MGV Meeting Minutes – February 10, 2022
Bob Eister, President, opened the MGV meeting. Al Leonhart led the MGVs in the Pledge of Allegiance. Bob announced the MGVs with birthdays in February. Marilyn McKinley stated they would be receiving birthday cards.
Bob introduced Stephanie Barkay as the speaker for this meeting. She presented continuing education on Integrated Pest Management, Part 1 for 1-hour credit to the MGV’s attending.
Kristen Eisenhauer reminded the MGVs about the new volunteer and educational requirements mandated for 2022:
- 2 volunteer hours must come from Backyard and Local Flavor events,
- 2 volunteer hours must come from Environmental Horticultural events,
- 2 continuing education hours in Integrated Pest Management classes or presentations, (1 hour is credited for tonight’s presentation.) More classes are scheduled for presentation during the MGV meetings.
- 2 continuing education hours in Invasive Species classes or presentations.
The committee reports were as follows:
Canfield Fair – Carolyn Fankhauser reported she presented information about this committee to the new MGV class.
Community Outreach – Kary Shively told us they will have a committee meeting next month. Patty Kacenski told us she needed metal stakes for an arch project.
Education – Stephanie Barkay reported their committee had its first meeting. The meeting was focused on organization of the Education committee.
Garden Conference – Marianna Eister told us the Garden Conference will be held on April 23rd and April 30th at the OSU Extension. If an MGV volunteers to assist with the conference for the day, the MGV will only need to pay $10 for lunch. Attending the conference will cost $45 for all attendees. MGVs were encouraged to volunteer to help at the conference. Pam Baytos also told us there will be a Make and Take during the Garden Conference. MGVs were encouraged to think about ideas for crafts that they could make and the MGVs could sell at the Garden Conference. Stephanie Hughes said we need help and a signup sheet would be available. Eric is contacting and scheduling the speakers for this event.
Hospitality – Peg Zeleznik reported they have been making food for the new MGV class for a continental breakfast and lunch each class day. She encouraged MGVs, who have taken the FCS Occasional Quality Cooks Training, to help the committee members by bringing food for the new MGV class. Natalie Fraser also told us if an MGV wants to bring cookies to bring 3 dozen.
Plant and Pest Clinic – David Sprague told us he spoke to the new MGV class about the clinic. He is also planning to provide clinic training for MGVs wanting to volunteer in the clinic.
Veterans – Mike Beaudis reported he will hold a Grounds committee meeting when the weather improves. Wreaths for veterans will be held the 1st or 2nd Saturday in December at the same cemetery as last year.
Kristen reported for the Office Administration that she will be ordering new name tags and asked if any MGV needed a new name tag to notify her. Kristen told us most of the MGVs have re-certified. She mentioned that we have done well in having the majority of the MGVs re-certified. Kristen asked MGVs to fill out a form giving Bio information about ourselves and have a picture on file at the office.
Kristen said the new MGV trainees will be given access to a bio with our picture to get to know us. We will also be able to access a bio and picture of the new MGV trainees. Kristen also told us she had a signup form for the MGVs to volunteer to help with the Garden Conference.
Kristen told us there are 18 new MGV trainees in the new class and one person was doing the class completely online as an OSU trial. The online trial class will be evaluated to see if it can be continued.
Kristen also provided a COVID Safety summary stating at this time masks are not mandatory in the OSU Extension office, but that could change at any time. The extension has 3 air purifiers in operation.
Kristen told us about the 4H Endowment fundraiser for the future. It was decided the MGVs will contribute a basket for the fundraiser and MGVs who wish to contribute should bring items at the next meeting to be included in the gift basket.
Bob Eister reminded the MGVs that 75% of our questions and issues can be resolved by calling the appropriate committee chairman or an experienced MGV officer instead of calling the office to get help. This will save time for the already overworked extension office staff. Bob told us he will have a meeting with all the committee chairmen on February 24th to discuss the new committees’ objectives and structure. We may need to add subcommittees.
Bob encouraged all MGVs to utilize their skills and develop knowledge to strengthen our MGV program. We are obligated to share knowledge with others. Bob asked us to fill out a Specialty Topics form by circling our skills areas and topics of interest. This information will be compiled and shared with committee chairpersons to get help for programs and events. Bob also told us the Executive Team met and discussed ways to increase the presence and publicity in Columbiana County. We will also have new and continuing opportunities in the Youngstown area.
Marilyn informed us of 2 groups who need speakers. The 1st is on March 9th and the presentation requested is on houseplants. The 2nd is on April 13th and the presentation requested is on drying flowers for decorations. For presentations, the presenter should have at least one fact sheet and source for the information. We cannot charge a set fee for any outside speaking engagements, but can accept donations for the OSU MGV program if the sponsor chooses to do so. The donation check will go directly to the extension office.
Bob indicated that the MGVs should go into breakout sessions for this evening’s discussion.
We were to separate and go participate in our choice of Education, Community Service and participation in the Spring Conference. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Secretary – Kathy Kosta