Outagamie County Master Gardeners Association
Members Meeting,
Nov. 15, 2007

Meeting called to order: 8:05 p.m. by President, Mary Moreau                                                                          

No agenda

Amendment to minutes

Under State Representative – should read 2008 journals, not calendars

Treasures report

Pam Hagen reported the balances in the checking and savings accounts, which are available to members upon request. We received a thank you from Wisconsin Public Radio for our $1,000 challenge pledge donation.

State representatives

Kathy Baum attended the “Face to Face” in Eau Claire, which coincided with the conference. She reported that the state treasury has $54,349.11.

Susan Mahr is looking for different ideas for the mini fact sheets. Email Susan if there is something you want more information on.

Newsletter from state – email Susan Mahr to receive electronically. The education committee is having the new students sign up right away to receive the state newsletter electronically.

The background check will be done immediately on the new students. Seasoned MG’s will be checked in late 2008 or early 2009.

The Tri-State Conference will be three days, July 16-19, 2008. It will be at the Four Points by Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel and Convention Center. There will be 25-30 breakout sessions and garden tours. Check your state newsletter. The 2010 conference will be in Sheboygan.

Kathy Baum will be ordering the “Wisconsin Garden Journals” this week. The cost is $13.95 + $2.00 shipping. If you would like one, please sign up on the sheet being passed around.

Lynn Coffeen warned the members about donkey tail, which is a spurge and is toxic to touch. So wear gloves and do not touch near eyes. It is a small, soft, feathery plant that looks like a tiny Christmas tree.

Lynn and Kevin sent letters to the families of our deceased members informing them of our “Memory Garden” and memorial stones. Two of the families have visited and were very pleased with the tribute to their loved ones, Sue Knute sent a lovely note in appreciation. Our Memorial Garden budget was $300 and we still have a balance of $29.64.

Projects coordinator

Kate Langner not present. However, she emailed members letting them know that project sanction sheets are available on the website. Fill out sheet, send to Kate and she will review and send back to board. Once approved, Kate will post on website so if you need help, members will know what’s available for service hours.

Education committee

Karen DesJarlais announced that the brochures for the new classes went out today along with the application form and our Outagamie County brochure. There are $500 grants available to people who want to come to the UWEX and pick up the grant application form. The classes will start on January 15, 2008 and there will be 13 sessions, plus graduation. There are volunteer opportunities for presenters. Larry Herried has four mentors (Peg Ebben, Kathy Heier, Tammy Borden, Tom Wentzel) for the new class. 

Our workshops will now be in conjunction with the member’s meeting. Upcoming meetings: January - bring your favorite tools. Karen Syverson has a tool called cobra head. There will also be seed catalogs. Paul Pelletterri will be at the UWEX on Tuesday, January 8 at 6:00 p.m. Call Denise to register. Meg is going to try, in January, to book another bus trip for later this spring or summer. People are asking for Songsparrow again. Let Meg know if you are interested.

Fundraising 

Carol VandeBerg not present (in Africa). She will post pictures on their Web site.

Communications committee

Colleen Reed – these things can now be taken care of on Web site: your hours, yearly sanction sheets, monthly minutes with education hours per meeting. For those without computers – after much discussion, it was decided to continue as in the past to mail the newsletter to those who cannot receive them electronically.

Horticulture advisor

Kevin Jarek announced that the Land Conservation is having their annual tree sale again. These are sold in bare root bundles of 25. Kevin brought the instruction sheets for ordering. Kevin told us that Denise really appreciated her tree.

A suggestion was made to purchase a video camera to record some of the basic classes and post them on the website. Therefore, if anyone needs continuing education hours, they may watch the class or listen to “Garden Talk.” Kevin will do more research into the video recorder.

Election of officers

Kevin opened nominations. This means that anyone is allowed to throw their hat in the ring or nominate someone else. Motion was made to open nominations. Nominations were: President-Mary Learman and Vice President-Meg Hunsader.  Motion was made to close nominations. Another motion was made to cast a unanimous ballot for Mary and Meg. Approved.

Next meeting: January 17, 2008 at 6 p.m. Gardens of the Fox Cities

Meeting adjourned: 8:47 p.m.                                                                                                              

Submitted by Deb Neuman    

Because of the election, the November meeting counts as one service hour.