President Mark Gibbons called the Zoom meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. EST. Participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Secretary Richard Weiss, Pomona/Executive Committee member Sheri Watson, Chaplin Stephanie Wilkins, Steward Burton Eller, and National Grange Legislative Assist Sean O’Neil.

The meeting opened with a prayer led by Chaplin Wilkins and the Pledge of Allegiance led by President Gibbons.

 MINUTES

It was determined that the latest minutes were September 14, 2022.  As Secretary Weiss had not yet downloaded them, it was decided to move on to other business.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative – Burton and Sean have been meeting with new Congress members. They have given the members contact information for their state Granges. Louisiana representatives specifically asked for their state’s Grange information. They also met with Natalie Roy of Agri Safe, an organization that established agriculture crisis hot lines in six states using Covid recovery money. That funding expires in the Fall. Burton and Sean gave her guidance on getting new funding. It includes a possible coalition of Ag organizations and efforts to get the funding included in the Farm Bill with a list of who to talk to on the Hill about it.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank                                           $79,466.11
Latest deposit from the trust                                                              $3,391.00
Current Operating Balance at Truist Bank                                         $2,952.41
1/31/2023 payment of National Grange dues                                    $52.50

One dues receipt is currently in Pay-Pal. It was decided not to transfer it out until more 2023 dues are received. Secretary Weiss will work with President Gibbons to get notices out ASAP.

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS

National Ag Day Contribution – President Gibbons reported that National Grange has requested a $1,500 contribution from Potomac Grange to cover travel costs of one Grange Youth’s participation in the March 19-22 Ag Days program. Secretary Weiss so moved. Before a second, discussion followed in which we decided that the contribution recipient be required to give us a written report on what they learned and how they plan to use that knowledge.

Vice-President Watson seconded the motion as amended. The motion passed.

Dictionaries – Stephanie Wilkins received a request for twenty-six dictionaries from a Maryland private Catholic school. The dictionaries would be for third graders. There was a question as to whether the contribution could be made to a Maryland school.  In discussion that followed we concluded that “Potomac” Grange can serve the entire DMV.  Cheri Watson moved Potomac Grange fill the Maryland school’s request.  The motion was seconded and passed.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Leroy Watson briefed us on his recent health issues. He made it through some tough moments and is on the mend.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m. 

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is on March 8 at Noon.