Page 22 - Spring Sojourner Newsletter-Spring 2024 Final

22 THE SOJOURNER

HISTORIAN’S CORNER

History of the Dallas L. Knoll Bulletin/Newsletter of the Year Award (The Award)

Edward W. Nolte, National Historian

The “Award” has an interesting history involving three titles and three periods: 1) Chapter Bulletin/Newsletter of
the Year Award (1984-92), 2) Dallas L. Knoll Bulletin of the Year Award (1993-2011), and 3) Dallas L. Knoll Bulle-
tin/Newsletter of the Year Award (2012-Present).
Period 1—1984-1992: Bro. Maj Charles A. Folsom, 33°, presented the first “Award” via National Circular in 1984.
His Resolution 1985-04 Chapter Bulletin/Newsletter of the Year Award to officially sanction the award failed. For
nine years (1984-92), “The Award” was authorized by National Circulars as National Regulation 9.1.2 did not yet
exist. One “Award” was presented annually (1984 -85); three “Awards” for small, intermediate, and large Chapters
were presented annually (1986-87); and one “Award” annually (1988-92) without regard to Chapter size. At the time,
the words “Bulletin” and “Newsletter” were different names for the same “Award.” Period 1 Results: Nine Years
and nine Awards, plus four “extra Awards” for small, intermediate, and large Chapters, vice a single award. There
was not an award for today’s definition of a Bulletin.
Period 2—1993-2011: The Delegates at the 73rd ANC approved Resolution 1993-13, Dallas L. Knoll Bulletin of
the Year Award to 1) honor PNP Col Dallas L. Knoll, and 2) deleting the words “Chapter” and “Newsletter” from the
title This action authorized “The Award” in a permanent National Directive (NR 9.1.2). During this 19-year period,
18 Awards and 0-3 Honorable Mentions were presented each year, except 2015. Bulletins and Newsletters were not
differentiated, and Bulletins then were what Sojourners today would call Newsletters. The winning Editor’s name and
Chapter were engraved on the Master Plaque at National HQ, and the winning Editor received a small Plaque entitled
“Bulletin of the Year.” The Honorable Mentions received a Certificate. Period 2 Results: 19 Years and 19 winning
Awards, all without regard to Chapter size.
Period 3—2012-Present: The Delegates at the 92nd ANC approved Resolution 2012-03 Dallas L. Knoll Bulle-
tin/Newsletter of the Year Award to 1) add the word “Newsletter,” 2) define Newsletters and Bulletins differently,
and 3) create an opportunity for Chapters that meet quarterly to participate. In effect, the previous 27 Bulletin of the
Year Awards were now defined as Newsletters, and the new Bulletins were defined as 1-to-2-page documents. This
period, thus far, has offered 12 opportunities for a Best Newsletter and a Best Bulletin Award. The Dallas L. Knoll
Plaque states: “DALLAS L. KNOLL BULLETIN OF THE YEAR AWARD Annually Recognizing The Editor of the
Most Noteworthy and Effective Chapter Newsletter.” This title sends a mixed message when differentiating between
Newsletters and Bulletins. Period 3 Results: 12 years and 9 Best Bulletin of the Year Awards for Newsletters (none
in 2015, 2018, or 2019). The 2014 and 2016 Best Bulletin Awards were presented to Honolulu #11 and Omaha #19,
with Cheyenne #5, Omaha #19, St. Louis #22 and Phoenix #306 as Honorable Mentions—none of which met
quarterly.
Takeaway: Whether titled Newsletter or Bulletin, the Dallas L. Knoll Plaque was awarded 36 times in 40
years to the Editor of the Best Newsletter. For Bulletins in the last 12 years, no Bulletin of the Year Award went to a
Chapter that meets or met quarterly. Twelve years of historical data indicate that most Chapters that meet quarterly
either do not submit their Bulletins for consideration or do not publish Bulletins. While the Bulletin intent was noble,
execution suffers with no Bulletin Awards ever to quarterly Chapters. The 36 winning Newsletter Editors have their
names and/or Chapters engraved on a metal plate on the Master Plaque at National HQ and received a small Bulletin
of the Year Plaque. The two winning Bulletin Editors received a Certificate, as do all Honorable Mentions in both
categories.

History of Heroes of ’76’s National Encampment and Bennington Banquet
Edward W. Nolte, National Historian

All Heroes of ‘76 know what the Order is today and in their recent memory. However, they may tend to
think that what they know is the way it has always been. As Brother Mark Twain is attributed to have said,
“It is not what they don’t know that concerns me. It is what they know for sure, that just ain’t so.” As
Brother Paul Harvey used to say, “Stand by for the NEWS!”

Here is the synopsis of key events.
1922: COL Christopher Van Deventer, 33°, introduced Heroes of ’76 to National Sojourners in July 1922
and started Bon Homme Richard Camp.