History of the Southeast Region of PI 

In December, 2004, Ronald Sweetland decided he would like to start a TN Region of PI, and contacted Walter Johnson, Director of Regions of PI. He received a letter from Walter encouraging him to start the process of a TN Region, with information on how to proceed and that he needed 10 members to start a region.  

In January, 2005, Ron sent a letter to 26 prospective TN members of PI. In February, he sent a letter and membership application for the new region. By March, twelve members responded favorably. The spring 2005 issue of PI Magazine officially listed the TN Region and printed a ‘Letter to the Editor’ telling about the new region. In April of 2005, the 13th member application was received. In April, he sent a letter to the 13 members inviting them to an organizational meeting in Crossville, TN. Also in April, the PI Board approved the TN Region By-Laws. On April 24, the organizational meeting was held in Crossville, TN, with 10 members, 1 guest, lots of Packard Car photos, and 1 Packard auto, brought by O.C. and Ellie Cole, a 1954 Panama Packard. Our new club was in business! Ron Sweetland was president/treasurer, Mark Margetts was vice-president, Loraine Sweetland was secretary/editor, Ocee and Ellie Cole were in charge of Membership, with Stan Shirley, and Bob Richardson as directors of the new region.   

In April, the TN Region Constitution was sent to PI, and on May 11th, the PI Board approved it and signed the TN Charter. On May 15th the new TN Charter arrived in TN! 

On May 20th, the new editor sent the first ‘Tennessee Packards’ newsletter by email to those members with Acrobat Reader, and snail mailed to those without computers.   

In July, the TN Region members met again in Crossville, with 9 members, 3 guests, and one Packard Car, a beautiful ’32 Standard Eight Phaeton Packard brought by Mark Margetts. Jane and Stan Shirley come over 600 miles round trip to the meeting. July 5th the editor sent the second issue of ‘Tennessee Packards’ newsletter to all members.  

The summer 2005 issue of PI Magazine carried the article and photos of the TN Region April organizational meeting. In August our editor sent the third issue of ‘Tennessee Packards’ newsletter to all members.   

In August, Eric and Marilyn Fullmer, with Vice-President, Mark Margetts, planned a Fall Tour to Columbia, TN. The tour was canceled due to the Katrina hurricane, high cost of gas, and lack of members to attend.  

The fall issue of PI Magazine carried an article and photos of our second meeting of July.

In February, 2006, the editor sent the 3rd issue of ‘Tennessee Packards’ to members.

In February, President Ron met with Mark Margetts to discuss how to grow our club. Mark suggested that we expand our club to include the entire Southeast Region of the U.S. Ron called Walter Johnson in reference to the name change. Walter said to ‘run it by Don Hull, president of PI.’ Ron sent a letter by email to Don Hull regarding name change from TN Region to Southeast Region. Don Hull said “Go ahead on name change.”

Ron sent a letter to current members concerning name change and received all positive responses, so in March the TN Region Board of Directors voted to change our name to the Southeast Region of PI. He also sent a letter to all the members noting the vote of the Board to change the name. In April, he sent 152 letters to all PI members in the Southeast states inviting them to join the new Southeast Region. Also, in the same month, the PI Board officially approved the name change to the Southeast Region. Again, in April the editor sent the first “Southeast Packards’ newsletter to all members. It included a welcome to 15 new members, and 4 Packard Memories stories. We later received 4 more new members, for a total of 32. The annual meeting was set for June 25th. In June, the spring issue of PI Magazine carried a ‘Letter to the Editor’ of the name change from TN Region to Southeast Region of PI.  

In June, Ron remained as President/Treasurer, Mark Margetts stepped down from Vice-president to Director, Bob Richardson stepped up to Vice-President, and Eric and Marilyn Fullmer took over the Membership title. Loraine Sweetland stayed as Secretary/editor, and 5 new directors were added to represent the new Southeast Region.

Ron Sweetland passed away in May 2007, but Don Wood (with the help of other club officers) is doing a great job of carrying on what Ron began.

Our club is small, but gradually growing. We are widely scattered, so it is difficult to plan meetings, tours, and activities—but we have the technology of the Internet to keep us connected.