MGV Meeting Minutes for September 08, 2022

The September MGV meeting was held at the Smucker House in Salem on September 8, 2022. Bob Eister opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. Bob led the Master Gardener Volunteers in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Master Gardener Volunteers members who had birthdays in September were recognized and the MGVs sang “Happy Birthday” to everyone.

Bob told us recently a few of our members became infected with COVID and reminded us of the COVID precautions need to take. Masks are available for MGVs to wear if they choose to wear one and we should socially distance. As some additional precautions, Bob told us would abbreviate our meeting and hold the meeting outside on the porch of the Smucker House.
Bob also thanked the MGVs for the work done to establish and maintain the gardens of Smucker House.

Committee Reports

Bring One Take One – Bob reported we had good weather and a great public turnout for the BOTO event. He thanked everyone involved who coordinated and participated in the BOTO event to make it run so smoothly. Pinky Steffen told us the BOTO event made $1,031 from plant and craft sales.

Canfield Fair – Bob thanked the MGVs for their efforts to plan, set up, work in the booths and do the tear down for these events. As an example, everyone showed up, cooperated well together and the tear down went very quickly of our Fair booth. Marilyn McKinley also recognized the MGVs who worked at the Columbiana County Fair. Bob said they were also recognized by him at the August meeting.

Education – Garden Arts is going well. If anyone has items to use for the birdseed wreath, they can take them to the OSU extension office.

Veterans – Chester Kaschak said the log cabin was prepared for the Canfield Fair. Al Leonhart had planted mums at the log cabin before the fair.

Administrative Report- Kristen Eisenhauer was not able to attend the meeting and told Bob earlier to thank the MGVs for the BOTO and Canfield Fair coordination. She appreciated all the helpful efforts of our members.
Kristen also told Bob the MGVs’ shirt order has been delayed.

Planning
Bob told the MGVs to think about needs for future workshops. Bob asked us if we were comfortable with the use of PowerPoint for presentations. He would like us to review our already prepared presentations (canned presentations) that use PowerPoint and make a list of subjects that other MGVs could use to do presentations. For those who are interested we may do some “how to create with PowerPoint” presentation workshops.
Marilyn McKinley mentioned that she has done presentations for garden clubs and they are sometimes held in an area that PowerPoint couldn’t be used. Sometimes a projector is not provided.
Pinky stated that the OSU has a projector that she has borrowed previously for her presentations. Pinky mentioned maybe we need education on how to solve glitches when using the equipment because that’s when we sometimes have problems.
Bob mentioned he would like to see us work to make our MGV meetings shorter. We need to stay on topic. Shorter is better for the winter months and it’s going to start getting dark earlier. Some of our members have commented they do not like to drive in the dark.

State Conference – The State Conference is in Beachwood on October 7 and 8. Stephanie said she registered for the conference. Marilyn said she and Pam are going to the conference on Saturday.

Special Note – Carolyn Caldwell thanked the MGVs for the work they did on the gardens at the Smucker House.

Bob told us after the meeting concludes, Marge Greenisen will take us on a tour of the gardens at Smucker House.

Bob adjourned the meeting at 6:45 pm.
Submitted by Kathy Costa, Co-Secretary