77 connections made it necessary for Mr. Ralph N. Dorsey to decline re-election as a member of our Board of Directors at the annual meeting of the stockholders of this bank on January 9, 1941. Much of the progress and success achieved by our bank in recent years has been due to the outstanding and intelligent activity of Mr. Dorsey. His grasp of business problems, his alertness in appraising national as well as local business trends, his sound judgment and deep interest in the welfare of the bank made him one of the valued members of our Board. Be it further resolved; that we incorporate this action in the Board of Director minutes and instruct our Secretary to forward Mr. Dorsey a copy of this expression of our appreciation of his service as a simple and just tribute to one who has served the bank faithfully and who merits the best wishes of the Directors, Officers and employees of this bank in his future endeavors. The Clarke Courier also reported that he served as County Treasurer for 40 years and, upon retirement, was given a banquet and described as the county’s most outstanding and faithful servant and citizen. On January 16, 1941, Roy Potts was named a director to succeed Mr. Dorsey. A Federal Reserve presentation to the Bank Board by Mr. J. Hammond Siler, Jr. of the Public Relations Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond on January 30, 1941 outlined the requirements of joining the Federal Reserve System. He announced to the directors that membership would include the closing of the Boyce Branch. In the spring of 1941 Bank of Clarke County became an issuing agent for the sale of U. S. Defense Savings Bonds. Six weeks’ worth of interior remodeling took place in the spring of 1941. Architect L. M. Harris designed the renovations, with a condition from the Board that the cost could not exceed $5,000 and arrangements for temporary banking quarters could be made. Business was conducted in the former Shackleford’s Store, “just two doors east of the present place,” while renovations commenced. The work took six weeks. Plans called for an entirely new decoration with new fixtures. The counters were built lower. The conference room was made larger. A staircase in the back of the room to the top offices was added. President Bradford’s office was reduced to make the changes. A new window and entrance on Church Street was installed and walls were redecorated and made soundproof. H. N. Ritter performed the work. The employees moved back into the bank on August 28th. The Clarke Courier described the renovation efforts: “A great and beautiful improvement over the old one. Floor is terrazzo, small square finish. Walls made from cane fibers and finished in a light shade of cream. Walls and ceiling – sound-absorbing. Teller cages are new and counters are of Italian marble (like before) reinforced with brick and concrete.” The total remodeling cost was $6,591.45. As war clouds loomed, a committee of the Board was formed to select a person to fill any vacancy that might occur by reason of the Selective Service Act, with the understanding that the person selected was to be employed only for the period that any existing employee might be drafted. Miss Camille Wisecarver