Grange Youth “Thank You” video for Potomac Grange support for DC Experience

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support of the youth and junior teams trip to Washington DC.

Thank you from the Youth and Junior Ambassador Team!

The team had the time of their lives. While we were only there a few short days they made the most out of every moment.

The teams arrived in DC on Sunday March 19 and made plans for the days ahead. On Monday morning they took off to the National Grange Headquarters where they were met by staff and a presentation from Legislative Assistant Sean O’Neil. Sean talked to the group about how the legislative world is set up, how bills become laws, and what the Grange does to make that happen. We then talked on specific policies set by our Grange delegates and which ones were of most importance for us to be talking to our Congressional leaders about. We continued our day with a tour of the United States Capitol building. And finished out with a trip to Maryland to hear Rural Minds founder Jeff Winton present on the importance of Rural Mental Health Awareness. The teams talked to Jeff for a good while and discussed how they could possibly make a difference with youth in Rural Communities.

On Tuesday morning we woke up ready to celebrate National Ag Day. The teams headed to the USDA for a welcome and briefing from many prominent people in the Ag world. Our team was inspired by the speakers and worked the room to make connections with other Ag based organizations. We then marched up the mall to see the famous Grange monument as we worked our way to capitol hill to meet with legislative representatives from each of the team’s home states. Each one of our team members met with someone from their home state and discussed items of importance to them, their Grange, and the National Grange. The heavy hitter with each team member is recognition that we need to be working harder for funding and destigmatizing mental health issues in all communities but especially rural ones. The team had a great experience meeting with each person. They had fantastic conversations and left their meetings inspired by what the potential supports could be like.

We closed out our wonderful trip with the Taste of Agriculture reception held at the Library of Congress. We mingled and networked with so many figures and some of our team members walked away with some great connections.

Again, we cannot express our gratitude for the support Potomac Grange provided to our teams and we are always so thankful to know that Potomac is there for us.

Potomac Grange #1 Distributes Dictionaries to Holy Cross Elementary School Students

The Potomac Grange #1 visited Holy Cross Elementary School to distribute dictionaries to its third-grade students.

Potomac Grange President, Mark Gibbons, spoke briefly about Potomac Grange #1 before explaining how these dictionaries would help them increase their vocabulary, learn the spelling and meaning of so many words.

The children were extremely excited to receive their dictionaries and plan to use them at school and at home.

They were especially excited that the dictionaries also included information about:

  • the environment
  • land and water conditions in the countries of the world
  • animals that live in nine habitats on the seven continents
  • the earth and its atmosphere
  • the longest word in the English language
  • sign language (alphabets)
  • braille for beginners and more.

Potomac Grange #1 plans to donate additional dictionaries to Holy Cross if needed or another elementary school in the area.

March 8, 2023 Meeting Minutes

President Mark Gibbons called the virtual meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. EST. Participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson. Lecturer Amanda-Brozana Rios, Secretary Richard Weiss, Chaplain Stephanie Wilkins, Executive Committee member Joan Smith, Ceres Lorretta Washington, and National Grange Legislative Assistant Sean O’Neil.

The meeting opened with Pledge Allegiance to the Flag led by President Gibbons and a prayer by Chaplain Wilkins.

 MINUTES

Joan Smith moved to adopt the February 8, 2023 minutes as written. Vice-President Watson seconded. The motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

  • Sean and Burton Eller are visiting new members of Congress and presenting Grange’s position on issues and bills, including the upcoming Farm Bill.
  • We are working with Agri-Safe, an organization advocating for rural mental health aids such as hot-lines and stress relief programs.
  • Putting together a “Grange Caucus” on the Hill. A group of members recognizing the Grange and invited to Grange events.

Lecturer Program

Today is International Women’s Day. The John Deere Company is recognizing and highlighting women’s roles in agriculture and the construction industries. Today, only nine percent of U.S. farms are currently totally female owned and operated. Leroy added that many of these are poultry operations which have direct contracts with food processors. He feels there is definite industry and government encouragement for increased farm ownership by women.

Heirloom Program

Amanda quoted one of the Grange objectives: “To develop a better manhood and womanhood among ourselves.” She suggested we consider how Potomac Grange might use Kile Fund resources locally towards this objective, especially the “womanhood” part

TREASURER’S REPORT

No Report..

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS

Dictionaries – Mark will deliver dictionaries to Holy Cross School in the next couple of weeks. Joan Smith read a “Certificate of Appreciation” from the school to Potomac Grange. Stephanie Wilkins will post it on our website.

NEW BUSINESS

  • 2023 Fellows Program membership and programs are progressing.
  • Mark briefed us on his participation in the “Presidents’ call” with Betsy Huber regarding the National Meeting format. He had suggestions on speeding up the meeting.
  • The Ag in the Classroom 2023 National Meeting will be in June in Florida. Joan will be able to drive to the meeting to make our annual award presentation.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Discussion as to whether Potomac Grange should continue to submit resolutions for voting rights led to the conclusion that we should. Suggestions included asking to vote only on resolutions not officers and to tie in with a state Grange.

Now that his recovery is coming along, Leroy will get back to work on the Potomac Grange tax status issue.

Joan will be undergoing surgery soon. She will be in our thoughts and prayers.

There was no further business. Amanda Rios moved to adjourn. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 12:51 p.m.

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is on April 12 at Noon.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

Hello world!

We’re your neighbors

The Potomac Grange #1 meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 AM.  Meetings are held in the 10th floor Saunders Library located in the National Grange building, 1616 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006.

The Grange is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in more than 2,100 hometowns across America. We have nearly 150 years of history, a spirit of grassroots advocacy, and a fraternal spirit that we’re happy to share with you.

To learn more about the Grange, read our Declaration of Purposes) or download a membership brochure . You can also learn more about Grange Youth for those 14 to 30 years of age and Junior Grange for children 5 to 14 . Grange members enjoy many benefits, including discounts on energy, vacations and medical services. To learn more, read our member benefits brochure .

We’d love to tell you about the exciting opportunities the Grange offers. Stop by a meeting anytime. They’re always open to the public. If you’d prefer to support rural America and agriculture on your own time, you can look into E-Membership. E-Members enjoy the same benefits as community Grange members and have all materials delivered to their inbox. American Values. Hometown Roots.