JCMGA Board Meeting Minutes – November 8, 2024

Board Members Present:

Barbara Low, President, Co-Chair, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens WG, Co-Chair Marketing &      Technology WG, Chair Member Services WG

Marcie Katz, Past President, Co-Chair Spring Garden Fair WG

Keltie Nelson, Treasurer, Co-Chair Marketing & Technology WG

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Colet Allen, OMGA Representative & Co-Chair, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens WG

Lucy Pylkki, Member-at-Large & Co-Chair, Spring Garden Fair WG

Janine Salvatti, Chair, Gardens WG

Jane Moyer, Chair, Fundraising WG

Michael Hornbeek, Student Representative

Sandy Hammond, Member-at-Large

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Pam Hillers, Archivist

Cassandra Toews, Member-at-Large

Ronnie Budge, Chair, Community Outreach WG

Kaleen Reilly, Member-at-Large

Ann Ackles, Membership Secretary

Grace Florjancic, OSU MG Program Coordinator

Board Members Absent:

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

Guests:

Lynn Kunstman

Kristina LeFever

Patricia Burnham

Arti Kirch

 

Call to Order:  President Barbara Low called the Board meeting to order at 9:00am.

Additions to the Agenda:  There were no additions to the agenda.

Approval of the Consent Agenda:   All filed, written reports under the Consent Agenda were accepted.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to accept the Consent Agenda as amended.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Agenda:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed.

Approval of the Board Meeting Minutes from October 11, 2024:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the October 11, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes as written.  Motion passed.

Finance Report:  Treasurer Keltie Nelson presented the October financial statements, the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget, and the current status of Certificates of Deposit (CD’s) for the Board’s review and discussion.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the financial statements for October 2024.  Motion passed.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to roll two CD’s that are maturing soon for another six months.  Motion passed.

In review of the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget, the Board requested an increase in outreach expenditure for JCMGA Booths.

MG Program Coordinator Report:  OSU MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic provided an update on community education classes, the Master Gardener Training program, the Plant Clinic, the Seed to Supper program, and the proposed Junior Master Gardener program.  President Low reported on the Practicum program noting the seed team, the curriculum team, the native plants team, and the greenhouse maintenance team have been meeting in preparation for the upcoming Master Gardener education program.

OMGA Representative Update:  Colet Allen, OMGA Representative provided an update on current OMGA business.   The 2024 Joy of Gardening conference was very successful so the OMGA Board is dedicating some of that revenue to lower the 2025 association membership fee from $7.00 to $5.00 per member. Colet noted that the current statewide Master Gardener coordinator is working on a way for Josephine County Master Gardeners to recertify for next year.  At the past OMGA Board meeting, the OSU Director of Development, Andrew Norwood informed OMGA that he would like to reach out to all county chapters to support associations and assist, for example, with fundraising ideas and strategies.  On March 5, 2025, the OMGA Advocacy Group is meeting with state representatives at the state legislature.

President’s Report:   President Barbara Low shared the following information with the Board:

1. President Low reported that the monthly meeting with MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic and Farm Manager Jake Hoyman was cancelled this month as Grace and Jake were both out of town.
2. The Creepy Old House, the tool shed, and Peggy’s propagation greenhouse have all been removed from the SOREC property.
3. SOREC has a new office manager who is requesting assistance with reorganizing the office space.
4. The new Board orientation will be held on December 6^th. All Board Members are required to attend in person.
5. Michael Hornbeek has agreed to be the new Community Outreach Working Group Chair for 2025.
6. The Marketing & Technology Working Group will still need a new chair for 2025.

Membership Secretary Report:   Membership Secretary Ann Ackles reported that the new online membership renewals have gone out.  Ann also expressed gratitude for support from the Board.

Discussion & Business:

1. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with JCMGA & SOREC: President Low presented the revised MOU for the joint purchase and use of the SOREC utility trailer for the Board’s review and discussion.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to accept the revised MOU based on the Board’s discussion and input. Motion passed.

1. Practicum Design Ad Hoc Committee Update: Jane Moyer reported that not much has happened while waiting for the Creepy Old House to be demolished and the driveway expanded per SOREC plans.  Jane will be meeting with a contractor next week for input.  The Board discussed the need to have the design created by the committee drafted by a qualified drafting service.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to obtain drafted building plans based on the Board’s vision for a new tool shed, classroom, lathe house, and greenhouse with a cost up to $3,000.  Motion passed.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to authorize $8,000 from donations and $4,500 from savings for building a tool shed after design plans have been drafted.  Motion passed.

1. Kristina LeFever, President/Secretary of the Pollinator Project Rogue Valley, along with Treasurer Patricia Burnham and Vice President Arti Kirch, shared with the Board their process and funding for employing full time and part time employees. The Board is exploring possible part time employment for support of the Native Plant Nursery and demonstration gardens.
2. JCMGA 2025 Tellers Report: Nominations Chair, Marcie Katz reported on the results of the 2025 Board of Directors election.   The 2025 Board of Directors include:

Barbara Low, President

Linda Millus, President-Elect

Marcie Katz, Past President

Keltie Nelson, Treasurer

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Colet Allen, OMGA Representative

Teresa Jarrett, Co-Archivist

Carrie Holmes-Stanton, Co-Archivist

Kaleen Reilly, Member-at-Large

Joanne Daane, Member-at-Large

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

Mary Schrouder, Member-at-Large

Jory Kaplan, Member-at-Large

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to accept the election results for the 2025 Board of Directors.   Motion passed.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 11:25am.

Next Meeting:

1. The new Board of Directors orientation will be held December 6, 2024 from 9:00am to 11:30am.
2. The next Board meeting will be held December 13, 2024 from 9:00am to 11:30am.