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.

President Mark Gibbons called the meeting to order at 12:00 Noon EDT.

Chaplain Stephanie Wilkins led the meeting in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

ROLL CALL

Vice-President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Lecturer Amanda Brozana, Chaplain and Flora Stephanie Wilkins, Secretary Richard Weiss, Steward Burton Eller, Pomona and Executive Committee member Cheri Watson, Executive Committee member Joan Smith, Lady Assistant Steward Lorretta Washington, and new member Brandy Bowlby.

 MINUTES

After the reading of the above minutes, Joan Smith moved that they be amended to read “Ag in the Classroom expenses will be covered by the Grange Foundation beginning in 2024. Her motion was seconded and passed. President Gibbons called for a motion to approve the minutes as amended.

Jessie Patrick so moved, and the motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

• Continuing to work with government agencies on rural health issues where there are serious disparities between rural and urban America.
• Lobbying House and Senate to get a bill passed that would have Medicare cover the cost of new blood drop test to discover cancer. It would be very useful in rural areas lacking expensive detection equipment.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Operating Fund balance at Truist Bank                    $2,973.03

Current Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank                               $84,309.11

This includes the June distribution to the account of $2,609.00.

An outstanding bill of $962.00 for Joan Smith’s travel to Ag in the Classroom convention will be paid from the fund shortly.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Joan Smith reported that the Ag in the Classroom Awards Breakfast had 554 attendees viewing our presentation. The group included five attendees from Washington, DC.

President Gibbons asked the cost of printing 100,000 Ag in the Classroom Field Guides to get an idea of how much of a contribution it would take to get our logo on the cover.  Joan was not able to get the cost, but the consensus was that given the high quality of the piece, around $30,000,

 and our contribution would probably have be in the $10,000 range. The Field Guide contains five lessons on different aspects of Agriculture.  As students complete each lesson, an award sticker is pasted on a special page. They must complete and pass at least three lessons.

Amanda Brozana questioned the potential ROI of such an investment, and, also, questioned our investing in a non-Grange related organization. This led to discussion of the overall value of our involvement in Ag in the Classroom.

President Gibbons proposed a committee to determine the viability of continuing to pursue Ag in the Classroom and if so, how more effectively. Joan Smith so moved. Amanda Brozana seconded, and the motion passed.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

• Amanda Brozana shared one of the Junior Grange passports that focused on learning more about the American Flag. She also presented the July Year B Heirloom Lesson. She will also send Brandy Bowlby and the other new Members the Welcoming Ceremony text and other relevant information as time did not allow for its presentation at this meeting.
• Resolutions: It was confirmed that Potomac will present the resolution limiting the Assembly of Demeter’s authority to only matters such as the Seventh Degree and gives the Grange Law Committee and Delegates oversite of Assembly motions.

Amanda Brozana moved to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded and passed, and the meeting adjourned at 1:06 p.m. 

NEXT MEETING

Next meeting August 9 at noon.

President Mark Gibbons called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. EST. Also participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Chaplin Stephanie Wilkins, Secretary Richard Weiss, Pomona/ Executive Committee Member Cheri Watson, Ceres Loretta Washington, and National Grange Legislative Assistant Sean O’Neil.

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

 MINUTES

President Gibbons called for any additions or corrections to the May 10, 2023 minutes. Hearing none, he called for a motion to approve. Joan Smith so moved. Leroy Watson seconded. The motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

• Farm Bill- Looking at a flat budget. National Grange is focusing on rural health, Broad Band extension, and potential new qualification requirements to the SNAP program. 
• Rural health occupies almost fifty percent of their time. A Betsy Huber op-ed on the difficulty for rural citizens to get Alzheimer’s treatment because of travel distances is getting published. Mental health and obesity are rural issues that National is addressing.
• Elimination of farm property value in judging student loan eligibility.
• Hemp versus Cannabis-Grange supports increasing the THC level in the plant to remain defined as Hemp and not Cannabis.

TREASURER’S REPORT

No Report.

NEW BUSINESS

• National will receive a $248,000, two-year PCORI grant to disseminate pre and post cancer surgery questionnaires to at least 150,000 rural residents. Local Granges will play the main role in this effort. Stephanie Wilkins will also create a web site devoted to sending out questionnaires. Joan Smith will oversee the program. Mark Gibbons added that National Grange will partner with the Care Givers Network in the distribution effort.
• Ag in the Classroom expenses will be covered by the Grange Foundation beginning in 2024. Joan Smith will present the Grange Excellence Award at an awards breakfast during the AIG upcoming Orlando, Florida convention. AIG has suspended our registration fee, and Joan is just there for breakfast, so expenses should be minimal.
• National Convention – Joan Smith moved that Mark Gibbons be the Potomac Grange representative to the November 14th to 18th National Convention in Niagara Falls, New York. Sean O’Neil seconded the motion. The motion passed.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Resolution: Submitted by Leroy Watson

This resolution has to do with the Assembly of Demeter’s extent of authority. It limits authority to only Assembly matters such as the Seventh Degree and gives the Grange Law Committee and Delegates oversight of Assembly motions. Sean O’Neil moved we present the resolution at the November National Meeting. Joan Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 1:08 P.M.  

NEXT MEETING

Next meeting July 12 at Noon.

President Mark Gibbons called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. EST.  Also participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Chaplin Stephanie Wilkins, Secretary Richard Weiss, Pomona/ Executive Committee Member Cheri Watson, Ceres Loretta Washington, and National Grange Legislative Assistant Sean O’Neil.

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

 MINUTES

President Gibbons called for any additions or corrections to the March 9 m9nutes.. Hearing none, he called for a motion to approve. Cheri Watson  so moved. Lorretta Washington seconded. The motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

• Sean recapped the April 26 Virtual Fly-In. It included presentations from Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Republican Congressman Glen Thompson of Pennsylvania and a USDA presentation.
• The Legislative Department is currently engaged with the upcoming Farm Bill, Broad Band rural roll-out and rural health issues, including mental health and access to care.
• Burton and Sean met with the Nurse Practitioners Associates to discuss the extent of care nurse practitioners are allowed to extend to rural patients.
• The National Grange has received a grant from the FCC to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a program which helps people afford broadband connections. The National Grange will use this money to promote ACP at local granges and grange events, such as the Big E in New England or the Center County Grange fair. The first event will be at Goodwill Grange in Virginia.
• National also received a grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to disseminate its comparative findings to help rural patients and caregivers make informed treatment decisions.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Operating Account balance in Truist Bank as of 5/9                          $2,815.51
An additional $233.52 will be added from the PayPal account.
The PNC Kile Fund account balance as of 5/9 is                               $81,706.11
This includes Dictionary Project payments.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

President Gibbons encouraged us to view Samantha Wilkins’   “Thank You” letter  and video for Potomac Grange’s financial support of three Grange Youths’ participation in the DC Experience.  CLICK HERE TO WATCH

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 12:25.  

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is June 14 at Noon.

President Mark Gibbons called the Zoom meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. EST. Participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Secretary Richard Weiss, Pomona/Executive Committee member Sheri Watson, Chaplin Stephanie Wilkins, Steward Burton Eller, and National Grange Legislative Assist Sean O’Neil.

The meeting opened with a prayer led by Chaplin Wilkins and the Pledge of Allegiance led by President Gibbons.

 MINUTES

It was determined that the latest minutes were September 14, 2022.  As Secretary Weiss had not yet downloaded them, it was decided to move on to other business.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative – Burton and Sean have been meeting with new Congress members. They have given the members contact information for their state Granges. Louisiana representatives specifically asked for their state’s Grange information. They also met with Natalie Roy of Agri Safe, an organization that established agriculture crisis hot lines in six states using Covid recovery money. That funding expires in the Fall. Burton and Sean gave her guidance on getting new funding. It includes a possible coalition of Ag organizations and efforts to get the funding included in the Farm Bill with a list of who to talk to on the Hill about it.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank                                           $79,466.11
Latest deposit from the trust                                                              $3,391.00
Current Operating Balance at Truist Bank                                         $2,952.41
1/31/2023 payment of National Grange dues                                    $52.50

One dues receipt is currently in Pay-Pal. It was decided not to transfer it out until more 2023 dues are received. Secretary Weiss will work with President Gibbons to get notices out ASAP.

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS

National Ag Day Contribution – President Gibbons reported that National Grange has requested a $1,500 contribution from Potomac Grange to cover travel costs of one Grange Youth’s participation in the March 19-22 Ag Days program. Secretary Weiss so moved. Before a second, discussion followed in which we decided that the contribution recipient be required to give us a written report on what they learned and how they plan to use that knowledge.

Vice-President Watson seconded the motion as amended. The motion passed.

Dictionaries – Stephanie Wilkins received a request for twenty-six dictionaries from a Maryland private Catholic school. The dictionaries would be for third graders. There was a question as to whether the contribution could be made to a Maryland school.  In discussion that followed we concluded that “Potomac” Grange can serve the entire DMV.  Cheri Watson moved Potomac Grange fill the Maryland school’s request.  The motion was seconded and passed.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Leroy Watson briefed us on his recent health issues. He made it through some tough moments and is on the mend.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m. 

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is on March 8 at Noon.

President Mark Gibbons called the Zoom meeting to order at l2:02 EST. Also participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson, Chairperson Cheri Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Lecturer Amanda Brozana, Secretary Richard Weiss, Chaplin Stephanie Wilkens, and Ceres Lorretta Washington.

Stephanie Wilkins led the Pledge of Allegiance and presented an opening prayer.

 MINUTES

As there were no additions or corrections, President Gibbons approved the August 10, 2022 minutes as presented.

INSTALLATION OF REMAINING OFFICERS

After reading their office responsibilities, Jessie Patrick was installed as Treasurer and Amanda Brozana was installed as Lecturer by President Gibbons.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

IRS/DC Tax Project – Following discussion, Amanda Brozana moved to reaffirm the authority previously given to Vice-President Watson to hire an attorney to help reinstate Potomac Grange and the Kile Fund’s 501(C-3) statuses. Loretta Washington seconded the motion. The motion passed. Treasurer Jessie Patrick confirmed that legal cost incurred for the Kile fund restoration can be paid from the fund. President Gibbons stressed the importance of resolving this problem soon.

No Legislative report

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank                   $71,223.06
Current Operating Fund balance at Truist Bank        $3,169.41
Last quarter dues payment recently cleared.

Joan Smith asked if we have received forms from Bank of America to fill out a required annual report on Kile Fund usage. Stephanie Wilkins has received the forms.

Amanda Rosana noted that the way our membership is presented on dues payment forms does not reflect that she and others are Affiliate members to Potomac Grange and full-time members elsewhere. It was determined that Leroy Watson an Amanda Brozana should be listed as Affiliate members. Such listings do not change dues levels. Leroy Watson suggested offering Associate memberships as a way for Grangers to have a relationship with “the Grange of the Founders.”

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS

World Food Forum – Richard Weiss recommended dropping this project due to lack of a mission statement and clear positions on certain ag practices that the Grange supports. There was consensus to discontinue pursing this project.

Consolidation of Chapter Material – Joan Smith – The kitchen is done. There are five packed boxes in the basement. The kitchen closet has some old sashes and other paraphernalia. The question is “where is this all going to go?”

NEW BUSINESS

Mark Gibbons convention expenses – An amount of approximately $1,300.00 was approved to cover air fare, registration, meals and miscellaneous.

Dictionary Distribution to DC Schools – Not determined yet.

Anacostia Museum Project – Amanda Brozana suggested other Grange chapters my be interested in left over items after the exhibits ends. Mark will try to get over and see what is available.

Membership Drive – President Gibbons has challenged us each to recruit a new member. Loretta Washington has already recruited National Grange intern Sean O’Neil.

Resolution  This resolution submitted by Amanda Brozana and as amended passed unanimously.

“Resolved that National Grange charge $1 per year per Junior Grange or Junior Grange 1+ member starting as of January 1, 2024 and be it further

Resolved that money collected be deposited into the National Grange Junior Foundation annually.”

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Lecturer Program – Amanda Brozana paralleled the efforts of the District of Colombia to be recognized as a state with equal voting rights in Congress to Potomac Grange’ s efforts to be recognized as a legitimate Grange with full voting rights in National Grange affairs.

There was no further business. Leroy Watson moved to adjourn. Loretta Washington seconded the motion. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

President Joan Smith called the Zoom meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. Participating were Vice President Leroy Watson, Board Chairperson Cheri Watson, Secretary Richard Weiss, Community Service Director Loretta Washington, Chaplin Mark Gibbons, Flora Stephanie Wilkins, and Legislative Director Burton Eller.

The July 13, 2022 minutes were approved as presented.

Respectfully Submitted,