Monthly Meeting Minutes

Thursday, February 28, 2008

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President, Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. There were 45 in attendance. Vicki Kay and Barbara McCoy were thanked for providing the refreshments. The master gardeners from the new class were welcomed.

Secretary, Patty Burns read a thank you note from Gina to the MG association. She then read the minutes of the January 24, 2008 meeting which were accepted and recorded as read. Shirley indicated that the minutes are posted on-line for all to read.

Treasurer, Allen Smith stated the current balance of the BCMGVA was $8,440.17 with month-to-date deposits of $25.00 and expenses of $89.85. The Greenhouse Expense Account was increased by $8000 and everything else is the same as presented last month. The treasurer's report was filed for audit. A list of those who have paid their dues will be put in the timesheet notebook.

Membership Report: Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman stated she is working with David Barkley and Charlie Spencer in getting a list of certified master gardeners who have fulfilled their volunteer hours. Anyone who has not put in their required hours should contact David or Charlie to see if some arrangements can be made.

Newsletter Editor, Joe Loughlin stated that the scheduled workdays are shown both in the newsletter and the calendar that is on the website. Also more information about what the master gardeners do is needed for the newsletter and should be sent to him before the 5th of each month.

Gardens: Jim Blake stated that there are several projects in the gardens that need to be done. The first Monday and the third Tuesday of each month are designated workdays and help is needed. He will be available on those days to show people what needs to be done.

Greenhouse/Restitution: Ash Tyler reported that the greenhouse is doing fine but with the plant sale coming up in April, more help is needed. There are currently 18 enrolled in the restitution program at this time.

Vice President, Grace Wrigley stated that she is in charge of setting up the speakers for 2009 and a sheet is being passed around for recommendations for speakers or topics. The inventory of the library books has been completed. When comparing the current inventory with the previous inventory, there are 30 books missing. She will leave the list of missing books in the MG office if anyone knows where they are. Charlie stated that the library books should not leave the building. She also purchased six books this year: "The Southern Living Garden Book", "Pass Along Plants", "The Handbook of Oleanders", "Dirr's Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates", and two children's books for the Supply Elementary School project.

Master Gardener, Carol Wilson urged everyone to join the State Association. Dues are $10.00 and to see her if you want to join.

Coordinator, Charlie Spencer asked that all members resign the Recertification Agreement and return it to him. This is a requirement from the State Master Gardener Coordinator. Pruning seminars will be on 2/28 at the Village of Calabash clubhouse from 1-3 p.m., 3/7 at Magnolia Greens from 1-3 p.m. and 3/13 at the extension office from 1-3 p.m. The Coastal Garden Club Spring Tea will be on 4/19; cost is $12.00. More information will be emailed. $270.00 was recently collected for the Gardening by the Month books. Charlie will contact the volunteers who have offered to help with the Supply Elementary project as soon as he gets the schedule. He stated that the rules of the association are: 1.) you must be an active master gardener and donate 40 hours a year of volunteer time; 2.) pay annual dues of $5.00. Anyone who has not paid dues and/or put in their volunteer hours will be dropped from the BCMGVA unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Horticultural Agent, David Barkley asked everyone here to introduce themselves and also to make sure and wear your name tags. New classes are doing very well. The advanced master gardener class will be starting soon and he is also working on an advanced landscape class to get the gardens in shape for the 2008 conference. Adequate coverage is needed on the hot line. This is a good way to gain gardening knowledge. David stated the new District Director, Danny Shaw, expressed three points: 1.) teamwork, partnering with other agencies; 2.) impacts, receiving success stories from our efforts; 3.) Extension Advisory Council. We currently have two time slots for workshops at the Brunswick Isles Home & Garden Show on 3/39 & 3/30.

President, Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman asked for computer experienced volunteers to help with the conference announcements, programs, name tags and evaluation forms. Silver Coast Winery will be the reception place. Large or bulk items may be mailed to the extension office at 25 Referendum Dr., Bolivia, NC 28422, Attn: David Barkley. Spring Meadows Nursery, Inc. in Grand Haven, Michigan has promised to send a 5" pot for every person who attends the conference. David stated that Carolina Gardener will send out enough magazines to cover the new classes, the Home & Garden Show and the conference.

Al Smith removed the tabled motion from last month about spending $3500 to purchase a trailer for buying plants for the plant sale until Ash Tyler could provide membership with information on how many times the trailer would be used and how much it would cost to rent a trailer. Charlie stated that with the two plant sales alone, it would cost more money to rent a trailer that paying half the cost of the purchasing one. He also stated that originally the $7,000 cost was to be a joint venture between the extension and the BCMGVA. Now because of the economy, the extension is not able to spend any money to split the cost, therefore, the $7,000 would have to come out of the MG budget. Hilton Holcomb stated that the plant sales are how we make money and the purchase of the trailer is an investment. A motion was made by Judy Koehly and seconded by George Wong-Chong to use $7,000 of MG money to purchase a trailer for the April plant sale. Treasurer, Al Smith, summarized that we have $8,000 available in cash and with the $7,000 purchase of the trailer and another $1,000 to buy plants, all cash would be wiped out until after the plant sale. Richard Boland amended the motion and it was seconded to purchase a trailer on an installment plan if the seller is amenable. Motion was passed. Ash Tyler made a motion and seconded by Richard Boland that if the seller will not agree to installment payments to delay buying the trailer until after the plant sale. Motion was passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m. followed by a presentation from Chris Moorman, Associate Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist at NC State on Wildlife with Native Plants.

The next general meeting will be March 27. Guest speaker will be Ken Fager from NCSU on Organic Gardening. Refreshments to be provided by Dominique Loewenstein and Linda Rudick.

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