1. Call to Order: Call to order by President Mike Friday at 1:12 pm. Due to intensely cold weather this meeting was held virtually.

2.  Member Attendance and Guest Introduction: Number present: 17 members joined Zoom along with 2 guests, Girl Scouts Ameriyah and Arteriyah Spruill. Welcome to our guests!

3. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Catherine Chance reported the total beginning monies for 2024 was $32,576.00. During the year the Society received $8,820.00 but paid out $4960.00 through the year to give a final amount of $36,436.00. The December 2024 financial report may be found on the OOS website.

4. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the published October 2024 minutes was made by Doug Needham following the corrections and seconded by John Spencer. Approval was unanimous to accept.

5. Committee Chair Reports:

  • Membership – Doug Needham reported the Society has 35 individual, 20 household, 7 honorary lifetime memberships. We also have 13 Girl Scout partners joining us. Yearly membership dues and emails are being sent to remind all.
  • 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 will be sent out online for members prior to the February meeting. Thank you to everyone volunteering!
  • Investment – Jana Butcher, Chair: There is no report this month.
  • Conservation– Mike Friday, Chair: Mike Friday did not have have a report covering a particular conservation topic. However, President Friday did state that for the coming year, along with Programming, he will seek one or two specialists in the field orchid conservation to give the monthly presentation. Claire Garrett suggested Ron Kaufmann Ph.D., of the Orchid Conservation Alliance as a speaker resource and will send his contact information.
  • Website – Doug Needham, Chair: No new items to report.

6. Affiliate Reports:

  • Great Plains Judging Center – Catherine Chance and Jana Butcher: Jana Butcher stated 14 plants were judged this month, with 8 receiving awards. A new jewel orchid that has yet to be recognized by AOS was among the judged plants and it was exciting to see its unusual flower. Jana extended an invitation to all members who may be interested in the judging process to share a ride to Kansas. If you have an orchid for judging you may contact Jana Butcher in the OKC area and Catherine Chance in the Stillwater area for transport of your plant to the GPJC the 3rd Saturday of every month.
  • AOS Representative – Gerry Holland:  No report for this month.
  • SWROGA – Jana Butcher, Bill Parker and Catherine Chance: Jana Butcher indicated SWROGA dues are due for OOS. SWROGA online has changed considerably and Jana invited all to take a look a the new website for the calendar of events and more.
  • Orchid Digest Representative – Bill Parker: No report for this month.
  • Oklahoma City Council of Garden Clubs – Jana Butcher: Jana Butcher stated that Will Rogers Garden Center (WRGC) has developed a contract agreement for clubs and societies using the park facilities. OOS member Johnita Turner, contract representative for Oklahoma City Council of Gardens, and Jana Butcher are meeting to review the new version and determine how it may align with the previous contract. Jana or Johnita will report back to the OOS as the contract agreement discussions between the OKC Council of Garden Clubs and WRGC move forward.

7. Old Business:

  • Barbara Alexander followed up on the inquiry of shirts for members. The shirts will be shipped from Hawaii, will cost around $30.00 each and can be monogrammed for an extra fee. If members wish to order as a group there will be a 20% discount applied to the order. Barbara will bring one of the shirts to the next meeting for all to see and decide if it is something members are interested in purchasing.
  • John Spencer brought up the fact that the Society lost volunteer hours when the weather kept us from taking down the Christmas lights. This leaves OOS short 36-46 volunteer hours, according to Mike Friday, that are put toward monthly room rental and OOS show space rental. Jana Butcher informed all that both Will Rogers Garden Center and Martin Nature Park are sites for volunteering. Please contact the office of each venue to volunteer you time on behalf of OOS and thank you!

8. New Business: No new business.

9. Adjourn Business Meeting at 1:45 pm.

10. Program/Presentation – John Spencer introduced this month’s speaker, Bridget Azur, of Carter and Holmes Orchids discussing “Hybridizing and Breeding Cattleya Alliance”. Thank you for a wonderful overview of work at Carter and Holmes breeding nurseries.

11. Meeting Adjourned – Meeting adjourned by Mike Friday at 2:35pm.