1. Call to Order: Call to order by Vice-President John Spencer at 1:09 pm.

2.  Member Attendance and Guest Introduction: Number present: 20 members in total, 18 in-person and 2 via Zoom. No guests were in attendance.

3. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Catherine Chance reported a total of $39,893.87 in the OOS account at the end of January 2025.

4. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the January 2025 minutes was made by Doug Needham and seconded by Mark Priest. Approval was unanimous to accept.

5. Committee Chair Reports:

  • Membership – Doug Needham reported the Society has a total of 83 current members. Doug also stated he is acting as interim chair of this committee and is seeking others in the Society to volunteer take the Chair Position.
  • Programming – John Spencer, Chair: No programming events to report this meeting.
  • Show & Sale – Jana Butcher, Bridget Andoe and Marinel Kelley, co-Chairs: Jana Butcher reminded members the OOS 75th Anniversary Show held May 3-4, 2025 will need a large number of volunteers both before, during and after the show. The volunteer sign-up forms are out online for members to sign-up for a time and specific activity/duty. The Volunteer sign-up binder will circulate during the meetings for all to sign. Thank you to everyone volunteering!
  • Investment – Jana Butcher, Chair: There is no report this month.
  • Conservation– Mike Friday, Chair: Mike Friday said it is that time of year for the Sporanthes to start popping up. Keep your eyes out for new shoots.
  • Website – Doug Needham, Chair: Doug Needham stated the website has experienced faulty API issues when making payments to OOS through the site . These have been repaired and payments can now be made. If you are having problems with the website, please contact Doug Needham.

6. Affiliate Reports:

  • Great Plains Judging Center – Catherine Chance and Jana Butcher: Jana Butcher stated seventeen plants were judged this month and six orchids received awards.
  • AOS Representative – Gerry Holland:  No report for this month.
  • SWROGA – Jana Butcher, Bill Parker and Catherine Chance: Jana Butcher gave the SWROGA spring show date as May 10 – 11 in conjunction with the Galveston Bay Orchid Society. All are invited to take a look a the new SWROGA website for the calendar of events and more.
  • Orchid Digest Representative – Bill Parker: Bill Parker pointed members to two great articles in the current issue. One of the articles discusses lighting and the other is over green Cattleya hybridization. Bill also let members know of the 24th World Orchid Conference, to be held in Dresden, Germany on March 26th – 29th, 2026.
  • Oklahoma City Council of Garden Clubs – Jana Butcher: Jana Butcher and Mike Friday have been involved with contract negotiations to maintain OOS monthly meeting and yearly OOS Show and Sale spaces into the future. The Clubs are trying to work with OKC parks whereby clubs may pay ahead for room space(s ) by accruing volunteer hours through both organized volunteer events such as 1) OOS Christmas lights set up and removal and 2) possible Flower day where the Society may spend time maintaining an area of the WRG beds or grounds in addition to individual club members volunteering their time. All OOS members are invited to attend the Council of Garden Club meetings, the 2nd Friday of the month from September through May. Thank you both for your work on the contract negotiations!

7. Old Business:

  • Barbara Alexander will take money, size info and information for group shirts today. Mike Friday will also post information regarding pricing, sizes, and how to order along with a due date to members via email.

8. New Business:

  • The Society surprised our very own Doug Needham when John Spencer presented Doug with the Orchid Digest Award for his many years of dedication to OOS. Thank you Doug for all you have done and continue to do!

9. Adjourn Business Meeting at 1:45 pm.

10. Program/Presentation – John Spencer introduced this month’s speaker, Jana Butcher, discussing “Light and Orchids”. Thank you, Jana, for a wonderful presentation!

11. Show and Tell Table – Members brought many beautiful orchids to today’s meeting. Thank you to those who showed their plants and described their culture.

11. Auction and Raffle – Doug Needham donated an orchid he auctioned at today’s meeting followed by a lively raffle of additional plants donated by OOS members. Thank you to everyone who brought a plant for the auction and raffle!

11. Meeting Adjourned – Meeting adjourned by Mike Friday at 3:25pm.