May 11, 2022 Meeting Minutes

President Joan C, Smith called the Zoom meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. Participating were Vice President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Secretary Richard Weiss, Communications Director Amanda Brozana Rios, Community Service Director Loretta Washington, Chaplain Mark Gibbons and joining later Executive Committee member Cheri Watson.

Secretary Weiss read the April 13, 2022 meeting minutes. Amanda Rios stated the word “dues” should be “assessment” in the sentence referring to Potomac’s 2022 annual meeting resolution. Dues changes take two years bylaws to approve whereas assessments are immediate.  The minutes were approved as corrected.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Operating Account current balance at Truist Bank                                  $3,128.03

Additional $100,000 in bonding coverage payment                                 $112.00

(2023 bonding payment will be due in December 2022)

One outstanding check at meeting time-1st quarter dues                       $52.50

Kile Fund current balance at PNC Bank                                                  $70,840.06

REPORT OF COMMITTEES

IRS/DC Tax Project – Leroy Watson is examining the possibility of reorganizing as a 501-C10, which would combine Potomac Grange and the Kile Fund into a single entity rather than two separate 501-C3s. It is necessary to check that this is all right with Bank of America. Hopefully so, as C10 reporting is easier than C3 reporting.  Joan noted that DC has already rescinded our tax exemption status as they will follow the IRS rules.

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS

World Food Forum – Richard Weiss will continue to monitor and recommends no action at this time.

Grange Building Sale Status – Leroy Watson reported a firm agreement on the building’s sale. The closing is a year away. There is concern that as tenants leave during the year, the reduction in rent cash flow will hurt operating cost and Grange program coverage.

Joan Smith has reduced Potomac Grange storage to five boxes. Nothing has been scanned and there may not  be space for our boxes in the new headquarters. Stephanie Wilkins created a protocol for organizing scanned files. Joan will pursue scanning options. Leroy has reduced the legislative files down to a couple file folders. Loretta Washington noted that Potomac Grange also has ritual materials stored in a closet.  Amanda Rios suggested we might display it in the new conference room.

NEW BUSINESS

TELETHON – On Saturday July 9, 2022, National Grange will hold an all-day telethon to raise funds for the Youth and Junior programs.  Individual and grange contributions levels ranged up to $5,000.00, which is the amount Potomac contributed last year. During discussion, Amanda Rios stated her preference for contributing to specific programs that contribute to our community, not just general contributions.  Accordingly, Sheri Watson moved that Potomac’s contribution to this year’s TELETHON be $2,50.00. Jessie Patrick seconded, and the motion passed five in favor and two opposed.

Amanda then moved to increase Potomac’s two Grass Roots Activism scholarships from $400.00 each to $500.00 each not to exceed a total of $1,000.00. Loretta Washington seconded the motion and the motion passed.

NAITC Annual Conference June 26 to July 1 in Saratoga, NY – Because of the estimated $2,255.00 cost for Joan to attend this conference, she asked Steve Coye, President of the New York State Grange, or someone from a Grange near Saratoga,  to make our five-minute Partnership in Agriculture Literacy award.  Waiting for a reply

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Under Lesson A3 of the “Heirloom Program,” Amanda Rios led us in discussion of what we had learned at home.

NEXT MEETING

 June 8,2022 via Zoom at 12 noon. This meeting will be election of officers.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

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