Monthly Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order by President Richard Boland at 9:05. There were 36 in attendance plus visiting MG's from Bladen County. Thanks to Barbara McCoy and Vicki Kay for refreshments.

The minutes of January 25 were read and received as information.

Announcements:
- Update on Maggie Hoon was offered and a welcome back to Charlie Spencer and Sue Fogle.
- Richard has contact name for Tide Water Community Society.
- Richard spoke of the poetry of Ford Balch and asked that some be published in the BCMGVA Newsletter.
- West Brunswick Home and Garden show volunteers should be attentive to their committed time slots. There should be only 3 volunteers for each time slot. Information bags will be stuffed the week of the show - March 19 so they are ready to hand out. Volunteers will be needed for this task.
- All MGVA members should sign recertification forms in Hot Line office.
- A new Social Chairman is needed. If you wish to volunteer for this position see, call or e-mail Richard.
- Bob Montgomery is leaving the area and Ash Tyler stated how much he will be missed especially by all the workers in the restitution program.

Officer Reports:
Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman, Vice president, encouraged all members to read the Newsletter concerning the State Conference.
Charlie Spencer collected dues in the absence of treasurer, Al Smith. He also stated the membership list would be purged shortly of all non dues paying members.

Committee Reports:
Grace Wrigley, librarian, has inventoried all books in the Hot Line office and they are all listed on an excel spread sheet in the computer. This list includes the location of the book as some had to be stored in the conference room. There are currently over 250 books for the MG use. If there is a green sticker on the book it means it has been inventoried. Grace found some books missing. If you have borrowed any books, please return them. If you have any books you might recommend for the library, see Grace.
Charlie Spencer, coordinator, stated there are 2 vans going to the arboretum and the pest management seminar in Raleigh on Monday, February 26. See him if you want to go or need any information.
Charlie gave the definition of Hot Line time - any time you work directly with the public such as Hot Line, conducting seminars, sales person at plant sale, presentations at county libraries - garden clubs or shows, working in the restitution program, programs offered at local schools and Life on the Farm. It was also pointed out that the 1st year of membership you must fulfill 40 volunteer hours of Hot Line time. This period runs from June to June. The next year you need to fulfill 40 volunteer hours, 20 Hot Line and 20 other (working in garden or greenhouse).
Volunteers are needed in the greenhouse to move and make plants ready for the first plant sale in April.
Marilyn Knox and Diane Gatewood will be offering “Healthy /Safe Cooking classes”. An e-mail survey will be sent as to participation for this event. This may be a 4 week course, one day a week, demonstration with a small fee. Depending upon the participation of this event, more advanced classes may be offered.
Al Hight is setting up pruning seminars in communities in Brunswick County. The date to prune in St. James has been set for Thursday, March 8 in the afternoon and in River Run on Friday, March 9 in the afternoon. Charlie will give more information if you wish to attend these seminars.
David Barkley: Hort Agent, stated Peter Hyrtle is continuing his research on ground pearl and needs the help of MG to be observers and gather information. He will give training on data collection. Let David know if you want to help.
Rain Lily project is continuing with collection of more bulbs. There are currently 3 beds at the greenhouse. The next step will be to decide where the plants are replaced once the Sunset Beach bridge project is complete.
There is a turf manual from the Crops Science department at NCSTU for sale to all members and will be available at Pro Days in Leland. BCMGVA members are invited to Pro Days, but space is limited.
David spoke of up coming advanced training classes. The plant id class will start on Tues 3/27 from 2-4:30 and will follow on a weekly basis until June. The turf grass class will begin on 3/15 at 1:00-4:30. Each class is $40 and information will be in the NL.
The distant learning class will be on Tuesday, May 8 at the BCC Leland center. David invited current MG to attend along with current students taking the MG course.
David also showed a picture of a ceramic pot which will be used as a water feature in the semi tropical plant connector garden

Special Order:
Shirley Wagoner-Eisenman made a MOTION to approve the Policies and Procedures presented to the association as is. Bill Finley seconded the motion. All agreed and the motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned following the presentation by David on grafting. Unfortunately, Dan Keir, the scheduled guest speaker was not able to attend this meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Cathie Rod, Recording Secretary