February 18, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Present for the meeting was Master, Joan Smith, Lecturer, Samantha Johnson; Lady Assistant Steward, Jessie Cope; Steward, Amanda Brozana; Treasurer, Bobbi Rencevicz; Assistant Steward, Austin Miller; Flora, Stephanie Wilkins; and Chaplain Grace Boatright. On the phone we were joined by Overseer Leroy Watson; and Executive Board Member Cheryl Watson.

Old Business:

A motion was made and approved to change minutes from January 28th meeting. The correct amount paid to the National Grange for the Potomac Grange Holiday dinner was $942.30. Also, it should be 9 PM Friday, April 4th for the Sign a Song and Public Speaking Contests for the Eastern Regional Youth Conference.

Treasurer Report:

Kyle Fund as of January 31, 2013 has $37,395.55

We had no update on our operating account.

Also, Treasure Rencevicz has not spoken to Eric our accountant about our IRS Filings for the 2013.

We did receive 3 dues checks, totaling $180 which will be deposited in our operating account at BB&T.

Junior Grange Committee Report:

Cheryl and Leroy Watson said they had 5 Juniors come to the Fox Valley Good Earth Grange #776 meeting in January. They are looking to bring several Granges together in WI to brainstorm about them bringing together their juniors. Rachel Watson will be added to Grange Radio as a speaker.

The meeting was temporarily suspended for 5 minutes for the National Grange Staff Meeting. We reopened at 10:07am.

New Business:

Confirming details for the Eastern Regional Conference that Potomac Grange will be sponsoring, also the National Grange Fly-In will be incorporated into this event.

Jessie Cope was able to get 2 hotels to block rooms for us: The Hilton Arlington for $149.00 plus tax. These rooms can be single/double/quadruple. Breakfast is not included but it is 1 block from the Metro. The room block at the Hilton: 15 rooms for Friday, 15 for Saturday, 10 for Sunday, and 8 for Monday. The Hilton will create a personalized webpage.

The Comfort Inn at Ballston will also give us a block rooms for $99/night + 13% tax for single to quad occupancy. This hotel includes breakfast and free parking but is a bit further from the metro.

All meals, Ford’s Theater entrance price, and $15 Smart Trip Cards will be provided to attendees. The registration price is $30 for 14 and up and $15 for 14 and under.

We are on waiting list for Martha’s Table as a Community Service Project. It has been suggested we look at working with the Humane Society to do a pet adoption as the community service project. President Smith will continue to look for a Community Service Project.

Jessie Cope and Amanda Brozana worked on getting the information and the forms ready for the Registration process. Lecturer Johnson will process registration information. Deadline for Registration has been set for March 28, 2014. Registration will be e-mailed to State Masters and State Youth Directors immediately and put on the National Grange Youth website.

Lecturer Johnson has made the reservations for Ford’s Theater on April 5th at 2pm.

It was suggested that we use Fran Vitt as one of our judges for the Public Speaking Contest, Lecturer Johnson will contact him. Also, we are trying to confirm one to two judges from Gallaudet University for the Sign a Song Contest.

We are encouraging attendees to bring gently used shoes for the Soles to Souls donation Box.

Grange Advocacy has offered to donate $1,000 worth of Grange Store items to Potomac Grange for sales at the Youth Conference.

Meeting concluded at 11:00 am.

Next meeting scheduled for March 18, 2014.