Mill Bay Garden Club
Mill Bay Garden Club
Annual General Meeting
June 24th, 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 24th 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 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) 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.
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