2011-02 Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

February 8, 2010

Our meeting was held at 6:30 pm at the Extension Center. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm by President Linda Arment. There were 7 members and  2 guests present.  A motion was M/S/C to accept the members present as a quorum to make business official.  Our meeting was one week later, due to the 2011 blizzard that dumped over a foot of snow!  
SECRETARY’S REPORT:  Minutes from the previous meeting were made available to members via the website.  
TREASURER’S REPORT: The bank balance as of January 14, 2011 is $3,663.07.  If you have receipts from the Christmas dinner to be reimbursed, mail the receipts to Donna along with your mailing address. A check will be mailed to you.  The mailing address is: 5120 Willow Drive, Joplin, Mo 64801 and cell phone 417-529-0857 if any questions.
SPEAKERS:  Sean Armstrong, a local Eagle Scout candidate, presented his proposal for a retaining wall and landscaping project for the new South Street round-about in Neosho.  Good discussion followed and members volunteered to help plant when needed.  In order to fund this project, Sean must secure outside donations from the community and has already acquired several donations of materials and money toward the purchase of bricks.  In order for him to get credit, the project must be completed by May 15. A motion was M/S/C to donate $250 to Sean’s project.
Don McBride, our webmaster, presented a handout and information concerning our newly- revised website.  He demonstrated the different features and challenged everyone to become a member on Facebook.  This is a great way to get updates and it offers a centralized location for posting upcoming events.  He has done a great job! If you have any questions concerning accessing the website, please contact any officer and we’ll be glad to help.  Handouts will be available at March’s meeting also.  https://hillandhollowmg.webnode.com/
OLD BUSINESS:
2010 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: A plaque will be presented next month since so many members could not attend.  

SERVICE HOURS: 2010 was a very productive year for our Club.  We reported over 2200 hrs as compared to 1400 hrs last year.  Give yourselves a BIG pat on the back!

MEMBER LIST:  The Office has updated our member list and it’s now available.  Get your copy at the next meeting or request via e-mail at gardnerka@missouri.edu.

NEW BUSINESS:

2011 COMMITTEES: A motion was M/S/C to accept the 2010 committee chairpersons for 2011:  Morse Park, Newton Co. Library, Barker Cemetery, Newton and McDonald Co. Fairs, Fish Hatchery, McDonald County Courthouses, Annual Plant Sale, Newton County Library Exhibit, Smith Hall, and Carver-Prairie Days.   A list will be presented at the March meeting for members to sign up for participation and also some time allowed to breakup into smaller committee groups for discussion and planning.  A suggestion was made to create a Public Relations committee for the purpose of promoting our group in the surrounding communities.  Be prepared to serve and come with ideas in March!

SCHOLARSHIP: The Extension Office was contacted several weeks ago by a couple that was very interested in attending MG classes but was unable to commit financially, due to unfortunate circumstances.  A motion was M/S/C to award scholarships to them so that they would be able to pursue their dream of sharing their knowledge in schools.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

On March 12 at 10:00 there will be a three workshops: Waking Up Roses by Rosarian Ron Hoyez,  vegetable gardening basics by Jerry Christian, and fruit tree pruning by John Hobbs.  Need more information?  Follow the events tab on the website to Rose Clinic Program, check out the February edition of Thumbs Up!, or contact John at the Extension Office.

The Extension Council recently installed their 2011 officers and they want to encourage you to support them and their services.  They still offer a soil sample service that analyzes your soil in detail and gives recommendations for optimal production.  All of this for only $13.  For specific collection directions, contact either Extension Office or bring your sample by either Office during business hours.

There will be a 2011 Master Gardener core class!  It will begin on February 24 at the Newton County Extension office.  They will also be joining our meeting on March 1 for a short time to see how the Club operates.

The Hoyez’ highly recommended a magazine, “Missouri Gardener”, published by State-by-State Gardening.  Information is relevant to our area and it’s an easy read.  Six issues for only $18.  Want to know more? Check out their website. or call them at 1-888-265-3600.

In March’s meeting Steve Ortain and Drew Holt will be updating our Club on the stormwater drainage system proposed for the Crowder College campus.  It’s been a year since we’ve visited this project, so it will be good to get first-hand information.

A motion was M/S/C to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 pm.  

Submitted by:
Beth Persons
Beth Persons, Secretary