JCMGA Board Retreat Meeting Minutes – January 2025

Jackson County Master Gardener Association

Board Retreat Meeting Minutes

January 24, 2025

 

Board Members Present:

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

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

Linda Millus, President-Elect

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

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

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

Teresa Jarrett, Co-Archivist

Carrie Holmes-Stanton, Co-Archivist

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

Kaleen Reilly, Member-at-Large

Joanne Daane, Member-at-Large

Mary Schrouder, Member-at-Large

Jory Kaplan, Member-at-Large

Michael Hornbeek, Community Outreach WG Chair

Lucy Pylkki, Spring Garden Fair WG Co-Chair & Marketing & Technology Co-Chair

Jane Moyer, Fundraising WG Chair

Janine Salvatti, Gardens WG Chair

Grace Florjancic, OSU MG Program Coordinator

Absent:

Ann Ackles, Membership Secretary

Guests:

Regina Boykins

Call to Order:  President Barbara Low called the Board Retreat meeting to order at 9:08am.

Retreat Agenda:  President Low facilitated discussion on the following agenda items:

1. Dropbox & Working Groups for 2025: JCMGA member Regina Boykins, who is the Dropbox Administrator/owner, led a discussion and answered questions on how to access and utilize Dropbox.  President Low emphasized the importance of Working Groups uploading their meeting minutes and other resource documents for archiving and future use.
2. JCMGA Vision for the Future Regarding Building Construction: President Low asked the Board to discuss what their vision is for the future related to buildings needed by the association.  A possible vision was to “Establish a learning facility dedicated to sustainable horticultural education for Master Gardeners and the community”.  Board Member comments included:
3. Don’t limit the vision. Think out of the box.
4. Conduct grant research now in preparation for fundraising.
5. Utilize the Oregon Construction Contractors Board for resources.
6. Get answers to all legal questions.
7. Dream big, make a wish list for buildings, include IT, kitchen, bathroom.
8. Have a community garden on SOREC property.
9. 2024 Accomplishments: President Low was complimented on creating the outline of accomplishments by the association in 2024.  The Board brainstormed various ways this document could be used including:
10. Publishing on the JCMGA website and Facebook.
11. Article in the Garden Beet.
12. Send to OMGA.
13. Make it colorful and fun; put it every place we are.
14. Highlight the number of volunteer hours.
15. Send to local mayors and share with community garden groups and schools.
16. Include in all JCMGA presentations.
17. Share with the new Master Gardener class.
18. Add visuals specific to accomplishments and charts.

 

1. Strategic Plan for 2025 including JCMGA Vision for 3 & 5 Years: President Low walked the Board through each of the 2025 strategic goals and objectives for clarification, common understanding and agreement.  OSU MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic provided updates for future planning including a once-a-month presence at the local grower’s market, the need for more volunteers, leadership training, and increasing the number of students for the annual Master Gardener class.
2. Parking Lot Issues: President Low asked members to keep a list of issues to be addressed later.   They included:
3. Develop a list of legal questions to be answered regarding the vision of building a classroom (Ex. Do we own the building? Can we rent it out & collect a fee? How do we ensure sole use by JCMGA?)
4. Develop a JCMGA Glossary of terms.
5. Create a building rendering.
6. Utilized the SOREC Farm Manager for some gardening related tasks. Think about hiring a landscape maintenance company for some tasks related to the demonstration gardens.
7. Schedule another art in the garden event.

Announcements:

1. The Master Gardener Class of 2025 lunch will be Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from Noon to 1:00pm in the Auditorium.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 11:30am.

Next Meeting:

1. The next regular Board meeting will be held February 14, 2025 from 9:00am to 11:30am.

Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary