​Press Release
 
The 130th annual convention of the West Virginia Junior Order United American Mechanics (J.O.U.A.M.)  was held July 19 – 21 2018 at the Flatwoods Conference Center in Flatwoods, WV.  Attending from North Carolina and representing the National Council was Charles Riehs, National Councilor.
 
The convention opened Thursday evening with Past State Councilor and Master of Ceremonies, Chuck Petro.  The invocation was offered by Chaplain David Kendig followed by The Pledge of Allegiance led by PSC Paul Simmons.  Jerry Frye led the assembled group in the singing of the opening ode.
 
The Manager of the conference center, Mr. Rob Pecora, welcomed the group warmly.  There was no athletic report this year due to the fact that there was not a golf tournament.  Chaplain David Kendig led the benediction and the group retired to an adjacent room for fellowship and refreshments.
 
A memorial service was led by Chaplain David Kendig on Friday morning in remembrance of members who passed away in the past year.  Betty Ruppenthal gave a short talk on the topic of prayer and Virgil Ruppenthal played two songs entitled “I’ll Pray for You” and “My Heart Knows.”
 
Friday’s business session opened at 9:30 and was led by State Councilor Gary Vance.  New members were installed and visitors were welcomed.  Fourteen resolutions were presented: thirteen were approved and one was not approved.
 
Friday evening’s banquet was followed by an inspiring address by Charles Riehs encouraging members to lead boldly and mentor the next generation. Past National Councilor Dennis Everett and Jennifer Dailey drew tickets for the Chinese auction and door prizes and all enjoyed the music provided by DJ Phil Chapman. 
 
The state session reconvened on Saturday morning at 8:30.  A revised resolution was presented and approved and new officers were installed.  State Councilor Gary Vance presented his State Councilor’s Program for 2018/2019 and Past State Councilor Dennis Everett encouraged everyone to go back to their councils and promote this program.
 
The session closed at 9:40.
 

​WEST VIRGINIA STATE COUNCIL
Junior Order United American Mechanics
2018-2019
 
STATE OFFICERS
Past State Councilor                Dale Dailey                  Berkeley Springs #117
State Councilor                         Gary Vance                  St. Albans #123
State Vice Councilor                David Kendig               Berkeley Springs #117
State Secretary                         Joyce Everett              Berkeley Springs #117
State Treasurer                        Jeremy Frye                Back Creek Valley #15
State Chaplain                          B. J. Ruppenthal         Berkeley Springs #117
State Conductor                       Virgil Ruppenthal       Berkeley Springs #117
State Warden                           Dick Myers                  Berkeley Springs #117
State Inside Sentinel               Berneda Vance           St. Albans #123
State Outside Sentinel            David Bailey                Back Creek Valley #15
 
NATIONAL OFFICERS
National Board of Control       Greg Frye                    Back Creek Valley #15
Past National Councilor           Dennis Everett           Berkeley Springs #117
National Inside Sentinel           David Kendig              Berkeley Springs #117
Nat’l Deputy Councilor- WV   Dale Dailey                 Berkeley Springs #117
National Finance Committee Carroll Bonnett          Rockport #106
 
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
National Rep. (4 Yr. Term)      Paul Simmons           New Haven #175
National Rep. (Alternate)        Charles Petro             Fidelity #182
National Rep. (3 Yr. Term)      Jeremy Frye               Back Creek Valley #15
National Rep. (2 Yr. Term)      James Pritt                 St. Albans #123
 
DISTRICT DEPUTY STATE COUNCILORS
District #1                                   Harry Vance               St. Albans #123
District #2                                   Dennis Everett           Berkeley Springs #117
 

The 130th State Session kicked off today with 33 members arriving for the opening segment.
Memorial service will be conducted Friday July 20 at 8:45 am just prior to the start of the business session.
Following the opening, a social gathering was hosted and all enjoyed the visitation and food.
The session is being held at the Days Inn Conference Center in Flatwoods, West Virginia.
Tune back in later for photos of the activities.

Click h                                                                                PRESS RELEASE
 
The 129th annual convention of the West Virginia Junior Order United American Mechanics (Jr.O.U.A.M.) was held July 20-22 2017 at the Holiday Inn in Martinburg, WV.  Registration was held in the pre-function lobby from 1:00-4:00 as well as a hospitality of refreshments offered in the Opequon Room.  Attending from North Carolina and representing the National Council was Charles Riehs, National Councilor.
 
The convention opened Thursday evening with Past State Councilor and Master of Ceremonies, Chris Puffenburger.  Invocation was given by Acting Chaplain David Kendig followed by Conductor Barbara Hewitt leading all in the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
After the Welcome Address was delivered by Douglas Copenhaver, President of the Berkeley County Council, State Councilor Dale Dailey introduced the West Virginia State and National officers.  Prizes were awarded to the golf winners from a tournament held at The Woods Resort earlier in the day and then drawings for various door prizes were given throughout the evening.
 
Before retiring to the adjacent room for hors d’oeuvers, fellowship and entertainment, song leader Jerry Frye led everyone in one verse of “God Bless America” with all joining hands in singing.  Entertainment was then provided by Rick Vance and Live Stream.
 
A memorial service was held on Friday morning in remembrance of our deceased members of the past year.
 
Friday’s business session opened at 9:30 with State Councilor Dale Dailey presiding.  After new members were installed and visitors welcomed, a Jr. Order member and prominent businessman of  Berkeley County,  Lewis Braithwaite delivered a well received keynote speech based on the Jr. Order Motto of Virtue, Liberty and Patriotism.  Committee appointments were made and National officers were introduced. The remaining of the business day was comprised of 14 resolutions that were reviewed   and approved. 
 
While dinner music was being played by DJ Rick Rohn, everyone enjoyed the delicious banquet food and good fellowship.  The speaker for the evening was WV State Police Chaplain, Corporal Mathew Gilmore who delivered a most inspirational and moving speech.  Past National Councilor Dennis Everett and Past State Councilor Chris Puffenburger auctioned a money cake and a donated quilt.  Many enjoyed dancing to a variety of music provided by DJ Rick Rohn and all enjoyed the fellowship of the evening which included door prizes and Chinese auction drawings.
 
Reconvening on Saturday, one more resolution was acted upon.   National Councilor Charles Riehs addressed the session concerning various ways we can grow our membership to include the use of face book and our “Hello Neighbor” pamphlet.  Officers were elected and installed by the National Councilor.  The new State Councilor presented his program for the coming year which was adopted and the members pledging to work with him.
 
 
 
The State Council officers for 2017-18 are:           
 
                                                Councilor                                Gary Vance
                                                Vice Councilor                        Barbara Hewitt
                                                Secretary                                 Joyce Everett
                                                Treasurer                                 Jerry Frye
                                                Chaplain                                  David Kendig
                                                Conductor                               Carroll Bonnett
                                                Warden                                   Pat Mosco
                                                Inside Sentinel                                    Gary Harshman          
                                                Outside Sentinel                     Chris Puffenburger
 
State Councilor Gary Vance ended this State Session until the July 2018 convention at Mineral Wells.  Chaplain David Kendig closed in prayer.
 
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PRESS RELEASE The 128th annual convention of the West Virginia Junior Order United American Mechanics (Jr. O.U.A.M.) was held July 21-23, 2016 at the Comfort Inn Suites in Mineral Wells, WV.
The convention opened Thursday evening with a reception, hosted by State Councilor John Ditto. State and National officers were introduced, a time of fellowship and refreshments were shared by all
Bill Hess and Kevin Evans shared their instrumental and musical talents with the group by preforming praise and uplifting music. An enjoyable time was had by all.
Prior to the opening of the business session on Friday morning, a memorial service was conducted to recognize and honor those deceased members from the past year. State Chaplain B.J. Ruppenthal gave the memorial address and a song was provided by the Frye Family. The deceased members were honored by the lying of red and white carnations across the Bible.
After the opening of the business session, Past National Councilor Greg Frye delivered the keynote address, focusing the members’ attention to V-I-R-T-U-E. The business of the convention was then conducted. Thirteen proposals for resolution were presented and voted on. Nominations for officers were received. In attendance, representing the National Council, was Past National Councilor Roger Sullivan, from Kentucky. He addressed the members concerning the erosion of the United States Constitution. The business session recessed at 3:30 pm.
A fellowship banquet was held at 6:00 pm. The master of ceremonies, Past State Councilor Chuck Petro introduce the national officers in attendance and a fine meal was enjoyed by all. The members enjoyed music provided by DJ Phil Chapman, who played and sang a variety of oldies music. Door prizes were awarded and a Chinese auction was held.
The business session was reconvened on Saturday morning. Officers were duly elected and were installed by Past National Councilor Roger Sullivan. The State Council officers for 2016- 2017 are: Past State Councilor John Ditto; State Councilor Dale Dailey; State Vice Councilor Gary Vance ;State Secretary Joyce Everett; State Treasure Jerry Frye; State Chaplain B.J. Ruppenthal; State Conductor Barbara Hewett; State Warden Virgil Ruppenthal; State Inside Sentinel Pat Masco; State Outside Sentinal Jennifer Dailey;.
​ The 2017 State Convention will be held July 20-22 in Martinsburg, WV