1. Call to order by our new President, Mike Friday at 1:00pm.  President Friday welcomed all then turned the meeting over to Vice-President John Spencer who led this month’s business meeting.

2. Introduction of guests and new members: Number present: 21 in-person and 3 online current members. Welcome to the new year members!

3. Grower Tips: Vice President John Spencer saved this always well-received section of the meeting for a panel discussion making up our presentation today.

4. Approval of meeting minutes: Jana Butcher motioned to approve November-December 2023 minutes and Rena Califf  seconded.  The vote was unanimous for approval.

5. Old Business:

a. Jana Butcher opened the meeting by reminding everyone of the OOS Spring Show, May 4 and 5th, 2024 and encouraged members to consider volunteering before and during the show.  More information provided during the OOS Show Committee presentation. A sign-up sheet for various needs will be passed around for members to sign up.

6. New Business:

a. President Friday asked for members to consider providing refreshment items this year. A signup sheet was circulated for volunteers to bring snack items at the monthly meetings.

b. Jana Butcher presented a project she has been working on for a year-long youth orchid cultivation project involving local Girl Scouts. The program will run for 12 months and include journaling and reporting on the care and culture of a miniature Phalenopsis, culminating in an educational presentation at the yearly OOS show. The initial 2024 pilot cohort will present their educational information during the 2025 OOS show.  At the end of the pilot year, progress will be measured by evaluating participant performance within a defined set of objectives. A request of $700.00 was proposed to conduct this phase of what is hoped to be a long term educational project with Girl Scouts.

The youth pilot project was well received by members and requested funds of $700.00 to support this phase was unanimously approved.  The motion to approve the release of funds to Jana Butcher in the amount of $700.00 was made by Bill Parker and seconded by John Spencer.   

7. Treasurer’s report: Outgoing Treasurer, Carol Ash, was training our new Treasurer, Jessica Nelson, on financial software use during this time and has posted the financial report on the website.  There was no motion made to accept financial statement(s) until members have time to view the documents.

8. Committee Chair Reports:

a. Membership – Jessica Nelson:  No report from the committee this meeting.  

b. Programming – John Spencer, Chair:  John Spencer has filled the 2024 program schedule with interesting topics and guests, aside for one or two remaining dates to be scheduled soon.  If you have suggestions for a possible speaker or topic idea, please let John know.

c. Show & Sale – Jana Butcher, Bridget Andoe, and Marinel Kelley: Committee co-chairs.  The 2024 Show volunteer binder was passed around for members to sign up for volunteer hours.  Jana encouraged all to consider signing up for much needed volunteer slots, including newly added help at the cashier’s position to move sales along smoothly.  Jana provided information about the continued efforts to provide events involving children in the show. A scavenger hunt and kids’ corner are in the works, but volunteers are needed to help oversee the children.  

d. Investment – Jana Butcher:  Jana Butcher reported the Red River Orchid Society has disbanded and donated $3,000.00 to the OOS education fund to support the recently created academic horticultural scholarship. The scholarship committee has created a set of criteria and guidelines for eligibility along with an application form for students to complete.  It was suggested by Doug Needham that eligibility extend to both Oklahoma and Texas residents. This change will be added to criteria and should finalize the application packet. The packet will appear on the OOS website.

e. Conservation – Mike Friday: No report this month.

f. Website – Doug Needham: No report this month

13. Affiliate Reports:

a. Great Plains Judging Center – Catherine Chance or Jana Butcher:  No judging due to Christmas and New Year holidays.

b. AOS Representative – Gerry H: No report this month

c. SWROGA – Mike Friday or Bill Parker:  No report.

d. Orchid Digest Representative – Bill Parker:  Bill’s issue of Orchid Digest has arrived after a bit of a wait. He brought it along to show and remind us that this is a great quarterly journal at $46.00/yr.

e. OKC Council of Garden Clubs – Jana Butcher: Jana reported the Council met for a presentation on floral arrangements in December.  The Council is preparing for the Spring  Festival in the Park, scheduled for May 18th, 2024.   OOS members are encouraged to volunteer if they wish, these volunteer hours help the OOS offset building use costs.

14. Adjourned Business Meeting at 2:38 pm.

10. Refreshment Break — Thank you, Hospitality Host(s)!

11. Program /Presentation – Vice President John Spencer introduced our panel of speakers for this month, Jana Butcher, Bill Parker, and Gerry Holland generously donated their time and knowledge to any member seeking insight on orchid growth and care. Thank you, Panel! Sharing the information you possess is deeply appreciated and needed by both new and more-seasoned growers.

15. Show and Tell Table – Many beautiful blooming orchids were brought to today’s meeting by members, as well as those shown by online members.

16. Auction and Raffle –Bridget Andoe called the raffle numbers for this month’s raffle giveaway.  Thank you to all who donated plants for today’s raffle.

17. Adjourn – Mike Friday adjourned meeting at 3:45 pm.