MCMGA Board Minutes for March 26, 2024
/Attendees:
Cynthia Chase, Carole Hardy, Jen Hazen, Susan Marcus, Lorna Schilling, Mike Rutherford,John Jordan, Heidi Nichols, Linda Goldser, Rich Becker, Angela Myatt, Jack Lazareck, Marcia McIntyre, Srijana Shrestha
February 27th meeting minutes:
Motion to approve - Linda
Seconded - Jen
Approved by all
Discussions:
Introduction of Srijana Shrestha, Professor of Practice. Srijana gave a quick summary of her background. New cohort acceptance letters were sent out and training starts next week. Tons of work in a very short amount of time!
Membership Update. There have been 156 renewals to date. We had about 178 members at the same time last year. There are 111 members from last year who have not renewed. Heidi sent out another reminder and gave them 3 days to renew. Quick discussion about the need for in-person events as a way to shore up our membership.
Treasurer Report. Rena Hoefling - they have completed the estate taxes, will send out forms for our signature later this week, and mail disbursement checks after that. Cynthia wants a small ad hoc group to discuss possible use of the money. Rich and Cynthia are in favor of it going to the endowment fund. Heidi suggests we ask Jean Edmison if she wants to be involved in the planning committee as she was close friends with Rena. Auto insurance documentation - Jen sent emails to the board to solicit names of other people who might be driving on behalf of board business. Got a few more names.
Volunteer Fair - April 21st. Will be held at Sabin-Shellenberg Center. MCGMA will have 3 tables: general chapter table/merch, DG table, and IE Sale table. John and Carole will create a new or updated tri-fold sign for the demo garden and will look for tall signs that call attention to the chapter tables. Cynthia and Carole will be at chapter table; Linda, John, and Marilyn will be at DG table, and IE Sale table will be manned by Rich and Mike. Check out tablecloth selection - folks will scout around to see what they have and let Cynthia know. Sabin-Schellenberg campus is at 14450 SE Johnson Road, Milwaukie. They have a north and south campus so need clarification for address. Limited parking - please carpool!!
IE Sale. Rich sent out info earlier tonight. They have 98 filled slots (30+ of these are leads for all of the different positions) and 140 open slots for volunteers on sign up genius. Rich has secured Barbur Rentals for set-up, reserved and porta potty. He estimates our expenses will be about $3,900 more than last year (mostly due to higher labor costs for Barber Rentals). Rich is expecting that we’ll make $13,000 based on expected sales and could possibly make as much as $20k. He looked at Portland Nursery and other smaller nurseries for price comparisons and is raising prices - went with his gut on prices. Carole asked rationale for pricing and what our goal is in terms of pricing. She asked if we want to price plants more aggressively. Decided to discuss further at the IE Sale meeting on Monday. Lengthy discussion about whether or not people support the sale because the prices are favorable, if we can charge a premium based on MG expertise, or whether we want to price so things are more affordable to a range of demographics. Mike says they need help with marketing - to hand out flyers at farmers markets, canvass neighborhoods, distribute to shop windows and bulletin boards. Asked board members to help recruit volunteers for marketing. Jen has the nursery license which she'll give to Rich to laminate. Non-MGs can volunteer at the sale but cannot answer gardening questions. MG volunteers need to wear their badge. Cynthia will talk to Heidi about her son’s volunteering/experience with Square.
Fundraising. Cynthia and John met with Andrew Norwood. Foundation lunch w/Andrew Norwood is scheduled for Thursday 09/26/24 at the DG. Andrew will be able to answer all sorts of questions for people who might be considering donating to the foundation. Chris Elliot is the temporary vice provost filling in for Ivory Lyles. Cynthia will be meeting with Chris. Nadine (who works for Chris) has been setting up meetings with Multnomah County - laying the groundwork for future funding requests, Cynthia and Mike met with Susanne Vega Pederson. Julia Brimm Edwards is on the board of trustees for OSU and a county commissioner. We need at least one of the five county commissioners to be an advocate for us.
Demo Garden. Linda - DG has been open for two months and beds are either planted or close to being planted with spring crops. By the end of April they should be donating fresh produce to local food pantries. Plants are starting to come out of dormancy and native beds are beginning to show color. A new canopy was set up. Ground is being prepared for the new shed. Kit for the shed is due any day now. Will make them more efficient in terms of storage of office stuff, plant starts, etc. Just hosted a very successful propagation workshop. Soil workshop coming up on April 13. Earth Day celebration on April 20 will include Ask-a-Gardener, mason bee houses, and seed packet give away, and will promote the IE Sale. DG is now open every Mon and Thu 9-12.
Next Board Meeting:
April 23rd @ 6pm
Meeting led by: Cynthia Chase
Adjourned at: 7:12pm
Notes taken by: Susan Marcus
Minutes approved: 04.23.24