1. Call to order by President Doug Needham at 1:00 pm

2.  Introduction of guests and new members since last meeting. Number present: 27 current members, 14 guests (4 online from Ft. Lauderdale Orchid Society) were present. Welcome new members and guests!

3. Grower Tips: John Spencer, Vice President, posed the following question to members, “As day length shortens, what do members do with their orchids?”  The answer given by most seasoned orchid growers is they expose orchids to lower temperatures at night to promote initiation of blooming cycles. Please note, not all orchids require this low night temperature exposure, so be sure to look up your orchid’s requirements.

4. Approval of meeting minutes: John Spencer motioned and Bridget Andoe seconded the approval of September’s minutes. The vote was unanimous for approval.

5. Old business:

    a. Hawaii Relief

An email, with accompanying picture of Maui Orchid Society members and their show table of beautiful orchids, was sent to thank OOS members for the $400.00 donation to Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund.

b. Will Rogers Gardens Volunteering

There are many volunteer opportunities at Will Rogers Gardens Center for individuals in addition to OOS’s  scheduled volunteer events. When volunteering, please record the hours worked as “OK Orchid Society” in the Volunteer Log Book in the WRGC Office.

  These logged hours are used to offset the cost of WRGC building use and services and greatly reduce OOS’s fees for use of the facilities.

Reminder of upcoming WRG volunteer events.

  • “ Halloween on the Green”, October 28, 7:30am-12:30pm in the Conservatory.  OOS volunteers are Rena Califf, Marinel Kelley, Jessica Nelson, Alex Ryzhkov, John Spencer and Kim Kyker.
  • Saturday, November 11th, 9:00am-Noon. Installation of Holiday Lights. OOS volunteers are needed both indoors and outdoors to help with installation. We will work from the Conservatory Headhouse this year.
  • Saturday, January 6th, 9:00am-Noon. Removal of Holiday Lights. OOS volunteers are needed both indoors and outdoors to help. Meet in the Conservatory Headhouse. 

The Calendar on the OOS webpage, www.okorchid.org, lists all events.

6. New business:

a. Doug Needham brought forward the need for new business cards, as our current supply is nearly gone.  A cost comparison between two vendors for 100, 500, or 1000 cards along with a proposed style was presented by Doug.  Following discussion, it was agreed to fade the front background for easier reading. John Spencer motioned and Jana Butcher seconded to use Staples to print 1000 business cards for $39.99.

b.  The Nominating Committee, comprised of Trustees Jana Butcher, Mike Friday, and Gerry Holland, presented the slate of candidates nominated for positions in 2024:

  • President – Mike Friday
  • Vice President – John Spencer
  • Treasurer – nominations being accepted
  • Secretary – Kim Kyker
  • Elected Trustee – Gerry Holland (two-year term: 2024 and 2025)

Thank you, Jana, Mike, and Gerry for serving as OOS’s Nominating Committee!

7. Treasurer’s report: Carol Ash gave end-of-month September, 2023 Treasurer’s Report with total monies reported as $32,682.39. Visuals were presented of the finances. Motion for approval by Bill Parker and second by John Spencer. Unanimous approval of report.

8. Committee Chair Reports:

a. Membership Committee Report:  Jessica Nelson, Chair, reported

  • 34 Active Individual Memberships
  • 22 Active Family/Household Memberships (49 persons)
  • 5 Active Honorary Lifetime Memberships
  • 88 Total Active Member

b. Programming Committee Report: John Spencer, Chair, reported that November’s Greenhouse Tour will be a Garden Tour: Nov. 5, 1–3pm (members-only).  See OOS Calendar of Events for tour details (members must log-in to see).

John stated that there is a $10.00/person entrance fee , and Jana Butcher asked if OOS had the funds to pay the entrance fee to the gardens for the November tour.  John Spencer indicated funds are available, and Jana motioned for OOS to pay the entrance fees for members attending the tour. Bridget Andoe seconded the motion, and the vote for OOS paying the entry fee was unanimously approved.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 1–4 pm: “Johnita Turner’s Wild Christmas Extravaganza” (members-only). Bring a dish or dessert to share.  Bring an orchid plant ($15 minimum value and healthy) for a fun gift exchange.

c. Show & Sale Committee Report: Jana Butcher, Bridget Andoe, and Marinel Kelley, Co-Chairs, reminded all to think about where they can be of service during the OOS Show and Sale.  Volunteers, think about where you would like to help! Jana is asking the Scouts to staff the children’s activity area along with an OOS member. If you enjoy working with children, this may be a great volunteer opportunity. 

d. Investment – Jana Butcher, Chair: No report.

e. Conservation – Mike Friday, Chair: No report.

f. Website – Doug Needham, Chair, reported that OOS implemented its new website three years ago with HostGator as the website host. HostGator renewal fees are due in November 2023.  The cost is $467.64 for 3 years’ hosting (through Nov. 2026), plus $19.99/year for the domain name and $14.95/year for domain privacy protection.

9. Affiliate Reports:

a. Great Plains Judging Center – Catherine Chance reported that there will be no GPJC judging held Saturday, Oct 21 because judging was held during the Kansas Show on October 7. During the show, eight plants were judged and 2 presented with awards.

b. AOS Representative – Gerry Holland: Doug Needham announced the virtual AOS Fall Members’ Meeting will be held October 28th, 2023.

c. SWROGA – Mike Friday or Bill Parker: This month Jana Butcher reported that Central East Texas Orchid Society will host the next SWROGA show and meeting. She also indicated that SWROGA would like all orchid societies to make a donation to the orchid conservation fund a priority. Mike will present on this at the next meeting.

d. Orchid Digest Representative – Bill Parker let members know of the upcoming World Slipper Orchid Conference, June 14–15, 2024 in Cuenca, Ecuador. Registration is $295.00.

e. OKC Council of Garden Clubs – Jana Butcher informed members of significant dates for the holiday season at WRG.  Nov. 16, at 9:00am is Christmas tree decorating and Nov. 26, 4:00pm – 7:00pm is the annual Christmas lighting event.

The Council is conducting a fundraiser by selling a throw designed by the Council. Persons may order the throw directly or purchase raffle tickets for a chance of winning a through next spring. If interested in the purchasing a throw, see Jana for the form to fill out and more information.

10. Other Reports:

a. Doug reported that Friends of Will Rogers Gardens is hosting tree lighting event in the Conservatory November 26, 2023 from 4:00–7:00pm. See the OOS calendar of events for details.

b. Doug announced upcoming travel opportunities for two conferences.

  • The World Orchid Conference (WOC) will be held February 25-28, 2024 in Tainan, Taiwan.  RF Orchids is offering a WOC/Vietnam Tour Package. Some members of the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society are planning to go on this tour.
  • The World Slipper Orchid Conference is scheduled for June 14–15, 2024 in Cuenca, Ecuador.  Some members of the Kansas Orchid Society are planning to attend the conference. Ecuagenera will be offering pre- and post-conference tours.

11. Adjourn Business Meeting at 1:40 pm

12. Refreshment Break — Thank you, Hospitality Hosts!

13. Program /Presentation – OOS member Claire Garrett was introduced by V.P. John Spencer as our guest speaker. Claire gave a delightful talk about her 11-day trip aboard the RV Otter in search of orchids along the Rio Negro river that feeds into the Amazon. The number of orchids and animals were so amazing that the travelers requested the trip again next summer.  The Orchids in the Wild™ Ecotours, such as this one, are arranged by the Orchid Conservation Alliance (OCA) to help raise awareness for the need of conservation efforts to sustain wild orchid populations.  More information about this trip and others can be found at https://orchidconservationalliance.org/ecotours/.

At the conclusion of Claire’s presentation, she presented three orchid paintings from her sister’s collection as a donation for the silent auction at OOS’s 2024 Show & Sale. Thank you, Claire, for a wonderful, colorful talk and for donating the beautiful paintings!

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. Raffle –Keith led the raffle of many wonderful divisions and plants brought by OOS members. Thank you to all who donated plants for today’s raffle and to those who purchased raffle tickets.

16. Adjourn – Doug Needham adjourned meeting at 3:45 pm.