December 10, 2013

December 10, 2013 was the Potomac Grange #1 annual holiday meeting and dinner.  Present for the 6:00 p.m. gathering in the Goss Conference Room of the National Grange Building in Washington, DC were President Joan Smith, Lecturer Samantha Johnson, Steward Amanda Brozana, Secretary Richard Weiss, Chaplain Grace Boatright, Assistant Steward Austin Miller, Lady Assistant Steward Jessie Cope, Gatekeeper Fran Vitt, and National Grange intern Hayley Tonner.  Before dinning the following business was conducted.

  • It was moved, seconded and passed to pay Richard Weiss and Joan Smith’s incidental National Convention expenses from the Kile Fund as convention participation is educational and benefits all Granges.  After brief discussion, President Smith decided to submit her expenses to the New Jersey State Grange for which she was a second delegate.
  • It was moved, seconded and passed to pay this meeting’s expenses from the Kile Fund as the meeting has an educational segment.
  •  Steward Amanda Brozana stated that Potomac Grange #1 will play a significant role in the April 4-7, 2014 Regional Youth Conference.  Attendees will be housed in the 4H facility in the District. Amanda knows the 4H people and can closely coordinate events.  Expected attendance is between 50 and 70 youth and adult supervisors.  Joan Smith will look into arranging a tour of the Pentagon.

Chaplain Boatright said grace and thanks to the efforts of Jessie Cope, a sumptuous feast was had by all.

Due to the inclement weather the scheduled speaker on Ag in the Classroom was unable to attend the meeting.  Instead, Lecturer Johnson did an informative and educational laptop presentation on the National Grange Patriot Program WW II.  This program, designed to recognize and honor WW II veterans and chronicle the roles of local Granges in support of our troops, supplied local Granges with certificates of recognition and a series of free Power Point presentations that local Granges can use as part of their recognition ceremonies. The Power Points were produced in house by Austin Miller. The first Power Point CD highlights the extensive and heretofore not recognized roles played by women in this conflict.  The second CD deals with the use of propaganda by both the allies and the Germans.  The third shows the WW II Memorial on the Mall in Washington, DC and recounts Grange activities in support of the war effort.  The Connecticut State Grange actually help fund a bomber, which was christened “The Granger.”

The Patriot Program WW II has been extremely successful with over 300 certificates presented throughout the country.  Plans call for a Korean War recognition program in 2014.

The gathering broke up at approximately 8:30 p.m.  A good and informative time was had by all.

Respectfully submitted,
Richard B. Weiss
Secretary, Potomac Grange #1