January 24, 2017 Meeting Minutes

President Joan Smith called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. in the Goss Conference Room of the National Grange Building in Washington, DC.  The meeting was held in conjunction with the Potomac Grange #1 annual holiday party.

Also present were National Grange president Betsy Huber, National Grange Legislative Director Burton Eller, Steward Amanda Brozana, Lady Assistant Steward Jessie Cope, Flora Stephanie Wilkins, Program Director Loretta Washington, Secretary Richard Weiss, and Intern Kim Stefanick.

Treasure’s Report

  • We have no record of filing 9090s for 2013, 2014, 2015 and, as yet, 2016. Weiss will do a search of past minutes of any filing evidence.
  • The 2015 Kile Fund trust report has been completed, signed by Joan Smith and Leroy Watson and submitted to the bank in December 2016.
  • National convention costs are still being reconciled.
  • The Kile Fund will compensate Joan Smith up to $400.00 to cover costs of today’s event which had educational content. (See “Speakers)
  • There was some question as to whether or not third quarter dues have been paid from the operating account. Weiss will check to see if the third quarter report was submitted.

Old Business

  • There is overall satisfaction with how things went with the National Convention.
  • President Huber was pleased with the President’s reception especially that it remained in the original Hospitality room and the soups and sandwiches were a big success.
  • The Hospitality room was a big success with soups, chili and hot dogs, homemade desserts and the beverage station was always perfect..
  • The Arlington Cemetery Tomb of the Unknown wreath laying was very emotional as we have four Grange Veterans who participated. James Foster, WVA; Chip Narval, DE; Peg Johnson, PG#1; Scott Baldwin, IA.
  • The Host, Delegate, Youth and Junior tours were a success in spite of a bus breakdown.
  • Jessie Cope is going to put together a book of “lessons learned” from hosting a national convention perspective. It will be available to future Host Regions.

New Business

  • Bee care course – In order for the Grange to have a bee hive on its roof, four members must train and qualify in bee care. Accordingly, a course in bee care is offered at the University of District of Columbia. The course covers care procedures for the four seasons of the year.  Course starting January 31, the course runs thru 28 March one night a week from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Cost is $90.00.  The Kile Fund will cover the cost based on its educational nature.  Those attending are:  Joan C. Smith, Allison Archebault; Amanda Brozana, Kim Stefanick.
  • The 2017 Masters Conference will be held in Norwich Connecticut. The Connecticut State Grange will provide meals and airport transportation, leaving only to and from travel expenses, hotel costs, some meals, parking and a $20.00 registration fee to be covered by participants. It was moved, seconded and passed to allocate up to $600.00 from the Kile Fund to cover President Smith’s expenses to attend the Masters Conference.
  • The 2017 Congressional Fly-In will be held April 24th to April 27th. In accordance with an earlier vote, Potomac Grange issued a $3,000.00 check to National Grange to cover two Fly-In scholarships up to $800.00 each and purchase of Congressional guide books.

Speakers

Dave Streid and Kathy Streid of The Transcendental Meditation Program gave a very informative and educational presentations on the benefits of transcendental meditation. Those benefits range from reduced stress and anxiety to better focus and brain function.  The process is easy to learn and, once learned, is simply practiced twice a day for about twenty minutes each session.  The speakers explained the steps to enroll in their classes.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.  Next meeting will be a noon-time conference call on February 21st.  Stephanie will send out a notice with call numbers.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard B Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1