THANK YOU SARATOGA! |
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2022 Saratoga Convention!
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Despite the cancelation of the prior two years and the remaining threat of the Pandemic, 57 Torch Members and their Guests joined together for the Annual Torch Convention in Saratoga New York. Representing 25 of the 50 current Torch Clubs, attendees enjoyed the amenities and cuisine of the Holiday Inn at Saratoga Springs, culminating in the Gala Banquet on Saturday night and an interesting and informative presentation by Professor Lowell Satre, the Paxton Award Winner, on “Coal Mining in Northern England in the 19th Century”.
The Agenda encompassed several presentations relating to the history of Saratoga, an emphasis on club development (highlighted by a focus on Best Practices by a team from the Richmond Club), and a poignant presentation by Terry Anderson, the AP Reporter kidnapped and imprisoned in Lebanon for 7 years. Tours included a cruise on Lake George, a Trolley tour of Saratoga with a historical narration, a tour of General/President Grant’s Cottage where he finished his memoirs in his last days, and a visit to the Revolutionary War Saratoga Battlefield and Visitor Center. In the Business Meetings, 27 club delegates voted and elected Rich Davis, Tim Spaeder and Anne Sterling as Directors at Large, elected Art Bloom as IATC Vice President, passed the 2022-2023 IATC Budget, modified the current IATC Bylaws to facilitate a Special Fall Virtual Convention to vote on replacement Bylaws, and were introduced to Angela Dodson, the new Editor of The Torch Magazine. More information regarding the bylaws including special information/training sessions will be held in advance of the Special Fall Virtual Convention. Details are forthcoming. Dorothy Driskell, President of IATC, handed off her responsibilities to the incoming President Susan Breen-Held on Sunday morning, bringing the Convention to a close with a debrief on the prior 3 days. The overall consensus, many of which were first time attendees, was that the experience met the ideals of Torch with great fellowship, education and experiences. Look out for news about the 2023 convention
and the next hosting club and location! |
Click here to view the survey results from this year's convention.
Awards & Recognitions
Elizabeth Short
Columbus, Ohio Region 5 District Leader & Awards Chair Gold Award Winner 
Lowell Satre
Youngstown, OH "Coal Mining In Northern Britain" Paxton Winner Certificates of Appreciation
Elizabeth Short for her service in bringing greater visibility and appreciation to the IATC Awards Program
Dwight Williams for his work in chairing the Bylaw Review Committee Douglas Johnson for his work in drafting the 2022 bylaws restatement Lynn Bernard for her work in drafting the 2022 bylaws restatement June Galvin for her work in drafting the 2022 bylaws restatement especially her work on the disciplinary policies Ed Latimer for his emeritus board service Leo Kellogg for his outstanding work on the 2021 and 2022 Nominating Committees, and for organizing and recruiting volunteers for the Centennial History Project Gerald Stulc and the Saratoga Torch club for their hospitality in hosting the 2022 Convention |