JCMGA March Board Minutes 2024

Jackson County Master Gardner Association

Board Meeting Minutes

March 8, 2024

Board Members Present (In-Person or Via Zoom):

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

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

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

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

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

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

Ronnie Budge, Chair, Community Outreach WG

Janine Salvatti, Chair, Gardens WG

Janet Wright, Student Representative

Rob MacWhorter, Member-at-Large

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

Ann Ackles, Membership Secretary

Jane Moyer, Chair, Fundraising WG

Grace Florjancic, OSU MG Program Coordinator

 

Board Members Absent:

Cassandra Toews, Member-at-Large

Pam Hillers, Archivist

 

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 9:35am by President Barbara Low.

Additions to the Agenda:  Grace Florjancic asked to add a discussion on possible donation to the Rogue River Watershed Council’s upcoming silent auction.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to add this item to the agenda.   Motion passed.

Approval of the Consent Agenda:   Jane Moyer reminded members to use both first and last names when writing Board reports.  Pam Hillers and Linda Holder have reminded members to attach committee reports to their respective Working Group report, not as a stand-alone report.

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

Approval of the Agenda:

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

Approval of the Board Minutes from February 9, 2024:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the February 9, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes as written.  Motion passed.

Announcements:

1. On March 22, 2024, there will be an informational meeting for Friends of the Garden from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. A MailChimp will be sent out to the membership with all the relevant information.
2. The Marketing and Technology Working Group will be working on a new procedure for MailChimps as the volume has recently increased dramatically.
3. Planning for the Spring Garden Fair is moving right along. Rack cards have been produced, public flyers are being posted in strategic locations, news articles and PSA’s have been prepared, children’s activities have been planned, and the number of participating vendors has increased.
4. Jane Moyer reported that volunteers have stepped up to fill Practicum and Native Plant Nursery responsibilities while Lynn Kunstman is on medical leave.
5. Jane Moyer thanked the Board for support during her recent illness and announced that she will step down from directing the Practicum program after this year. Succession planning is underway to find replacements for next year.

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

1. President Barbara Low met with MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic for their monthly meeting and invited Past President Marcie Katz, and Janine Salvatti, Chair of the Gardens Working Group to discuss and differentiate the SOREC grounds responsibilities versus the JCMGA grounds responsibilities.
2. An awards nomination committee is needed to build nominations for the OMGA Awards. Colet Allen, Kathy Apple, and Barbara Low volunteered.
3. Tasks normally completed by the President Elect have been divided between Past President Marcie Katz and President Barbara Low as there is still no President Elect.
4. President Low is recommending that the draft Board meeting minutes be sent out to all Board Members shortly after the Board meeting for review and editing. Recording Secretary Kathy Apple will then make corrections for the final document to be reviewed and approved by the Board at the next meeting.
5. The JCMGA website has been updated with all the recently approved governing documents including the Articles of Association, the JCMGA Bylaws, and the Policy & Procedure Manual.

Finance Report:  Treasurer Keltie Nelson provided highlights from the February financial statement.   The current status of membership numbers was discussed.

Membership Secretary Report:   Membership Secretary Ann Ackles reported that the membership directory is under preparation for printing.  Ann has contacted Life Members to ensure current and accurate contact information.  Ann also sent a support card on behalf of the Board to Lynn Kunstman.

MG Program Coordinator Report:  OSU MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic reported that the MG classes are going well.  April 24^th will be the last day of class.  Grace has asked JCMGA to participate in presenting information on all of the Working Groups for recruitment of new volunteers.  Grace also reported that the Master Plan for the SOREC property is still up in the air pending resolution of the septic system dilemma.

Business:

1. Adding Items to DropBox: Jane Moyer discussed the need for and use of DropBox files for Chairs of Working Groups, particularly for Practicum, to assist and support members in those positions.   Working Group Chairs need to contact Regina Boykins for access permission.
2. Membership – Looking at Priorities: President Barbara Low introduced the idea and requested Board Members to begin thinking about membership issues and concerns.  For example, how do we prevent volunteer burnout.  Barbara would like to discuss membership issues at every meeting.  She plans to send a new membership survey next month to past members to try and get information about their view on priorities for JCMGA and why they have not renewed their membership.
3. Donation: OSU MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic asked the Board to consider a donation to the Rogue River Watershed Council silent auction to be held on May 11^th.  The mission of the Rogue River Watershed Council is to enhance resilience in Rogue River watersheds through ecological restoration and engagement with community partners.  The Board discussed various ways to donate with minimal expenditure.  It was decided to offer two gift baskets, one focusing on native plants with a $50 gift certificate, Dr. Tallamy’s book, and handouts of keystone plant lists.  The second basket would focus on vegetables with seeds, the Rogue Valley Garden Guide, and hand garden tools.  Marcie Katz offered to put the native plant basket together and Jane Moyer offered to put the vegetable basket together.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve two basket donations to the Rogue River Watershed Council silent auction to be held May 11, 2024.   Motion passed.

1. OMGA Representative Alternate: OMGA Representative Colet Allen has recommended Trina Stout as the 2024 OMGA Representative Alternate.  Trina has agreed to fulfill the position.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to appoint Trina Stout as the OMGA Representative Alternate for 2024.  Motion Passed.

1. 2024 Strategic Plan: President Barbara Low presented the updated 2024 Strategic Plan based on the Board’s discussion at the February Board meeting.  All Working Groups have provided feedback which was then incorporated in the plan.  The Strategic Plan will be the focus of the May Retreat meeting.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 10:55am.

Next Meeting:   The next Board meeting will be held April 12, 2024 from 9:00am to 11:30am

Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary