Monthly Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Vice President Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman at 9:05. There were 57 in attendance.

The minutes of June 28 were read and a motion to accept was made by Dominique Lowenstein and seconded by Sue Fogle.

Treasurer report: Al Smith stated the balance in the BCMGVA account was approximately $10,500 with $9,000 to $10,000 in outstanding receipts. With anticipated expenses for the rest of the year being $8,000 there should be a reserve of $10,000 to $12,000 to carry forward to next year without additional funds from the fall plant sale. Al asked all committee chairs to let him know if they felt their budgeted amount might need more money or not use the amount set aside before the end of the year. The treasurer's report was filled for audit.
When asked, Al mentioned the July plant sale made approximately $1, 300.

Greenhouse: Ash Tylor reported the sale of knock out roses brought in $1,100 last Monday. The roses are in 3 gallon pots and are $18. There are also butterfly plants in 3 gallon pots for $10. See Ash or Charlie if you want to make any purchases of these or other plants.
Ash asked for volunteers for the restitution program which is held on Saturday mornings. The program has been funded for the next year from July 07 to July 08.

Gardens: Hilton Holcomb reported that work continues in the garden with the work teams meeting the 1st Monday and the 3rd Tuesday of every month. When trying to water the large planters out front, use the new watering cans found in the hot line office. Get water from the kitchen or any other location in the building.

Automation: Al Smith asked for a volunteer with web site experience to take over the BCMGVA web site. This task is being performed by former MG Lisa Miner who has moved to GA. Al is looking into the automation ideas offered by Lucy Bradley at our last meeting and seeing how BCMGVA might adopt these to our needs. He is putting together a paper and asked for volunteers to pilot this program.

Social: Becky Dus spoke of the Reunion Social planned for September 27. She gave details of the event and asked for volunteers to sign up for such duties as setup, food, program, etc. There will be garden information and decorations located at different stations in the Botanical garden coming from the “Gardening by the Month” book along with a possible “What type of Gardener Are You” quiz. Some of these items may be used by David Barkley for the State and County fairs.

Jim Blake thanked all volunteers who helped move plants at the sight of the new pond.

Linda Rudick again asked for volunteers to help with landscaping at homes built by Habitat for Humanity. She thanked Grace Wrigley for the help she gave on the last project.

Coordinator: Charlie Spencer repeated that BCMGVA members could count landscaping help to Habitat for Humanity as hot line time. However, Charlie stated this is not a BCMGVA project and therefore members should NOT wear their MGVA name tags while performing this work. Nor should they state they are MG volunteers.
The e-mail list has been updated and corrected. It was discussed and decided that a hard copy of the directory could be made available for all current BCMGVA members. This information would not be given to any other person or entity.
Charlie had a “Coastal Gardner” paper for all and stated this would be placed in new comer packets.

Horticultural Agent: David Barkley introduced Max Nunez who is one of the new 4-H coordinators. Max spoke about the state 4-H fund raiser and had raffles for sale. The prize is a 2007 Mini Cooper and Brunswick is thinking of giving a prize locally. The drawing is December 5, 2007 and members can see Max to purchase a raffle and support this cause.
The 4-H horticultural judging teams came in second and there were many 1st time participants.
There will be a meeting of all volunteers of the ground pearl project on Friday, July 27 to sort and enter data from the specimens.
Labeling of all plants in the Botanical garden continues with the creation of a written inventory.
The program for August will be a tape of an “In the Garden” segment by Brice Lane.
David asked all interested members to attend the plant clinic update at the BCC Leland campus on August 14. If participation declines, this program may be stopped. An e-mail will be sent with information concerning this event.
If a member does a garden activity that might be considered toward volunteer hours, a short written report should be given to David. This would help with his yearly reports of “good success stories”.
David gave and update on David Nash and asked all to keep him in their thoughts. Peggy Meinzer stated a letter had been sent from all the BCMGVA members.
David presented Jo (Josephine) Chebat with a certificate for 10 years of volunteer service. This was also Jo's birthday.

Vice President: Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman spoke of the excellent program for the MG State Conference and encouraged all to get their reservations made as early as possible.

The business meeting was adjourned at 10:00 followed by Bruce Williams as guest speaker.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathie Rod

Recording Secretary