Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State
Executive Board Meeting
September 3, 2025
Held on Zoom
ATTENDANCE
Present were: President Tana Hasart, Exec VP Cathi Lamoreux, Treasurer Gilbert Plascencia, Secretary John Strong, Debbie Benbow, Erin Hoover, State Program Leader Jennifer Marquis, and guests Patty Proctor and Judie Stanton.
OPENING
President Tana opened the meeting and welcomed Patty Proctor, who has volunteered to assist MGFWS with special projects, and Judie Stanton, who has accepted the nomination to serve as Vice President.
MOA
Jennifer reported that the process for revising the MOA template is working as planned. Most counties have begun the conversation.
Demonstration garden MOAs are a bit different. Local foundations and the state program will agree on financial matters, while WSU and the land owner agreements will be separate.
The question about whether dependent chapters will require an MOA has arisen. As part of that, should we explore with those local presidents and Extension leaders the possibility of moving financial services to WSU, rather than with MGFWS as it currently is? Jennifer noted that Extension offices are undergoing some changes. Directors are moving to all program activity, with regional directors assuming administration responsibilities. Cathi will discuss these points further with Peggy Madonia (Asotin), who brought the question forward.
FINANCIAL
After presenting the August financial report, Gilbert noted that we have an expiring CD (noted as #33). Those funds should be reinvested. We also have some surplus cash in the Money Market fund.
*** After a bit of discussion, John moved and Cathi seconded a motion to renew CD #33 and add $20,000 from the Money Market fund into a new CD for 7 months at 3.6% interest. Motion carried.
AEC
Cathi reported that recordings of AEC classes is done, and there is a small amount of editing remaining. The Shared Learning Experiences are organized, and a test technical run is scheduled for September 12 with Live Oak and local technical staffs.
Registration stands at 349 as of August 27, not including five free. At this point last year the total was 488.
As of today, no one has stepped forward to lead the 2026 AEC. Without that, we may not be able to conduct the conference next year.
COMMUNICATION TEAM
Debbie said that the Communication team will not meet again until October. A topic for discussion then is how to support chapters with their local events, with statewide consistency. Also, we’d like to help local chapters with booth materials for fairs, farmer markets, expos, etc.
NOMINATIONS
Cathi noted that Peggy is leading this effort this year and is doing a great job. We are happy that Judie has agreed to step into the VP role. Appointed positions are still open. The committee will continue working to fill open spots until October 15th. If no AEC Director is found, we may need to act to cancel the 2026 AEC. The committee will resume working hard to fill spots after this year’s conference at the end of this month.
The current slate of nominated positions is: Cathi Lamoreux for President, and Judie Stanton as Vice President.
*** John moved to accept the slate as stated above and move it to the full board. Gilbert seconded. Motion passed.
PROGRAM REPORT
Jennifer announced that Green School is on track; hosts have been trained. Information session for instructors is scheduled on Zoom webinars. At this point, there are 265 registered for Green School, including both new MG trainees and public.
ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA
Tana reviewed a draft of the agenda for our annual meeting to take place at the beginning of the AEC.
Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm