November JCMGA Working Groups Summaries

Community Outreach Working Group

• Worked on the Budget Request for 2024
• Special Events:
  • The Builders Association welcomes JCMGA’s participation in their home shows in Josephine County in February and at Expo in May. There would be no charge for a booth, but they ask for our help in advertising the events. Ronnie Budge suggested the booth could be like the one JCMGA developed for Medford Open Streets in Hawthorne Park. When Colet Allen meets with the president of the Josephine Co. MGA, she will ask about their participation in the Jo. Co. home show in 2022, specifically if they presented “webinars” or other programming.
• Friends of the Gardens:
  • Colet reported that Grace Florjancic needs to finish some administrative details before the new Friends program can begin. The COWG may assist the Member Services WG with other planning.
• Speakers Bureau:
  • Colet is still working on training new speakers. Although the Jackson County Library wanted to have a winter series of gardening programs, no JCMGA members volunteered to present. However, there will be a spring gardening series. Topics: Butterflies; Beneficial Insects; Native Grasses.

Recent presenters were disappointed by the small attendance at both in-person and Zoom library programs. Colet will discuss this with library representative Spencer Ellis. It was recommended that if speakers have handouts to share (whether with in-person or Zoom audiences), they be distributed after the presentations and not before.

• School Grants:
  • John Kobal is trying to reach every school in Jackson County to let them know about the grants and the application deadline of November 3. Once applications are received, committee members will visit the schools in person to learn more about their proposals before awards are made.

 

FUNDRAISING WORKING GROUP

chair is Sandy Hammond

The JCMGA first Fall Festival was a success.

 

Garden Enhancement Working Group

Chair, Janine Salvatti

We are continuing to work in the gardens and are now getting them ready for the cooler temperatures.

 

Marketing and Technology Working Group

chair is Marcia Harris

Marcia is stepping down as chair.  We are looking for someone to take her place.

 

Member Services Working Group

chair is Barbara Low

The MG Class of 2023 Graduation Celebration is on November 4 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. in the auditorium at the SOREC Extension.

We are sending out a survey to our current and past members to find out what they like about JCMGA and what they would like to have improved.  This will be a very short survey.

 

Program Support Working Group

Chair is Grace Florjancic

We are entering the busy season for the Program Support Working Group. Much is happening with planning for the 2024 year. We are scheduling speakers for the community education classes, scheduling locations for Seed to Supper classes, and finalizing details for the 2024 MG Training class. Reach out to Grace Florjancic grace.florjancic@oregonstate.edu if you are interested in joining the Program Support Working Group. There is much to do to get the community education classes rolling!

 

Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Working Group

chairs are Colet Allen, Susan Koenig, and Barbara Low

Registration is now open Winter Dreams Summer Gardens 2023 Symposium.  This virtual event will be October 27, 28, November 3, and 4.

The links for the recordings will be sent out the week of November 5^th.

There will be a satisfaction survey sent out the week of November 5^th and the data collected will be used to plan for next year’s Winter Dreams Summer Gardens.