Minutes Board Meeting April 10, 2013

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Board Members Present: Henri Bensussen, Glenna Blake, Richard Cooper, Michael Greene, Sandi Janisch, Geisce Ly, Pam Rivette, Wendy Roberts, Maryellen Sheppard

Board Members Absent: Sandy Scott

Staff Present: Mary Anne Payne, Jim Bailey

I. Call to Order: President Ly called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.

            1. Motion by Greene, second by Janisch to approve the minutes of March 13 as written, passed with three abstentions.

            2. Motion by Sheppard, second by Janisch to approve the agenda.

            3. There were no guest introductions.

4. There was no correspondence.

5. There were no public comments.

6. Board check-in: Ly said the May business meeting would run from 4 to 5 p.m., at which time the Board would commence a workshop and dialogue on future goals from 5- 8 p.m. Board and guests should inform Carmen (964-4352 x 10) of their plans to attend, since dinner will be provided. Ly will send out information prior to the meeting via email.

II. Informational Items

            1. Friends of the Garden: Meredith reported that Scott’s presentation at the FOG meeting on the Garden Advisory Committee was well received. The spring bake sale is April 27; Savings Bank in Fort Bragg will again feature FOG artists July 1 to Sept. 30.    2a. Education: Roberts said the new Master Gardener class was on schedule.

2b. Finance: The financial statements were distributed, as well as the audit report, attached.

2c. Garden Advisory Committee. Payne gave a report of the latest meeting in Scott’s absence. Positive and constructive comments have been received regarding the draft policies, in collaboration with various committees and staff. Bailey met with the Conservation Committee and heard their concerns for maintaining a healthy Bishop Pine forest. Ly added that policy statements would be action items in July or August.

2d. My Garden: Greene reported on the catalogue and its function; Fort Bragg Glass has been added as a sponsor. Crafted items will be displayed on the website. Gary Johnson’s Mendo Hotel Chicken Coop will be featured in the Press-Democrat’s spread on designer coops. Money raised at the event for Veggie Garden improvements will include not only expansion of the garden for the benefit of the Food Bank, but infrastructure needs as well. Ly thanked all for their work on this event.

2e. Nominations & Elections: Roberts said about ten percent of the full Gardens membership voted; ballots to be counted.

2f. Personnel: Janisch reported on a meeting with Payne in which they received and accepted her goals for the year; a conversation is scheduled in October for a progress report. Payne distributed a list of her 2014 goals and a summary of MCBG’s accomplishments for FY 2013, attached, and discussed aspects of future fund-raising. Roberts noted that the various reports that inform the Board are important ways to show the efforts made to accomplish goals.

III. Discussion Items

1. Executive Director’s Report: Payne presented the report and an update on the Garden Café renovation.

            2. Audit: In Scott’s absence, Payne distributed the Audit report, attached. A vote to accept will be an Action item in May.

3. Committees: The Board discussed expectations and improvements for each committee and noted that active participation by every Board member is required. Some committees will need new chairs and members, and some, developed in the past to cover unmet functions due to staff shortages, could now revert to staff. Clear charges are needed for each committee. Issues and questions included: Need for personal thank-yous to major donors; annual fund drive planning; and build-up of financial reserves. Now that the Garden Advisory Committee is actively functioning, the question was raised about whether inviting a Conservation Committee member to serve on it would work better than having a separate Conservation Committee.

Meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Henrietta Bensussen, Secretary