MINDEN & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING APRIL 1, 2014

Location: Minden Community Centre, Minden, Ontario

Chairperson: MJ Irwin
Attendance – 42

MJ called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. and welcomed all.

Master Gardener Marg Chambers spoke about Accessible Gardening – Tips and Tools. Many helpful hints were shared for those folks with physical limitations/ disabilities.

Cynthia Gilmore introduced the guest speaker, Sonia Wilson of “Berry Edible Landscapes”, Wilson’s Fresh Blueberries in Bobcaygeon. For more information contact www.wilsonsfreshblueberries.ca

Cynthia thanked the speaker and during our break enjoyed tasty refreshments.

1. The Business meeting was called t order at 2:30 p.m.
2. There were no additions to the Agenda
3. MINUTES of the March 4, 2014 General Meeting were presented by Margaret Giles. Moved by Margaret and seconded by Sandria Garry that the minutes be accepted as circulated. CARRIED
4. FINANCIAL REPORT was presented by Karen Shirley. The current Bank Balance is $1740.21. Moved by Karen and seconded by Elizabeth Carrell that the financial report be accepted as read. CARRIED

COMMITTEE & EVENTS REPORTS

5. ADVERTISING – no report
6. COMMUNITY GARDENS – Karen Shirley reported that the plants have arrived at Carey’s. She and Anne Brown met with Darren of Minden Hills township to co-ordinate the colours with the hanging baskets
7. EXCURSIONS –
8. FLOWER SHOW – We have our second judge.
9. LIBRARY – Izabel Janca – All sections of the Library are colour coded for easy location
10. PLANT SALE – Rose – Please save your pots, indoor plants are needed – May 24 at the Village Green
11. T-SHIRTS & CARDS – T-shirt order was delivered and has been handed out. Some still to be picked up. Get well wishes have been sent to Marion Stickwood and Ed Paliwoda, A Sympathy card was sent to Eileen Hughes.
12. WEBSITE –
13. MEMBERSHIP – Nancy Garbutt – We had 2 new members join today. The membership is up to 69 (with approx. 15 new members this year!) A reminder that meetings move to the evening at 7:00 p.m. – Linda Kemp reminded old and new members to keep track of volunteer hours. Bob MacBrien has the Ontario Judging & Exhibiting Standards book available for any member that plans on participating in the Flower Show $6.50 each

OHA, DISTRICT 4 & OTHER MEETINGS

4. District 4 AGM – April 5^th in Norwood. MJ Irwin, Rose Paliwoda and Anica Sabel will attend
5. District 4 Awards Celebration – June 11^th – There will be a sign up sheet at the May general meeting
6. OHA Convention – July 18 – 20 Cornwall, early bird deadline June 1^st $125. or $140.
7. District 4 Fall Seminar – October 25^th
8. District 4 Spring Get-Together – March 8^th in Peterborough, Mary Jane Irwin and Rose Paliwoda attended.

Information re: upcoming D4 AGM

• any member who has Clematis book or Grafton Youth Program Outline, please return
  bring bowl for craft activity
  return trophy we won last year
  supply Rose O. with flyers for our Flower Show to be given out at the Peterborough Garden Show
  bring our Banner and Display – it needs updating

Guest Speaker, Helen Scutt of OMAFRA, under the Agriculture & Horticultural Organizations Act:

• our legal status is a Not-for-Profit Corporation
  to maintain status – fulfill some of the 9 objectives
  keep 50+ members
  file annual returns

-Financial – A Society can have as much money in the bank as it wants (re grant)

– The amount of our GIC should be in the year end financial statement

– A Society may donate to any charity it wants but the amount is NOT an eligible expense

– We must use the report forms provided, including the Audit Certificate

Growing your membership, Cultivating Diversity

• dispel the idea that a person must be an expert gardener to join the Hort Society
  strive for diversity & inclusion eg. Male & female, all age groups, all religions & ethnic backgrounds
  BUT be aware that new members bring new ideas & CHANGE
  support new members not intimidate them
  when new members join give them a little gift eg. Seeds
  give new members some small job to make them feel part of your group

CORRESPONDENCE:

9. Omemee Hort Society – Garden Tour July 5^th
10. Environment Haliburton – April 2^nd, discuss environmental concerns – Margaret & Elizabeth will attend
11. D4 – Noxious Weed \list – milkweed removed & dog-strangling vine added
12. Fenelon Falls Society – newsletter “Backyard Buzz” – If anyone is interested in doing a Newsletter for our Society, please let us know
13. D4 – announcing Judging School for Ag & Hort members – Reply by April 30^th – see MJ if you are interested
14. Ont. Lily Society – invitation to join – see MJ

OTHER BUSINESS

5. Society Banner & Display – Izabel – needs pictures, ideas & help
6. Humber Nurseries – 30% discount coupons
7. Village Green Plan – Master Gardeners drew up the plan – the executive approved – will be implemented. We have applied for the OHA Grant to be applied to the Village Green , should hear this Saturday. There has been a meeting with the Township, they are requesting a formal written agreement for all our activities on Township property. We are still waiting to have approval for the planting of the two memorial trees ( Hancocks & Lorna Roland). The Three Sisters Garden is now half the former size at the Cultural Centre. As the Township is now sponsoring the Flower Show, we have the hall free of charge.
8. Tomato Orders – e-mail Suzie Babany directly – she will be at the June meeting
9. D4 Newsletter – Diane Westlake requesting submissions
10. Tickets are available for the Peterborough Garden Show
11. Ruth MacBrien won the Door Prize
12. Motion to Adjourn by Karen Shirley at 3:10 pm

 

PLEASE NOTE THE MAY 6^TH MEETING IS AT 7:00 PM

MINDEN COMMUNITY CENTRE