Executive Board Meeting Minutes

 
President Richard Boland brought the meeting to order at 9:05.  In attendance:  Becky Dus, Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman, David Barkley, Hilton Holcomb, Linda Lemieux, Ash Tyler, Richard Boland, Charlie Spencer and Cathie Rod.
 
Minutes were read and approved with one correction:  the evaluation forms from presentations by MGVA are sent to NCSU.
 
Carol Wilson has been appointed as BC (Brunswick County) alternate delegate to the NCMGAVA.

Becky Dus: Joe Laughlin has volunteered to act as NL editor. He will attend future board meetings and work with Becky to familiarize himself with the process.

Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman: Date change of Reunion Social – November 15 is NEW DATE. RSVP by November 1. Approximately 300 invitations are being sent. Shirley and Gina Britton are currently working on mock-up of the program. Volunteers will be sought at the September general meeting for the various Reunion Social committees. Shirley will caution volunteers in the amount of committees they offer to help. The guest book will be manned from 12:30-2 with program following at 2:15. John Kellett will take class pictures with a sign that will list on the back all members in the picture. These pictures may be placed in the Extension Office. After class pictures are taken, MG’s will be encouraged to visit the greenhouse and surrounding area. Help with the coordination of these events will be requested.
Shirley, Vicki Kay and Barbara McCoy met to complete the BCMG display board of 06 events which will be taken to the State Conference. Other year events will be added and entered in the regional fair and be available for seminars and other events.
Shirley requested that written policies and procedures, given to all board members at the August meeting, be addressed at the October board meeting.

David Barkley: Drainage work continues around Botanical Garden (BG) and Building F with the help of Hilton Holcomb and inmate labor. Help was requested putting labels on plants on Wednesday, September 27 to ready plants for plant sale in Oct.
Wednesday, Sept 27 there is an all day seminar at the Extension Center to update/renew licensing for pesticide application.
The rain lily project appears to have been successful. Approximately 493 bulbs were harvested and planted at the Extension Center. Some plants are already coming up. Not sure the seeds collected will germinate because they needed to be planted quickly, but weren’t. These seeds will be planted in the greenhouse beds. More plants may be harvested at future date.
David will look into cost and supplier for a plant id holders used at the New Hanover Arboretum. He felt these were more substantial and allowed for large name cards to be used. All agreed this would be an excellent addition to the BG.
David mentioned 2 upcoming fairs. For the State Fair, David requested that BCMGVA enter any vegetable, fruit or nut grown in Brunswick County. Shirley asked if “Gardening by the Month” could be entered at the fair under the printed material category. David will be taking items to the fair on Oct. 10. The other fair is the Cape Fear Regional fair on Oct. 25. David asked BCMG to have a booth possibly displaying Life on the Farm seminar. There may be a conflict because the Life on the Farm seminars will be occurring at this same time. Charlie reminded all that our display board won a prize at this fair last year. David will advise items needed and the time frame for these fairs. A committee will be formed to address all needs of these 2 fairs.

Hilton Holcomb: The cost of a new power point system could be $3,000. Al Hight has stated the Extension has such equipment and this could be used by the MGA. Al suggested the MGA buy its own screen and laser pointer. The suggested screen would be approximately 4’by3’ table top model weighing about 5 lbs. It was suggested that Nancy Einbinder help with the selection of these purchases.
Beds completed and clean up done in front of the greenhouse. Hilton reminded all to keep the entrance areas clean and neat. Garden maintenance will be 2 times a month; the 1st Mon. and the 3rd Tues. Drainage will continue to be addressed and irrigation needs will be done when parts are received.
Need new supply line for irrigation to the front of Building F where a fountain will be placed and Crepe Myrtle will be added.
Hilton suggested a list of all committees and chair names be listed in the NL. This would allow all members to be aware of on going projects and volunteer opportunities.

Linda Lemiux: Current treasury balance = $21,097.71. This number will be adjusted for the general meeting after outstanding bills are paid.

Ash Tyler: Identification and price tags have been premade for plant sale. Ash and Charlie continue to pick up plants from local merchants and nurseries for the sale in Oct. The concentration of plants will be shrubs and bushes.
Ash has ordered 4 2-way Motorola radios for the MGA use. These will be stored in Charlie’s office when not in use. They have multiple frequencies and a range of 10 miles. They will be used at plant sales and when other work is occurring in the gardens or greenhouse.

Richard Boland: Budget committee meeting on Wednesday, September 27. The committee would like to have budget item requests for the 07 budget. These can be given to Richard, Ann Bellamy, Gene Allen or Barbara McCoy.

Charlie Spencer: E mails have been sent to members giving dates and time for pest recertification class, need for help in greenhouse on Wednesday September 27 and continued work in greenhouse on all plants for Oct. sale.
Charlie complimented all for the great job of clean up at the greenhouse. Regarding buying plants before the sale, this can be done at any time before the actually days of the plant sale. Just see Ash to pay for items bought. Great prices on plants so don’t miss out.
Coastal Gardening Seminar on Friday, September 29 currently has approximately 40 attending.
Charlie reminded us of upcoming seminar at Southport Wal Mart on Saturday, September 30, St MG Conference the beginning of October and our own Plant Sale – October 12, 13 and 14.
Heritage Days at Indigo Farms in Saturday, October 7. No MG seminars will be held, but there will be a manned booth to distribute written information and offer plant clinic.
On going projects at the Extension Center include the stone and water feature in front of Building F which has been funded by a grant, lighting of BG area which has been funded from the Plant Id line item and plant identification system. Charlie noted that money would be needed to complete these projects. After discussion it was agreed to take $2,100 from the New Projects fund, $2,500 from the unused Pad and Shed fund and $400 from the Contingency fund to obtain $5,000 needed to complete these projects. This will help to support the idea of having all types of Crepe Myrtle that can grow in this area displayed and bring together diversity garden and perhaps the talking tree trail. These projects will be added to the 07 budget.
Billy Privett will come back to help with the Life on the Farm seminars. Dates are still to be announced. Volunteers will be requested at the September general meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:20

Respectfully submitted,
Cathie Rod, Recording Secretary