March, 2012 - Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Committee Reports
Outreach
Tanys reported that Arbor Day is on schedule and she has a lot of new master gardeners
coordinating these events this year, including Jane Denmark who is coordinating Arbor Day with
Bay Minette; this is a new venue this year.
Tuesdays with Master Gardeners’ education classes are on schedule.
Activities Updates
Tanys asked if Gene could put the names of the education class participants and the
seminar participants into a form on the web site for mass mailings. He will set up a Goggle
account for this use.
Laurie asked if there was some way to put a number of the ANR’s onto the computer so that
folks would not have to pull up the Auburn Web site every time we would want to look at an ANR
at an Outreach activity.
Other Items
1. Peggy Loefstedt received a call from the Fairhope Garden Club asking if they could borrow our
laptop and projector for a presentation. Our policies do not allow this unless it is a Master
Gardener doing the presentation on a “garden” talk. Bill will follow up with the Fairhope Garden
Club.
2. Frieda and Jane met and came up with some recommendations regarding lifetime
memberships for those who are over 90 years old. Their thoughts were that we could give a
lifetime membership to members who are over either 85 or 90 who have been a member for over
20 years. Sam found a clause in our Policies and Procedures where we decided not to have life
members. However, we do have Interns, Honorary members and Associate members. We could
either amend our policies or ask the Board of Directors to waive dues.
3. Frieda Romanchuk has met with all her committee heads regarding the 2014 Convention, and
she will have a meeting with the whole group tomorrow. Frieda is also working out a budget for this
convention with Jane Wright, and they are considering offering tickets to the public for our
afternoon speaker session. She is basing our attendance at the convention at 275 people. Frieda
will send her plan for the speakers to the State for approval, and then bring it back to the Board for
their approval. She does not expect our club to have any other expenses.
4. Joe Harrell will continue as our Historian, and Pat Greer will keep his books in good order at the
Help Line Office.
5. Barbara Comstock apologized for formatting errors in the January and February Grass Roots
newsletters. She needs a new PC and/or software and found that she can get Publisher for $8 that
includes software assurance. She could either use one of the computers at the Help Line Office,
or use the old laptop. Gene Sellier feels the old laptop is more than capable for her use. It was
suggested Barbara and Gene work together to select the best software option.
6. Gordon Cooper and Gene Sellier are still cleaning up the clubs website. Sherry will send
information to Gene concerning the Master Gardener project list.
7. Laurie sent around a draft of the new sheet for the recruiting requirements. The schedule for
turning in the application and payment will be held fast. She will bring this up at the next general
meeting, and Pat will throw out all the old application forms.
8. Selena Vaughn feels all plants being sold at the Plant Sale should come from professional
sources. The Board concurs with Selena regarding supplies, and we will back her 100%.
9. Nancy Gaines reported that one function of the Finance Committee is to audit the books. Jim
Gaines has completed this audit and submitted his document for the files. He has also prepared
and filed the tax return. Therefore, these two obligations are complete.
The next Board Meeting will be held Thursday, March 1 st at the Foley Library. Today’s
meeting closed at 1:15 PM.