1. Call to order by President Doug Needham at 1:00 pm
  2. Introduction of guests and new members since last meeting. Number present: 20 current members in-person, including one new member; four members via Zoom; and two FLOS guests. Welcome new members and guests!
  3. Grower Tips: Vice President John Spencer introduced the topic of how members treat scale and fungal gnats. Various treatments were offered, e.g. 409/alcohol one pint each and one gallon water or Enstar AQ for scale. Mosquito donuts crumbled or biological controls, e.g. beneficial nematodes, for fungus gnats.
  4. Approval of meeting minutes: August 21, 2022 motioned by John Spencer and seconded by Johnita Turner. Approval of the August minutes was unanimous.
  5. Old business:
    a. Will Rogers Christmas lighting installation by OOS members was discussed and approved to be held on November 5, 2022 from 9 to Noon. January 7, 2023, 9am–Noon is the removal and storage of the lighting.

    b. Bill Parker provided an update on the proposed Red River Orchid Society (RROS) donation of scholarship funds that he introduced in January. The $5000 in scholarship money was given by donors to RROS to establish a scholarship for horticulture students in memory of Jackie Parker, Andy Harding, and Catherine Porter. RROS targeted high school students interested in horticulture, who were preparing for college; however, the scholarship was never awarded. Jana Butcher’s motion, which was tabled in February (February 20, 2022 minutes, Old Business Item “D”), was brought up for consideration. Bill said RROS had accepted the funds from donors to establish a scholarship for students in horticulture. Jana amended her motion to clarify that the funds be accepted by OOS to establish a scholarship for horticulture students in higher education. The motion was seconded by Catherine Chance. Discussion and questions included whether students could be in other majors, e.g. business or marketing, but Bill reiterated that the money was given for students in horticulture. The question was raised about whether the scholarship could be restricted to students conducting research on orchids, but Doug cautioned against making the scholarship criteria too specific. Motion was approved with one dissent.
  6. New business:
    a. Doug addressed the formation of the Investment Committee. According to the OOS Constitution & Bylaws, “The Investment Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members, including the Chair, whose duty shall be to counsel the Society on its financial investments, including but not limited to endowments.” John Spencer and Mike Friday volunteered to serve on the Committee, and Doug Butcher is going to be asked if he would take the third position. The membership was in agreement with this plan.
  7. Treasurer’s Report: Carol Ash gave end-of-month August 31, 2022 Treasurer’s Report with total monies reported as $26,178.91. Visuals were presented of the finances and any questions answered. The Treasurer’s Report with full details is posted on the website. Motion for approval by Bill Parker and second by Jessica Nelson. Unanimous approval of report.
  8. Committee Reports:
    a. Membership – Carol Ash: Carol reported that we have 74 total active members, consisting of 41 active Individual Memberships, 14 active Family/Household Memberships (30 members), and 3 active Honorary Lifetime Memberships, and 3 Honorary Annual (non-voting) Memberships.

    b. Programming – John Spencer: October 16th meeting is “Winterizing Your Orchid Collection,” November 20th meeting is the Chrystal Bridge tour for members only, and the December 3rd meeting is the Christmas Holiday Party at Johnita’s for members only — bring a dish or dessert to share a minimum $15.00 orchid plant for the gift exchange.

    c. Show & Sale – Jana Butcher, Bridget Andoe, and Marinel Kelley: Jana reported that the May 6-7, 2023 show theme is “Orchid Kicks on Route 66”. This is a bench and exhibit show and there will be no “Orchids in Use” component. A postcard design contest will be posted on the website, and designs need to be submitted by October 7th at 7:00pm for voting by October 14th at 7pm. The postcard must be A6 postcard size, following specifics on the website. Jana passed a help list for the May orchid show and will do so monthly until the show date. Members were reminded to save their orchid magazines for the show to donate to visitors.

    d. Conservation – Mike Friday: No report.
    e. Website – Doug Needham: No report.
  9. Affiliate Reports:
    a. Great Plains Judging Center – Carolyn or Lowell McCabe: Carolyn reported that judging had five in-person judges and two judges via Zoom. Twelve orchid plants were judged, and six were awarded.
    b. AOS Representative – Carolyn McCabe: AOS Fall Members Meeting is October 26–30 in Sacramento, CA.
    c. SWROGA – Mike Friday or Bill Parker: No report.
    d. Orchid Digest Representative – Bill Parker: No report.
    e. OKC Council of Garden Clubs – Johnita Turner, OKC Council of Garden Clubs Liaison to OKC Parks and Recreation Department, reported that each garden club has a different “Club Participation Agreement” with Oklahoma City, and in 2024 all contracts will be the same for the clubs to reduce confusion and inconsistencies. She presented OOS’s Agreement, which was approved and signed by the City on December 21, 2021, to President Doug Needham for the Society’s records.
  10. Adjourn Business Meeting at 1:53 pm
  11. Refreshment Break
  12. Program /Presentation – Doug introduced Sarah Hedean, Living Collections Manager, Smithsonian Gardens, who discussed the Smithsonian’s record keeping and management. She discussed 1. Intake of orchids, 2. Verification of nomenclature, 3. Collection information documentation and viral testing, 4. Labeling, and 5. Photographing orchids. After her excellent discussion, a video tour of Smithsonian’s orchid collection was presented by Justin Kondrat, Lead Horticulturist, Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection. Very informative lecture and video.
  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 – Catherine Chance followed with the raffle of plants brought by OOS members. Thank you to all who donated plants for today’s raffle.
  15. Adjourn – Doug Needham adjourned meeting at 3:37pm.