July 17, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Secretary Richard Weiss called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. in the 10th floor Saunders Library of the National Grange building in Washington, DC. Also present were Flora Stephanie Wilkins, Lecturer Samantha Johnson, Steward Amanda Brozana, Assistant Steward Austin Miller, National Grange Controller Andrew Sampson and new member Allison Archambault. President Joan Smith joined the meeting at 9:15 a.m.

The minutes of the June 17, 2014 meeting were approved as read.

Treasurers Report

Lecturer Johnson presented the following financials.

Kile Fund – As of June 30, 2014 the Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank was $41,664.93. A transfer of $2,229.71 was made during June and several checks written in June have yet to clear.

Potomac Grange still owes National Grange $477.02 for costs relate to the World War ll Patriot Program. Kile Fund check number 1750 was cut at the end of the meeting.

There was no report on the Operating Account as the electronic data was not accessible at the time due to password problems.

Old Business

Lecturer Johnson received a response from the National Arboretum regarding construction status of a Solar Demonstration Kiosk towards which Potomac Grange contributed $3,500.00 in 2012. Apparently because any extra energy would not be returned to the grid due to the fact that the garden does not have electrical access, the US National Arboretum Partnership changed its mind on assisting in the installation of the solar panels.

Charla Wanta of the Arboretum asked if Potomac Grange would consider contributing the $3,500.00 towards youth programs. Lecturer Johnson will ask for more details on the youth programs and a decision will be made at the next meeting in September.

Andrew Sampson reported that he has received approval for extension of Potomac Grange’s 2013 form 990.

Lady Assistant Steward Jessie Cope has the estimate for upgrading the National Grange kitchen. She was absent due to illness in her family and the matter will be taken up at the next meeting.

Amanda Brozana presented two designs for the Youth Program T-shirts in honor of Wib Justi. Consensus was for a voice bubble containing Wib’s famous “I’d be delighted.” quote. It was decided that Potomac Grange will purchase an initial 20 T-shirts so that the supplier can go into full production. Thus shirts will be available for sale at the November convention. The 20 shirts will be given to the youth drill team by June and Mary Justi. The purchase will be made from the Kile Fund.

New Business

Allison Archambault suggested Potomac Grange consider planting a garden on the National Grange building roof or painting the roof white to save energy. We will look into that with building engineer Sandor Szima.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

The next meeting will be September 16, 2014.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Richard B. Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1