Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 3:35 PM, by Master/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, October 1, 2023 with the “Opening of the Grange” ceremony (upstairs at stations). Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Visitation: (none) Guest: Sheri Chandra (Chinchilla Show contact)
Members acting Pro-Temp: Don Sether, Asst. Steward; Betty Chippis, LAS; Roberta Elders, Ceres; JoAnn Keeley, Chaplain; Don Sether, Gatekeeper.
ROLL CALL(Secretary): * indicates NOT in attendance. ** Absentee Members
Master: Dan Keeley Steward: JoAnn Keeley
Overseer: Don Sether Asst. Steward: Mike Ellis *
Lecturer: Roberta Elders Lady Asst. Steward (LAS): Mindy Ferriss *
Chaplain: Kathie Femrite * (deceased 9/24/23) Gatekeeper: Sandy Shew
Secretary: Betty Chipps Pomona: (vacant)
Treasurer: Vicki Pounds Ceres: Judi Aus *
Member: Doug Femrite * (withdrew) Flora: (vacant)
Member: Laura Ellis: *
Member: Ken Fessler *
Member: Troy Bayless 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
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***** Members present: 8, Guests: 0, Youth: 0 ***** (Mandatory – Quorum “7 ” _____________________________________________________________________________________________
PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – Introducing Sheri Chandra, residing in Wilsonville, is with the Chinchilla Show rental, desires membership and is here today to meet our grange members.
MINUTES (Secretary): The August 27, 2023 Grange Meeting Minutes were emailed 9/25/2023.
JoAnn moved to approve the August Minutes, Troy seconded - motion carried, VSO.
COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps) – See last page
SECRETARY REPORT (Betty Chipps):
The 2023 3rd Quarter (financial) Report ended SEPT. 30, 2023 with a payable to OSG of $213.75.
The Q3-2023 Quarterly Dues report - status below:
Maplewood subordinate Grange Seal was affixed; Q3-2023 report was signed by Secretary and Master, Dan Keeley; and the 2024 Membership List was enclosed - mailed with Q3--2023 Report.
Don Sether motioned and Roberta Elders seconded to approve 3rd Qtr Report and issue check for $213.75 to OSG, motion carries, VSO.
DRAPING the CHARTER for:
Kathie Femrite (Woodburn, OR), Member: July 1, 2015 - until deceased September 24, 2023.
Betty Chipps shared Kathie was a friend and will be missed, both in the community and Grange. Kathie and Doug owned Femrite’s Nursery in Aurora, were (life) members of the Oregon Association of Nurseries, held office as Maplewood’s Chaplain and was one to volunteer when the hard work needed to be done. Don Sether had respect for Kathie who was kind and would sign up to volunteer.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
HALL (Dan Keeley) – Three party rentals scheduled - money pending. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. Ernst Electrical now says they have a truck broken down and can’t do our job until it gets fixed. I am exploring other alternatives. Bathroom repairs are almost complete and look great. Museum could use some work now!
HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley):
Hall Projects (in priority order):
Repair electrical service wires
Northeast side roof needs additional screws
Kitchen counters need refinished
Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan
Repainting under eaves of hall
Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished
AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley) – Good news / Bad news..
Good News – average farm prices have edged up some. Grain prices up a lot should give central and eastern Oregon a boost. Hazelnut prices up only a bit but inventories down a lot gives hope for more good news this year. Also, drought conditions have eased with normal fall rains. Hopefully a good snow pack will follow.
Bad news – The fight over water in the Klamath basin is still hot with tribes and fish advocates pushing to eliminate irrigated agriculture. Absent changes in the ESA it appears they will be successful in eliminating the farming. Bringing back abundant runs of salmon is another matter.
EPA has “settled” the “mega suite”. A federal judge has approved a court settlement that commits the EPA to fundamentally changing how it regulates pesticides and to pursuing a “pilot project” that aims to eliminate even potential impacts to endangered species regardless of the economic impacts. In the Willamette valley one of the objectives is to favor the western checkerspot butterfly. To that end the regulations appear to make it impossible to apply most insecticides on much of the Willamette Valley. EPA is currently taking public comments on their new regulations at this link: Regulations.gov
Sign on to a petition opposing the regulations here: EPA Herbicide Strategy Producer Petition Sign-On Form (google.com)
Don Sether said it has been approximately 30 years since he was State AG Director - at Klamath Falls 250 people fought against this …K. Falls has been happening that long ago.
Also Don commented he tried to finish plowing, it was very hard ground. Rain predicted tomorrow (3 inches would be nice).
COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley):
Troy would like Grange access Friday night (downstairs) to prepare foods and store in the refrigerator. Also asked if upstairs can be set-up on Saturday beginning 10:00 AM? Yes, Dan advised calendar is open. Troy will be assigned an access code for FFF.group. Hall will be ready to receive guests by 2:00 PM Saturday.
In addition to the estimated $300 groceries/supply costs, Troy asked the Grange if there was any interest to donate a portion of their net proceeds, i.e. 10% to the benefit cause? Given the outcome (attendance, full costs) is unknown, discussion was tabled till the next meeting.
EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – The Oregonian has been looking at and publishing Oregon Department of Education's release of state standardized test scores in reading, writing and math. Those results show there's been virtually no bounceback among Oregon students after two full years back in school buildings.
Unlike in some states, such as Tennessee for example, Oregon has not implemented strategies that researchers have said are the most effective at helping students catch up, such as one-on-one or small group tutoring. Tennessee, which has implemented both of those strategies, reported in June that its students exceeded their pre-pandemic performance on the state’s English and social studies tests and made significant gains in math. Tutoring helps, who knew? Now we just need to convince districts they need the help and their lawyers that tutors from the community are not an excessive risk. Oh, and maybe keep teachers from quitting and/or going on strike in frustration. Piece of cake.
LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – No report.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps):
A reminder that 2024 membership renewal is $50/person.
2023 Membership.Dues have been paid, in full, by all members.
Kathie Femrite (deceased September 24, 2023) and husband, Doug, will be withdrawn as members effective October 1st. (NOTE: our membership total is only14 members.)
POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley) – No report.
YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – absent
TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds)
The Treasurer’s Report for the October 1st Maplewood Grange meeting was emailed 9/29/2023 (there was no September Grange meeting). The opening balance, as of August 25 was $10,583.83 and the September 28 ending balance was $11,165.23. The report will be ‘filed for Audit.’
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley):
OLD BUSINESS:
Betty asked: how did the POMONA 5th Degree go at Maplewood Grange held Saturday, SEPT 23rd. Dan reported 27 people attended and two people took the 5th Degree.
NEW BUSINESS
09/28/23 Electric Wire for light $4.17
09/27/23 Wood Floor Cleaner $51.99
Total $86.63
MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley):
GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) – The dignity of labor depends not on what you do, but how you do it. (National Grange Newsletter)
HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – (picture: woman standing on a hill overlooking the ocean, horizon in the background, fingers forming a window.)
CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF LOOKING FOR BETTER AND BRIGHTER DAYS, INSTEAD OF MOURNING OVER THE PAST. (Third Degree - Vice President)
NEXT MEETING – Sunday, OCTOBER 22, 2023 at 3:30 PM.
CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 4:42 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Visitation: (none) Guest: Sheri Chandra (Chinchilla Show contact)
Members acting Pro-Temp: Don Sether, Asst. Steward; Betty Chippis, LAS; Roberta Elders, Ceres; JoAnn Keeley, Chaplain; Don Sether, Gatekeeper.
ROLL CALL(Secretary): * indicates NOT in attendance. ** Absentee Members
Master: Dan Keeley Steward: JoAnn Keeley
Overseer: Don Sether Asst. Steward: Mike Ellis *
Lecturer: Roberta Elders Lady Asst. Steward (LAS): Mindy Ferriss *
Chaplain: Kathie Femrite * (deceased 9/24/23) Gatekeeper: Sandy Shew
Secretary: Betty Chipps Pomona: (vacant)
Treasurer: Vicki Pounds Ceres: Judi Aus *
Member: Doug Femrite * (withdrew) Flora: (vacant)
Member: Laura Ellis: *
Member: Ken Fessler *
Member: Troy Bayless 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: 0, Youth: 0 ***** (Mandatory – Quorum “7 ” _____________________________________________________________________________________________
PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – Introducing Sheri Chandra, residing in Wilsonville, is with the Chinchilla Show rental, desires membership and is here today to meet our grange members.
MINUTES (Secretary): The August 27, 2023 Grange Meeting Minutes were emailed 9/25/2023.
JoAnn moved to approve the August Minutes, Troy seconded - motion carried, VSO.
COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps) – See last page
SECRETARY REPORT (Betty Chipps):
The 2023 3rd Quarter (financial) Report ended SEPT. 30, 2023 with a payable to OSG of $213.75.
The Q3-2023 Quarterly Dues report - status below:
- Dues for 19 total members for a payable of $213.75
FYI: Grange remits quarterly to OSG an amount of $11.25/per member. - Two (2) Regular meetings were held in the 3rd Quarter 2023
(Membership attendance, each meeting: JULY 23 = 8, AUG.27 = 7 & SEPT.- No meeting).
- Date Report approved: OCT 1, 2023
- Is your Grange current with the Oregon Secretary of State-Corporation Filing? YES __X__,
- Question: Have you updated your membership list? YES __X__ (Copy w/Q3-Report mailing)
- Has your Grange secured Bonding for the coming year, 2024? NO __X__. (Next mtg 10/22)
Maplewood subordinate Grange Seal was affixed; Q3-2023 report was signed by Secretary and Master, Dan Keeley; and the 2024 Membership List was enclosed - mailed with Q3--2023 Report.
Don Sether motioned and Roberta Elders seconded to approve 3rd Qtr Report and issue check for $213.75 to OSG, motion carries, VSO.
DRAPING the CHARTER for:
Kathie Femrite (Woodburn, OR), Member: July 1, 2015 - until deceased September 24, 2023.
Betty Chipps shared Kathie was a friend and will be missed, both in the community and Grange. Kathie and Doug owned Femrite’s Nursery in Aurora, were (life) members of the Oregon Association of Nurseries, held office as Maplewood’s Chaplain and was one to volunteer when the hard work needed to be done. Don Sether had respect for Kathie who was kind and would sign up to volunteer.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
HALL (Dan Keeley) – Three party rentals scheduled - money pending. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. Ernst Electrical now says they have a truck broken down and can’t do our job until it gets fixed. I am exploring other alternatives. Bathroom repairs are almost complete and look great. Museum could use some work now!
HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley):
Hall Projects (in priority order):
Repair electrical service wires
Northeast side roof needs additional screws
Kitchen counters need refinished
Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan
Repainting under eaves of hall
Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished
AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley) – Good news / Bad news..
Good News – average farm prices have edged up some. Grain prices up a lot should give central and eastern Oregon a boost. Hazelnut prices up only a bit but inventories down a lot gives hope for more good news this year. Also, drought conditions have eased with normal fall rains. Hopefully a good snow pack will follow.
Bad news – The fight over water in the Klamath basin is still hot with tribes and fish advocates pushing to eliminate irrigated agriculture. Absent changes in the ESA it appears they will be successful in eliminating the farming. Bringing back abundant runs of salmon is another matter.
EPA has “settled” the “mega suite”. A federal judge has approved a court settlement that commits the EPA to fundamentally changing how it regulates pesticides and to pursuing a “pilot project” that aims to eliminate even potential impacts to endangered species regardless of the economic impacts. In the Willamette valley one of the objectives is to favor the western checkerspot butterfly. To that end the regulations appear to make it impossible to apply most insecticides on much of the Willamette Valley. EPA is currently taking public comments on their new regulations at this link: Regulations.gov
Sign on to a petition opposing the regulations here: EPA Herbicide Strategy Producer Petition Sign-On Form (google.com)
Don Sether said it has been approximately 30 years since he was State AG Director - at Klamath Falls 250 people fought against this …K. Falls has been happening that long ago.
Also Don commented he tried to finish plowing, it was very hard ground. Rain predicted tomorrow (3 inches would be nice).
COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley):
- Donation Lists circulated – Veterans’ Village and Homeless Shelter donation items would certainly be appreciated, even more, now that the Fall season is here. Please bring items to the next Grange meeting and JoAnn will deliver our donations before Christmas.
- Ronald McDonald House – Several years ago the Grange donated to this cause, Clarkes Grange collects Cell Tower income and donates supplies to fill one room of their grange.
- Harvest Fair / Dinner Committee – Status Reports: Advertising, Games, Pumpkins, Dinner
Troy would like Grange access Friday night (downstairs) to prepare foods and store in the refrigerator. Also asked if upstairs can be set-up on Saturday beginning 10:00 AM? Yes, Dan advised calendar is open. Troy will be assigned an access code for FFF.group. Hall will be ready to receive guests by 2:00 PM Saturday.
- Door = Donation:
- Advertising / Flyers (Troy and JoAnn) – Troy advised the FFF site has had approximately 1,000 inquiries.
Dan reported the Harvest Flyer has been sent to Clackamas Pomona and Woodburn Granges. 10th each month is the deadline for Grange Bulletin.- Flyer should be in October/November issue.
Some community center bulletin boards have also received Flyers.
- Games - Family Fellowship Fundraiser group (FFF) – upstairs includes Corn Hole and Ring Toss (onto pumpkin stems).
- Pumpkin decorating (JoAnn) – will occupy two tables downstairs, in the back
- Dinner Committee (Troy - Chair) – planning for 75-100 dinners:
- Need a minimum of 6 people to run tables, 10 people preferred.
- Restaurant Permit, OR State Food Handlers Card … status?
- Troy anticipates dinner costs to be approximately $300 (priced at US Food)
Pasta (include Gluten-Free noodles), sauces (meat, w/o meat & Alfredo) & bread,
Beverages: coffee, tea (hot), cider, water (ice)
In addition to the estimated $300 groceries/supply costs, Troy asked the Grange if there was any interest to donate a portion of their net proceeds, i.e. 10% to the benefit cause? Given the outcome (attendance, full costs) is unknown, discussion was tabled till the next meeting.
EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – The Oregonian has been looking at and publishing Oregon Department of Education's release of state standardized test scores in reading, writing and math. Those results show there's been virtually no bounceback among Oregon students after two full years back in school buildings.
Unlike in some states, such as Tennessee for example, Oregon has not implemented strategies that researchers have said are the most effective at helping students catch up, such as one-on-one or small group tutoring. Tennessee, which has implemented both of those strategies, reported in June that its students exceeded their pre-pandemic performance on the state’s English and social studies tests and made significant gains in math. Tutoring helps, who knew? Now we just need to convince districts they need the help and their lawyers that tutors from the community are not an excessive risk. Oh, and maybe keep teachers from quitting and/or going on strike in frustration. Piece of cake.
LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – No report.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps):
A reminder that 2024 membership renewal is $50/person.
2023 Membership.Dues have been paid, in full, by all members.
Kathie Femrite (deceased September 24, 2023) and husband, Doug, will be withdrawn as members effective October 1st. (NOTE: our membership total is only14 members.)
POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley) – No report.
YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – absent
TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds)
The Treasurer’s Report for the October 1st Maplewood Grange meeting was emailed 9/29/2023 (there was no September Grange meeting). The opening balance, as of August 25 was $10,583.83 and the September 28 ending balance was $11,165.23. The report will be ‘filed for Audit.’
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley):
- Foster children: Grange contact made, expressed desire to support Foster kids (via Birthday party, etc.), no reply has yet been received.
- PA System in dance hall - need update/rebuild status from Scott.
OLD BUSINESS:
Betty asked: how did the POMONA 5th Degree go at Maplewood Grange held Saturday, SEPT 23rd. Dan reported 27 people attended and two people took the 5th Degree.
NEW BUSINESS
- BILLS presented to Treasurer – Reimbursement to Dan Keeley:
09/05/23 Sanding materials $21.58
09/28/23 Electric Wire for light $4.17
09/27/23 Wood Floor Cleaner $51.99
Total $86.63
- Vicki requested exp. reimbursement of: $57.84 ($32 paint & misc Bathroom exp.)
- When to address the FIDELITY BONDING LIMITS? Tabled for OCT 22nd meeting.
- New SHOP VACUUM (Dan Keeley): Dan asked for a motion to provide a budget.
- HOLIDAY OUTING? (Dan Keeley) – Members were asked if there was any interest in having a Grange outing during the holidays? Past outings have included an evening, visiting gardens and listening to Grotto Carolers.
MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley):
- Kathie Femrite deceased Sept. 24, 2034. Sympathy cards need to go to Kathie’s husband, Doug Femrite.
- Troy Bayless’s eldest Daughter passed away last week.
GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) – The dignity of labor depends not on what you do, but how you do it. (National Grange Newsletter)
HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – (picture: woman standing on a hill overlooking the ocean, horizon in the background, fingers forming a window.)
CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF LOOKING FOR BETTER AND BRIGHTER DAYS, INSTEAD OF MOURNING OVER THE PAST. (Third Degree - Vice President)
NEXT MEETING – Sunday, OCTOBER 22, 2023 at 3:30 PM.
CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 4:42 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
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