President Joan Smith called the meeting to order via telephone at 12:05 p.m. Also online were Executive Committee member Cheri Watson, Overseer Leroy Watson, Secretary Richard Weiss, Steward Amanda Brozana, Chaplin Grace Boatright, Lady Assistant Steward Jessie Cope, and Flora Stephanie Wilkins.
There were no minutes from the April 20 party meeting.
150th Annual Meeting
President Smith reiterated that Grace Boatright is the Potomac Grange #1 delegate to the convention and that Cheri Watson is the Alternate Delegate. Cheri pointed out that she may be unavailable one afternoon due to work commitments.
Potomac Grange will be in charge of the hospitality suite on Sunday. National Grange has requested that the President’s Reception be held in the suite from about 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. As the room’s grills and stoves cannot be used, there was discussion on what to offer for food and whether to do it ourselves, have it brought in, or catered by the hotel. It is estimated that approximately 120 people will be served.
President Smith asked if the meal can be funded out of the Kile Fund. Leroy Watson determined that as Stephanie Wilkins will be demonstrating the new membership database, the function can be considered educational and therefore qualifies for funding from the Kile Fund.
President Smith has asked that someone volunteer to take over responsibility for the Sunday hospitality suite.
It appears that some individual states, including Illinois and New Jersey, plan to make bus stops to view the Grange Building apart from the official tour day and there is a concern about having someone at the building to accommodate them.
Patriotic Program
The Vietnam CD is scheduled for release in July. Austin Miller will soon be shooting footage of the Vietnam Memorial wall.
Dues
At the request by those online, Stephanie notified individuals who are overdue on 2016 dues. She pointed out that all dues now go from January through March.
Secretary Weiss informed the group that Potomac’s second quarter dues payment is not due until the end of July and that he and Stephanie Wilkins will work out the amount due to National.
Fly-In
Potomac will reimburse in 2017 for two Fly-in scholarship recipients up to a combined total of $1,500.00. Any funds not utilized will be returned to PG#1.
Junior Grange
Rachel Watson recently received her third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. As there is no official Junior Grange in New Hampshire, Rachel will participate on the individual basis until she turns 14 years old.
Grangers in need
Potomac Grangers are asked to keep Jessie Cope’s mother in their thoughts as she goes through physical rehabilitation.
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1