ROLL CALL

President Mark Gibbons called the meeting to order 12:00 PM EDT.  Participating were Vice- President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Secretary Richard Weiss, Lecturer Amanda Brozana, Pomona/ Executive Committee Member Cheri Warson, Steward Burton Eller, and new member Brandy Bowlby.

Amanda Brozana led us in the Pledge to Allegiance to the Flag and a wish for a good meeting.

 MINUTES

Leroy Watson moved to adopt the August 9 minutes. Amanda Brozana seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

• It will probably take another six months to get a Farm Bill.  There simply is not enough money to pay for all the desired programs, especially expanded food programs.
• Congress is still not close on a continuing budget to keep our government operating.
• We are monitoring the wireless extension into rural America, and it is going well.
• Sixty percent of our time is spent on rural health issues, especially mental health.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Operating Fund balance at Truist Bank                    $2,922.03

Current Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank                               $83,350.47

A Pay Pal balance of $114.84 will be transferred to the Operating Account. In the future, Pay Pal will automatically transfer Potomac funds to our Operating Account on the first of each month.

OLD BUSINESS

None. 

NEW BUSINESS

The committee of Cheri Watson and Burton Eller was established to recommend whether Potomac Grange should invest in the Ag in The Classroom (AITC) Program Book.  The feeling at the last meeting was that the cost could run as high as $30.000, and it was not clear what we would get for that, a whole page, or a little mention? The committee recommend we do not make such an investment. President Gibbons informed us that in discussions with National Grange President Betsy Huber, there was agreement that if made, the expenditure should come from National Grange or the Grange Foundation.  They also agreed that National should cover travel  expenses to the  AITC annual convention to present an award. Leroy Watson moved to accept the committee’s recommendation that we do not finance printing  of the AITC Program Book. Richard Weiss seconded.  The motion passed.

Following are ideas we had in the discussion following the vote:

• Suspend activity for six months to figure out how to proceed. We would have to inform NAIC of the suspension.
• Instead of trying to install the full NAIC curriculum, offer simpler gardening programs.
• Hire a qualified person to run the program and pay that person from the Kile Fund.
• Reach out to DC food and ag related businesses to create a joint effort.
• Target parochial and private schools.
• Get help from Maryland Granges. We cannot go outside the District of Colombia.

Amanda Brozana moved a committee be established to determine whether to proceed with the NAIC program or with our own program. Cheri Watson seconded the motion. The motion passed.

LECTURER’S PROGRAM

A fascinating video about the search for a Grange plot of forest presented by Dave Roberts of the Connecticut State Grange. Prior to and  during the First World War, Connecticut’s forests were denuded for fuel.  After the war, there was a campaign to reforest.  The State Grange adopted and planted several acres. As time went on, the Grange’s plot got lost among the thousands of acres of new trees.  Recently the Connecticut State Grange set out to find it and after some time was successful.  A stone marker will designate the plot as the Connecticut State Grange’s.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Amanda Brozana has three resolutions that update and make more flexible National Grange’s Digest of Laws.  The resolutions will be posted online for Potomac Grange members to vote whether to present them at the National Convention.

Jessie Patrick voiced support for the new membership/leadership program SHIPmates.

There was no further business. Leroy Watson moved to adjourn.  Jessie Patrick seconded the motion. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is Wednesday, October 11, at 12:00 PM. EDT.