Board Blurb: November 2025

11/12/2025

Prepared by Laurel Watt (2025 RCMG Secretary)

Summary for the November RCMG Board of Directors Meeting

The RCMG Board of Directors Meeting was held on November 11, 2025 on Zoom. In December, the Board will be at a retreat on December 13, 2025. The next regular Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Zoom. All volunteers are welcome to attend.

Committee Updates

Communications Committee Update – Nanette Boudreau

Nanette reported the following Facebook analytics for October:

• Reached: 1,595 (up 6.1%)

• Followers: 5,280

• Number of posts in October: 3

• Top viewed post: Blog Article on Bee Lawns for Beginners– 150 views

Nanette added that they are starting work on the Plant Sale publicity. For efficiency, they will reuse social media from 2025. Stacy is working on the new poster.

Nanette reminded the Board that Stacy Sola will be going on Emeritus status effective January 1, 2026. In gratitude, the Board moved to thank Stacy for her service to the Board and greatly appreciates the time she has given to marketing and communications.

Education Committee Update – Gene Ranieri & Susan Mason

The Education Team is scheduling the 2026 monthly meeting speakers and topics. The first half of 2026 has been scheduled and most of the speakers have been confirmed. The remainder of the year should be finalized soon. Among the topics being considered is DEI. The budget will be reviewed by the Team later this week and will be submitted on time.

Finance Committee Update – Laura Savin

The Finance Committee meets on Wednesday, November 12th. They will finalize the Financial Aid policy for the new Board to review and approve in January of 2026. Laura noted that the availability of funds for New Project Grants has been posted in the newsletter and on the blog.

Membership Committee Update – Tiffa Foster & Susie DeShon

Tiffa and Susie reported that there have been 30 Interns out of 66 who have completed their requirements for the MG program. 14 interns have three risk factors and aren't likely to complete the requirements.

Intern informational interviews have been completed for the 2026 class. Tiffa sent out a SUG requesting mentors for next year. There are more than 100 possible Interns for 2026, and only 17 people have signed up so far to mentor 23 Interns. They will be requesting that more people sign up at the November monthly meeting and will be sending out the SUG again. Please consider this urgent need and vital role in supporting our new 2026 interns.

Leadership Updates

Secretary Update – Laurel Watt

The October Board Minutes were approved.

Treasurer Update– Kathy Passe (Interim Treasurer)

The October Treasurer Report was approved.

Program Coordinator Update – Darren Lochner

Darren had several updates:

Program Reports

Darren is submitting RCMG project success stories for the state program’s annual report (Report 1) this week. The MG program’s annual report is shared with Extension leadership, university departments, and included in federal reporting. Project reports submitted by RCMG Project Leaders are used to develop the success stories.

2026 Applicants/Incoming Interns

2026 applicant informational interviews are complete, and Darren is now working with applicants to complete the remaining steps – the background check, the safety of minors training, and registration for the core course. A total of 109 individuals completed the informational interviews.

RCMG Name Change

The RCMG Name Change Work Group continues working on the Implementation phase.

Internal Communications

Brianna Gohde will be stepping away from creating the monthly RCMG Newsletter, but before doing so, she will assist Linda Hinderscheit in learning the ropes. Please thank both Brianna and Linda for their efforts to keep us all up to date through the publication of this lively and informative monthly missive.

Volunteer Database Update

Due to Better Impact, the new program for entering our hours, being sold to a Canadian owner, a significant price increase, and the challenges this creates, MG’s throughout the state will continue to use the existing database to log their hours. It’s here to stay, at least through 2026!

Chair and Vice-Chair Report

Vice-Chair Report – Beth Fritcher

Beth reported that seven new members have been elected to the 2026 Board:

• Maggie Maggio - Vice-Chair

• Kathy Passe - Treasurer

• Jo Sullivan - Education Committee Co-chair

• Travis Sandland - New Member Committee Co-chair

• Nanette Boudreau - Marketing Communications Chair

• Amanda Swanson - Marketing Communications Co-chair

• Julie Bechtold - Finance Committee Chair

Please thank them for their willingness to serve!

Chair Report – Kay Wimer

2026 Plant Sale

Kay asked the Board to formally approve three motions related to the 2026 Plant Sale budget that were discussed at the August retreat. These motions approve expenditures that need to be made soon.

2026 Strategic Plan

Kay announced that the Board will be reviewing the goals in the Strategic Plan that were set at the end of last year. The retreat will take place on December 13th at the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District offices.

Conversations with Extension

On Friday, November 14th, Kay Wimer and Beth Fritcher, representing the Corporation (the 501c3), will restart discussion of the relationship between the 501c3 and the Program with Extension leadership. Talks ended in June when the name change issue became the focus. Two options had been identified at that time: separating the 501c3 corporation from the program formally, or dissolving the corporation and giving all funds into the university’s financial system. These options will be discussed in detail at the retreat.

New Business

No New Business.

Old Business

No Old Business.

2025 Board Leadership: Kay Wimer (Chair), Beth Fritcher (Vice-Chair), Laurel Watt (Secretary), Kathy Passe (Treasurer), Gene Ranieri (Education Chair), Susan Mason (Education Co-Chair), Tiffa Foster (Membership Chair), Susie DeShon (Membership Co-Chair), Nanette Boudreau (Communication Chair), Stacy Sola (Communication Co-Chair), Laura Savin (Finance Chair), Darren Lochner (Program Coordinator).