ROLL CALL

Opening by President Mark Gibbons at 12:01pm followed by the Flag Salute and Prayer. 7 members were present for the conducting of business. A shout out was given to the upcoming Army-Navy Game on Saturday and a thanks to all those who serve today and to our veterans. May they all stay safe.

Words of pray were given for Dick Weiss, our beloved member who served many roles in the Grange and WDC area. He served as a PG#1 past president, and faithful secretary for many years. He was the Executive Director of the National Grange WDC for 7 years. Brother Gibbons sees Nancy regularly and walks their dog and assures that Nancy is cared for. Thank you, Mark.

MINUTES

October 9 – Minutes were approved as presented. Motion by Joan and second by George Spies.

TREASURER’S REPORT

All bills have been paid to include our donations for Hurricane relief. $500 to North Carolina State Grange and $250 to Virginia State Grange. Both states suffered greatly from Helene and Milton back-to-back storms.

Operating Fund = $ 3,199.39
Kyle Fund = $ 78,136.73.

OLD BUSINESS

2024 National Grange Convention – Review by President Mark Gibbons as our PG#1 Representative to Mid-West hosted Convention in Bettendorf, Iowa

1. PG#1 had great attendance representation, 10
2. Resolution Status
   1. Yes – Counting Granges w/fewer than 13 members, can have a vote at their state convention
   2. No – Wearing regalia/pin at a meeting
   3. No – Streamlining dues collection by them going directly to the National Grange
   4. No – Youth member added to Executive Committee
3. Leroy Watson was thanked for his years of Service on the NG Executive Committee and presented with a plaque
4. Joan C. Smith was thanked for her 10 years’ service on the Grange Foundation, 8 years as Chair and provided a Past Foundation pin.
5. New Grange Foundation Advisory members are our very own Mark Gibbons and Joe Stefenoni.

2025 National Convention – Eastern Region is the Host

1. Joan hosted the 2025 Convention Booth in the Showroom a couple of days selling mugs, towels and explaining the cruise
2. Held on the Carnival Horizon Cruise ship leaving from Miami
3. November 8-16, 4 days at sea and Aruba, Bonnaire and Curauco
4. Region (includes Potomac Grange) is working with Carnival on details
5. 2025 is Election of NG full slate of officers

NEW BUSINESS

1. National Grange Leadership Conference to be held in Rohnert Park, California Feb 13-16, 2025 north of San Francisco.
   1. Motion made to send Mark by John and seconded by George, passed
   2. More info to follow. Mark to provide an estimate of cost at our next meeting
2. Synopsis of the Vaccination program provided by Joan. Program now completed with approximately 3500 shots being given at the Big-E held in September in Massachusetts.
3. Synopsis of the Senior Healthcare program “Reaching Rural Surgical Seniors given by Joan. 7 States and 21 Community Granges provided incentive reports so far for the $500 and $100 respectfully, incentive awards. Have exceeded the goal of 150,000 reached and currently at approximately 191.000. The program was invited to speak at the Capitol Hill Congressional Fair in October and at the PCORI Annual Meeting to explain our dissemination process. Rocky Mountain PBS has now picked up our long-promotional video (26 minutes) for programming. A real feature in our NG cap.

LECTURER’S PROGRAM

None.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Meeting was closed by the Worthy President reading the 4th Degree manual Presidents closing charge.

NEXT MEETING

The next Zoom meeting will be Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 12 PM.