MGV MEETING MINUTES
OCT. 13, 2022
I. Opening
President Bob Eister welcomed all and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced that at our recent state conference our Pam Baytos was selected as Master Gardener of the Year! All present acknowledge Pam with a round of applause! Congratulations to Pam for a well-deserved award.
October birthdays were recognized, and ‘Happy Birthday” was sung to them.
II. Speaker introduction
Eileen Novotny introduced our guest speaker, Sharon Letson, from CityScape. Sharon gave us a wonderful powerpoint presentation about the CityScape program and its twenty-five years of existence. Jack, a longtime volunteer of Cityscape, added information about pollinator plantings in the Youngstown area.
III. Specific Topics
a. Secretary Recording-Marie Belfast
b. Committee Reports
i. Community outreach-. Thresea Harris announced that our Christmas tree for Fellows Riverside Garden display has been paid. The cost of the tree this year is $60.00. There is not a theme this year for decorating the displayed trees. Suggestions for a theme may be given to Thresea. If you call her and leave a message, please give her your name! She will decide on a date to decorate the tree. It will be sometime between Nov.30-Dec.2 and possibly around 10:30a.m. on the day chosen. At our November monthly meeting, we will help make decorations. Christmas trees will be on display at the Gardens from Dec.3-Dec.31.
ii. Education
Bob announced that all education activities for the remainder of the year have been planned out. At our next monthly MGV meeting Eric B. will present “Gardens of France”.
Stephanie B. encouraged us to volunteer to speak at public events. She recently spoke at the monthly meeting of the Dahlia Society, and they were very grateful to her and it was a rewarding experience for Stephanie.
Marie B. read two thankyou notes received from groups that enjoyed our volunteers’ presentations. A thank you was extended to Barb and Patty for a presentation to the Ridgewood Garden Club and their gifts of plant starters. Another note was from the Damascus Garden Club thanking Marilyn M. for her presentation on hummingbirds.
iii. Veterans (Building and Wreaths
Al L. thanked committee members that helped with plantings around the Log Cabin. The mums look really beautiful.
Mike B. reminded us about the wreath ceremony coming up on Dec.3 at 10 a.m. He would like those taking part in the event to be there at 9a.m.
There will be another clean-up of the grounds around the OSU Extension office on Oct.19 from 4-7p.m.
C. Administrative Report-Eric & Kristen
i. Kristen announced those needing help with HOC Connect can attend any time on Nov.15 from 9am-7pm. She will be available to help you with entering hours in the system for HOC. You may bring your own device if you wish. Please meet in the small classroom.
Kristen reminded us that all volunteer hours are due in the system by Dec.31. Volunteer hours from November and December of 2021 will count for 2022. Beginning next year, we will be on a regular full calendar year from January to December for volunteer hours.
ii. Handbooks given out
Newly updated MGV Handbooks were distributed as we entered the meeting. If you were not present, please come into the office for your copy. Kristen pointed out some very important changes on specific pages as follows:
p.8 All Master Gardener Hour Incentives
p.10-14 MGV Leadership duties, qualifications, Committee Chairpersons Responsibilities/Guidelines, Committee Project Descriptions
p.14 Points of contact for committees and projects
The Handbook has great examples of how to log in volunteer hours using HOC. There is information on Mahoning OSUE MGV Internet Resources on p.15. We are grateful for this resource!!!
iii. Expectations of Committee Chairs & Officers
Please review responsibilities and information in the handbook as we will have nominations for upcoming elections at the November meeting. (except for President, Vice President and Secretary positions which are two-year appointments).
iv. Banquet Date
Kristen announced that the MGV banquet will take place on January 12th at our regular monthly meeting in the same facility as last year on the Canfield fairgrounds. If there is inclement weather, it will be moved to the February regular monthly meeting.
v. Apparel Pass Out & Plant give away
Ordered apparel was distributed at the end of the meeting and plant bulbs as well. Kristen showed the newly purchased aprons for the Hospitality Committee members to wear when serving. If you would like your apparel, you can stop by the office and pick it up or wait for the November meeting.
d. Business and Discussion
i. Future Workshop- Needs
ii. Classes and Computer Assistance
IV. Planning
a. Action Items-
Training power Point Slideshow Creation (share our knowledge)
Projector-Computer Troubleshooting (need training so we can help each other!)
b. Plan for shorter Winter meetings
Submitted by
Marie Belfast, Secretary