February Minutes

​​Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 4:35pm, upstairs, by Master, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, February 23, 2020 with the formal “Opening of the Grange” ceremony.
 
Grangers acting Pro-Temp:  Overseer, Christy Dumolt; Asst. Steward, Jim Dumolt; LAS, Vicki Pounds
 
Guest(s):  Clarkes Grange members representing OSG:  Jim & Christy Dumolt               Visitation:  None                         
Roll Call (Secretary):              ”*” indicates NOT in attendance.                  ** Absentee Members
            Master:     Dan Keeley                                                  Steward:  JoAnn Keeley
Overseer:  Don Sether  *                                                Asst. Steward:   Mike Ellis  *
Lecturer:   Sandy Shew                                                 Lady Asst. Steward (LAS):  Sandy Shew
Chaplain:   Kathie Femrite                                             Gatekeeper:  Doug Femrite
Secretary:  Betty Chipps                                                Pomona:   (vacant) 
Treasurer:  Vicki Pounds                                               Ceres:      Judi Aus   *
Member:   Laura Ellis  *                                               Flora:       (vacant)                               
Member:   Ken Fessler *                                                                      
Member:   John Keeley *                                              Executive Committee
Members:  Jack and Priscilla Weaver (Canby)  **         #1  Vicki Pounds
Member:   Adin Hester (California)  **                         #2  JoAnn Keeley 
Member:  Stacie Bernert (OR City)  **                          #3  Sandy Shew 
Member:  Joyce (Olivier) Urnaut  (Sandy)  **               
============================================================================================
*****      Members present:  7,   Guests:  2,   Youth:  0  *****                  (Mandatory – Quorum  “7”)
(# #)        Member providing ‘quorum’ vote via telephone:  N/A
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Brainy Quip:  “I’m not the kind of person women fall in love with, I sort of grow on them, like a fungus.”  (Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon)
 
PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley):  None, at this time.
 
MINUTES  (Secretary): 
Minutes from January 26, 2020 - Vicki suggested the following correction (under New Business/Treasuer - Bills/Receipts)  Recent Heat Pump bill ,,,

• ...when temperatures drop below freezing the heat pump does NOT run, only the oil furnace.

 
JoAnn moved to approve the Minutes as corrected, Kathie seconded, motion carried, voting-sign-of-the-order.
 
TREASURER Report (Vicki Pounds)
Ending balance, as of February 23, 2020, in the Wells Fargo Checking account is $17,239.08 (for details, see page 5) ... hearing no further concerns, report was “filed for audit.”
 
COMMUNICATIONS  (Secretary) … see last page
           
SECRETARY Report  (Betty Chipps)
The Q4-2019 Quarterly Report:  While the report was given at the JAN 26th meeting, signed, sealed and mailed timely to the OSG, a quorum approval from members was omitted.  The report read:  For the 4th Quarter ended 12/31/19:

• two (2) Regular meetings were held in the 4th Quarter

(Membership attendance each meeting:  OCT - eight (8), NOV - no meeting and SEPT.- eight (8) members)

• Bonding Insurance is current for the calendar year 2020, and
• advised an annual Safety Inspection of Maplewood Grange was planned for FEB 7, 2020. 

With no change to the Grange Membership roster (since Q3), the Q4-2019 Quarterly report reflected: 

• 18  total members for a payable of $ 202.50. 

 
JoAnn moved to approve the Q4 Report (ended 12/31/19), Kathie seconded, motion carried (VSO).
UNFINISHED PROJECTS  (Dan Keeley):

1. FOYER TILE FLOOR - Contractor cost estimate needed for flooring completion.
2. EAST-side ROOF Screws - still pending (short screws to be replaced with long),
3. EXHAUST HOODS for over KITCHEN STOVES - on Hold, future OSG Matching Grant application.
   
   

FINISHED PROJECTS  (Dan Keeley):  

• Hall Floor-Rests (upstairs) at base of benches - refinish and molding work is now entirely completed..

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS
 
AGRICULTURE:  (Dan Keeley):  No report
 
COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley): 
 “Keeping the West Warm” donation box has been placed downstairs for collecting winter clothing - a youth collection project for State Grange (will be delivered to Klamath Falls JUNE 20-25th).


EDUCATION (Dan Keeley):  No report


HALL RENTAL (Dan Keeley):  Nine (9) rentals this month. 
- Quarterly Safety Inspection (by use of an OSHA generic form) was accomplished.  
- Four “exit” signs have been purchased.
- Extinguishers were services (or) replaced,
- A “lock-tag” was placed on the Power-box downstairs.


LECTURE PROGRAM - OREGON STATE GRANGE - PRESENTATION by Jim and Christy Dumolt
                                    The GRANGE theme of 2019, extended in 2020  “Come Together at the Grange”-Part 2 
 
Jim Dumolt, of District 4 Vet’s Committee, presented the GRANGE RESOURCE BOOK … a wealth of knowledge placed into writing since 2007 - a resource of grange programs and membership information.  The ‘Book’ contains:

1. State Grange meeting (and Application)
2. Grange laws:  Bylaws template and National Bylaws.
3. Community Service
4. Business, tax status and guidelines - Contains “sample” donation letter.
5. Grange resources available

a.)  Monetary resources  (i.e. Matching Grant)                c.)  Loan Program
b.)  Sign Reimbursement Program (up to $350)              d.)  Scholarship information
 
Some discussion items between Subordinate Grange and State Grange:

1. How can OSG help granges seed their membership?
2. How does your Grange welcome and encourage membership?
3. How can State Grange make it easier for member attendance at State Convention?
4. Ideas to encourage inclusion in programs.

 
Jim Dumolt asked:  WHAT IS Maplewood Grange GOOD AT?

1. Betty replied:  Welcoming and including new members (it’s the getting members that is hard)..
2. JoAnn said:  We provide a good place for Community functions.
3. Dan would like input on recruiting members - those we do convert to members, we have trouble keeping.

 
Jim says the key is get people active in the Grange.  For example: Garfield Grange remained open due to “Quilters: joining Grange.
 
Jim Dumolt asked for Affirmation and Pledge from Maplewood Grange to State Grange:

• Maplewood pledged to add two (2) members in 2020, thus ending the year with 20 total memberships.

 
LEGISLATURE (Dan Keeley): 

• Timber Unity members protested “Cap-and-Trade” climate bill with a 1000+ truck convoy and rally at the Salem capitol on Thursday, FEB 6th. 
  Note:  Timber Unity contends that SB #1530 threatens taxes on carbon emissions, taxing truckers (already slim profits, into poverty).  However, log trucks and farm trucks were exempt in the bill.
• Bill Post’s “fix” to the Land-use program … passed. 
  Situation:  Judges would order judgments related to i.e. property lines (no voter input), these judgments made legal would not combine with other legal actions in effect, then all/both actions would fail.

Situation:  Judges in land ownership disputes sometimes order changes in boundary lines to settle cases in conformance with the law.  These boundary line shifts are often not approved by the land use authority (county planning office) which leaves the affected properties in violation of land use laws and not eligible for future building permits.  Rep. Post’s bill would automatically grant land use approval to property changes ordered by a judge.  Note that the bill was approved in the house but did not become law.
 
MEMBERSHIP (Betty Chipps):  At the Clackamas POMONA meeting on JAN 25, 2020…

Master, Ed Luttrell, announced there will be a series of on-line meetings using ZOOM on the second (2nd) Friday of each month.  Each meeting will last 30 to 60 minutes and be focused on some aspect of (1) recruiting new members or (2) engage and involve new members or (3) retain members long-term.  Each Grange will be eligible to have two members emails be invited to participate.  Granges are not limited to how many members can sit in on these meetings.  Please send your Granges representatives email to [email protected]
 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Upstairs Bench Upholstery - Committee (Vicki, Kathie and Joann): 
- Dan has not heard back from Don Sether regarding status of Molalla Upholsterer quote. 
- Kathie Femrite measured the benches, approximately 75-yards of fabric will be needed.
- Vicki consulted her commercial upholsterer friend on the best kind of fabric for stain resistance:  Recommendation was “Crypton” fabric, denim blue color was recommended. 
 - Samples can be purchased for $1, an average price would be $22/yard.
 
NEW  BUSINESS
1.  Treasurer - BILLS and RECEIPTS  (Dan Keeley):

• Receipts for rentals given to Vicki.
  
  
• Dan presented a total of $155.80 in expense for reimbursement to the Treasurer.  $48 additional molding supplies (for upstairs foot-rests) and $107.80 for exit signs

Betty moved to approve reimbursement to Dan for expenses, Kathie seconded, motion carried (VSO).
 
2.  Audit Committee (Dan, Betty and Kathie):  Betty reminded an Audit Committee was established at our JAN 26th meeting, however, an Audit date was not chosen.  After some discussion, MARCH 22nd at 3:30pm was chosen.  Vicki will leave the Treasurer books locked up downstairs, when the time comes for the books to be audited.
Note:  March 22nd was later rescheduled for April 5th (combined March & April meetings into one date.)
 
3.  Spring-Cleaning Day at the Grange:  Set for JUNE 14th approx. 9AM
 
4.  Grange Booth at the Clackamas County Fair - Theme is:  “Clearly the Best.” 

• $10 Entry fee due by JULY 17th, payable to:  CCFEC (Clackamas County Fair & Event Center)
• 8am - 4pm, SUN, AUGUST 16th, “first-come, first-serve” to choose location AND set-up Booth.
• SUN, AUGUST 23rd,  Booth can be dismantled (need Exhibitor tag to enter).
• Limit handouts to Grange or Historical Society information.

 
5.  Setting GRANGE Work-Project priorities - discussion
A.) Foyer and Bathroom Floors:  Dan discussed product prices and concerns:
- Vinyl flooring:  $10/sq.foot
- Tiles cost $20-25/sq.foot  (at least 400/sq.feet of tiles needed)
- Wood-like flooring or vinyl plank flooring will expand and contract with temperature changes and may not   be covered under warranty if temperatures drop below 55-degrees.
- Peel-off vinyl can separate.
            - Tiles, if too polished, can be slick (dangerous).

NEW  BUSINESS (continued)
B.) Kitchen/Dining Hall (uneven concrete):  Sandy asked:   would the Grange like a Contractor, in the cement business, to provide a quote related to refinishing the concrete floors?  Dan is open to working with them for a quote.
 
 
GOOD TO THE ORDER:   “Climate Change Legislation Poll” was handed out by Dan Keeley (for today’s return).
 
NEXT Maplewood Meeting:  SUN, March 22, 2020 - Maplewood Grange:


                                                 Audit Committee meets at 3:30pm,
 “NO” Potluck, Meeting 4:30pm  (snacks OK).
 

Meeting Adjourned with “Closing of the Grange” ritual:   at 5:30 pm by Dan Keeley.                                      
 
 
Respectfully Submitted,
 
 
Betty Chipps, Secretary