Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State
Executive Board Meeting
September 4, 2024

Held on Zoom

ATTENDANCE

Present were: President Tana Hasart, Exec VP Cathi Lamoreux, Treasurer Gilbert Plascencia, Secretary John Strong, Past President Don Enstrom, State Program Lead Jennifer Marquis, Patricia Bosh, Erin Hoover, Debbie Benbow, Kitty Lundeen-Ness, and Steve Spitzer.

OPENING

President Tana opened the meeting at 4:00 pm.

STATE LEADER REPORT

Jennifer talked about the national MG Program Coordinators conference she recently attended, along with PCs from four of our counties: King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Stevens.

She expressed very positive thoughts about the meeting. It was great to see how other states run their programs. Our “Telling Our Story” team made a presentation that was well received. She encourages all PCs in Washington to make every effort to attend future meetings of this group.

Tana asked if any other states have a list of “Priorities,” like we do. Jennifer answered that only Minnesota does.

The MS365 team is moving forward. They are taking their time to be sure that the transition will be seamless and easy for all counties. Job one is to make the user experience positive.

The Program/Foundation team’s work progresses well. Their efforts will help local counties greatly in understanding how this relationship works, and works best. Jennifer expressed sincere gratitude for our board, and the help we have provided in making this possible.

TREASURER REPORT

Showing the financial reports for August, Gilbert noted that income continues to grow nicely with the AEC registrations and sponsorships. The Money Market account totals a little over $50,000. Two of our CDs (approx. $10K each) will mature tomorrow (9/5/24). He asked for input on what to do with those funds. Options discussed included rolling the CDs into a new CD at 4.6% for six months, or investing some portion of that in our Agency Capacity Fund. It was decided that we would take $20K from the Money Market account combined with the two maturing CDs and open a new 6-month CD at WSECU.

ELECTIONS

Don said that after the new bylaws are approved at the full board meeting later tonight, he will send out a letter to all chapters with nomination details and a description of how the election will take place at the annual meeting at the AEC.

BYLAWS REVISION UPDATE

Cathi related how she plans to lead the meeting later tonight to review and hopefully approve the new revised bylaws.

ANNUAL MEETING

Tana presented her proposed agenda for the annual meeting, to be held first thing Friday morning prior to the AEC. It will include a financial report, elections, a 2025 AEC report and closing remarks.

An online survey will be sent to all board representatives to review and comment on progress toward our 2023-2024 strategic goals, and ask for recommendations for new goals to set for 2025. There was some discussion about this. Patricia suggested sorting results regionally for a better understanding of how our geography may affect ideas. It is also important to coordinate this feedback with the communications survey Steve conducted earlier this year.

The Award ceremony will follow the Annual meeting, and it is being planned as we speak. It promises to be special.

AEC 2024

To date, 498 paid registrations have been received. With instructors and sponsor registrants, our total attendance is now at about 530. Debbie predicts, based on our 2021 history, that our total paid registrations will reach at least 550.

Live Oak has completed the session recordings. Joyce continues to send out regular e-blasts and Facebook posts, encouraging registration. Work is also being done through OSPI to promote our conference with science teachers and other public school staffs. It’s notable that a number of folks from outside the state, and even from Canada are attending.

Cathi noted that there are still four session moderator positions open for AEC this year. Please check with your PC for instructions on volunteering, and encourage your local members to take part.

AEC 2025

Cathi talked about the Distributed Conference Model (DCM) that WSU Extension has used with success. It may be a good model for us to use next year. The AEC Format committee will meet again next week. Cathi assures us that the conference next year will surely be virtual… either in the same style as this year, or using a form of DCM. She announced that she will stay on in the role of conference director for 2025. She seeks someone to be her co-director who can take over for 2026.

NWFGF

Tana notes that it is important to start volunteer scheduling for the NW Flower and Garden Festival. A letter will go out to chapter presidents soon to encourage donations toward our participation, and thereby qualify volunteers. We want to get this done early so that all MGs have an opportunity to apply to work at our booth.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m, to be followed at 6:00 by our special full board meeting to consider our newly revised bylaws.