BELL COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting

December 10, 2014

Board Members Present: Gary Slanga, Randy Brown, Pat Johnson, Gail Christian, Bernie Hurta, Pat Allen

Directors Present: Mary Ann Everett, Susan Terry, Walter Ponder, Fran Sheppard, Carla Harmon, Terrie Hahn, Louann Hight

The meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by Gary Slanga.

Before the regular business was discussed, Aaron Harris, City of Belton Grants & Special Projects Coordinator, requested the possibility of BCMG partner with the City of Belton to create a natural plants area along the creek. Matt Bates, City of Belton Parks & Recreation Director, discussed plans for a Belton Community Garden. Suggestions and ideas for consideration were offered for both projects.

The minutes of theOctober 22, 2014 board meeting were approved. Board minutes of the called meeting of November 19, 2014 were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Gail Christian

The financial report was reviewed and approved for filing.

Programs and Socials: Randy Brown

  • Terrie Hahn posted pictures of the Christmas party on Facebook.
  • Randy is working on speakers for January and February.

Policy & Planning: Bernie Hurta

  • The updated by-laws were posted on the web site.
  • The old 2007 Strategic Action Plan was taken off of the website.
  • The mission statement will be added. It is currently being re-written.

Corresponding Secretary: Pat Allen

  • Requested that we each send Ursula Nanna a card.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

State Conference: Gary Slanga

  • There will be a State Conference meeting after the Board meeting today.

Rainwater Harvesting Committee: Gary Slanga

  • No landscaping to do at this time

Greenhouse/New Building:

  • Thanks was expressed for cleaning the building.

Outreach/Education: Susan Terry

  • Susan reported on the Region XII Farm to Table Food Service project using the school garden (gathering school garden produce pilot project for use in the cafeteria in Salado).We might be called on as consultants.

Grounds & Maintenance/Plant Sale: Walter Ponder

  • Tomorrow is a special project day. See email from Carla.
  • Guy Oakeson is willing to donate a gas powered chipper (shreader).

Garden Tours: There will be no garden tours until our State Conference is over.

Youth Programs: Mary Ann Everett

  • Cavazos Elementary School Science Evening will be at the end of January or February from 5 to 8 PM. A JMG teacher is needed for this evening.
  • BIG Conference is Feb 2-4 in Waco. We need volunteers to set up a table advertising our 2015 Conference.

New Class: Fran Sheppard

  • There are currently 17paid registrants for the new class.
  • Orientation is December 17 & before the first class
  • Had to give a refund due to illness in the family to a husband & wife who had signed up for the class.

Awards: Bernie Hurta

  • 2014 state Award Entries are due Jan 30, 2015.
  • The following entries are being submitted:
  • Project - Karen Colwick on Rainwater Harvesting
  • Education – Mary Ann Everett on Teacher Training
  • Written Education – Terrie Hahn on the Blooming Bell
  • Outstanding Master Gardener Associaiton – Mary Ann Everett
  • Individual Master Gardener – Mary Ann Everett on Bob Gordon

Killeen Community Gardens:

  • No work is being done right now. Work will resume after the holidays.

Blooming Bell:Terrie Hahn

  • We need more educational articles for the Blooming Bell.
  • Terries requested more pictures to be posted on Facebook.

Webmaster: Louann Hight

  • Routine maintenance was done on the web site.

New Business:

  • Mary Ann Everett, who is on the board for the Central Texas College Horticulture Department presented the possibility of working with them on continuing education. Carla Harmon moved we approve of this project. Pat Johnson seconded. The motion passed.

Old Business:

  • Sign up to help at the Grounds Conference, Crop Conference, and Irrigation Conference all in January. This would be a great opportunity to advertise the State Conference
  • Home & Garden Show (February 20-21-22) sign-up sheets will be available at the January General Meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:17.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Johnson

Recording Secretary