President Joan C. Smith lead the Zoom meeting from the National Grange Headquarters. Also in attendance were Amanda Brozana Rios, Loretta Washington, Mark Gibbons, Burton Eller, Stephanie Wilkins, and Jessie Patrick.
The group was led in prayer by Chaplain Stephanie Wilkins.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Balance as of 3/9/2022 of Kile Fund at PNC Bank $70,035.46
Current balance of Operating Fund at Truist Bank $3,389.93.
The PayPal balance was $138.96. These funds will be transferred to the Operating account.
Bonding insurance coverage for 2022 was discussed. A motion was made by Jessie and seconded by Mark to purchase bonding coverage. An amendment to set the coverage amount to $100K was made by Jessie and seconded by Mark. The motion passed. Checks are due by March 31st. Amanda reminded the group that bonding coverage for 2023 will be due at the end of December 2022.
UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS
Washington DC Experience – Joan Smith will be conducting 4 workshops during the event, including a lunch and learning opportunity with a lesson on agriculture related to pizza ingredients, one on wheat, a workshop on fiber (wool with a bracelet) and a fiber activity on cotton. Jefferson Grange will provide up to $100 worth of supplies including beverages. Funds will still be needed for ingredients. Mark Gibbons made a motion to support supply costs for the Ag in the Classroom workshops and Jessie Patrick seconded. Motion passed to reimburse up to $200 from the Kile Fund.
Sale of Grange Building – the building sale was discussed. The sale is not on the open market yet. Current offers include dates to vacate the building in August or November. Joan has been cleaning and organizing at the building. Scanning of historical records is also underway.
Presidents’ Conference – Joan reported the event was well attended and a great time was had. The tour was informative and centered on Saunders. There was an hour-long session on the IRS and taxes. Discussed was the need to have the order of business for all meetings feature Grange ritual, regalia and follow the official order of the meeting. Also discussed were the differences between 501c-3, -5, -8, and -10 statuses involving options like labor, horticulture, fraternal, lodge system.
Potomac Grange tax documents/ Form 990 has not been filed since 2012 although Bank of America files documents with the IRS for the Kile Fund. Leroy is working to determine with legal guidance what our next steps are.
NAITC Leaders’ Conference – March 28-30, Kansas City, MO – Joan to attend at the WDC Contact with reimbursement of expenses up to $500 for travel, meals, lodging.
NEW BUSINESS
- The Grange Foundation TELETHON sponsorship was briefly discussed, related to whether or not past programs supported by Potomac Grange throughout the All members were asked to provide a testimony of Grange memories, provide a personal donation/sponsorship.
- Discussion was held on financial support and desire to plan ahead and determine where we should expect funding requests from or what annual appeals are received. Jessie will review expenditures from the Kile Fund and put together a plan for supporting future projects. April was identified as an ideal month to field funding requests as it would be prior to when the Youth and Junior programs publish their annual programs and contests, including sponsorships.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
- Amanda will present a lesson from the Heirloom Program. “History proves that where agriculture has been fostered, that nation has prospered and reached a high degree of perfection, but where it has been neglected, degeneracy began” A discussion was held about the merits of this statement.
There was no further business.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessie Patrick, Treasurer
Potomac Grange #1