Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Albans Church, Nobleton
MINUTES
ATTENDANCE
Attending:
Kate Agosta, Tina Stone, Maria Pedersen, Barb Downey, Joan Jackman, John Arnott, Jill Gellatly, Maud Featherstone, Susan Beharriell, Jules Maule-ffinch, Kathy Ball
Absent: Michael Blair Day, Roz Elson, Jean Keane,
Sandra Kirby, Lynda Rodgers
CALL TO ORDER.
The President called the meeting to order at 09:40.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as printed. Moved to accept by Susan Beharriell., 2nd by Jill Gellatly. Carried.
TREASURER'S REPORT - Jules Maule-ffinch
No treasurer’s report was filed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS and ASSIGNMENTS
Archives - John Arnott, Barb Downey, Jules Maule-ffinch
Work is underway to collect more material, select significant photos, compile membership lists by year and make a basic inventory of the available material. With a basic understanding of the overall contents, the committee will consider options for the layout of the final product. The committee will report its progress and describe to options to the Board at the next meeting in July. At this time a decision will be made regarding the final layout.
Awards - Barb Downey, Kate Agosta and past presidents
No award’s report.
Communities In Blooms - Lynda Rodgers, Joan Jackaman
The theme this year will be Curb Appeal Recognition. Steve Pellegrini is the New Chairman. Citizens will be encouraged to join in and, once registered, will be given a small sign to display at their curbside. Applications will be available on line and the project will be publicized through the Township. Three judges in each ward will choose three gardens from their territory. On 8 August the eighteen properties will then be “judged” for the Mayor’s Award. There will be an effort to lessen the emphasis on competition and increase participation and recognition. The hanging baskets will be planted by a local nursery. However, the process of supplying soil and fertilizer will need to be monitored. Close contact and open communication with the Township will be required to ensure that all tasks are completed but none duplicated.
Flower Shows - Kathy Ball, Barb Downey
The Board decided to revert to the normal positioning of the tables and to move the refreshments into the kitchen. This will free up space for the rather crowded flower show. Jules offered to locate an old venetian blind, separate the strips and use them on the tables to designate the areas for each class. She also offered to purchase inexpensive plastic photo frames and make insert cards for all 8 decorative classes. The Board authorized the required funds from petty cash. The Board also authorized the immediate purchase of 5,000 show cards at a cost of $235.00. Moved by John, seconded by Barb.
Front Yard Competition
Given that this is now the theme for the Community in Bloom activities, this agenda item is deleted.
Fundraising - Roz Elson, Jules Maule-ffinch
The Board discussed a number of options for raising more funds. It concluded that our real purpose is the gardening aspect of the club and that we should “minimize the harassment of friends and family by not constantly trying to sell them magazines etc.”
Jules will investigate using a plant catalogue company named Florissa in the fall.
The plant sales will remain our main sources of extra funds.
Barb agreed to write thank you letters to those businesses etc who have donated prizes. She also volunteered to be the Corresponding Secretary for the Society.
Garden Tour - Maria Pedersen, Jay Harding, Blair Day
The garden tour will be on 15 July this year and will be advertised in the King Township Arts Festival brochure. Planning is well underway, seven gardens have been selected and an eighth is expected soon.
Meeting and Set-up - Tina Stone
More volunteers are needed for this recurring task. Before the April meeting Marie will call Daniel Day to arrange a “training session” for a few board members to learn how to set up and pack away the Society’s PA system.
Membership - Tina Stone, Maud Featherstone
There are presently 47 paid members. This number is expected to increase after the next meeting.
Parade
It is evident that people with suitable vehicles and the desire to decorate a “float” and participate in the parade are not approaching the Board to volunteer. The Board, therefore, decided not to participate in the parade this year. However, next year as part of the anniversary celebrations, the Board will reconsider this approach.
Phone Committee - Jill Gellatly
No report but thanks to Jill for creatinf an updated membership list.
Plant Sale - Barb Downey, Kate Agosta, Jill Gellatly, Roz Elson
The Plant Sale will be held on 21 May in the arena parking lot in Nobleton. The Committee is to decide exactly when the drop-off “window” will be and exactly when the sale will start. A large sign is to be displayed showing the public when the sale will begin. This will allow the volunteers an opportunity to organize and price the plants prior to the “crush” of the sale. Barb will request tree donations from the Ministry. A committee member (Joan J.) is to ask the Township about the provision of free seeds this year. Blair is to provide the Society Banner.
The Board discussed various methods of canvassing the membership for topics of interest for future speakers. It was decided that the committee would produce a handout asking for preferences re topics. Members shall receive a free door prize ticket on submission of their completed form.
Publicity - John Arnott
Ongoing. No report.
Show Book - Kate Agosta, Barb Downey, Mary Watson, John Arnott, Kathy Ball, Jules Maule-ffinch
The 90 show books cost $273.00 to produce this year. The President extended her thanks to all who helped produce it.
Special Projects - Lynda Rodgers, Blair Day
No report.
Volunteer Hours - Maude Featherstone
The President is to identify volunteer opportunities to the membership at the next meeting.
Website - www. altflora.com/nobleton. Kate Agosta.
Updated;
NEW BUSINESS
The Grant for $1000 has been received from OMFRA and will be used to support Society operating expenses.
The Township of King has given $75 to be used to provide flowers for the cemetery in Nobleton. A Board member (Kathy Ball?) is to contact the Township to coordinate this planting..
Nobleton Community Centre - Township Council has asked that the Centre be designated as a historical building. This process is underway, but there is much opposition amongst township staff. A concerned citizens’ committee is very active in monitoring the situation. No further action by Society members required at this time but we may need to find a new meeting space.
Trillium Invitation -The Trillium Fund will have an Open House at the library in Aurora on 25 April from 11-7 pm. Groups may make an appointment for a 15-min consultation with the staff. The phone number for making the booking is 1-800-263-2887. Roz was asked to go to get more information for us.
District 15 AGM - The Society is sending4 members(Jules, Barb, Jill, John A.) to this meeting. The Board decided to authorize the expenditure of $43.00 from last months donations in addition to the $50 for the two representatives, to subsidize their expenses and $25.00 for the required door prize. Moved by Jules. Seconded by John.
Photo Competition The details for the competition are explained in the Show Book. Ribbons will be awarded. If the Board feels that further prizes are required, then it will assess the financial situation and make a decision just prior to the competition.
2008 OHA AGM - Kate will attend an organizational meeting for the 2008 convention at Sheridan College on Sunday, April 15. Nobleton has been asked to create the cultural flower.
2008 District 15 AGM - Joan, Barb and Kate will form a committee to find a suitable venue.
NEXT BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, July 18 at 630 pm at Maria’s home, King CityChurch .