MCMGA Board Minutes for August 27, 2024
/6:00pm via Zoom
Attendees:
Cynthia Chase, Jen Hazen, Susan Marcus, Lorna Schilling, Mike Rutherford, John Jordan, Linda Goldser, Rich Becker, Angela Myatt, Marcia McIntyre, Kim Butchereit
July 23rd meeting minutes:
Motion to approve - Linda
Seconded - Jen
Approved by all
Discussions:
Introduction of Kim Butchereit, Metro MG Program Assistant. Kim is the Education Program Assistant for Multnomah County. It’s a one year position. She’s away September 9-20, but will be here to support us after that.
Minutes. Susan will miss the next two board meetings. Lorna (Sept) and Jen (Oct) volunteered to take minutes for those meetings. Treasurer Report. Jen, Christine & Cynthia recommend that we switch from WellsFargo to Advantis. Approved by all board members. Planning to open some short term CD’s after we transition to Advantis. Signing authority approved for Jen Hazen/Treasurer, Christine Semeniuk/Bookkeeper, and Cynthia Chase/President. Christine is resigning as bookkeeper at the end of the year. She offered to do special projects as needed, but we need to find a new bookkeeper.
Demo Garden Report. Linda reported that the DG is looking great and has donated 1,200-1,500 lbs produce so far. Squash bugs have been a huge problem this year. The DG had 36 new volunteers go thru the orientation program at the garden. Of those volunteers, 27 are from the 2024 training class, and 9 are either current MGs or community members. The Open Garden event on Aug 3rd was a super success with 154 visitors plus 10 kids. Answered 98 questions at the clinic table and many more in the garden. The Winter Gardening/Cover Crops held on 8/25 had 24 attendees. The next Learn in the Garden event will be on 9/22 and cover native plantings/wildflower seeds. DG volunteers are finalizing work over the next six weeks and then we go into fall maintenance mode at the garden.
Speaker Committee Update. Cynthia reported that the Speakers Committee has been looking at possible speakers and reviewing attendance at our meetings. Lower attendance in the summer months and people don’t usually watch the presentation online after the fact.
Considering having speakers October or November through April instead of monthly year round. Do we keep the same budget and offer more to get better speakers or cut the budget back? General consensus is to keep the same budget and to keep online presentations during the ‘off season’ and hold in-person events during the spring/summer. The September 10th speaker has been rescheduled to 9/17 so as not to conflict with the presidential debate.
Report on Leslie Madsen/DG visit. Cynthia reported that several of us got to meet the new state-wide coordinator Leslie. She comes from a management background, not a gardening background. She’s very involved in OMGA quarterly meetings and seems to be taking the programs Gail Langellatto started and running with them. Positive comments.
OMGA. Zoom meeting scheduled for Sept 6 with Leslie Madsen and to introduce Heidi Luquette as the 2025 statewide coordinator. Ask Cynthia if you want the zoom link so you can listen in.
Harvest Fest. Sending another evite out and trying to get a better headcount for the event. We currently have 25 volunteers signed up (need 30) and have another 20 who rsvp’ed for the event.
2025 Board Positions. Cynthia and Carole had a brief discussion about putting together the 2025 board. Cynthia will stay on as president for one more year. Rich suggested that he become OMGA alternate and let Angela be the OMGA Rep. Angela agreed. Board members should let Cynthia and Carole know if they have an interest in remaining on the board next year.
Dennis Brown Report. Left off agenda, but Cynthia sent the report to board members immediately following the meeting.
Next Board Meeting:
September 24th
Meeting led by: Cynthia Chase
Adjourned at: 6:43pm
Notes taken by: Susan Marcus
Minutes approved on: 09/08/24 (via email vote)