January 28, 2014 Meeting Minutes

President Joan Smith called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m. in the 10th floor Saunders Library of the National Grange Building in Washington, DC. Also present were Lecturer Samantha Johnson, Lady Assistant Steward Jessie Cope, Chaplain Grace Boatright, Treasurer Bobbie Rencevicz, Assistant Steward Austin Miller, Flora Stephanie Wilkins, Steward Amanda Brozana and Secretary Richard Weiss.

Minutes from the December 10, 2013 holiday meeting were approved as read.

Treasurer’s Report

As of December 31, 2013 the Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank was                         $37,395.55

A payment of $2,569.95 was received from the trust in December 2013.

The Operating Fund balance at BB&T Bank was not available. It was surmised that the bank is still emailing statements to Amber and not Bobbi. Amber’s email has been deactivated.

Samantha Johnson advised the meeting that Potomac Grange holds a U.S. Savings Bond which is currently worth $340.24 and could be cashed now. It was decided to wait until the maturity date of June 20, 2014 as the bond is paying 4% and the Operating Fund is sound.

Bills to be paid:

  • $395.88 to Richard Weiss for 2013 convention expenses. To be paid from the Kile Fund
  • $867.50 to National Grange for the Potomac Grange holiday dinner. To be paid from the Kile Fund
  • $72.00 to the National Grange for 4th quarter 2013 dues. To be paid from the Operating Account.
  • $136.00 to the National Grange for bonding insurance. To be paid from the Operating Account.
  • An estimated $325.00 to the National Grange for materials and postage for the World War II Patriots Program. This will be finalized when exact postage is determined and will be paid from the Kile Fund.

PR/Communications Committee – Amanda Brozana

  • Amanda will work with Stephanie on updating the Potomac Grange web site.
  • The Grange Connect photo CD program at the 2013 convention received mild attention.

IT Committee – Stephanie Wilkins

Stephanie and Dick Weiss have cleaned up the members list by eliminating many no pays and feel the list is now accurate. Weiss stated that the number of Golden Sheafs was reduced from eight to four, as we could really only identify four.

Program Committee – Samantha Johnson

Samantha and Austin Miller are starting work on the Korean War Patriots Program. They will try to get interviews with Korean War veterans.

Junior Report – Joan Smith and others.

  • Jodi Salley will do Grange Radio interviews about her three children who are 10, 7 and 5.
  • There was discussion about the new Junior Grange rule which allows juniors to affiliate with a state Grange, not necessarily a Subordinate. This might allow Potomac Grange to create a “virtual” Junior Grange with juniors from outside DC.

Membership – Joan Smith

  •  Leroy Watson picked up regalia from Potomac Grange for his Wisconsin Junior Grange.
  • Tennessee continues work on opening a new Grange in that State.

 Old Business

Potomac Grange #1 will host the 2014 Eastern Regional Youth Conference on April 4 and 5. It has been decided to couple this with the annual Legislative Fly-in on April 7 and 8.

Anticipated Expenses to be paid from the Kile Fund and Registration Fees:

  • 50 Metro Smart Cards at $17.00 each ($2.00 for the card. $15.00 in fare.) – $850.00
  • Meals Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch for those staying over for the Fly-in. – $1,000.00
  • Ford’s Theater Tour – $200.00
  • Lodging – It was decided not to use the 4H facility due to minimums and expensive requirements such as mandatory breakfast purchase from 4H. After discussion, it was decided to block rooms in a few hotels, but let the youth groups do their own bookings.
  • Registration fees. 14 years and up – $30.00, Under 14 – $15.00.

Tentative Schedule

Friday, April 4 at National Grange Building, Goss Conference Room

Early evening – Grange Jeopardy while youth arrive.

9:00 p.m. Sign a Song and Public Speaking Contests. (Samantha Johnson to contact Gallaudet for judges.)

Saturday, April 5:

9:00 – Work shop at Grange Building

Lunch- Community Service serving at Martha’s Table. Having lunch there.

2:00 p.m. – Ford’s Theater Tour

6:00 p.m. – Drill teams in Lafayette Park followed by dinner in the Grange Building. Grange Radio interviews in the evening.

Sunday, April 5

a.m. – Breakfast and Korean War speaker and certificate presentation.

p.m. – Work on Grange historical documents in sub-basement.

Monday, April 6

a.m., – Possible Pentagon tour.

p.m. – Fly-in.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,

Richard B. Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1