President Mark Gibbons called the virtual meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. EST. Participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson. Lecturer Amanda-Brozana Rios, Secretary Richard Weiss, Chaplain Stephanie Wilkins, Executive Committee member Joan Smith, Ceres Lorretta Washington, and National Grange Legislative Assistant Sean O’Neil.

The meeting opened with Pledge Allegiance to the Flag led by President Gibbons and a prayer by Chaplain Wilkins.

 MINUTES

Joan Smith moved to adopt the February 8, 2023 minutes as written. Vice-President Watson seconded. The motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

• Sean and Burton Eller are visiting new members of Congress and presenting Grange’s position on issues and bills, including the upcoming Farm Bill.
• We are working with Agri-Safe, an organization advocating for rural mental health aids such as hot-lines and stress relief programs.
• Putting together a “Grange Caucus” on the Hill. A group of members recognizing the Grange and invited to Grange events.

Lecturer Program

Today is International Women’s Day. The John Deere Company is recognizing and highlighting women’s roles in agriculture and the construction industries. Today, only nine percent of U.S. farms are currently totally female owned and operated. Leroy added that many of these are poultry operations which have direct contracts with food processors. He feels there is definite industry and government encouragement for increased farm ownership by women.

Heirloom Program

Amanda quoted one of the Grange objectives: “To develop a better manhood and womanhood among ourselves.” She suggested we consider how Potomac Grange might use Kile Fund resources locally towards this objective, especially the “womanhood” part

TREASURER’S REPORT

No Report..

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS

Dictionaries – Mark will deliver dictionaries to Holy Cross School in the next couple of weeks. Joan Smith read a “Certificate of Appreciation” from the school to Potomac Grange. Stephanie Wilkins will post it on our website.

NEW BUSINESS

• 2023 Fellows Program membership and programs are progressing.
• Mark briefed us on his participation in the “Presidents’ call” with Betsy Huber regarding the National Meeting format. He had suggestions on speeding up the meeting.
• The Ag in the Classroom 2023 National Meeting will be in June in Florida. Joan will be able to drive to the meeting to make our annual award presentation.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Discussion as to whether Potomac Grange should continue to submit resolutions for voting rights led to the conclusion that we should. Suggestions included asking to vote only on resolutions not officers and to tie in with a state Grange.

Now that his recovery is coming along, Leroy will get back to work on the Potomac Grange tax status issue.

Joan will be undergoing surgery soon. She will be in our thoughts and prayers.

There was no further business. Amanda Rios moved to adjourn. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 12:51 p.m.

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is on April 12 at Noon.