April 11, 2020 Meeting Minutes

President Joan Smith called the meeting to order via telephone at 12:05 p.m. EDT. Also online were Overseer Leroy Watson, Executive Committee member Cheri Watson, Treasurer Jessie Cope, Secretary Richard Weiss, National Grange Legislative Director Burton Eller, National Grange Program Director Loretta Washington and National Grange Operations Coordinator Samantha Wilkins.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Operations Fund current balance at BB&T Bank $2,761.33
Includes two recent new dues deposits totaling $85.00
Kile Fund current balance at PNC Bank $52, 403.87
This includes a recent distribution from the Fund of $11,436.00

There was discussion regarding Potomac’s payment to National for the DC Experience. Potomac guaranteed to cover air fare and incidental travel expenses up to $800.00 for each of the two scholarship winners. Mandy Bostwick inquired whether the remaining $400.00 could be used for other Experience expenses. The discussion focused on what really did we commit to, $1,600 or $2,000? Review of the October 2019 minutes revealed that the motion stated a $2,000 total commitment to National. There was consensus to make that amount available.

MARCH 11, 2020 MEETING MINUTES

These minutes were included in the email meeting notice and did not require reading. The minutes were approved as written.

OLD BUSINESS

401K Plan – Leroy Watson presented this program at the recent Masters’ Meeting. He reported to us that plan implementation is on hold because many rural businesses have closed, and state conventions may be postponed due to COVID-19. There was some discussion on how to structure membership categories. Leroy also reported that at its April 1 meeting, the National Grange board focused on state meeting delays, not the 401K plan.

AG IN THE CLASSROOM – Joan Smith reported that by May 15 a decision will be made regarding the holding of this event scheduled for June.

DICTIONARY PROJECT

Joan has received the dictionaries. She and Amanda are working on which DC schools will receive dictionaries after back in session.

OTHER

T-Shirts – National Grange has “WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER” T-shirts for sale in its website store. The Grange ID on the shirt is not real prominent, so it should have appeal beyond the Grange. To date fifty shirts have been sold.

National Grange Videos – National Grange is running daily videos on its Face Book site. The videos cover a range of topics.

YOUTH

Rachel is on remote learning and doing a few exercises at home.

GRANGERS IN NEED OR DISTRESS

Harry Massey is suffering from brain disease and has been moved to a group home.

There was no further business and Joan adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m. Next meeting May 6 at 12 noon EDT.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary