1. Call to order by Vice-President John Spencer, sitting in this month for President Mike Friday at 1:00 pm.
2. Introduction of guests and new members since last meeting. Number present: 35 current members and 1 guest. Welcome new members and guests!
3. Grower Tips: Vice President John Spencer introduced an orchid brought in by a member because of its flowers did not fully open. Seasoned orchid growers in attendance speculated a deficiency or possible fungal disease as the culprit producing the closed flowers. Doug Needham shared that some plants produce flowers that do not fully open, resulting in self-pollination, a process known as cleistogamy.
4. Approval of meeting minutes: Doug Needham motioned and Marinel Kelley seconded, to approve the February 2024 minutes. Members unanimous approved the minutes.
5. Old business:
a. For the months of April and May, 2024 the meetings will be replaced with the Kansas Orchid Society picnic at Winfield, Kansas and the May OOS show and sale. A motion to cancel the OOS meeting for April and May to attend the Kansas Orchid Society picnic and focus on the OOS May show and sale was made by Marinel Kelley and seconded by Sandy Moore-Furneaux with all attending in favor of the motion.
b. John Spencer has secured a visit to Color Orchids in Texas for the OOS July meeting. The facility will be available Saturday, instead of Sunday when we typically hold OOS meetings, and will require us to shift our meeting that month to one day prior. Marinel Kelly put forth the motion to shift the trip and meeting from Sunday, July 21st to Saturday, July 20th. The motion was seconded by Sandy Moore-Furneaux.
6. New business:
Keeping with the topic of the July meeting, John Spencer inquired as to whether Society funds may be used to rent a bus for transportation for those going on the day trip to Color Orchids. After the membership discussed rental cost and it was confirmed OOS has the funds to cover costs, Johnita Turner motioned for OOS to finance the rental of a bus for the July outing. The motion was seconded by Gerry Holland. Motion was approved unanimously.
7. Treasurer’s report: No financial report was given during the March 17th meeting.
8. Committee Chair Reports:
a. Membership – Jessica Neilson: Nothing to contribute this meeting.
b. Programming – John Spencer: John Spencer gave a summary of the upcoming events for the summer that include the Kansas Orchid Society picnic in Winfield, Kansas on April 20th; May’s OOS Show and Sale replacing the May monthly meeting, and July’s trip to Color Orchids.
c. Show & Sale – Jana Butcher, Bridget Andoe, and Marinel Kelley: The three co-chairs reported the preparations are going well but volunteers are still needed and encouraged members to consider signing up as the volunteer binder passed through the membership. Marinel Kelley specifically reached out for Hospitality volunteers both Friday and Saturday.
Jana Butcher requested that members bring their orchids for the OOS table to please have them at the exhibit hall by 1pm Friday, May 3rd. Entrants should have orchids at the exhibit hall by 5pm Friday, May 3rd.
d. Investment – Jana Butcher: No new information to report.
e. Conservation – Mike Friday: No report.
f. Website – Doug Needham: Nothing to update.
9. Affiliate Reports:
a. Great Plains Judging Center – Catherine Chance or Jana Butcher: There were eighteen orchids judged and six orchids awarded.
b. AOS Representative – Gerry Holland: Gerry Holland shared that the AOS website is under development and will be rolled out soon.
c. SWROGA – Jana Butcher: Jana Butcher will represent SWROGA for the immediate future as she announced that she will take the SWROGA President position this year with Sam Pratt as Vice President. While Jana encouraged members to vist with SWROGA website and watch for changes as plans to grow the organization unfold.
d. Orchid Digest Representative – Bill Parker: No report this month.
e. OKC Council of Garden Clubs – Jana Butcher: The State Garden Convention will be held in Guymon, Oklahoma April 12th-13th. Information about the event can be found on the Council website.
10. Other Reports:
The Tulsa Orchid Society’s show and sale is the last weekend of April. Jana Butcher and Catherine Chance will be setting up the OOS table and will take an orchid you would like to enter in the show. Jana Butcher will leave Oklahoma City around noon on Thursday, April 25th. Please contact Jana to make plans to get your plant(s) to her prior to this time.
11. Adjourn Business Meeting at 1:35 pm
12. Refreshment Break — Thank you, Hospitality Hosts!
13. Program /Presentation – Vice President John Spencer welcomed Jana Butcher and her expertise as she discussed the various roles volunteers play during the annual OOS show and sale, what to expect as an exhibitor, and what is involved when clerking for the judges. Thank you, Jana! Valuable information whether you are new to volunteering or are a seasoned volunteer pro.
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 – Bridget Andoe raffled plants brought by OOS members. Thank you to all who donated plants for today’s raffle.
16. Adjourn – John Spencer adjourned meeting at 3:00 pm.