Monthly Meeting Minutes

With a quorum present, the regular meeting of the Chapter was opened by President Dan Sokoloski at 9:02 A.M. on Thursday, January 27, 2005.

Minutes of the November were approved without objection.

Schedule highlights were touched upon - Life on the Farm during the latter part of May; tree give away near the end of February; plant clinic at War-Mart.; Pruning workshop on the 7th of February; New class begins on February 15th.

Old heads of committees were reappointed.

Dan would like for meetings to "hit the road," moving from place to place throughout the county. It is desirable to have a committee made up of individuals from different areas of the county. This would allow the second part of the meeting (the teaching/special presentation part) to be the focal part which would be open to the public. It is hoped that this can be explored. Volunteers for this committee are being sought.

Treasurers Report - the year ended with a balance of $5435.98. This represents a steep Òup-slopeÓ in finances for the chapter.

Presentation of the 2005 Budget - Alan Fitzgibbon - The big change is in Member Communications which includes the addition of a Web Site which is a new item. A New Projects item was added in the amount of $3000.00. which is set aside to cover new projects as they arise during the year. A motion to accept was offered and duly seconded. The motion was discussed and unanimously accepted.

Schedule for the Year - The process. Our goal is to minimize discussion at monthly meetings. We want to have information posted on a web page. Those who desire would continue to receive information in the traditional way, altered and reduced somewhat. The web site will allow almost instantaneous dispensing and exchanging of information. The concept is a "dynamic and robust website" which will prove economical in time and money.

Webmaster Lisa Miner was introduced. Our web address is www.bcmastergardener.org. The shell is posted and ready to use. Lisa now needs input from us. All projects will have their own page. This is a work in progress but one which is exciting and forward looking. Lisa can be contacted on line at lisaminer@mac.com.

Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman - "Gardening by the Month" is still available. New Hanover County is having a plant sale January 31 through February 6.

A Note of thanks from Kathy Walters was read thanking the Chapter for her Christmas gift.

Chappy Jones pointed out that there will be a Wilmington Garden Show February 5-6 at the Coastline Convention Center. Also, Jean Beasley of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center will speak at the Museum of Coast Carolina.

Ash Tyler . 2000 plants will be received on February 7th. Help will be appreciated.

Al Powell - Restitution committee is working well. Help would be appreciated as this program grows. Note: Restitution hours count as Hot Line hours.

The business meeting adjourned at 10:17 A.M.

Following a brief break, Fred Mina conducted a helpful refresher class on fertilizer computation.

Richard Boland, Recording Secretary