1. Call to order by President Doug Needham at 1:00 pm
2. Introduction of guests and new members since last meeting. Number present: 30 current members and 1 online guest. Welcome to new member, Yin Zhou and to online guest, Vicki!
3. Grower Tips: Vice President John Spencer did not have growing tips for members this month, instead, yielding his time to our guest speaker.
4. Approval of meeting minutes: Marinel Kelley motioned, and John Spencer seconded, to approve June 18th, 2023 minutes The minutes met with unanimous approval.
5. Old business:
a. OOS member, Catherine Chance, brought a question to the members during the March meeting whether there was a desire to have an alternative V-necked OOS t-shirt to the standard rounded neck currently for sale. After receiving interest from members, Catherine volunteered to contact the vendor to find out costs and possible designs for the V-neck tops. This month, Catherine reported the vendor can offer more than simply shirts. Hats, shopping bags and other swag can have the OOS logo attached. Given the variety of merchandise available, Catherine is asking for the formation of an ad hoc committee, that she will chair, to poll members regarding merchandise preferences. Both Marinel Kelley and John Spencer volunteered to serve on this committee. Thank you, Catherine, Marinel, and John!
6. New business: No new business was presented from the floor.
7. Treasurer’s report: Carol Ash gave end-of-month for June 2023. Treasurer’s Report with total monies reported as $33,701.61. Visuals were presented of the finances. Motion for approval by Jana Butcher and second by Brian Truong. Unanimous approval of report.
8. Committee Chair Reports:
a. Membership – Jessica Nelson, Chair, happily reported that memberships numbers are currently:
34 Active Individual Memberships
23 Active Family/Household Memberships (51 persons)
5 Active Honorary Lifetime Memberships
Bringing OOS membership to a total of 90 active members!
b. Programming – John Spencer, Chair, presented the scheduled speakers for the remainder of the year.
August Meeting: “Water Quality Clinic” by Catherine and Danny Chance
September Meeting: “Orchid Mycorrhizal Relationships” by Dr. Kelly Craven, Asst. Prof., OSU
October Meeting: TBD
November Greenhouse Tour: TBD
December Meeting: Saturday, Dec. 2, 1–4 pm: “Johnita Turner’s Wild Christmas Extravaganza”
c. Show & Sale – Jana Butcher, Bridget Andoe, and Marinel Kelley, Co-chairs, updated members on the monies obtained from the 2023 OOS Show and Sale. The Society realized over a $1000 net gain in income vs. expenses BUT only due to our earned volunteer hours offsetting rental fees. Thanks to everyone who helped make 2023 such a success!
The 2024 Show and Sale is scheduled for May 4th and 5th with setup on May 2nd and 3rd. The volunteer list will be circulating at the monthly meetings soon. Save the dates to help with setup, clerking, hospitality and more.
Those interested in clerking for judges will go through clerking orientation and practice before actual judging. If you haven’t, consider volunteering to help during judging on Saturday morning. Clerks are exposed to judging styles, rules, along with critiques and is a great way to learn about orchid varieties.
The 2024 Show Theme competition is now open. Your ideas and suggestions can be emailed to oos_showchair@okorchidsociety.org. The theme submissions are due by August 7th.
d. Investment – Jana Butcher, Chair, reported the $5000 additional 14-month 4.86% OOS General Fund CD was purchased July 12. With this investment, all monies have been invested. The scholarship committee is now being formed.
e. Conservation – Mike Friday: No conservation information presented.
f. Website – Doug Needham: No website information presented.
9. Affiliate Reports:
a. Great Plains Judging Center – Great Plains Judging Center: AOS Student Judge Catherine Chance reported that thirteen orchids were taken to the Great Plains Judging Center for judging. Five of these orchids were given awards, including Brian Truong’s orchid that received both a cultural and flower quality award.
b. AOS Representative – Gerry Holland encouraged members to join the AOS if you have not already, listing the positives.
c. SWROGA – Directors Mike Friday and Bill Parker: There was no information to report for SWROGA this month.
d. Orchid Digest Representative – Bill Parker: No report this month for Orchid Digest.
e. OKC Council of Garden Clubs -Johnita Turner: No report given. Everyone is planting through the Summer.
10. Adjourn Business Meeting at 1:35 pm
11. Refreshment Break — Thank you, Hospitality Hosts!
12. Program /Presentation – Vice President John Spencer introduced Eric Sauer of River Valley Orchids, www.rvorchids.com, from Centerville Ohio. Eric gave a wonderful talk over Brassia, a genus first described in 1813 and named after William Brass.
13. 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.
14. Auction and Raffle – Doug Needham auctioned one plant donated by members, and then followed with the raffle of additional plants brought by OOS members. Thank you to all who donated plants for today’s auction and raffle.
15. Adjourn – Doug Needham adjourned meeting at 3:15 pm.