Summary
February 08, 2022 RCMG Board of Directors Meeting The January Board Meeting was held on 2/08/2022 via Zoom. The next board meeting is scheduled for March 8, 2022 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. These meetings are open to all volunteers.
Committee Updates
Education Committee Update
Sue Ellen Campbell reported that the Garden Gate Tours will be back on our activity schedule again this summer, running from June through September. Sign-ups for those interested in participating will be available in the near future.
New Member Committee Update
Kay Wimer reported that all but two of our 2022 interns have started the Core Course. An online Volunteer Fair for interns and their mentors is tentatively scheduled for March 22nd.
Communications Committee Update
Our social media accounts continue to attract new followers. We’ve encountered some “bad actors” from countries outside the United States who have been hacking our Facebook site. Nanette Boudreau’s team has thwarted their activities by limiting followers to the U.S.. The website continues to be updated and a new section for Intern/Mentor guidelines has just been completed. Soon to be added are Project Profiles which will provide useful information on our organization’s many and various activities.
Plant Sale Committee Update
Cheryl Brady updated the Board on planning for the Plant Sale, which will be held on Saturday, May 21st, at Holy Childhood Church in St. Paul. The members-only presale was a great success. The committee has ordered bedding plants, natives, hostas, hanging baskets, and lots of herbs. Our “tomato gurus” Joe Baltrukonis and Jennifer Porwit are growing 50 varieties and will provide 1,000 plants for our sale!
Leadership Updates
Secretary Update
Treasurer Update
The January monthly transaction and bank reconciliation reports were approved.
Amy Davis introduced Kathy Passe, who will serve as Interim Treasurer for several months while Amy is on maternity leave. A request from Susan Cathey and Ed Shinbach to approve and fund a Farmer’s Market Youth project was granted.
Assistant Program Coordinator Update
Brianna is continuing to research technology (hardware) needed if we are to offer hybrid meeting options in the future. With over 300 members (and growing) and a venue that holds a maximum of 220 people, we are clearly running short of space. It may be necessary to RSVP and reserve a seat at an in-person meeting. Online meetings have appeal during the dark and cold winter months, and we may end up alternating between online and in-person. More to come…
Program Coordinator Update
Darren and Brianna Gohde are continuing to offer 30-minute training sessions (6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) prior to our general membership meetings on such topics as navigating the websites, reporting hours, etc.
A “Train the Trainer” event will be held on Saturday, February 26th. Three classes will be offered (Winter Sowing, Starting Tomatoes from Seed, and How to Design a New Project). See the Sign Up Genius to register.
Vice Chair Update
Sandy McDonald and Chris Strong are updating the Volunteer Policy Manual in an effort to condense the information and remove out-of-date and redundant verbiage.
Board Chair Update
Nate Galloway is working with several members who are interested in resurrecting the Jr. Master Gardener Program and a collaboration project with the St. Paul School District. Our general membership meeting will include 15 minutes of project overviews (following the 6:30 p.m. training session) and 15 minutes of updates from Darren. Our speaker (Amanda Reardon “Introduction to Hydroponics”) starts at 7 p.m., followed by the membership meeting.
2022 Board Leadership: Nate Galloway (Chair), Sandy McDonald (Vice Chair), Gretchen Hesli (Secretary), Amy Davis (Treasurer), Jane Carlstrom (Education Co-Chair), Sue Ellen Campbell (Education Co-Chair), Judi Ginter (Membership Co-Chair), Kay Wimer (Membership Co-Chair), Nanette Boudreau (Communication Chair), Darren Lochner (Program Coordinator).