"Mercury Dispatch"

The Sergeant Major has posted a muster numbers request on the forum.Commanders or First Sergeants please respond as soon as possible. The lead elements of the GVB Staff will arrive on site Thursday evening.

A Business meeting has been called for Olustee.The time will be decided at the Commanders meeting Friday night.

On the agenda is the status of the GVB relationship with the Department of the Gulf. See the Colonels letter below.

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Gentlemen

As you are hopefully aware, at the GVB Leadership Conference in January, there was a long discussion about the fact that the GVB is not formally and officially a member of the Department of the Gulf (DoG), even though we have been falling in under them for a number of years, and have a strong relationship with them. Also, as a reminder, during the 2009 Leadership Conference, the officers voted to brigade under Brig. General Hunter Poythress, now formally with the Department of the Gulf.

However, it is correct that the GVB is not currently officially a member of the DoG.

To cut a long story very short, a motion was put on the table to formally become a member of the DoG, but after much discussion, that motion, although seconded, was withdrawn and was never voted on. However, two requests were formally made:

1. For the Battalion Staff to put together a Pros and Cons document so that this could be circulated and discussed by company commanders prior to Olustee.
2. That a business meeting be held at Olustee when more discussion could be had on this topic.

In accordance with your company commanders wishes, I am including that list of Pros and Cons here. I will also forward this note to your company commanders. Please discuss and let me know if you have any questions.

I had originally scheduled the business meeting for 4PM on Saturday at Olustee at Battalion Headquarters (open for anyone in the Battalion), but it now seems that the event schedule may interfere with that. We will make a decision at the regular Officers & First Sergeants meeting at HQ on Friday evening at 9PM as to the timing of the meeting and will get the final word out to you all at that time.

Regards,

Col. Paul Jerram
Commanding, Georgia Volunteer Battalion

Pros and Cons of the GVB Formally Joining the DoG:

PROS:
1. The DoG is a nationally recognized entity that has been in existence for over 25 years.
2. The GVB has been the "unofficial" 2nd Battalion since the Department's creation, thereby setting precedence for official membership rather than an association or affiliation.
3. There is no membership process, nor are there dues, elections or other requirements/stipulations in order to join.
4. The DoG leadership consists of seasoned reenactors who promote historical accuracy and a professional approach to events and the overall management of the organization.
5. Members have the availability (though not a requirement) of insurance through the Department's policy.
6. The DoG infantry commander is a former GVB commander and a Georgian. The GVB voted in 2009 to brigade under him (Brig. General Poythress).
7. The Department's leadership does not meddle in battalion affairs nor will it willfully interfere in independent battalion, company or other separate command business. All it asks for is the efficient and timely dissemination of information presented from Headquarters, and the timely and efficient presentation of requested information from its membership in order to run the Department in a military and professional manner. The GVB Staff currently readily comply with those requests, and have done for several years.

CONs:
1. A hypothetical situation where the GVB opted to attend the same event as the DoG, but in another capacity (e.g., with another organization perhaps). I can't see in the foreseeable future where this might occur, and it hasnt happened in the past but it is possible.
2. Perceived loss of autonomy and control of the GVB where the DoG would somehow exercise authority over the GVBs business and running of its own battalion.

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Shiloh registration will end on March 12TH. Please use the following link to register. Shiloh Registration.

Register as the following:

2nd Division (King)
3rd (Poythress' Brigade)
Georgia Volunteer Battalion

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NOTES:

Wanted: Tin-Types of GVB members to add to our Pictures. Scan and send them to the Adjutant for addition to the website.