1. Call to order by President Doug Needham at 1:00 pm
2. Introduction of guests and new members since last meeting. Number present: 19 on-site and 4 online current members and 1 guest, Resa Pace, with no new members. Welcome new members and guests!
3. Grower Tips: Vice President John Spencer introduced our own Bill Parker to show some more unusual orchids on mounts of bark.
4. Approval of meeting minutes: John Spencer motioned, Marinel Kelley seconded, to approve Nov 20, 2022’s minutes; unanimous approval.
5. Old business:
a. The OOS was asked if the society would donate orchid leis for the families of Pearl Harbor Survivors at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Event on December 7th, 2022. The OOS trustees approved the purchase of 15 Dendrobium leis as a one-time contribution to VFW Post #4938 for the Pearl Harbor Memorial Event. Doug N. attended the event, where the Society was recognized for its contribution.
b. Doug N. indicated that 24 memberships had expired at the end of 2022, and reminded everyone to renew their membership if they have not already done so. Dues for 2023 remain the same as the previous year and can be paid to the Treasurer or online the through the OOS website.
6. New business:
a. The 2023 monthly hospitality list was passed around for those who wished to sign up to provide snacks and drinks for the monthly meeting refreshments. Question was asked if two people could sign up to bring refreshments together and it was stated that would be fine.
b. Doug N. announced the Tulsa Orchid Society is having their annual show April 15 – 16, 2023 (set up Friday, 14th) and asked if OOS would like to participate in the event. Bill Parker, Catherine Chance, and Doug Needham indicated they will serve on the OOS Exhibit Committee for the Tulsa Show.
c. A set of strategic goals for 2023, approved by the Trustees, was brought in front of the members. This set is comprised of 5 goals.
- 1. Explore orchid travel opportunities. This goal was created after OOS member Thomas Takyi-Micah extended interest in sharing the orchids of Ghana with the Society.
- 2. Invest OOS monies for greater return. The investment committee will be visiting options over the coming months.
- 3. Investigate implementation of Red River Orchid Society/Oklahoma Orchid Society Horticulture Scholarship.
- 4. Identify and address the orchid growing needs of members.
- 5. Investigate meeting facilities for increased membership. Doug N. indicated that a 41% increase in society membership in 2022 prompted this strategic goal.
The motion to accept these 5 strategic goals was made by Jessica Nelson, and Catherine Chance seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously.
d. A motion to award honorary lifetime memberships to Carolyn and Lowell McCabe was proposed by the OOS Trustees in recognition of the many years of service both have given to the OOS and the AOS. Johnita Turner motioned to accept, and Bridget Andoe seconded. Motion was approved unanimously.
e. In New Business from the Floor, Bill P., Mike F., and Jana B. brought forward a discussion concerning the funding sources for SWROGA. Historically monies to support the organization came from the shows when SWROGA received 100% of proceeds from these shows. This consistent pool of money dried up when it was decided that the individual societies hosting the shows would keep the show proceeds. In lieu of SWROGA receiving monies to cover operating expenses from the orchid shows, SWROGA asked that each orchid society pay dues to offset the income loss. Today, dues paid to SWROGA do not cover its expenditures, and the organization runs in the red (around $400.00). SWROGA is asking for societies to consider a donation to the organization.
John Spencer made a motion that the OOS donate $100.00 to SWROGA as a one-time gift, with the amount OOS elects to donate be revisited next year. The motion was seconded by Bridget Andoe and unanimously approved.
7. Treasurer’s report: Carol Ash gave end-of-month for two months; November, 2022 Treasurer’s Report with total monies reported as $25,751.66 and December, 2022 Treasurer’s Report with total monies reported as $30,992.41. Additionally, she presented the annual financial report for January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Visuals were presented of the finances. Full Treasurer’s Reports are online for members’ review. Motion for approval by Marinel Kelley and second by Brian Truong. Unanimous approval of report. Carol reported that Doug N. and she had developed a balanced budget for 2023 with approximately $8000 in projected income and expenses. Additionally, she noted that OOS had received a refund in January from Will Rogers Gardens for overpayment of rental fees.
8. Committee Chair Reports:
a. Membership – Carol Ash: Carol reported there are 43 active individual members, 18 whose membership expired on January 1; 14 active family/household memberships, six of which expired on January 1; 3 honorary lifetime memberships; and 3 honorary annual membership. Doug N. thanked Carol Ash for having served both as Treasurer and Membership Chair, and acknowledged that Carol would like to relinquish her chair of membership role. Jessica Nelson volunteered to serve as the new Membership Chair. Carol A., Gerry H., and Doug N. will continue to serve on the Committee.
b. Programming – John Spencer: John S. asked for volunteers to help him with programming. Mike F. volunteered to serve on Programming. Deborah Bodei will be the speaker for the February 19th meeting. Two topics were offered by John for the April 16th meeting and it was decided that both should be incorporated into the April meeting. These topics are “how to prepare orchids for judging” and “How to prepare an exhibit or plant for judging at an OOS show”.
c. Show & Sale – Jana Butcher, Bridget Andoe, and Marinel Kelley: Jana B. announced planning is going well and passed around the signup binder again for volunteers to sign up to help. There are 4 commercial vendors and 1 educational exhibit committed to the show. OOS will have an exhibit at the show and members are encouraged to enter an orchid. Jana B. said the Route 66 association has been invited to set up an educational table at the show and are quite excited to do so, along with placing the OOS show on their association calendar. Jana said that a lead person is still needed for the Silent Auction. Additionally, she asked members to donate new 3 inch–5 inch pots for sale at the OOS Table.
d. Investment – Jana Butcher: Arvest representative has been contacted and Jana is waiting for a return call.
e. Conservation – Mike Friday: Nothing to report this month.
f. Website – Doug Needham: Doug showed the three top-performing pages and three top-performing queries for December. He also mentioned 3 online events occurring in February that are listed in the “Calendar of Upcoming Meetings & Events” section of the website. These are February 12th AOS presents “Winter Blues!”, February 18th Orchid Digest is hosting Paphiopedilum Guild online event, and February 22, 5:30pm-6:30pm, AARP will host “Understanding Orchids” with Longwood Gardens orchid grower, Greg Griffis.
9. Affiliate Reports:
a. Great Plains Judging Center – Catherine Chance, Jana Butcher, or John Spencer: Nothing to report this month, as judging is Saturday, January 21.
b. AOS Representative – Carolyn McCabe: No report was made.
c. SWROGA – Mike Friday or Bill Parker: The March SWROGA show will be 3/11-3/12/2023 at Texas A&M AgriLife – Water and Land Resources Building, with set up and judging on 3/10. Jana B. asked if OOS will exhibit at the show; Doug N. will address it at February’s meeting.
d. Orchid Digest Representative – Bill Parker: Nothing to report.
e. OKC Council of Garden Clubs – Carolyn McCabe or Johnita Turner: Johnita reported the Council is “up and going” and will continue to work to ensure garden clubs/societies have use of the Will Rogers Gardens Building. To date, the Council has worked with Oklahoma City to establish a 3-year contract guaranteeing building and grounds usage by garden clubs.
10. Adjourn Business Meeting at 2:07 pm
11. Refreshment Break — Thank you, Hospitality Hosts!
12. Program /Presentation – Vice President John Spencer introduced one of our own members, Dr. Mike Friday, who presented a wonderful talk titled “Orchid Growing 101”. The talk focused on 1. common orchid groups, 2. Oklahoma native orchids, 3. general orchid culture, and 4. repotting. A wonderful source of valuable information! Thank you, Mike!
14. Show and Tell Table – Many beautiful blooming orchids were brought to today’s meeting. Thank you to those who showed their plants and described the plants’ culture.
15. Auction and Raffle – Doug N. auctioned 3 plants donated by members, and Keith Warren followed with the raffle of additional plants brought by OOS members. Thank you to all who donated plants for today’s auction and raffle.
16. Adjourn – Doug Needham adjourned meeting at 3:45 pm.