Minutes of Meeting
President Jim Delahanty opened the meeting at 7: 05 PM at the VCOCC.
Board members present: Kay Abbott, Linda Banner-Bacin, Jane Delahanty, Jim Delahanty, Connie Estes, Earl Holst, Dr. Ken Kerr, Pat Moomey; Janet Sklar. Ex-officio members present: Nell August, Gianna Cagliano, Dawn-Marie Johnson and Bonnie Potts.
1. *BUDGET:
a) Updated VCRS brochure “Roses Good to Grow in Ventura County” discussed. Gianna reported that paper & printing prices would be 96 cents @ 100 lt. wt. glossy paper. Discussion followed re merits and options.
Dawn-Marie stated that the brochure is the most important form of information to the public; board concurred. Gianna requested $200.00 be allocated for the brochures. She will get more estimates and bring us several options (diff. grades of paper) next month. Jim questioned how monies could be appropriated. Discussion:
Dawn-Marie:” possibly save on the ‘Celebration of Roses’ (held elsewhere?)” Linda reminded us that we previously discussed selling calendars with photographs of member’s garden’s. Gianna added that we can pre-sell calendars on our Web via a “ shopping cart”. Gianna also said that she would underwrite the extra $100.00 from her printing budget.
b) ROSE AUCTION: JAN. 2009 Jim reminded the Board of the magnitude of work that goes into an auction before committing to it. Paul Barden has offered a rose for the naming rights. A base price would be set, ex $250. He stated that many small nurseries are closing and there would be a lack of donated roses, however VCRS members could start cuttings for an auction. He felt that it could be held in our facility on a Saturday. Janet mentioned putting the auction on our Website like (HelpMefind). More discussion followed by a vote. It was unanimously decided to hold a rose auction in 2009. Jim agreed to chair a committee to get people committed to various positions.
c) CELBRATION OF ROSES Connie suggested that we consider having the Celebration on or before Mother’s Day; perhaps combining it with a tea. Linda felt that we could combine the event with a small rose auction. Dawn-Marie suggested a combination of the Celebration with a sale of rose arrangements. She also asked if it possible to hold a rose auction other than January. Kay commented that it might encourage buyers to see the roses at a time when the roses are in bloom. Dawn-Marie suggested holding an auction in combination with the Celebration and offered to search for another venue, possibly renting the Adolfo Camarillo House. Dawn-Marie will report back to the Board on the possibilities of combing the various suggestions, including the auction.
d) NEWSLETTER: Gianna requested suggestions for newsletter style, text vs photos. It was suggested we send a survey re the content to members. Jim mentioned the need for a monthly article about organic information & tips. Lynnette Buchanan-Roth joined the discussion, suggesting having an “Organics Corner” as a regular column with tips and methods. Ken complemented Gianna’s editorial efforts.
5. MEMBERSHIP We are losing membership as is the ARS. Their numbers have gone from 33,000 to 13,000. Pat will contact Laura Pfender for a list of ARS members in our area. They could be contacted to interest them in joining our society. She asked for Board input and to be called re this matter. Earl mentioned that membership dues cover only 30 % of our funds. $3,000 more is needed to operate on a yearly basis.
Jim stated that decisions needed to be made before the next meeting will be made on-line.
MEETING ADJOURNED 7:00 pm
Respectfully submitted, Kay Abbott, secretary
*Addendum:
Budget approved on-line by Board members: Pat Moomey, Linda Banner-Bacin, Ken Kerr, Kay Abbott, Jane Delahanty.
Minutes approved on-line by Board members: Jane Delahanty, Pat Moomey, Ken Kerr and Kay Abbott. 2/12/08.