
I am very proud to be a member and hope SOCWS will continue to thrive.
Kindest Regards,
Paulette Snoby, Atlanta, GA.770-475-2059404-328-8808
From: SOCWS Web Administrator [mailto:socwswebadmin@civilwarsurgeons.org]
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 12:14 PM
To: members
Subject: SOCIETY IN DIRE STRAITS
SOCIETY IN DIRE STRAITS
Dear Society members:
The Society, YOUR Society, is in dire straits. We are less than two (2) months away from our next conference and it is not looking good. As many of you know, I always worry about enough registrations. Somehow you always come through in the end. I thought last year was bad, but this year is even worse. As of today’s date, January 23rd, we have only 16 people registered for the conference.I realize that the economy is tough, but it is even tougher for the Society. What can we do at this time? Can we go ahead with the conference? Probably, but the hotel, caterers, etc. are counting on a minimum number (60) of people attending. We would, in all probability have to compensate these groups for the difference between the actual number attending and the projected number. Can we cancel the conference? Yes, but it would have to be done NLT February 21st. Even at that, we would have to pay the hotel at least $1200 in “liquidated damages,” not to mention the $4,000 we would have to refund those who have already registered. Additionally, we don't know if the caterers, bus company, and naval museum will refund the deposits already paid.
What would this mean for the Society if we cancel the conference? The End! It would bankrupt us. No more web site; no more journal; no more Society. In addition, we would have to try to refund the membership fees for the members who renewed for this year, as well as those who did a multi-year renewal.
The Society has been in existence for 32 years. It is THE go to organization for persons interested in studying, researching, portraying Civil War era medicine, surgery, and the professionals who practiced those arts. It would be a disservice to all if the Society were to fold.
That being said, what can you do for your Society. First, if you plan to attend the conference send in your registration and payment ASAP. Second, if you are not going to attend, or even if you are, you can make a tax deductible donation by check, money order, credit card, or Pay Pal. We will send you a letter acknowledging your donation for tax purposes. No amount is too small.
To paraphrase someone, the fate of the Society is in your hands, my fellow countrymen, not mine. Whether the Society continues past the next few months will be entirely up to you, the members. Don’t let this organization, your organizationdisappear and leave a void, not only in your lives, but in those who count on the Society for the expertise, knowledge, and support it can provide.
Most Respectfully,
Your Humble Servant,
Peter J. D’Onofrio, Ph. D.
President
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