Mill Bay Garden Club

Annual General Meeting

June 24^th, 2014

by Cori-Lee Fisher for Janet Abbott

A lovely summer evening at the home of Mary and Bill Herring was enjoyed by all. The threatening rain moved elsewhere and the late day sunshine was most pleasant. Bill counted 44 vehicles parked on their property with a few others parked on the roadway, so a very good turnout. Garden club members enjoyed a potluck dinner of various eye-pleasing and tasty salads, casseroles, desserts….. no one came away from the gathering feeling hungry!

“Most Outrageous Hat” Contest:

There were many enthusiastic participants vying for recognition in the competition. First prize: Carmen Stanek (last year’s winner also); Second prize: Gwen Redcliffe (new member to club); Third prize: Ruby Armour.

Door Prize:

Glass birdbath from Huckleberry Garden Art, winning ticket: David Morgan

Cliff Stainsby thanked Mary and Bill Herring for hosting the evening, and presented them with two azaleas to add to their lovely garden.

7:15: AGM Call to Order

Motion made to adopt the Minutes from the June 2013 AGM (previously circulated). Moved by Jim Cawker, seconded by Ruby Armour. Passed unanimously.

President’s Report: Cliff Stainsby

Cliff expressed his appreciation for a very interesting and rewarding first year as club President. He thanked the individual members of the Club Executive for all their support:

Joy Story: Vice President

Gail McIntyre: Treasurer

Janet Abbott: Secretary

and also the General Committee Chairs for their hard work throughout the year:

Historian: Mary Gale

Newsletter: Mary Vandenberg

Library: Janice Rose

Membership: Arlene Dench

New Members/Flower&Garden Show Chair: Heather Gibbins

Raffle: Gill Seal-Jones

Plant Sale: Heather Jenkins

Kitchen: Dianne Regan

FaceBook: Pauline Dueck

Website: Kerry Davis

Ajay Oppelaar: Past President

Cliff also thanked all the club members for helping to create such an active and involved garden club and said it is that spirit that makes the job of club President so enjoyable.

Vice-President Report: Joy Story

• The six workshops given at this year’s Flower & Garden Show were quite successful

• Thank you to all those who participated in both giving, and attending, these workshops

• Also thank you to those who helped with the set-up and take-down of tents, chairs, etc. for the workshops

Treasurer’s Report: Gail McIntyre

• Gail reported that the MBGC bank balance as of June 24^th is: $3,055.41 including $990.56 brought in during the Flower & Garden Show from the MBGC plant sale.

• Gail stated this balance leaves money to share, and moved that the Club donate $400.00 to each of four charities: Providence Farm, Transition House, BC Council of Gardens, and Cowichan Valley Hospice. Seconded by Pip Woodcock, passed unanimously

• As well as the above donations, any outstanding expenses for 2014 will be paid, and the remaining funds will be applied to the budget for 2014/2015

Secretary’s Report: Janet Abbott (absent) No Report

2014 Flower & Garden Show Report:

• Heather Gibbins (Chair) was unable to attend and her report was given by Ajay Oppelaar with Monika Morgan and Cori-Lee Fisher contributing

• Committee members for the 2014 show were: Heather Gibbins (Chair), Ajay Oppelaar (Advisor/Outside Vendors), Mary-Ellen Deuling (Secretary/Outside Vendors), Janice Rose (Treasurer), Heather Jenkins (Publicity/Advertising), Monika Morgan (Chair for Silent Auction), Gill Seal-Jones (Hall Coordinator), Cori-Lee Fisher (Signs), Dianne Regan, Lorraine Little (Members at Large)

• Ajay thanked all committee members for their dedication and hard work over the past 5/6 months to once again produce a very successful event, and also thanked the club and family members who volunteered and helped out in various capacities before and during the two days of the show

• Some statistics of the show were:

  • 355 attendees (total arrived from gate fees paid; exhibitors/children/volunteers do not pay gate fees, but result in approx 30-40 more attendees on Saturday)

  • 29 exhibitors entering various flowers/vegetables/plants on Friday for judging

  • 249 exhibits in total

  • 134 (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd) prizes awarded by accredited (Master Gardener) judges

• Ajay presented the following three awards from the judging competition:

  • “Aggregate Novice Award” (first time exhibitor): Mary Heath (5 points)

  • “Aggregate Award” (for highest total points): Heather Jenkins (31 points)

  • “People’s Choice Award”:Joy Story

• Monika thanked all the members on the Silent Auction committee (Leslie Sutton, Bev Remple, Mary Heath, Mary Vandenberg, Mary Palaikis, Marion Johnston, Cori-Lee Fisher) for their hard work to make the silent auction a success once again

• Monika also expressed sincere thanks to those club members who tapped into their creative genes and donated items they produced to the Silent Auction. She encourages more of this type of participation from club members in future years, to complement the generous contributions from all the various community businesses and individuals who are outside of the garden club

• The big news is the Silent Auction raised over $3,900.00 (vs $3,100.00 last year)! Once all expenses for the entire show have been paid, a very healthy donation will be made to the Mill Bay Food Bank, and possibly the Cowichan Valley SPCA

• Cori-Lee stated that the revenue (from the Silent Auction, outside vendors, exhibitors, gate admission) totaled $5,069.00 with expenses (hall rental, advertising, prize money, tablecloth rental, etc) totaling $2,188.00 resulting in a net profit of $2,880.00. This net profit amount does not take into account the community donation which will include once again the Mill Bay Food Bank and perhaps another organization (eg., SPCA) as well. Dollar amounts to be confirmed by the Committee and presentations to the recipients will be made in the near future.

Elections:

• Process for the election of the new Executive and General Committee for the 2014/2015 year was chaired by Ajay

• The only position becoming empty is Raffle Chair, with current holder, Gill Seal-Jones possibly moving and leaving the club in the near future

• A call for volunteers to fill the raffle chair resulted in four club members: Carmel Haley, Bobbie Burns, Julie McNally, and Tracy Morris, expressing interest in the position

• Suggestion was put forth that the membership elect, as a slate, these four individuals to form a Raffle Committee rather than electing one person. This new committee will administer the raffle program together, headed up by Carmel who will attend the Executive meetings

• All present voted in favour of adopting the Raffle Committee as proposed

• All other General Committee and Executive members were willing to stand for another year and were elected by acclamation

The 2014/2015 Executive and General Committee is as follows:

Executive:

President: Cliff Stainsby

Vice-President: Joy Story

Secretary: Janet Abbott

Treasurer: Gale McIntyre

General Committee:

Newsletter: Mary Vandenberg

Membership: Arlene Dench

Library: Janice Rose

Kitchen: Dianne Regan

Plant Sales: Heather Jenkins

Raffle Committee: Carmel Haley, Bobbie Burns, Julie McNally, Tracy Morris

Facebook & Social Networking: Pauline Dueck

Website: Kerry Davis

Honorary Historian: Mary Gale

Past President: Ajay Oppelaar

Pictures were taken of the 2014/2015 Executive and General Committee for posting to the Facebook page.

There was no new business.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.