11/13/24
Prepared by Gretchen Hesli (2024 RCMG Secretary)
Summary for the November RCMG Board of Directors Meeting
The RCMG Board of Directors Meeting was held on November 12, 2024 on Zoom. The next Board Meeting will be a semi-annual retreat scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2024.
Committee Updates
Plant Sale Committee Update – Cheryl Brady (with Molly O'Rouke and Carolyn Cherry attending)
The committee presented a detailed draft budget for the 2025 Plant Sale. Carolyn has agreed to serve as Finance Manager for the project. The Board approved the draft budget and commended the team for their work.
Communications Committee Update – Nanette Boudreau
The committee has projects in the works and new content being developed for our social media outlets. They are also involved in updates and publicity for the 2025 Plant Sale.
Give to the Max Day is Thursday, November 21st. Please consider supporting our organization if you are able!
Education Committee Update – Simba Blood
Our November member meeting will feature “Blooms, Buds and Thorns,” stories of our members' “good-and-not-so-good” gardening experiences. Be sure to attend the in-person gathering on November 19th or tune in online via Zoom.
Finance Committee Update – Laura Savin
No report.
Membership Committee Update – Karen Randall
Informational interviews have taken place for 80 applicants for the 2025 RCMG intern class. The next step is to complete the background checks, Safety of Minors training, and Core Course registration.
A SUG asking for mentors will go out next week, with mentor training scheduled for December 12th.
Leadership Updates
Secretary Update – Gretchen Hesli
The October Board Minutes were approved.
Treasurer Update– Kathy Passe
The October Treasurer’s Report was approved.
Kathy continues to work on the 2025 Budget. Project leads have been asked for their anticipated monetary needs.
She suggested that the Board authorize the purchase of QuickBooks to be used for accounting, as has been recommended by the RCMG Corporation’s audit committee. Our incoming treasurer, Kristina Hughes, is adept at using this software. The decision will be left to the 2025 Board of Directors when they convene in January.
Program Coordinator Update – Darren Lochner
Darren is assisting with the application process for the 2025 RCMG applicants. Core Course registration is due by December 1st.
The RCMG Program Satisfaction Survey is being reviewed. Results will be shared with members in early 2025.
Chair and Vice-Chair Report
Vice-Chair Report – Kay Wimer
The ballot has been closed, the quorum has been met, the results are in and....we have new Board of Directors for 2025! We received 112 votes in total out of 310 eligible members (~36% of our membership voted); 111 votes were cast online using the Google Forms ballot and 1 vote was cast via mail-in ballot.
Kay will present these results at the November member meeting, which also doubles as our RCMG Corporation’s annual meeting.
Chair Report– Julie Bechtold
Julie is starting to work on the archival process and has procured the necessary storage devices for our organization’s history. Sandy McDonald is our newly appointed archivist.
New Business
Glove Sales
After many years Susan Oven is stepping down as Glove Sale co-chair. We appreciate all she has done to provide quality and affordable gloves for our members and the public, with proceeds going to support intern scholarships. Thank you, Susan!
Mary Parenteau and Sherry Biachi-Knod will co-chair the sale in 2025.
RCMG Climate Responsiveness Plan
Karen Randall introduced a new project she’s developing for our organization, a RCMG Climate Responsiveness Plan. Christy Marsden of the UMN Climate Adaptation Partnership (formerly of the UMN Master Gardener Volunteer Program) has developed coursework which Karen completed. More information to come in 2025.
Old Business
Strategic Planning update - Karen Randall, Julie Bechtold, Kay Wimer, Gene Ranieri
Karen presented a minor revision to the Strategic Plan goals, which was approved by the Board. Julie will share the final plan with membership next week. There will also be printed copies available.
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).