Monthly Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order by President Richard Boland at 10:04. There were 55 in attendance.

The minutes of August 23 were read and received as information.

Announcements: Richard stated the nominating is at work putting together a slate of officers for 2008. He challenged all members to participate and volunteer for any elected or nominated position. Contact Lynn Schwartzkoff, Linda Rudick or Bev Mastrovich if you wish to serve. The nominated names for President, Vice President and Treasurer will be presented at the October general meeting. Elections will be held at the November general meeting. Also needed are two members to serve on the nominating committee for next year.
Richard thanked Becky Dus for all the work done to prepare for the Social to follow the meeting.

Vice President: Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman reported on a change in the speaker for the October general meeting. The speaker is Marcia P. Doering, Arboretum Coordinator from New Hanover County.
Speakers for the 08 general meetings have been selected and were listed with their programs.
Sea Trail has been visited in expectation of using this site for the 08 State MG Association convention held October 5, 6, 7 &8 of 2008. Finalizing of contract is up coming. Billy Finley has agreed to be treasurer for this event and there will be a planning meeting at the Extension Center on Wednesday, October 3 beginning at 1:00 pm. Sign up sheets were passed for the various committees needed for this event.

Treasurer: Al Smith stated the current balance is $6,144.76 with outstanding receipts of $10,000. Al asked all committee chairs to review the treasurer's spread sheet of monies allocated and spent this year and prepare for next year's budget. Al feels there may be a surplus of $12,000 to $14, 000 plus any money made at the fall plant sale.
Al also asked all outstanding bills to be handed in for payment.

Gardens and Greenhouse: Ash Tyler stated plants for next year's plant sales will also be received in November and help will be needed in Oct, Nov and Dec to ready these plants for the spring 08 plant sale.
Volunteers are needed on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before the plant sale. The Restitution group and Community Services may be helping during the plant sale.
Ash also gave an overview of the Restitution program and the work they do in the greenhouse area.
The pad has been poured for the new shed outside the fence and drainage is being placed around the beds in front of the greenhouse. The new shed will be used by the Extension Center and the BCMGVA will use the shed inside the fence.

Membership: Dominique Loewenstein has been contacting members whose dues are outstanding and volunteer hours not complete. There are 12-18 members in this group. If you have special needs, contact Dominique or Charlie before you are considered a lapsed member.
All members were told to keep their time sheets up to date and on file in the Hot Line office. Reports are made in June and December based upon the information on these sheets.
Any work on the 08 State MG Association convention will be considered as “other time” for volunteer hours. Any work done in the name of the BCMGVA should be submitted to David or Charlie for consideration as volunteer hours.

Coordinator: Charlie Spencer clarified that new MG class has until June 08 to complete 40 of Hot Line time and their dues are due in January 08
New class name tags are in.
Charlie gave an overview for a proposed bus trip to VA next May. More information will follow.
Volunteer sign up sheets were passed for the October plant sale.
The greenhouse heating bill has been paid by Restitution funds that may not be available in the future. This may be an expense the association has to assume.
Life on the Farm training will be held Wednesday, October 3. New volunteers will be paired with experienced volunteers for this great event. An overview of what is taught was given. Dates are October 18. 19 and 26.

Horticultural Agent: David Barkley stated his pending foot surgery will keep him out of the office from October to January 08.
He feels a successful event of the MG class is the home visits. In the future this may be extended to all members of the association.
Booth space for the State Fair has to be reserved. David asked for help at both the state and regional fairs.
The rain lily beds need tidying. An Extension program survey was passed for information from all members present.
Label stands and paper have been ordered for the project in the Botanical garden.
Garden tips for the local newspapers will be offered in the BCMGVA NL as well.
David asked for help in writing a grant proposal for the purchase of a 16' trailer to be shared by the Extension center and the BCMGVA.
Projected dates for new MG class for 08 have been set.

The meeting was adjourned following an informative and educational Social held in the garden.

Respectfully submitted,
Cathie Rod, Recording Secretary