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. Welcome new members and guests!

3. Grower Tips: Vice President John Spencer:  No tips this month in lieu of the wonderful information provided by the guest speaker’s presentation.

4. Approval of meeting minutes: Marinel Kelley motioned and Catherine Chance seconded the approval of August’s minutes. The vote was unanimous for approval.

5. Old business:

    Thank you to those who submitted theme suggestions for next year’s Show & Sale postcards! Four postcard themes were presented, and members voted to select the postcard for next year.  The winner of the poll was announced by Jana Butcher during the Show and Sale Committee report.

6. New business:

a. Maui Disaster Assistance

    Concern for those affected by the fire devastation in Hawaii prompted Carol Ash to reach out to the Maui Orchid Society to see if we, a fellow orchid society, might be of help.  Below is the email reply from Martha Suzuki, from the Maui Orchid Society:

     Aloha! The members of the Maui Orchid Society are grateful for your concern all the way from Oklahoma. A few of our members were from Lahaina, but we are happy to report that they are safe, as well as our members from the Upcountry area that were also affected by wildfires.    We appreciate your willingness to help and provide the following non-profit groups that are providing assistance to those that have been displaced due to the fires. Although there are a lot more groups, we thought we might help by narrowing it down to the following three:

  • American Red Cross of Hawaii
  • Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund
  • Maui Food Bank

     Again, thank you for your kindness and generosity. Much mahalo, the Maui Orchid Society

     John Spencer made a motion to donate monies to Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund and Marinel Kelley seconded a donation of $300.00. After member discussion of a possible higher donation amount, both agreed to increase the motion’s donation to $400.00. The motion was unanimously passed.

Thank you, Carol, for reaching out to a fellow society to lend a hand!

b.  The Nominating Committee, comprised of Trustees Jana Butcher, Mike Friday, and Gerry Holland, are seeking those interested in the following vacant positions for 2024:

  • President
  • Treasurer
  • Elected Trustee (two-year term: 2024 and 2025)

The following Officer-Trustees are continuing in their positions for 2024. John Spencer has committed to the Vice President position, and the Secretary position will be filled by Kim Kyker for 2024.

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

7. Treasurer’s report: Carol Ash gave end-of-month August 2023 Treasurer’s Report with total monies reported as $33,082.91. Visuals were presented of the finances. Motion for approval by Catherine Chance 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:

  • October Meeting: “OCA Orchids in the Wild Tour of Brazil” by Claire Garrett. Claire will be joining us in person for her presentation in October!
  • November Greenhouse Tour: TBD (members-only)
  • Saturday, Dec. 2, 1–4 pm: “Johnita Turner’s Wild Christmas Extravaganza” (members-only)

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! This year a children’s activity area will be created. If you enjoy working with children, this may be a great volunteer opportunity. 

Four postcards were entered into the advertising postcard competition for the Show & Sale. Members voted for card A, designed by Doug Needham, as the winning postcard design.   Thank you to all who submitted postcard entries!

d. Investment – Jana Butcher: No new items to report.

e. Conservation – Mike Friday: No new items to report.

f. Website – Doug Needham: No new items to report.

9. Affiliate Reports:

a. Great Plains Judging Center – Catherine Chance informed members that 11 orchids were judged with 2 of these receiving awards. See GPJC Blog post for winners.

b. AOS Representative – Gerry Holland: Mike Friday reported for Gerry this month and let all know that AOS is offering 40% for a two-year membership. Doug Needham informed all that the Virtual Fall AOS members meeting is coming up soon.

c. SWROGA – Mike Friday and Bill Parker, Directors, reminded members that the SWROGA meeting is in Wichita, Kansas in conjunction with the Kansas Orchid Society Fall Show & Sale, Oct. 7, 2023.

d. Orchid Digest Representative – Bill Parker: No report this month.

e. OKC Council of Garden Clubs – Jana Butcher mentioned that the Council is putting together a “throw” fundraiser.

10. Other Reports:

a. Friends of Will Rogers Garden is having a Garden Party!

The Garden Party will be Sunday, October 1, 2023 at Will Rogers Gardens from 1:00–4:30pm.

b. The Annual Tree Lighting Event

The Tree lighting will be held Sunday, November 26, 2023 from 4:00–7:00pm in the Conservatory.

See OOS’s Calendar of Events for further details.

c. The Kansas Orchid Society Fall Show & Sale

The KOS one-day “bench” Show & Sale will be held on Saturday, October 7, at Botanica, The Wichita Gardens. Set up and registration are on Friday, October 6, at 9:00am–4:00pm.

11. Adjourn Business Meeting at 1:42 pm

12. Refreshment Break — Thank you, Hospitality Hosts!

13. Program /Presentation – Vice President John Spencer introduced Dr. Kelly D. Craven, Asst. Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University. Dr. Craven presented “Orchid Mycorrhizal Relationships“.

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.

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