ROLL CALL

President Mark Gibbons called the meeting to order at 12:04 EDT. Participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Secretary Richard Weiss, Pomona and Executive Committee member Cheri Watson, Executive Committee member Joan Smith, Steward Burton Eller, Ceres Lorreta Washington, Chaplin Sephanie Wilkins Sean O’Neil, Lori Freeman with son Lucas, Scott Lyle, and Associate member Dave Roberts.

President Gibbons led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and gave an opening prayer.

 MINUTES

Hearing no additions or corrections Lori Freeman moved we approve the minutes as written.  Sean O’Neil seconded the motion.  The motion passed via voice vote.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

• Lacking a Speaker, the House is not moving any legislation.  Bills are not even reaching committees.
• We should not expect a Farm Bill this year.
• National Grange is focusing on rural health care issues and recently had op-eds placed in the health sections of papers in Virginia and North Carolina.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Operating Fund Balance at Truist Bank                                $3,157.45

Current Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank                                           $85,640.26

OLD BUSINESS

AITC Committee – Joan Smith/Mark Gibbons

Ten-thousand workbooks will cost approximately $30.000.  The workbooks contain an entire year’s curriculum. Potomac decided not to participate in the workbook’s printing.

Mark Gibbons has been in contact with the area Arch Diasis and will see what kind of success we might have with Parochial Schools.   

Mark also reported that Potomac will take a total of six resolutions to the convention.

NEW BUSINESS

SHIPmates – A new membership/leadership program-Scott Lyle and Dave Roberts

The program has six regional “SHIPmates” working on membership and leadership development.  They communicate weekly via Zoom and will gather at the convention.

In looking at past membership programs, Scott feels they may have focused too much on the organization and not enough on the members themselves.  He feels fellowship is a major selling point for the Grange.

Dave is focusing on Associate Membership and the ability to study different programs and approaches around the country.  He stressed the importance of nurturing and growing Youth membership.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Lori Freeman – Just enjoying the conversation.

Dave Roberts – Also working on the R2 and RS2 programs ( PCORI) with Joan Smith, the stone plaque for the forest plot in Connecticut, and working with a school for the deaf.

Leroy Watson to Burton Eller – What is the current resolution count?  Burton- Only thirty but the big states have not come in yet.

Mark Gibbons – Will attend the National Convention representing Potomac Grange #1.

Richard Weiss – Will work with Amanda Brozana on dues formulas.

Joan Smith – Thank you Mark for your efforts on Ag in The Classroom.

Scott Lyle – Very impressed by the efficiency of our Zoom meetings.

There was no further business. President Gibbons adjourned the meeting at 12:38 pm.

NEXT MEETING

Next meeting will be December 13 at 12:00 PM. EDT.