Officers

Listing of all the Grand Secretaries

NOTE: Portions of these minutes are to be kept secret and not discussed with those who are not members of the Priceless Wonders at least until the Associate Grand Conductress’ reception has been held November 4, 2006.

The first Summer picnic of the Priceless Wonders was held Sunday, August 20, 2006 at the home of Mary and Jack Maxwell in McMinnville. Everyone attending brought something to share and Brother Jack prepared barbecue including Walla Walla Sweet Onions on his grill.

Past Grand Chaplain, Sister Mary Maxwell, offered the blessing before the feast.

Following the picnic meal, the meeting of the Priceless Wonders was called to order by the President Carolyn Beecher. She asked that each person present introduce themselves to the rest of the group. Also recognized were Sister Rebecca Price, AGC, her escort Carolyn Patrick who is also a member of the _____________________Grand Committee, Lyn Horine, chair of the Banquets Committee and Phyllis Pilcher, Grand Representative of Missouri in Oregon and Carolyn Beecher, Grand Representative of Bolivia in Oregon..

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read.

Sister Mary Maxwell, Treasurer, reported an opening balance of $42.90 in our bank account – a check she had deposited to open the account. Those designated to sign on the account did so. She will also be depositing the check for $25 given to the Priceless Wonders by Sister Theresa McKinley on behalf of the Oregon Gems. The Recording Secretary will send a card of thanks to the Oregon Gems for this gift.

Under Visiting and Cheer, Sister Debbie Armstrong reported that her mother, Grand Secretary Emeritus Gracie Armstrong, has had knee replacement surgery and is doing very well.

Sister Rebecca, AGC, reminded us that the reception for the AGC, which will also be our “coming out” party will be held at the Boulevard Grange Hall half way between Nyssa and Ontario on November 4, 2006. Dinner for everyone will be held at 5 p.m. MST. There will be a set price to be prepaid and invitations and directions will be sent.

There will be a luncheon/meeting for ACs only at Nyssa at Golden Rule Chapter at noon, MST. At this time we will practice for the addenda for the evening reception. Sister Rebecca asked everyone to remember that activities held in the Ontario/Nyssa area are on Mountain Time – one hour ahead of Pacific Time, so when we are making travel plans, we must be sure to factor in this time difference.

On Sunday, Nov. 5, there will be a no-cost breakfast served at ________________ . Following that, members of the Grand Family and any others wishing, will attend an Official Visit in LaGrande for Hope #13, Blue Mountain #52, Cherry #177, and Grande Ronde Valley #49 Chapters.

Sister Rebecca announced that our September meeting will be 9/16/2006 at 11:30 a.m. at Naomi Chapter in Dallas. The following meeting will be October 21 at Barzillai Chapter in Albany before the reception for the Associate Grand Matron and Associate Grand Patron. We hope that we will be able to practice our AC work at every meeting of the group. Our December meeting will probably be a “group” activity rather than a regular meeting. We need a little levity from time to time!

Sister Rebecca announced that ladies of the Priceless Wonders will be “Honey Bears” and the men will be “Bumble Bees”. She would like to include Rainbows (she is a past member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls), music and music notes, Bee Happy, Make memories, and colors of blue, silver, yellow, black and the rainbow. Flowers will include Star Gazer lilies and gladiola. We want to bee happy!

Judie Kissinger and Jean Cartwright have agreed to serve as Chair and Co-Chair of Ways and Means for the first two years, but we must remember that serving as those offices does not mean they are entirely responsible for our money-making ideas and projects. Everyone will participate as members of their committee.

Sister Rebecca presented two tops from Creative Touch which represent her colors and asked us to choose our preferred top. Tops will be about $100 (worn for at least three years) and skirts are $70. Judie Kissinger moved that we choose the first top shown with a matching skirt in peau de peche. The skirts are full round circles, but smaller sizes could request a half-round if desired. The color is teal for ACs with an alternate choice for those escorts who wish to have a dress as well.

Members also approved a name badge in the shape of the State of Oregon, with the badge to be kept for all four years and include a “drop” for the Worthy Matron year.

Proposed changes in how groups are designated by years to host the Sumpter Strawberry Festival were discussed. It seems more helpful to move hosting to the Conductress and AM years as there is a need to earn money during that time, and waiting until the WM year does not bring the participation required to fully benefit from this excellent fund-raising project. The Festival is a big project, held on Memorial Day, 4 th of July and Labor Day each year. We are fortunate in having space in a building and should be everything possible to maintain this opportunity as it will be lost to OES forever if we don’t. Memorial Day is the biggest time of the three weekends.

Other appointments for the Priceless Wonders include:

Scrapbooks
Carolyn Patrick
_____________________ (escort from Victoria Chapter)

Audit Committee
Judie Kissinger, one year appointment
Sharon Sisson, two year appointment
Alice Daniels, three year appointment.

Finance Committee
Reva Ortez, one year appointment
TBA, two year appointment
TBA, three year appointment

Visiting and Cheer
Debbie Armstrong

Gifts
Sherry Jo, one year appointment

Grand Chapter Proving
Judy?