January 12, 2011

The regular stated meeting of Chenango Chapter, No. 135, O.E.S. was held in its rooms Wednesday evening at 7:00 o’clock with RW Roberta Brundege, matron and RW Lou DeMott, Patron presiding.   Chapter opened in short form and the WM greeted 14 members and officers.   She welcomed all and wished each a Happy New Year.     The members looked fabulous and appropriately dressed for the annual PJ night.

On Roll Call of officers, the following were reported absent:  WP with W. Dennis Youngs substituting; Assoc Patron, Chaplain, Color Bearer, 3 trustees, musician, and point of Electa.

Minutes of the previous meeting were not read for information.

Under sickness, distress and joy the following was reported:    S. Nancy Birtch has had surgery having to do with her home dialysis.     It did not go too well and she had to return to the hospital the next day.   She did receive good news that a biopsy of breast tissue was found benign.  One card was sent but WS Marge will send another.  RW Tony is not feeling well and is waiting to see a Dr.,    A card will be sent to him.   WP is not feeling well this evening and RWS Pat Berg of Trinity Star Chapter is in Wilson Hospital in ICU.   She has an infection and will need corrective surgery.   A card will be sent to Pat.     B Wesley Wilson died after battling cancer on January 7.    Calling hours at the Kennedy Funeral Home are Friday night.    The Masonic Service is at 7:30.   S Hazel Brandt’s husband recently died.    Hazel is from Windsor.   We had a lot of Joy.    The Cobb family will celebrate the holidays again as Josh is home on leave.    WS Marge does not need to see the Dr. for a whole year.    S Claire is another Great Aunt.    RWS Shirley’s Grand Niece had her surgery and is doing well.    Her grandson recently received high honors in the Boy Scouts.     S. Linda is celebrating her 60^th birthday.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:      40 people attended the District Christmas Party.    Ten being from Chenango Chapter.     RW Shirley, RW Vonnie, RW Marion all won door prizes and Vonnie won the 50/50 raffle.

The Grand Matron’s Cruise is August 20-17, Alaska, Quilting Under the Midnight Sun.  Cost is $1,419 plus airfare.

Members are reminded of the GM and GP OES IRS Form in lieu of seals and address labels.  This is an important fund raiser and 100 percent profit.

S. Secretary reported that she has the 70 year pin for RWS Julia Vandenburgh.    A tentative date to go to Bainbridge to present the pin is January 27.

S. Secretary distributed new constitutions to the line officers of the chapter.    These constitutions were paid for by the chapter and  will be handed down as people take other offices.

The bakeless bake sale to date has donations of $93.00.    There is still time to contribute to this fund raiser which will be used to defray expenses of our “night out” that the Matron is planning.

Annual Walkathon for benefit of youth organizations will be held in Olean on May 7.

NEW BUSINESS:      WM is sending around a sign-up sheet for refreshments after meetings.

On a motion by WS Bonnie Cobb, second by WS Carol Rosenkrantz, the chapter voted to send a gift to the Shriner’s children’s Hospitals for $100.00 in memory of brother Wes Wilson.   Brother Wes was a champion of OES.

On a motion by WS Carol Rosenkrantz and second by S. Nan Nowalk, the chapter voted to unite with the Eastern Light Lodge for a coloring page for the Shrine Circus at $50.00 each; and we will take a $40.00 business card format which will list us on a page in the Circus Program Book.  This will be total of $90.00

In support of the Kalurah Shrine.

            The MWG Matron’s special project is Alex’s lemonade Stand.    Our WM proposes that our Chapter have a project specifically for this project.    The idea of having a Lemonade Stand on the evenings of the “Cruise In” in Greene.   After discussion, the Chapter decided to try having a stand.     S Teresa will have the dates of the Cruise Ins.      We will try it once and see how it goes.    If successful we will continue other nights.

            A communication was read from RW Brother Jose Valencia concerning the committee for the District annual Field Day which will be held at Lions Park on July 9.   Once again our own RW Tony will be chair of the event with RW Vonnie as co-chair.     After discussion, the chapter decided that our Share Booth item for raffle will be a “Garden Basket” which S Nan will prepare.    Our Chapter Rep to this event is S. Linda Whiteford.

            The Grand Matron’sVisit to the District is March 19.    Each Chapter has been asked to furnish a “Theme Basket to be raffled at this event.    After discussion it was decided that our Basket would be a “Lemonade Basket” and Sisters Nan and Linda will prepare the basket.

            The WM asked for volunteers to serve as a committee to come up with what favors and centerpieces we could prepare for our District night.     This committee members are sisters Claire, Joan, Linda, Nan and Carol Sue.

            The MWG Matron’s Service award was discussed  and we need more info from RWS Sue, DDGM..  Each chapter is asked to submit a name for this award.

            COMMUNICTIONS      A “thank you” was read from the GM and GP for the donation to the cheer fund of $115.00.

            S Secretary has the dates for the Sojourners Luncheons in Florida

            A letter was read from B. Jeffrey French giving us a list of the holiday activities held at the home and activities yet to come.    The Christmas party with lots of gifts for each resident, the New Year’s Eve party, the upcoming “Snow Ball” and the crowning of a King and Queen.   Then Valentine’s Day and the couples dinner for the residents.   Then the Snowmobile rides, and the annual winter bon fire and hot chocolate party.

            S. Secretary had information on Camp Turk for 2011.    A major change this year is a choice of one week, two and three week camps.

            S. Secretary read a letter from Grand Chapter concerning insurance through Grand Chapter.     After discussion it was noted that we should catalog what we own.    We no longer own anything in the building except our paraphernalia.    Perhaps this should task should be turned over to the trustees.     S. Secretary will ask the masons if our paraphernalia would be covered under their insurance.

            S. Secretary has a letter from the Grand Secretary saying that all of the Amendments sent to the chapters were approved and take effect immediately.   One amendment will increase Grand chapter per capita to $12.00 which is a $5.00 raise.    After discussion it was decided that the chapter will have a summoned meeting to discuss raising our dues and amending our bylaws to change our meeting time to 7:00 not 7:30 as they now read.  The date for such a meeting is to be determined.

            The attendance award was won by S. Claire Gibbons

            Two past grand officers and 3 past matrons and patrons were given grand honors.

            Birthdays for the months of December and January were Sisters Linda and Wanda

            Good of the Order tonight will go to the Veterans Fund

            The WM reminded us that we are to bring items for the Greene Food Pantry at each meeting.   She will collect them and take them to the food pantry.

            The next meeting will be Ample Form.   Officers are asked to become familiar with their part.

            The WM is asking members to bring her a recipe or two for appetizers or deserts.    She will then compile a book of these recipes.    We will be asked to bring samples for refreshments.

            The following bills were voted to be paid:

                        Roberta Brundege                   Postage/greeting cards                        $47.37

                        Y. Cobb                                  Postage/printing                                    36.40

                        Roberta Brundege                   Door Prize/District party                       25.49

                        Shrine Children’s Hosp.          Memory Wes Wilson                          100.00

                        Eastern Light Lodge               ½ coloring page, Shrine Circus             50.00

                        Kalurah shrine                         Our name on a page in circus program 40.00

                        Veterans Fund (G00)                                                                             35.00

                                                                        TOTAL                                              $334.26

            Receipts for the evening:

                        GOO                                                                                                     35.00

                        Bake Sale                                                                                                5.00

                        Dues                                                                                                    150.00

                                                                        TOTAL                                             $190.00

 

Respectfully Submitted