November 13, 2024

President Dan Fortier began the meeting at 10:31 a.m.

Foundation/Program Minutes:

The Foundation Secretary Annette Olson requested assistance from the Program Co-Leads to summarize their reports and send them via email to this Secretary prior to Foundation/Program meetings for timely and accurate entry into the monthly Minutes.

Treasurer:

Amber Knox reported that the Fall Symposium brought in almost $5,000 dollars gross.  John Strong added $565.00 to that total on raffle income.  Amber has received bills, and reimbursements to members, many of these processed on 11/12/24.

Question on whether the annual Budget Review can be done on Zoom as in past.  “Yes.”

Amber advised that the Arboretum requested renewal of the Affiliate Group Membership at an annual cost of $200.00 to be paid in January.  This membership allows free classroom use based on availability and marketing help.

Debra Kroon motioned to approve this expenditure.  Patty Dion seconded the motion.  Approved.

Greenhouse:

Reported by Camille Smith.  

Baskets, pots, 2 heat mats that fit approximately 20 trays are in.  The GH thermostat is set at 50 degrees until plants come in.

A contractor made repairs to the greenhouses.  With the recent windstorm the greenhouses were damaged again.  The westside big greenhouse is repaired and is GOOD.  The eastside greenhouse needs replacement.

Customized license plate frames:

Patty Dion reported the cost of a single customized license plate frame is $19.00.

Suzann McFeat stated that the license plate frame advertises our MG Program and prompts inquiries from the public.

An inquiry if a license plate frame can be featured on the YV Museum Christmas tree?  Patty Dion said she would provide a license to go on the tree.

Foundation Membership Renewal:

Rick Russell advised that on the attendance sign-in sheet, current Foundation members can indicate renewal of their Foundation membership.  If an MG is not on the attendance sheet as a Foundation member, then they can get the Foundation membership form to join.

Buena Donations by YCMGs:

Suzann McFeat expressed her thanks to MGs saying that the membership was “more than generous.”   Children received four pairs of socks in their gift bags along with Halloween goodies.  The money donated allowed Suzann to buy two nice Christmas outfits for two little girls.

The Foundation portion of the meeting concluded at 10:50 a.m.

Patty Ratzlaff began the Program Meeting at 10:50 a.m.

 Reapplication:

The Advisory Team and other MGs helped in contacting Emeritus members by telephone.  Only one member could not be reached.

40 MGs out of 90 have reapplied as of this meeting date.

Patty Ratzlaff announced that Vivian Hunt is retiring from the Master Gardener Program.  Patty read Vivian’s email to the membership.

New Project:

The Arboretum through Karl Graf will conduct a Tree Data Collection Project at the Yakima Arboretum.  The purpose is to provide accessible information to the public on the Arboretum tree collection.  Karl Graf has asked for seven Master Gardeners to participate in the project that he presented to the MG Advisory Team and Patty Ratzlaff.  To date, four Master Gardeners have expressed interest in joining this team.

Those participating in this project will be able to submit hours to GivePulse.  Those hours will not count toward the 25 required hours to certify as a Master Gardener.  Certification hours must be completed in a Master Gardener venue.

The first five sessions of the Enrichment Series of classes geared toward Veteran MGs will be held at the Arboretum as per the request of the MG Advisory Team in exchange for MG Program participation on the Arboretum Tree Data Collection Project.

The Awards Banquet, the sixth in the Enrichment series, will meet at the Ahtanum Youth Park Meeting Place.  Melody Westmoreland advised that the Award Banquet scheduling conflicts with the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle.

Foundation Meeting of 02/12/25 will be held at the Arboretum.

Basic Training in Fall 2025:

Reported by Julie Hunziker.  Basic Training is geared toward the Chapters for Trainee/Interns new to the Master Gardener Program.  Veteran MGs have already received this Basic Training.  The Enrichment Classes give Veteran MGs continuing education credits.

GivePulse:

Reported by Julie Hunziker.  Yearly impacts are coming in.  Julie thanked all who are entering their years’ worth of impacts.  Julie encouraged MGs to enter as they go instead of waiting to do it all at once, making it easier to remember how to enter impacts. 

The importance of submitting impacts to GivePulse:

In 2023, we had 98 of 128 volunteers using the GivePulse system and a total of 12,824 hours entered for 2023.  To date in 2024, we currently have 101 of 134 volunteers using the system and a subtotal of 11,414 hours entered.

It really helps our program to get MG hours entered as it serves a purpose, both inside our organization as well as outside in the following ways:

1. Our information goes to the State to quantify what we are doing and helps tell the story of our county efforts.  These county totals are looked at for each county and added to State Master Gardener totals and then, added to national numbers.
2. Our local County Commissioners see this information and take into account what the County Extension is doing in our county.  Our information helps show why the County should continue to help support us.
3. It prepares us to accurately represent ourselves and answer information requested for any grants or donations that we might receive.
4. Co-leads can ask for a report for how many hours were volunteered in their team or project.
5. YCMG can do an internal program evaluation of where we spend our energies.  The Advisory Team can request a percentage of hours for each team or time volunteered for a given project.
6. Lastly, we will have an accurate view of what we do and are able to send in numbers for State Year End Reports that are representative of our Master Gardeners efforts for Yakima County.

Julie ended by again thanking MGs for using GivePulse as it is important!

Julie advised that a reporting requirement to submit impacts monthly is being considered.  Meaning if impacts are not entered monthly, the impact would not be eligible for counting.

FaceBook:

Reported by Andrea Altmayer.  FaceBook has slowed down.  Higher levels of activity are seen on the site when garden classes are in progress.

Volunteers are needed to help with FaceBook.

Debra Kroon advised on the Secret Master Gardener site.  It is private due to inappropriate public input.  It is a site for Master Gardeners only.  Debra advised that it is easy to become a member.

Concerning FaceBook, Patty Ratzlaff advised that Benton/Franklin, Kittitas, and Yakima MGs can combine to share on FaceBook helping to staff the site and facilitate information sharing.

Photo Library:

Reported by Andrea Altmayer who suggested sending our best photos and not all the photos taken of the event or subject.  Emailing or texting the photos is your choice.  Andrea categorizes the photos received.  To access the photos, click on the Master Gardener website.  Password: 98901.

Writers Guild and Speakers Bureau:

Reported by Melody Westmoreland for Carol Barany.  Melody advised that she volunteered to be Co-leader of the Writers Guild and Speakers Bureau.

Clinic:

Reported by Kim Foster. The Clinic has been busy.  A Team decision was made to bring Clinic resources to Master Gardeners through putting together boxes with information for MGs to use informing the public.  The box for the Farmer’s Market was shown as an example.

Kim Foster and Andrea Altmayer will present this resource at the upcoming Enrichment Series. 

Youth Team:

Reported by Kelly Klingman.  A presentation on Spiders was recently provided to 55 children and 35 adults.  The Youth Team will record the number of adults along with the children at their presentations.  CD cases donated by MGs are being used.  85 used at Selah Middle School for the presentation done at the school.  The Youth Team is still accepting CD cases.  The Youth Team will participate in their first STEM event on 11/14/24 at Washington Middle School with new Co-lead Jennifer Harris. 

Gini Obert reported that at Selah Middle School, the team is working with classes of 30 children.  The Garlic class had 75 – 80 students in attendance.  In conjunction with Kelly Klingman’s presentation at Selah Middle School, the Cider Making event was held with 200 children and 50 adults participating.

Farmer’s Market:

Presented by Laura Willett.  A white easel board is going to be added to the Farmer’s Market table.  Inquiries on becoming a Master Gardener are received at the Market.  Most questions are about insects and diseases.  Activity sheets do not reflect these public inquiries.

Master Gardener Program Home Garden Tour:

Lucy Stevens will be Garden Tour Co-Lead this upcoming year.  Lucy advised that help is needed on this endeavor.

As an Arboretum Board Member, Lucy thanked the MGs who are stepping up to help with the Arboretum Project that will begin soon.

Fall Symposium Recap:

John Strong announced that a brief recap would follow this meeting.

Reapplications:

Patty Ratzlaff advised that 44 people completed reapplications for the Master Gardener Program to date.

The Program portion of the meeting ended at 11:45 a.m. Enter 1 hour, 15 minutes – Program Support.