ROLL CALL

Vice-President Leroy Watson called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. EDT. Participating were Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Chaplin and Flora Stephanie Wilkins, Executive Committee members Cheri Watson and Joan Smith, Lady Assistant Steward Lorretta Washington, Secretary Richard Weiss, members Rebecca Jones and Sean O’Neil, and Guest Jim Patterson.

Chaplin Sephanie Wilkins gave a prayer and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 MINUTES

Stephanie Wilkins will send Amanda Brozana’s suggested corrections and additions to Secretary Weiss for him to discuss with her. Members will vote upon their recommendations in the next meeting on September 13.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

• The was no Legislative report for this meeting

TREASURER’S REPORT

Operating Fund current balance at Truist Bank                    $2,922.05

Kile Fund current balance at PNC Bank                               $83,355.47

Joan Smith will submit a bill a bill to cover contest sponsorship costs at the 2023 Grange Revival held in Curtis, Minesota. Jessie will then pay the bill from the Kile Fund. Joan reported 147 Revival participants from across the country. Camping equipment ranged from RVs to tents. Rain did not deter joining in on contests, visits to Sault Sainte Marie canal and locks and ice cream making. 

OLD BUSINESS

Resolution Vote – Voting online, Potomac #1 membership agreed on presenting a resolution expanding the National Grange Board of Directors by adding a youth member at the 2023 National Grange Convention.

AITC Committee – Members will be Cheri Watson and Burton Eller. Leroy will bring Jim  Patterson’s interest in the subject to President Gibbon’s attention. Joan Smith pointed out that the program is limited to K through twelve but is available to private and parochial schools in addition to public schools. Joan Smith pointed out that Potomac Grange is not the first party to have difficulty placing the AITC curriculum in DC schools. Our predecessor UDC also failed to do so. She suggested a simple gardening program might be more successful than a full curriculum. 

NEW BUSINESS

Disposition of Dishware – Lorretta Washington advised that National Grange President Betsy Huber is anxious to get Potomac’s Stone Ware dishes, cups, bowls, etc. out of the Grange Building basement. The materials’ surfaces carry the Grange emblem. Sean O’Neil suggested auctioning off the full set at the National Grange Convention. Members felt individual Grangers might want a single piece as a souvenir. Consensus was to first offer souvenirs and then auction the remainder at the convention. Joan Smith said that the convention schedule is tight and to squeeze in an auction, we need to act quickly.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Grange Building – Grange officials are in advanced negotiations over the sale of the Gange Building. The interested party would totally reconfigure the building’s interior into new office space. The building’s exterior would no longer carry any Grange identification.

Membership – Richard Weiss will send membership information to Jim Patterson who is considering joining Potomac Grange #1.

There was no further business. Vice-President Watson adjourned the meeting at 1:08 PM.

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is Wednesday, September 13, at 12:00 PM. EDT.