President Joan Smith called the virtual meeting to order at 12:04 ET.  Also participating were Steward Amanda Brozana Rios, Treasurer Jessie Cope, Board member Cheri Watson, Secretary Richard Weiss, members Samantha Wilkins, Mark Gibbons, and Kennedy Gwin, and joining later Overseer Leroy Watson.

The March 10, 2021 meeting minutes were approved as read.

TREASURER’S REPORT

 
All Kile Fund checks have cleared. Last deposit was $3,135.75 on 3/26. Net income for the Mid-Atlantic Leaders Conference was $615.78. Total expenses were $1,850.73 with the remainder covered by the Kile Fund.

OLD BUSINESS

 
Kile Fund IRS Status-Leroy Watson: Leroy is getting paperwork together before hiring outside help which he feels will be necessary.
 
NEW BUSINESS

 
Joan will attend virtually for a $50.00 registration fee. Amanda will be traveling close to Des Moines on National Grange business and can hop into the conference to make our annual teacher award. Ag in the Classroom wants a $435.00 conference registration fee for her to do so. Joan has never paid a registration fee to attend the conference because we are a $3,700.00 a year sponsor. It was decided to have Joan deal with NAITC staff regarding the registration fee. Jessie then moved to support Amanda’s cost to make the presentation at no more than $600.00. After some clarification of Potomac’s potential costs, Jessie amended her motion to reduce the coverage to $50.00 for meals and essentials. Weiss seconded and the motion passed. Cheri suggested Joan also question her $50.00 fee.
 
Grange Foundation TELETHON-Saturday, June 5-12noon to 8:00pm:
 
The Telethon goal is to raise $50,000 for the National Grange Junior and Youth function which is approximately $20,000 short of covering its expenses due to lack of member contributions. Telethon contribution levels with corresponding recognition go as high as $25,000. Leroy advised that the Agate level of $5,000 would conform with Kile Fund guidelines. Amanda moved and Jessie seconded that Potomac make a $5,000 contribution to the Junior and Youth foundation. The motion passed.
 
Leroy moved that Potomac also make a $1,000 contribution from the Kile Fund to the National Grange Endowment fund in memory of former member Harry Massey. Amanda seconded and the motion passed. Amanda also suggested that Potomac consider sponsoring two pages in Good Day magazine.
 
Youth:
 
Rachael recently achieved her career best in the long jump and hurdles. In the Fall she will attend Hofstra University in Hempstead New York.
 
There were no “Good of the Order” issues and no members sick or in distress.
 
The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:16 p.m. Next meeting is June 9 at 12noon.
 
Respectfully Submitted,

Richard B. Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

President Joan Smith called the Zoom meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. ET.  Also participating were Overseer Leroy Watson, Executive Committee member Cheri Watson, Treasurer Jessica Cope, Secretary Richard Weiss, Steward Amanda Brozana Rios and member Mark Gibbons.

TREASURER’S REPORT

BB&T Operating Account: 2,584.83

There are two membership payments pending. Also, Mid-Atlantic Leaders Conference registration payments will be transferred from the $617.69 PayPal account to the Operating Account from which Conference expenses will be paid.

Kile Fund: $65,821.83

It appears that Potomac Grange and possibly the Kile Fund have lost 501(c)3 tax exemption status for failing to submit annual filings to the IRS and the DC Government.  There is some confusion as to whether there are two separate EIN accounts or only one covering both entities.

Rectifying the situation may involve outside legal and financial assistance at some cost.  Leroy will oversee the effort.  He made it clear that any costs related to the Kile Fund can legally be paid out of the fund.

Jessie Cope moved to seek professional guidance regarding our tax status and pay and reasonable and customary fees for such assistance from the Kile Fund.  Leroy Watson seconded the motion and the motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS

The virtual Mid-Atlantic Leaders’ Conference takes place March 19 and 20. Sixty-four people have registered so far. Jessie has distributed 51 boxes with bingo cards and daubers, craft materials, community service project items, snacks and a recipe. National Grange Lecturer Chris Hamp may pre-record her presentation because she is administering COVID-19 vaccination shots in upper Washington State.

The 2021 Grange Revival is scheduled for July 20 -25 at the Days End Campground in Sturgis, South Dakota.  Amanda reports that folks are still planning to participate.  Potomac Grange has been asked to again sponsor the Olympics event.  Joan pointed out that this event requires a lot of equipment that must be shipped ahead of time.  She suggested we volunteer to sponsor Bingo Night(s).  Amanda could lug that equipment in her car.

Ag in the Classroom-Joan: In January we filed our annual report to National Agriculture in the Classroom.  Our annual dues to NAITC of $300 was paid and the fee to maintain our DC Website was paid by Jessie.

NEW BUSINESS

Virtual Ag Day Event sponsored by USDA has invited Grangers to participate on March 22.

National Grange Virtual Fly-in is scheduled for April 7.  As there will be no travel involved, Potomac Grange has not been asked for financial support.

National Grange Youth Fund is approximately $3,000.00 short in covering their expenses due to low participation of donations in the Grange Foundation. The program is appealing for support.  There was discussion about contributing to the Youth Foundation from the Kile Fund. While no final decision was made, Jessie recommended that any contribution be direct toward something specific, not just flat-out.

National Grange Month is April.  Due to remaining Covid risks and restrictions, it was decided not to have our annual tenant breakfast.

The Ag in the Classroom Website-Potomac Grange has recently paid for our DC Ag- in-the- Classroom Website.  We can post our materials at no further cost and recently posted and article on farm workers. The site is maintained by the University of Utah.

Membership-There appears to be several prospective new members.  Weiss will send a 2021 dues notice to Kennedy Gwin.

There were no “Good of the Order” issues and there were no members sick or in distress.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:10 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard B. Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

Meeting, held via Zoom, called to order at 12:06 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2021.

In attendance was Joan C Smith, Leroy Watson, Jessie Cope, Cheryl Watson, Burton Eller and Amanda Brozana Rios. Brother Dick Weiss called out sick.

TREASURER’S REPORT

BB&T Operating Account: 2,404.83 as of 2/10/21

• Odd note: Jan. 29 “counter deposit” of $25. Check with membership records or with Stephanie, was likely Burton’s cash dues.
• In this calendar year, we have not received any new dues except that $25 deposit.
• A reminder would be ideal with info on when dues would come up (i.e. if we have a few years left or are due now)

Kile Fund: $66,123.53 as of 2/10/21

• Last Deposit was $2,859 quarterly Deposit in December 2020
• Recently the $300 check cleared for Ag in the Classroom Annual Dues
• Another $300 check for annual web-hosting for Ag in the Classroom

MID ATLANTIC GRAGE LEADERS’S CONFERENCE

PayPal account has been receiving incoming money for the Mid-Atlantic Grange Leaders Conference. Jessie requested clarification on where that money will go to since Kile Fund is being used to cover our fees. Proposes we would use the money gathered to give/reimburse Kile Fund or use operating money (from these deposits) first then dip into Kile Fund.

14 people have signed up and paid for MAGLC. Joan is disappointed with the turnout so far. Three other registrants have requested more information.

Joan has been preparing some materials for Goodie Boxes for all Registered attendees and Jessie is prepared to send and distribute.

Leroy has proposed expanding our invitation list. Northeast has already canceled their Regional conference. We can send a direct appeal. All are in favor of sending the same email to the leaders from NE states at least that was sent to all Mid-Atlantic leaders. .

By Feb. 24, we will decide if we are going to hold the conference or if there are too few registrants.

Amanda will provide the instruction/discussion for the Community Service workshop. Joan has gotten Christmas cards to provide for the opportunity and we will include an addressed envelope (to Marlys Halbeisen, 10650 West 45th Avenue, Wheatridge, CO 80033) for people to send the completed cards

OTHER BUSINESS

No scholarships are needed for the Fly-in as it is planned to be virtual.

Junior and Youth Appeal letter has come in. We cannot act because we do not have a quorum.

Meeting was interrupted at 12:43 p.m. (Zoom connection error). Attendees all got back on at 12:44 p.m

YOUTH REPORT

Report from the Watsons on our Grange Youth: Rachel is currently applying to and being accepted to several colleges. We will send her a care package when she goes off to school.

Discussion of Youth program that serves to encourage Home away from Home

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 12:53 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Secretary Pro-Temp
Amanda Brozana-Rios

President Joan Smith called the Zoom meeting to order at 12:05 EST. Also participating were Flora Stephanie Wilkins, Secretary Richard Weiss, and National Grange Legislative Affairs Director Burton Eller.

MID ATLANTIC GRAGE LEADERS’S CONFERENCE

• The conference will be held via Zoom Friday, March 19 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the option to as late as 9:00 p.m.
• Burton suggested that a possible speaker for Friday might be Nona Bear, a healthcare policy expert who has worked with the Grange. There was agreement that healthcare would be a topic of interest to the conference participants, which include Youth and Juniors.  Burton suggested a half-hour for Nona to speak followed by up to a half-hour for questions.  He will check out Nona’s availability.
• The Saturday agenda will be as follows: 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.-Junior activities, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.-Youth activities, 11:00 a.m. to Noon-Leadership/Membership, Lunch from Noon to 1:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.- crafts (when registering, each participant will purchase a $5.00 to $10.00 packet containing craft materials as well as snacks. The packet will be sent to them ahead of time.), 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.-Advocacy, Lecturer, Community Service, Benefits and Grange Foundation, 4:00 p.m.-wrap-up.

Joan stressed the importance of getting the registration forms out ASAP. She will work with Jessie Cope on this and then Stephanie will target email it to members of the participating states which are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and Potomac Grange.

OTHER BUSINESS

• It was agreed to pay at this time the $300.00 annual dues to National Agriculture in the Classroom and our 4^th quarter 2020 dues to National Grange.
• It was decided not to increase Potomac Grange dues in 2021 and Dick Weiss will go ahead and get the 2021 notices out.
• Burton informed us that he will have four interns this coming semester. One assignment will be working with interns from RetireSafe on a joint grant project.

Next meeting is February 10 at 12 Noon.  There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss
Secretary, Potomac Grange #1

President Joan Smith called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon EST via Zoom.  Also present were Treasurer Jessie Cope, Flora Stephanie Wilkins, National Grange Programs Director Loreta Washington, and Secretary Dick Weiss

Joan set a holiday theme for the meeting with jokes and quizzes about Thanksgiving.

MID ATLANTIC GRAGE LEADERS’S CONFERENCE

• Scheduled for March 19, 20, 21, 2021 via National Grange Zoom.
• Agreed to a $10.00 Virtual Meeting charge.
• Saturday will start with presentations by Youth, Junior and Membership departments.
• Volunteers: Logistics- Jessie Cope, IT-Stephanie Wilkins, Loreta Washington will present new benefits aimed at youth.
• Zoom hours: Friday-7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday-8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday- It was decided not to have programing on Sunday.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Operating fund current balance at BB&C Bank                                 $2,470.83
Kile Fund current balance at PNC Bank                                            $63,568.43

On November 20, the account received a distribution of $6,546.00.

OTHER BUSINESS

• We need to calculate how much the Kile Fund will owe the Grange Foundation based on our contributions to the “20 in 20” fund.
• It was passed that Potomac Grange officers be bonded at the level of our checking account.
• The current officers were re-elected to serve until 2022.
• The roster will be supplied to National and Grace, who holds two offices, will be asked to update her membership.

Nobody is in distress or need and the meeting ended with quizzes on singers of Christmas songs and happenings of past years.

Meeting Adjourned at 1:05 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss
Secretary, Potomac Grange #1

Meeting Called to Order at 12:00pm by President Joan C. Smith.  Minutes of the last meeting were summarized and approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer Report was delayed till our December meeting.  Discussion by members on the fact that we have received notification from DC that our Tax Exempt Status will expire in Jan 2021.  An investigation by Joan with Dick Weiss, Leroy, Fran Vitt as well as a search of the NG Comptrollers office for documentation, found that in 2016 a letter from  the IRS suspended our Non-Profit Tax Exemption Status for the lack of filing any annual reports.  MOTION by Amanda that we reestablish that the PG is a non-profit entity with both the IRS and DC.  2^nd by Leroy and carried.   We currently have a FEIN for Potomac Grange #1 and an FEIN for the Kile Fund which must be addressed during this effort.    Leroy noted that Kile Fund dollars can be used if an attorney fees are incurred.

OLD BUSINESS

$20 in 2020 Matching

At our May meeting, PG#1 voted to match a gift from any of our members who contributed to this Youth fundraising effort.  Stephanie Wilkins to provide the list of our members to Mandy so she can conduct a cross-mapping of funds contributed to our membership and provide us the information so we can cut a check to the Grange Foundation.

NAITC Summit

The Leadership Virtual Conference will be held 10-11 November with workshops and a Council meeting.

NG Session Resolutions/Policy

Joan has provided emails to the Agriculture Committee Chair on the “Hallah Food Certification” concern and to the Chair of Health/Education Committee on the Parental vice Family Leave issue.  Burton and Stephanie verified that our two resolutions:  NG Youth Executive Board member and Veterans VA Home Loans had been received.   SharePoint training by our Stephanie for Session Delegates/Committees/ is on the 27 of October Zoom.

NEW BUSINESS

PGA#1 Zoom Line

We will use the free Zoom meeting line (40 minutes) for 100 connections for our next meeting.  Stephanie to set-up.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference

We received notification that we can host a virtual conference in March.  We decided on 20 March, Saturday, we will keep Friday available for a workshop or Guest Speaker also.  Saturday evening, we will do Trivia.  We will charge $10 to register to cover any workshop needs and perhaps a goodie bag provided to registrants.  Any remaining funds would go to the Junior Grange.

Workshops 

2 AITC (Cotton Boll, Wood Spinning, Farming in a Glove [would need to provide to registrants the supplies], Junior Director, Youth Director, Membership Director, Lecturer, +, + Look for a guest speaker; Jr and Youth contests to be help at the PA Family Festival in July 2021.  Committee – Amanda, Jessie, Joan – Burton will look for a guest speaker as well as others

2021 Revival

No new news.  PG#1 to conduct the Olympics (game items, metals, printing)

Benefits

Loretta spoke on the new NG CashBack program which kicks off this Friday

We will not meet in November.  Next virtual/zoom meeting, Wednesday, 9 December at noon

Meeting Adjourned at 1:05

Respectfully Submitted,

Joan C. Smith

President Joan C. Smith called the meeting to order via telephone at 12:03 p.m. EDT.  Also, on the call were Overseer Leroy Watson, Executive Committee member Cheri Watson, Secretary Richard Weiss, Steward Amanda Brozana Rios Treasure Jessie Cope, member David Watson of First Financial Group. Amanda’s guests Johanna Huber and Kennedy Quin, National Grange Programs Director Loretta Washington and Nation Grange Legislative Director Burton Eller.

The June 11, 2020 minutes were approved as read.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Kile Fund current balance at PNC Bank $54,171.53
This includes a quarterly deposit of $2,859.00

Operating Fund current balance at BB&T Bank$2,568.83
This after the 2^nd quarter dues check had cleared

Leroy Watson inquired how the “$20 in 2020” matching funds from the Kile Fund to the Youth Development Fund are being tracked.  Right now, there appears to be no system.  After discussion, it was agreed to have National Grange Youth and Young Adult Director Mandy Bostwick match her list of contributors at the campaign’s October close against Potomac Grange’s membership list.

At the close of 2019, the Kile Fund balance at Bank of America was $326,864. Distributions for the year totaled $8,900 and fees totaled $5,900.   Leroy pointed out that over the years, the fund has declined from over $500, 000 to the current balance.  He is concerned that at the mandatory rates of distributions and fees, the fund will run out of money and that will be our contribution to future generations.  He recommended investing forty-five thousands of the fifty-four-thousand-dollar bank balance.

David Watson estimated First Financial Group’s fees would run between 1.00% to 1.25 %.  While the market is still volatile, David feels there will be long term growth.

Amanda encouraged investing a portion of our funds with FFG. After discussion, Treasurer Cope moved that $40,000 of the current Kile Fund bank balance be invested. Leroy Watson seconded, and the motion passed.  The invested funds will not be restricted and can be retrieved if needs arise.

NEW BUSINESS

2021 Mid-Atlantic Regional Leadership Conference

Potomac Grange has been asked to sponsor this conference in March 2021.  It would involve from 75 to 80 adult and 40 youth and junior participants from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia.

There was discussion as to what costs would be covered by Potomac Grange.  These could range anywhere from some hotel and meals to only meals and miscellaneous expenses, tour, metro, transportation.  A registration fee of twenty to twenty-five dollars would cover some cost.  We would not want to make it higher so as not to discourage participation.

Next question was lodging and meeting space.  In addition to a large meeting space, three break-out rooms would be required. Joan already has a current quote off $79.00 a night from Club Quarters.  It is not sure this will hold in March if COVID-19 is gone.  Also, Jessie said the rooms are small and she is not sure about bed arrangements.  It is not clear if Club Quarters has food service.  Burton mentioned that in the past we have prepared food in-house because of the high cost of hotel food.  Jessie suggested the 4-H Center.  She though buying their meal program might be required with the rooms.  Loretta stated that in addition to having everything we need, using the 4-H Center would help build relationships and lead to additional members.  Jessie warned against getting into up-front, non-refundable commitments.  Cheri Watson noted that the Coronavirus could still be around in March.  There was consensus to move the meeting to June 2021.

Amanda Rios moved we host the Mid-Atlantic Leadership Conference at the 4-H Center in June 2021.  Loretta Washington seconded the motion.  Jessie Cope moved to amend the motion by first exploring the impact of moving to June 2021 and having a recommendation on the hotel, meals, meeting space, etc. by August 31, 2020.  It was decided that we can vote on the recommendation by email.  The motion passed as amended.  Joan, Jessie and Amanda volunteered to be the recommendation committee.

July 2021 Revival -Sturgis, South Dakota

Potomac Grange has been asked to again sponsor the “Olympics” at this function.  The Olympics being a series of games and contests.  Last year’s costs ran around $2,400, mostly for several hundred winners’ ribbons.  Joan will look into what needs to be purchased for 2021 and get back with a cost.

RESOLUTIONS

Hallah Foods

Resolution to strike this resolution calling for certification of Hallah foods from the 2019 Journal of Proceedings passed.

Parental Leave

Resolution to amend this resolution in the 2019 Journal of Proceedings from the term “parental leave” to “family leave” passed.

Add Youth Member to the Executive Committee/Board of Directors

Jessie Cope moved to pass resolution to add a Grange member between the ages of 14 and 35 to the Grange Executive Committee/Board of Directors for a one-year term with a limit of three terms.

Richard Weiss moved to amend the motion to two-year terms with a limit of two terms.  Jessie concurred.  Discussion followed.  Amanda argued that one-year terms would allow greater youth participation.  The amendment failed and the motion passed with one-year terms.

Joan informed us that passed resolutions to divide “youth” into two age groups have been rejected by the Delegate body. It was also moved and passed to change “Granger” to “Member” in the resolution’s title.

Youth and Junior Grange Funding Assessments

The resolution calls for an annual assessment of $1.00 on Fraternal and e-mail memberships with .50 cents going to Youth and Young Adult activities and .50 cents going to Junior Grange activities.  Activities to be covered by the National Grange budget include Director, general program. Ambassador costs  plus, costs for participants in regional events continue to come from the Grange Foundation.  The resolution was approved with a word change from “events” to “regional conference.”

OTHER

A resolution asking National Grange to lobby for extending VA mortgage benefits to Reserve and National Guard members was not addressed.

A local Grange request to the National Grange and passed on to Potomac Grange for a $1,000.00 grant to purchase a spinning wheel was turned down by Potomac.

There were no members in need.

Due to time limitations the total agenda was not covered and may be continued by email.

The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary