2/14/24
Prepared by Gretchen Hesli (2024 RCMG Secretary)
Summary for the February RCMG Board of Directors Meeting
The RCMG Board Meeting was held on February 13, 2024 on Zoom. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2024. Board meetings are open to all volunteers.
Special Reports
Youth Projects Update
Ed Shinbach presented a comprehensive review and explanation of the youth projects our organization supports. The list is long and impressive! Some projects have been around for years; others are just taking on steam. Susan Cathey is his co-lead overseeing and leading many of the endeavors. If you are interested in working with youth, please consider volunteering for one or more of these projects. They are particularly looking for project leaders and more diverse members to become involved.
Committee Updates
Finance Committee Update
A draft for the Finance Committee Charter was presented to the Board for review. Several minor suggestions were made and will be sent back to the committee. Laura Savin has agreed to lead the committee and there are a number of volunteers who have expressed interest in participating. The Finance Committee will oversee expenditures and make recommendations to the Board, relieving the Board of some of this responsibility.
Plant Sale Committee Update
Per Cheryl Brady, the majority of plant orders have been placed and are awaiting confirmation. Brianna is assembling the 2024 inventory spreadsheet detailing plants grown by members and we are expecting 200+ donated plants. The set-up team toured Aldrich Arena last week and is working on a layout plan.
Speaking of donated plants, do you know that it is illegal to propagate patented plants? We are able to buy and raise plugs or purchase and sell full-grown plants from a reputable source. We cannot propagate and sell cuttings from our personal collection unless we can assure they hold no patents. Additional information about this will be available next Tuesday, at the RCMG February meeting.
Education Committee Update
Requests for Garden Gate hosts will be sent via SUG on March 14. The Committee is looking for 22 – 26 sites for Summer and Fall visits. They are working on several May activities, including a visit to the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and a tour of the continuous living cover plots at the St. Paul Campus with Dr. Mitch Hunter.
New Member Committee Update
Planning is beginning for the Volunteer Project and Activity Fair to be held on Tuesday, March 26. Project leads are being contacted to staff a table at the Fair. More information will be coming.
Communications Committee Update
The incredibly talented Marketing and Communications Committee has designed a creative new Plant Sale poster for our sale. Check it out! This vintage theme will be used on all publicity for the sale, fliers, social media posts, etc.
Leadership Updates
Secretary Update
The January Board Minutes were approved.
Treasurer Update
Kathy presented the January Treasurer’s Reports, which were approved.
January Huntington Bank Checking Account Statement (for reference)
January Huntington Bank Money Market Account Statement (for reference)
No Fidelity Statement for January.
Kathy is working to secure the appropriate liability insurance that we are required to have for our Plant Sale and also for our corporation in general.
Monies received from member presales will be temporarily moved to our money market account and will garner us roughly $200 in interest income. Good job Kathy!
Program Coordinator Update
Congratulation to us! On February 1st the Ramsey County Master Gardener Volunteer Program was awarded the 2023 Watershed Partner Award by the Capitol Region Watershed District. In addition, Melvin Giles received the Watershed Citizen Award. Melvin supports RCMG through the Children’s Peace Gardens, Urban Farm and Garden Alliance and many other initiatives.
Chair and Vice-Chair Report
Vice-Chair Report
Kay reported that the audit, held on January 27, is complete and no discrepancies were found. Diana Rankin will present the full report at the Board meeting on March 12 and the March Member Meeting on March 19.
Chair Report
Kay and Julie are working on a technology portfolio review in 2024
There are a number of board positions that expire in 2024. In particular this secretary is leaving the board after four years! If you enjoy writing and want to be in the loop with the RCMG Board, please reach out to me (Gretchen Hesli). Please contact Julie or Kay with questions or attend our meetings (open to all volunteers) to get a sense of what we do.
Old Business
Finance Committee Update—Julie Bechtold, Kathy Passe
See update above.
New Business
Yard Waste Site Volunteering Activity—Tiffa Foster
Tiffa Foster reported on the Yard Waste sites arrangement that our organization has with Ramsey County. (A reminder that the County funds our Program Coordinator position.) While it isn’t the most “glamorous” activity, we are still committed to this project and need members to “step up” to fill the slots as much as possible. Laurel Watt plans to produce a training session on what to do at the sites and why we are there. Perhaps it could be a Mentor/Intern activity for one shift this season?
2024 Board Leadership: Julie Bechtold (Chair), Kay Wimer (Vice-Chair), Gretchen Hesli (Secretary), Kathy Passe, (Treasurer), Simba Blood (Education Chair), Gene Ranieri (Education Co-Chair), Karen Randall (Membership Chair), Tiffa Foster (Membership Co-Chair), Nanette Boudreau (Communication Chair), Stacy Sola (Communication Co-Chair), Darren Lochner (Program Coordinator).