The R.C.H.S. met on Thursday, Nov 17th at 7 p.m. for their regular monthly meeting. There were twenty-eight members and guests present.

President, Rick Greathouse, called the meeting to order, Johanna Nutter led the opening prayer and the Pledge to the flag was recited by all.
The minutes from the October meeting were read by Susan Tucker, Sect'y & accepted as presented. The treasurer's report by Carol Board-Westfall reflects a working balance of $17,608.90
Linda Liss, Membership & Corresponding Sect'y reports current membership at 208. Twelve members have not paid 2011-12 dues & will be removed from the roll. She has responded to inquires and other correspondence as needed.

Mr. Michael Myers, guest/visitor, made an inquiry about information needed to recognize Mr. James M. Cleavenger, Commander of a G.A.R. Post at Spencer. Mr. Cleavenger enlisted in the Union Army in 1864, Co D, 7th Reg W.Va. Cav Vol. Mr. Cleavenger was the son of Bailey Cleavenger.

Other business/news included:
1. $750 2nd Annual Essay Scholarship has been brought to the Guidance Counselor of Roane County High School where it will be presented to Senior students. College-bound students will be applying for the different scholarships in January 2012.
2. Carol Board-Westfall did interview with the Spencer Newspapers, Inc. in preparation of an article about the society's recent historic churches in Roane County plaque project.
3. Society "16th Annual WV History Hero" nominee, Linda Liss, has completed needed applications and returned them to society President Greathouse for his review, signature and delivery to the Culture Center in Charleston.

Our evening's guest speakers were Sara Prior, Planning & Education Coordinator and Carolyn Kender, Archaeologist Sect 106/Cemetery Survey of the WV State Historic Preservation Office. They were well-prepared, knowledgeable and informative about cemetery & historic building preservation. They supplied pertinent literature regarding WV cemetery codes & restoration. They encourage societies and interested persons to record and submit the "West Virginia Cemetery Survey Form" so all known cemeteries can be mapped and included in the Historic Preservation Office's database. The database information is available to those companies or agencies who are planning construction projects such as highways, dams, buildings, etc. so burial grounds may not be disturbed in the construction process.
For more information you may contact Ms. Prior at sara.a.prior@wv.gov or Ms. Kender at carolyn.m.kender@wv.gov

The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to our guest speakers, Prior & Kender, also guests Clifford & Janice Tawney Cooper of Maryland, Kathryn Westfall of Florida and Michael Myers. Members present were Marvin Stemple, Johanna Nutter, Betty Moore, Terry & Jo Cummings, Bernard & Patty Wyatt, Susan Tucker, Brenda Whited, Peggy Starcher, Linda Liss, Hazel Gandee, Susie Wyatt, Anthony and Joel Hofstad, Phill "PJ" Miller, Carol Board-Westfall, Rick Greathouse, Reva Paxton, Jack & Jean Nida and Melissa Swisher.

The next and final meeting for 2011 will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 15th in the downstairs area of the Roane County Library. All members are urged to attend. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome.