MCMGA Board Minutes for July 23, 2024
/Attendees:
Cynthia Chase, Carole Hardy, Jen Hazen, Susan Marcus, Lorna Schilling, Mike Rutherford, John Jordan, Linda Goldser, Rich Becker, Angela Myatt, Marcia McIntyre
May 28th meeting minutes:
Motion to approve - Linda
Seconded - Carole
Approved by all
Discussions:
Treasurer’s Update. Donation to Metro MG Program - Jen asked if the board wants to make the $7,500 donation that was included in the 2024 budget. We didn’t contribute last year since there had been no training programs for years. Marcia described the new online reporting program for volunteer hours that they’re trying to launch and that they need funding. Srijana Shrestha is planning to reach out to the associations for support. Board unanimously approved the $7,500 contribution.
Certificate of Liability Insurance - we received a certificate from SE Uplift (relates to Sparrowhawk plant sale). Marcia said we are often asked to sign some kind of a certificate related to events like this, but we cannot sign them.
Banking - Jen & Christine are looking into Oregon based credit unions to replace Wells Fargo. Looking at Advantis/Rivermark, OnPoint & Unitus among others. Asked for input from board members (Lorna has negative things to say about OnPoint and likes Umpqua; Carole spoke highly of Unitus; Mike had positive feedback about Advantis/Rivermark). Jen will send summary of options to the board after it’s been reviewed by Christine and Cynthia.
Rena Hoefling Trust - MCMGA received legacy gift of $35,000 and there may be another very minor distribution as they wrap up the accounting. There were no specific instructions from the trust about how to use her gift and the board subcommittee is strategizing and will make recommendations about how to use those funds. Jen has been looking into CD’s as a short- term investment option (12 months or less). Lorna mentioned greenhouses that are being given away by Josephine County, but there are concerns about whether they would meet permitting requirements in Portland and a greenhouse seems to be lower on the board’s list of priorities.
Learn in the Garden. The first Learn in the Garden event last Sunday was about gardening for pollinators and included three learning stations. About 20 attended the event. The next event (winter gardening and cover crops) is August 25. Carole explained that the education program initially focused on the DG since we can hold events there, but she’d like to be able to package specific learning modules that are portable and can be taken to events. The planning group is currently working on how we package the Circle of Life program so we can take it into schools and communities. Carole needs additional funding to create these learning modules and has already paid for some print out of pocket. Cynthia asked her to submit receipts as we have money to cover these expenses. Marcia said Metro MG Program receives lots of requests for presentations which they usually refer to their speakers guild, but Carole’s kits/mobile program might fit in there too. Series of kits have already been developed and Marcia will send us the list. Corinne, Jack & Cheryl Brock were our county reps for “Calling All Pollinators” which was hugely popular at OMSI After Dark. Discussion about creating Facebook events so people can tag them and get reminders about events. Carole needs to write short promotional blurb and send photos that can be used in Facebook event post.
Joy in the Garden Conference. Carole, Rich, Lorna & Dolores Rains attended. Positive comments about the conference (better speakers) and Leslie Madsen who introduced the conference. Discussed that it’s important to communicate the difference between MG Program (volunteering) versus the other programs like Home Horticulture which doesn’t involve volunteering. Seems like many of the people who sign up for the MG training aren’t aware of the initial and on-going volunteer component.
Demo Garden Report & Open Garden event. Demo Garden - looks great and they are working to primp it up for the open garden event. There’s a squash bug epidemic. Carole wrote an article about squash bugs for ten-minute university. Need to hand pick squash bugs and eggs. Srijana visited DG and was very impressed. They’ve put 33 new volunteers through the orientation process this year. Open Garden - last year we had 140 guests. They’ve expanded marketing efforts this year and are pitching it is a family event. Hoping to have more kids and will have a kids activity table. Xerces, Multnomah County Vector Control, and EMWSCD will all have tables at the event. Pairing interns with MGs in the garden so they can expand their experience working with the public. Sent invites to Srijana, Leslie and Angela Santino.
Report on visit of Srijana Shrestha & Leslie Madsen. Srijana visited the garden last week and Leslie is going to visit next week. Please come meet Leslie Tuesday, Aug 6 at 1:30pm (time to be confirmed).
Harvest Fest. Saturday, 9/14. This is a chapter event, not a DG event. It’s a social gathering for MGs and their families as a thank you to our members. Linda, Carole & Cynthia had an initial meeting and requested help from other board members. Jen, John, Rich, Mike and Susan volunteered. Discussion about the general feel of the Harvest Fest - pot luck? awards? raffle drawing? There will be grilled sausages and tool sharpening, and the rest is up for discussion at the next planning meeting.
Miscellaneous. OSU Extension survey is going out metro wide so Carole doesn’t have to send it out to the chapter.
Next Board Meeting:
August 27th
Meeting led by: Cynthia Chase
Adjourned at: 7:19
Notes taken by: Susan Marcus
Minutes approved on: 08/27/24