3/13/24
Prepared by Gretchen Hesli (2024 RCMG Secretary)
Summary for the March RCMG Board of Directors Meeting
The RCMG Board Meeting was held on March 12, 2024 on Zoom. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2024. Board meetings are open to all volunteers.
Special Reports
Audit Committee Update
Diana Rankin, RCMG volunteer, provided a detailed report from the audit committee, which will be shared with the membership at the March meeting. All financials were in order. The committee offered a number of recommendations for consideration. Among them were purchasing accounting software to simplify the Treasurer’s job and eliminate potential errors (though there were none!). Members are reminded to use our tax-exempt status if making purchases for a project. If tax was paid, members will be asked to cover that expense.
Committee Updates
Finance Committee Update
Laura Savin has volunteered to take on the role of the newly formed Finance Committee as its chairperson. She was unanimously approved by the Board and we thank her for stepping up to fill this role!
Plant Sale Committee Update
The Board voted unanimously to forbid the sale of any and all patented plants which might be donated from members at our May sale. (This does not refer to patented plants purchased by the committee from an authorized grower.) The Plant Sale committee has been notified and more information will be shared again at next week’s member meeting.
See also Square (Credit Card) Readers below.
Education Committee Update
Planning is almost complete for all 2024 meetings, the exception being July. Please note that the March meeting will be ONLINE ONLY, due to a conflict with the room at the Roseville Skating Center.
New Member Committee Update
Karen noted that the sign-up for the Volunteer Project and Activity Fair, which will be held on March 26th, has been rather slow. Darren confirmed that a SUG will go out this Thursday. Interns in particular are encouraged to attend and learn more about all the various opportunities available in which to become involved.
Communications Committee Update
The committee continues its work on the Plant Sale publicity. Their creative poster is ready to print and will be available to hand out at the April member meeting.
Leadership Updates
Secretary Update
The February Board Minutes were approved.
Treasurer Update
Kathy presented the February Treasurer’s Reports, which were approved.
The Board approved the purchase of liability insurance which covers our members and officers, as well as the Plant Sale, Friend’s Sale, and any other RCMG activities.
Program Coordinator Update
One hundred volunteers attended the Award and Recognition Night at the Bell Museum.
Darren is meeting with Ramsey County representatives and the Yard Waste Site project coordinators next week for an ongoing conversation about our commitment to this project.
Chair and Vice-Chair Report
Vice-Chair Report
No report from Vice-Chair Kay Wimer.
Chair Report
Julie announced that the RCMG non-profit Strategic Plan will start July 1st. The State Extension has moved their strategic plan a year and we will forge ahead on our own!
Old Business
Plant Sale—Julie Bechtold
See above
Finance Committee Update—Karen Randall
See above
Square (Credit Card) Readers—Kay Wimer
In preparation for the check-out line at our May Plant Sale, the Board approved the purchase of six additional Square Readers, one for each cashier. A document has been created outlining the instructions for use, and the devices have been tested on both iPhones and Androids.
New Business
RCMG Non-Profit Official Letterhead—Stacy Sola
As we are a separate non-profit the Marketing and Communications Committee is investigating the need for our own stationery, letterhead, and possibly logo. This would be used solely to acknowledge donations to our non-profit, for which we cannot use the State Extension materials.
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RCMG Non-Profit Policies and Procedures Manual—Julie Bechtold
It was decided that our non-profit corporation needs a separate Policies and Procedures manual to cover items specific to us (which would not be included in the Program manual). Julie will follow up with several volunteers.
2024 Board Leadership: Julie Bechtold (Chair), Kay Wimer (Vice-Chair), Gretchen Hesli (Secretary), Kathy Passe, (Treasurer), Simba Blood (Education Chair), Gene Ranieri (Education Co-Chair), Karen Randall (Membership Chair), Tiffa Foster (Membership Co-Chair), Nanette Boudreau (Communication Chair), Stacy Sola (Communication Co-Chair), Darren Lochner (Program Coordinator).