October 23, 2012

 Overseer Leroy Watson called the meeting to order via telephone at 8:35 a.m.  Also present via telephone was Executive Committee member Cheri Watson.  Present in the tenth floor Saunders Library of the National Grange Building in Washington, D.C. were Flora Stephanie Wilkins, Ceres Beverly Mitchell, Treasurer Amber Bell, Steward Amanda Brozana, Lady Assistant Steward Jessie Cope, Lecturer Samantha Johnson, Pomona Grace Boatright, Secretary Richard Weiss, Austin Miller and guests Chonda Moore and Cozette Thomas of the Early Stages Learning Center.

Minutes of the September 18, 2012 meeting were approved as read.

Treasurer’s Reports

As of 9/30/2012 the Operating Fund Balance at BB&T Bank was $306.62
As of 9/30 2012 the Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank was $27,779.36

Old Business

Jessie Cope reported that the Hilton Dulles Airport Hotel has been secured for the 2016 150th Annual Convention.

Amanda Brozana informed the group that $286.74 had been spent from the Kile Fund to purchase a table cloth for the Social Media booth at this year’s convention.  Potomac Grange #1 is sponsoring the booth, which will be named “Grange Connect.”  The booth will have a “graffiti wall” where messages and announcements can be posted with sticky tabs.  There will also be a laptop in the booth for members to use in establishing social accounts.

Austin Miller was recently obligated in the 5th and 6th degrees.

A $50.00 contribution will be made to the Capital Area Food Bank in memory of Samantha Johnson’s grandfather.

New Business

It was moved, seconded and passed to do a resolution for the upcoming convention encouraging the National Grange to continue to assess Junior Grange structure and guidelines. (It is felt that for Potomac Grange to establish Junior Granges in urban DC some changes or exceptions will be needed.)

Overseer Watson explained that a draft resolution should be presented to the Potomac Grange Executive Committee for review and approval.  The Executive Committee is Cheri Watson, Jennifer Wolff, and Jodi Salley.  Master Joan Smith and Overseer Leroy Watson will also be involved in the review.

The group viewed options for the National Convention photo contest and arrived at a consensus that a cherry blossom photo best represents Potomac Grange #1.

It was moved, seconded and passed to make a $50.00 contribution from the Kile Fund in memory of Amanda Brozana’s grandmother.  Amanda chose to wait and see if a new Southeast Washington Junior Grange might become the recipient.

Junior Grange

Amanda Brozana and Samantha Johnson are working with Early Stages Learning to establish a Junior Grange at Kimball Elementary School in Southeast Washington, DC.  Chonda Moore explained that Early Stages Learning creates supplemental before and after school programs and that they are attending the Potomac Grange meeting to learn more about the Grange and how a Junior Grange might be adapted at Kimball.  She explained that supplemental programs in the DC school system are based on grade level, not age as are Junior Granges.  Amanda Brozana stated that some flexibility on the Grange’s part may be needed in adapting to the school guidelines and teaching needs.  Amanda will supply Chonda and Cozette with the 2013 Junior Grange Guide.  The two groups will meet again in late November.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m.

Next Meeting

The next Potomac Grange #1 meeting will be November 27, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. in the Saunders Library of the National Grange Building in Washington, DC.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard B. Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1