Members acting Pro-Temp: Kathie Femrite, Gatekeeper
Guest: POMONA President, Joyce Parker Visitation: None (Pending) refers to Dues pmt
Roll Call (Secretary): ”*” indicates NOT in attendance. ** Absentee Members
Master: Dan Keeley Steward: JoAnn Keeley
Overseer: Don Sether Asst. Steward: Mike Ellis * (Pending)
Lecturer: Sandy Shew Lady Asst. Steward (LAS): Sandy Shew
Chaplain: Kathie Femrite Gatekeeper: Doug Femrite
Secretary: Betty Chipps Pomona: Sandy Shew
Treasurer: Vicki Pounds * Ceres: Judi Aus *
Member: Laura Ellis: * (Pending) Flora: (vacant)
Member: Ken Fessler * (Pending)
Member: Roberta Elders Executive Committee
Members: Jack and Priscilla Weaver (Canby) ** #1 Vicki Pounds
Member: Stacie Bernert (OR City) ** #2 JoAnn Keeley
Member: Joyce (Olivier) Urnaut (Sandy) ** #3 Sandy Shew
=========================================================================================
Members present: 8, Guests: 1, Youth: 0 ***** (Mandatory – Quorum “7”)
TOTAL Members: 17
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP – (None)
MINUTES (Secretary):
The June 27, 2021 Minutes are in progress - to be approved at the August meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary) … see last page
SECRETARY Report (Betty Chipps)
The Q2-2021 Quarterly (financial) report, ending 6/30/2021, develops a Credit balance of $(188.10), comprised of:
- Dues for 17 total members (3 unpaid) for a payable of $191.25 (same as last year: $11.25 each),
- A Lifetime Membership Investment Fund credit of $379.35 (compared to $447.62 in the 2020 year).
- three (23 Regular meetings were held in the 2nd Quarter:
- Number of Members unpaid: 3
- Date Report approved: 7/25/2021
- answered: Have you completed the electronic 990-N (ePostcard) filing? YES
- Non-profit exemption Tax filing 990-N (e-postcard) status is “Accepted”.
Maplewood subordinate Grange Seal was affixed and Q2 report was signed by Secretary and Master, Dan Keeley.
.
Don Sether moved to approve the 2nd Quarter, 2021 Report, JoAnn seconded, motion carries, VSO.
TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds)
The Treasury Report ended July 25, 2021 reflected an ending balance of $14,606.00.
Bank activity includes rentals (possible after 7/1/21 with the Governor’s release on COVID mandates) and OSG Matching Grant deposit of $4.940. Hearing no questions, the report will be ‘filed for Audit’.
Treasurer - BILLS and RECEIPTS:
Vicki reports: “I will be out of town and unable to attend the (July) meeting. Keeleys have presented me with receipts for reimbursement that I have reviewed and I cast my vote to reimburse Keeleys for $1,439.77. Keeleys have the receipts for the board to review”.
Bills presented by Dan:
County evaluation fee for septic system $ 835.00
Fire Code updates (panic hardware, exit signs/wiring): 555.77
Website renewal 49.00
Sub-total: ……………………………$1,439.77
Don Sether moved to pay the bills, Betty seconded, (Dan called for questions - none), motion carries, VSO.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
HALL ( Dan Keeley): Fire code related improvements are complete. Chief Dyke has done the final inspection and occupation numbers should arrive soon. Septic evaluation is in the County's very long queue and county says maybe late August for the inspection.
Three party rentals on the books and Pioneer Church was promised 3 rentals with one yet to go. Currently they are paying $60/week and seemed OK with providing at least one grange member to continue at the same rate. Pioneer Church updated their plans: August 1st will be their last rental - advised another venue was chosen.
Dan talked with Guy Nayhorn, home school kids (Pickwick) theater group is interested in using the hall. They would like to do a couple months of twice weekly rehearsals and two 3 day weekend shows. One thought is allow the rehearsals as education at no-charge similar to the scouts but charge for the weekend shows. Would we want to sell concessions as part of the fee or is that experience part of the kids' education? Make the fee a percentage of the gate or just regular rental? Pickwick Theater group is donating ticket sales to a Christian charity. Discussion followed:
- Rehearsal nights requested are TUES & FRI 6-9pm, OCT-NOV …
Zumba in hall till 7pm weekdays & Chaps 1st and 3rd Fridays - perhaps suggest 7-9 or 10pm. - Show nights: DEC 10-11 and DEC 17-18.
- Dan will advise them of availability and respectful criteria.
Don Sether moved to allow a special rental rate of $100/each performance night (or $75 minimum), Kathie Femrite seconded, motion carries, VSO (voting sign of the order).
Re Oiling floor got delayed last weekend - turned out we bought the wrong buffing pad, red instead of maroon. Dan/JoAnn, plan to finish tonight.
PROJECTS - PENDING in priority order (Dan Keeley):
Fire code related improvements -- COMPLETE.
Handrail at rear ramp is loose on wall - removing the gap and will secure to wall -- In progress.
Dance hall floor re-oiled for 2021 -- In progress.
Septic tank needs replaced - Summer 2021 project -- In progress.
Parking bumpers need anchored - Summer 2021 project
Pedestrian path to front door needs pea gravel - Summer 2021 project
Rear yard - In progress, moles need to be trapped - anyone have mulch?
Front doors are coming apart at the bottom, need glued and painted.
Entrance porch needs refinished
Northeast side roofing screws
Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan
Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished
AGRICULTURE: (Dan Keeley): Klamath river dams are in the news. Article in the Capital Press argues that the dams do not store irrigation water for the Klamath project and they create water quality issues in the lower river that cause irrigation water from upper Klamath lake to be diverted away from the Klamath irrigation project to help cool and flush fish parasites out of the lower river reaches. By this argument removing dams will increase irrigation water for the Klamath project. Major downside is the loss of hydropower that could be used to balance the electrical grid as more solar and wind power comes on line.
COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley): (none)
EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – “For the 2021-2022 school year, schools must plan to provide full-time, in-person education for all students every school day,” according to Oregon Education Department policy document, Ready Schools, Safe Learners.” Each district will determine if masks and social distancing are required. However, variant COVID infections are increasing among both vaccinated and unvaccinated people and have been harder on children than the original virus. Vaccination does appear to prevent almost all hospitalizations but vaccination requirements are being hotly contested politically if not rationally.
LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley): Deadlock continues in Washington DC.
In Oregon the session is over. Two special recognitions, I agree with, come from the Oregon Farm Bureau: Christine Drazan (R-Canby) and Susan McLain (D-Forest Grove). Both representatives are recognized for listening skills and support of agriculture and reason in general. Important new laws:
Also a comprehensive water package (many different legislative bills) The package makes $538.1 million in investments at the state, regional, and local levels. The funding includes a massive investment in drinking water, wastewater, and groundwater infrastructure projects across the state, updates to water law and money for planning for water resources.
HB 2160 – and SB 16 Designed to undermine the state land use program. Expands UGB (Urban Growth Boundaries) in Pendleton and authorizes 200 McMansions outside the UGB around Ontario.
Kathie Femrite commented the construction next door to them (on Arndt Rd) is a very large house with several rooms. Home Occupation allows the renting out of these rooms.
Don Sether cautioned members to read carefully before signing Petitions. There are two (2) gun law petitions in circulation, so be careful you understand the intent before signing. (One petition has the aim to lock-up gun use and possession - the real restricting one).
MEMBERSHIP Report (Betty Chipps) As of today, Maplewood Grange reflects 17 Total Members, (of which 3 members need to remit dues). Membership renewal was received from Stacie Bernert (Ck#5472 for $45). Stacie reports she is still cleaning up from the Ice-Storm damage, otherwise all is good.
GOAL: We have zero (0) Family Plan members and NO Associate Business members: We should design our recruiting of members toward these groups of people. Why?
- Family Plan members pay annual dues for first two members only (regardless of family size) - youth in the family could give us Junior Grangers.
- The alliance we form with Associate Business members is mutually beneficial: for example: the business member could advertise free-of-charge in our hall and visa-versa. The community is then working to support the Grange and we develop a working relationship with community groups/members.
POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley) – New officers were elected at the July 24th meeting at Sandy Grange: Joyce Parker replaces Ed Luttrell as Master/President and Dan is Gatekeeper. Cookie booth at Clackamas Co. Fair is on - Jeannie Force has the sign-up list and Pam Furlan of Beavercreek Grange is coordinator.
The log Cabin is also happening at the State Fair. We have three shifts a day 10:00–1:00; 1:00–4:00; 4:00–7:00. We need four or five people per shift, or about 130 for the 11 days of the fair - Contact is Susan Noah at [email protected].
TABLED BUSINESS
Group photo for website: Planned for August 22, 2021 meeting.
Bike Rodeo - tabled till next Spring.
OLD BUSINESS
New OSG Matching Grant cycle opened JULY 1st - application must be to OSG by 9/1/21 (email OK).
QUESTION: Septic Grant was received in June, are we eligible to apply in this 2nd cycle?
Joyce Parker advised Yes - we could apply. JoAnn says no to new projects, at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Draping of the Charter … Planned for August 22, 2021 meeting.
Adin Hester (Cottonwood, CA) Member: APR 1,1961 - until ‘deceased’ OCT 5, 2020
Septic System and rear yard restoration – waiting on county evaluation (in SEPT).
- Once evaluation is known, drain field can be drawn up then filed for Permit (approx. 2-3 weeks to approve).
National night out is August 3rd and granges are being encouraged to observe and use the holiday. I was unable to talk the magician into donating a show for this. Other ideas discussed were: Audience participation in Line Dancing or possibly wait to hear from Pickwick Theater Group - perhaps they would like to entertain us? We could delay the date for the Grange opening event - maybe Pumpkin Party in October? It was decided we would postpone decision until the next meeting - after Dan speaks with Pickwick Theater Group.
Possible Community-Dance sponsorship – Chaps (tabled till August meeting)
Clackamas County Fair Booth - Joyce Parker, newly elected POMONA Master/President, volunteered:
The theme this year is: “Back in the Saddle Again.” Fair/Exhibitions & Grange Fair Booth set up is Sunday, 8/15 through 8/16 Monday at 6:00pm. Deadline to submit a Grange entry is July 31st.
Dan asked who was interested in or had ideas for this event? Hearing no volunteers and knowing August was already an active month, the decision was to pass on the Grange Booth, this year.
POMONA Cookie Booth at the Clackamas County Fair: The Fair is August 17-21 and the Cookie Booth
is active, thus volunteers are needed. Cookie Booth contacts - TEXT: Jeanie Force (503) 260-5301 (or)
Pam Furlan.
Maplewood volunteers, thus far are: Kathie, Doug and Roberta will sign-up for AUG 17 (afternoon), plus
Dan, JoAnn and Betty/Terry are available on the 18th or 19th.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Grange ReOpening (Dan/JoAnn Keeley) – No entertainment, at this time, thus it was decided to pass on National Night Out-AUGUST 3rd and postpone the decision pending discussion with Pickwick Theater Group.
2. OSG-LOG CABIN – Beginning Friday AUG 27 - Monday SEPT 6 (Labor Day) 3-4 volunteers are needed for each shift (10am-1pm, 1-4pm and 4-7pm) daily. OSG's purpose is to introduce the Grange and entertain and inform the public. Several volunteers provide: games for kids, provide literature on Grange programs for kids & adults and history of the Granges are introduced via ‘displays of the Granges.’
Susan Noah, OSG State Grange contact can sign you up or email Dan on your dates and shift preferences to volunteer.
3. FLYERS
At the POMONA meeting on July 24, Grange promotional items were shared that can be ordered: such as Flyers and little Brochures. Dan passed around a couple - members suggested the Red/White/Blue promotional Brochure.
4. OSG DISTRICT Reorganization (as outlined in OSG July 14, 2021 correspondence from Susan Noah).
- Jefferson County would join District #4
- Deschutes County and the Northern section of Lake County would join District #2
- Klamath County and the Southern section of Lake County would join District #1
- Crook County (which currently has no Granges in the County) would become part of the current District #6 - now being re-numbered as District #5.
The Deschutes POMONA would also need to be restructured - these suggestion have been made by the OSG Executive Committee:
- The Deschutes POMONA would revert back to Deschutes County and the Northern part of Lake County.
- Jefferson County could form a new POMONA with Wasco, or Wasco and Hood River or remain unaffiliated.
- Klamath County could join with Jackson POMONA and form a new POMONA of Klamath and Southern Lake County or remain unaffiliated.
- Southern Lake County Granges could join with Klamath and form a new POMONA, or go with Klamath to Jackson and become a part of the Jackson POMONA, or remain unaffiliated.
End result: Oregon would end up with five districts: District #1, #2, #3 and #4 will keep the same number and District #6 will change to District #5.
5. POINT OF INFORMATION
In Washington, Hazel Dell Grange was vandalized (during COVID shutdowns) and is likely to Close as even more maintenance/repairs are needed, such as a new furnace. Unaware if their State Grange has been consulted/contacted.
Betty asked Joyce Parker, in Washington (State) are there different POMONA Granges throughout the State?
Answer: Yes, there are multiple County Pomonas.
GOOD TO THE ORDER: Thought for the month:
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence. (Robert Frost)
NEXT Meeting: SUN, AUGUST 22, 2021 at Maplewood Grange - Potluck at NOON, Group Photo after, Rehearsal for Draping the Charter, then Meeting at 3:00 PM.
Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 5:45 pm with the Closing of the Grange Ritual reading.
Respectfully Submitted
Betty B.Chipps
Secretary