The Torch (gold coin) Is
Passed
Charles Mander (left) receives the ceremonial symbol of
his new office as
President of The CWRTNY from outgoing President Pat
Falci.
President's
Farewell Message
- June 2009
After two
years of arduous service, I am ending my term as
president. It has been an eventful two years; changes
were made to strengthen the organization for the future.
These changes were not fully accepted by everyone, but,
as one member said to me, "I don't agree with you, but I
see why you're doing it." That's all I ask - that you
see why I'm doing it and try to look at the big picture.
I've spoken to or observed over fifty round tables over
the years, and most of them, including ours, consist
largely of a more mature group. The same people have
been doing the same job for, in some cases, 10 to 20
years.
I didn't
want that to happen to our round table. You gain the
knowledge by doing the job. The more people who know how
to do a job, the better we are. I don't want to hear "I
don't care about the future. I'll stop doing this when I
feel like it." Nor do I want to hear "I'll give you
advice, but I won't do any actual work." Nobody owns a
position, and nobody should feel that if they want to
contribute, it's beneath them to do administrative
chores. We must share the knowledge, and we can't all be
"management". After all, it's a volunteer organization.
And I salute all the volunteers who've sat at the front
table, helped carry flags and banners, negotiated with
the 3 West Club, organized dinners, taken reservations
and meal tickets, and run raffles. We've put together
one of the best newsletters of any round table. And
those who sat down to learn the workings of the treasury
and of the tour. We had the benefit of a good tour
leader and a diligent treasurer for 10 years, but it was
time for the knowledge to be passed on. This way,
despite attrition and emergencies, others will be able
to lead when needed.
These
changes are not always popular, but I hope you
understand why they had to be made. In my 28 years as a
member of the CWRT-NY, I've seen us advance and I've
seen us retreat. We must continue to advance. I have
confidence in the new administration's ability to lead
us well to our 60th anniversary and the 150th
anniversary of the War. Isn't that what it's all about?
I bid you an
affectionate farewell.
Patrick
Falci
Major New Gift!
OUR BENEFACTOR - DR. MARK
ZIMMERMAN, D.O.
The
next 5 recipients of The Barondess/Lincoln Prize will
receive a bronze Lincoln sculpture. Dr. Mark Zimmerman
of Vero Beach, Fla. has generously pledged to donate the
sculptures cast from the April, 1860 Life Mask of
Lincoln taken by Leonard Volk. Dr. Zimmerman, the owner
of the mold, has established a foundry to make castings
for sale to the general public. The sculpture sells for
$5,200 and may be seen on the web at:
www.touchingthefaceofhistory.com.
Dr.
Zimmerman will attend our February meeting to explain
the history of the Lincoln Life Mask. The Round Table is
profoundly greatly for both the suitability and
generosity of this gift. Our Prize now has a symbol
worthy of it.
OUR
FIRST ENDOWMENT!
Dr. Jeremiah Barondess
The
Benjamin Barondess Lincoln Prize has received a matching
endowment grant from Dr. Jeremiah Barondess, President
Emeritus of the NY Academy of Medicine. In existence since
1962, the Barondess/Lincoln Prize has become one of the
nation's most coveted and honored awards for Lincoln studies.
In order to keep its future bright, Dr. Barondess has
pledged matching funds to enhance and double our own endowment
efforts. The Round Table's founding funds were increased
by generous gifts from Director, Harold Holzer, Treasurer,
George Hornburg and our Corporate friend, The Ridgewood
Savings Bank. Bravos all around.
THANK
YOU!
Tawani
Foundation
Edward
C. Tracy the Executive Director of Chicago’s Tawani
Foundation forwarded a sponsorship grant to develop our
speaker program in the amount of $1,000. The Foundation
is dedicated to supporting efforts to commemorate the
services to the nation of the citizen-soldier. It is most
gratifying to receive such a vote of confidence when our
club has no track record in receiving institutional support.
We know that this trust will not be misplaced given our
stellar speaker programs. Perhaps, too, the record of
this sponsorship will encourage others to support our
passionate endeavors to not let slip into oblivion the
memory of our nation’s Civil War Thank you again
Tawani Foundation for your generosity!
Library!
What Library? Our Library.
Yes
indeed, the CWRT/NY has a library and it now has a permanent
home.
Officially
called "The Library Collection
of the Civil War Round Table of NY"
the beautiful subscription library of The General
Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen at 20 West 44th Street,
Manhattan, has given our club valuable shelf space
within its general library.
Located
along "club row" in midtown, our membership
can now access their own collection along with that of
the general library. For our members only, $25.00 per
year gives you a library and a great place to break up
a busy day with quiet, beauty and a good read.
Also,
you get the world's most beautiful library card!
P.S. It has been the
novel not movies or non-fiction that has generated the
most interest in the Civil War. A brief alphabetical by
author list follows:
1. Don Bannister. "Long
Day at Shiloh"
2. John Brick.
"Jubilee"
3. Shelby Foote.
"Shiloh"
4. M.A. Harper. "For
the Love of Robert E. Lee"
5. Thomas Keneally.
"Confederates"
6. Margaret Mitchell.
"Gone With the Wind"
7. William Safire.
"Freedom"
8. Jeff Shaara. "Gods
and Generals;" "Last Full Measure"
9. Michael Shaara. "The
Killer Angels"
10.Tom Wicker. "Unto
This Hour"
