Executive Board Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order by President Richard Boland at 9:10. The following members were present; Richard Boland, Hilton Holcomb, Charlie Spencer, Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman, Becky Dus, Maggie Hoon, Lynn Schwartzkopf, Ash Taylor, Linda Lemieux and Cathie Rod.

Susan Morgan, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences requested help from the Master Gardener Association (MGA) for the March 11 Extension and Community Association International Luncheon focusing on China. Members can pick up a recipe, double or triple this and bring food to the extension center on that date. Tickets for the event are $5.00 which allows the sampling of food as well as a cook book and a lecture from a guest speaker on China. Get in touch with Susan at 252-2610.

Susan gave information about Mary Russ and the reception to be held for her on Friday, January 27 at 3:00 pm. Information and response forms will be available at the general meeting.

President, Richard Boland reappointed all the standing and volunteer chairs. He encouraged everyone to go on line, copy and read the MGA bylaws. He favors using "Robert's Rules" for all meetings and most importantly wants everyone to be courteous and considerate of everyone speaking.

He suggested using forms to submit non routine motions for future meetings.

Richard needs to be advised of information or reports form chairs needing discussion at meetings Becky Dus should be given a copy in writing for the monthly newsletter. Becky will email all chairs as a reminder and Charlie Spencer will email all members of meetings and projects.

He reminded all members to sign an MG recertification agreement form which will be filed in MGA office. Forms will be available at the next meeting. A suggestion was made to create a "Policies and Procedures" manual for our association.

Richard would like a historian appointed to collect articles such as the one of Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman in the Wilmington Star News on January 11, 2006.

Vice President, Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman, opened discussion of the BMG06 budget by requesting funds for Master Gardener programs in hurricane ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi. A motion was made by Beck Dus, seconded and approved to use $1,000 of current funds equally split between the states and sent to the respective State Extension office. This will be sent after approval at the January general meeting. Individuals MG's can send gardening books to these states which are also greatly needed.

Shirley proceeded with a through discussion of a simplified 06 MG budget. She pointed out previous line items which had been deleted and replaced by more accurate titles. The projected income for 06, balance forward from 05, list of reserved funds, expenses and projects were discussed. Shirley stated funds have been appropriated for a 1st reunion social in the fall for all previous and current BMG volunteers. A motion was made by Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman to adopt the estimated budget of 06, with corrections, as presented. The motion was seconded and approved.

Ash Tylor stated the greenhouse fence is now being fully ELECTRIFIED! Use appropriate caution. All volunteers are welcomed to come to the greenhouse to work on any day with Wednesdays and Saturdays having the most activity from outside parties.

Charlie Spencer - Greenhouse - new plants are being grown and others have been found at Phillips Nursery to purchase for future plant sales. Center beds will be cleaned and used for growing vegetables with the help of the Restitution Program members.

- Supply Elementary plant program. Grades K-2 will be headed by Nancy Einbinder and Charlie will head 3-5. Volunteers will meet to create exact programs. March 21 &22 will be on propagation, April 11 & 12 students will receive and work with plants, April 25 & 26 will be about composting, water and light needs of plants as well as differences in soils. Every child involved should have a plant at the end of the program. Charlie hopes this program can be used in other Brunswick County Schools to replace "Life on the Farm".

- Leland 2nd Annual Business Expo - Saturday, January 28 held at the Fire Department on Village Rd. A few 4-6 volunteers are needed to man the MG booth.

- Leland Industrial Park Annual Pro Days - February 15 & 16 offers seminars from extension office as well as free samples. Open to general public, admission is free.

- A request has been made for volunteers to work with 12 & 13 year old students in an after school program once a month. More information will follow.

- West Brunswick Home and Garden show, March 25 & 26 needs volunteers to work at booth.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:50.

Respectfully submitted,
Cathie Rod, Recording Secretary