Minutes 2018
PLANT WNY FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES - Wednesday, October 10, 2018
PLANT WNY FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
The Financial Guys Insurance Agency-
305 Spindrift Avenue, Williamsville, NY 14221
6:00 pm
Call to order was made at 6:11 pm by Teresa Buchanan, president. Teresa thanked the Financial Guys Insurance Agency for the sponsorship of our meeting. By a show of hands, it was determined we had a quorum. Phil Tripi, treasurer, gave the financial report which was included in the agenda packet.
Committee Reports:
Audit Committee – The committee met at the end of September and provided a report to the Executive Board.
Botanical Gardens - The Gardens is looking for irrigation bids. Horticultural classes are currently going on.
CNLP Awareness - The NYSNLA CNLP tour took place October 6 at Draves Arboretum. About 50 people were in attendance from all across the state. CNLP and PLANT WNY clothing and magnets are available from our region.
Trade Show & Education Day Conference - It will be the third year running Horticulture 101 and attendance was up last year. Roger Restorff thanked the sponsors who have signed on for 2019: Silver sponsors - Batavia Turf & Draves Tree Service; Room sponsors - Finger Lakes Mulch & Soil Products and Unilock; Bag sponsor - Scranton’s Thruway Builders.
Erie County Fair - Lisa Kiec-Maliszewski reported that everything turned out great even though there were a few glitches and it took them a little longer to finish up. She was appreciative for the additional help this year.
Golf Outing - The Golf Outing took place on September 14. Despite a low number of golfers, it was profitable. Kim Schichtel stated that ee are considering a different location but would like some input from those who golf.
Historian - There will be a series of work sessions to go through, sort, file, process, and order the archives. Dates/times and location will be announced in upcoming emails.
Landscape Awards - Entries are due October 29 and will be presented at the Harvest Dinner.
Membership - Phil Tripi is working on a palm card for promoting membership. The plan is to have them ready for Ed Day.
Leaf a Legacy - We were approached by Cindy Kincaide and Ed Healy of Visit Buffalo Niagara for a potential project. Garden Walk Buffalo will be celebrating 25 years and it is something we may want to get involved in.
Plantasia - We will be playing off the theme, Plantasia in Paradise, with a lot of color and tropical plants. Entertainment will be tropical themed.
Policies and Procedures - Sue Frank reported the committee is hoping to continue their work in December.
Social Media/Marketing - Beck Murray will be join this committee and will work to expand our presence with social media. We do have a Facebook account. Question was asked …how can we use social media to promote Nursery Lines?
State Reps - NYSNLA Leadership Forum, The Important Work We Do, will take place Monday, December 3. Jim Paluch is the speaker.
New Business:
Election of 2019 Board of Directors
Teresa Buchanan asked for one of the members of the Nominating Committee to make a motion to nominate the incoming secretary. Kim Schichtel made the motion to nominate Kristy Schmitt as secretary to the 2019 PLANT WNY Board of Directors. Roger Restorff seconded the motion. Nominations closed after no further nominations were received. Kim then presented the 2019 Slate of Officers as follows:
Sue Frank – President
Phil Tripi - Vice President
Jeanetta Hanlon – Treasurer
Kristy Schmitt – Secretary
Teresa Buchanan – Director
Jeanetta Hanlon cast one vote for the nomination. Roger Restorff seconded the motion.
Kim Schichtel made the motion to nominate Tara Perrin for the Audit Committee. Ed Dore seconded the motion. Nominations closed after no further nominations were received. Kim then presented the 2019 Audit Committee
Chris Zeisz (term ending 2019)
Eric Page (term ending 2020)
Tara Perrin (term ending 2021
Jeanetta Hanlon cast one vote for the nomination. Ed Dore seconded the motion.
2019 PLANT WNY Budget
Sue Frank presented the 2019 budget. Sue looked at a few cost savings measurers including downsizing the directory and has considered the accounting firm has suggestion that we do not need an audited review every year. There are 4 CDs with the Bank of Akron and it was decided, by the Board that we will start cashing them in and contributing them to the Foundation. We will possibly hold on to the last two for another year and maybe hold on indefinitely to one of them. The Board would like to suggest to the Foundation that the CD funds go into the money market account for easy access. Kim Schichtel motioned to accept the 2019 Budget. Gary Sokolowski seconded the motion. All were in favor
Kim Schichtel motioned to accept the minutes of July 18, 2018. Sally Cunningham seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Kim Schichtel motion to adjourn the meeting. Ed Dore seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at
6:57 pm
Foundation Meeting
The Foundation meeting was called to order at 6:57 pm. Dave gave a brief review of the financials. The Foundation will be meeting early January to approve their budget.
Dave McIntyre motioned for Ed Dore as incoming trustee to the Foundation. Gary Sokolowski cast one vote for Ed Dore. All were in favor.
Kim Schichtel motioned to adjourn the meeting. Sally Cunningham seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 6:59 pm.
The Financial Guys Insurance Agency gave a presentation of their services and governmental updates.
PLANT WNY THIRD ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, July 18, 2018
PLANT WNY THIRD ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Buffalo State College – 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222
7:00 pm
Call to order was made at 7:13 pm by Teresa Buchanan, president.
By a show of hands, it was determined we had a quorum.
Jeannetta Hanlon, secretary, welcomed the following new members to our association: Skyworks, LLC
Phil Tripi, treasurer, gave the financial report which was included in the agenda packet.
Committee Reports:
Arbor Day – Leaf a Legacy and Arbor Day joined together to plant 20 trees on the Kids Escaping Drugs campus. This year it was done on Arbor Day and we would like to continue with it.
Audit Committee – Will be meeting again soon to review 2017 financials. The Audit Committee makes recommendations to the Board if they find anything. Gives oversight to the situation.
Botanical Gardens – Kristin Pochopin thanked the Foundation, Dore Landscape Associates, Chestnut Ridge Nursery and Plantasia for all the donations of trees and plant material. Gardens have been very busy.
CNLP/Awareness & Promotion – Kim Schichtel reminded CNLPs to enter their credits online – this is your responsibility. We have a sign in sheet but that is just for back up. Joan Mariea canvased the group to see if they are interested in CNLP and PLANT WNY magnets. CNLP Day (all the regions) is Oct 5 at Draves Arboretum.
Ed Day/Trade Show – Maria Zampini is the keynote speaker for the Trade Show and Education Conference on Friday, February 1. CNLP Day is January 31.
Erie County Fair – Volunteers are needed for Sunday, August 5 and Monday, August 6.
Foundation – Dave McIntyre gave the financial report. Dave announced that Corey Rae Hunter will be receiving a scholarship for the fall.
Golf Outing – Friday, September 14 at the Buffalo Golf Tournament.
Harvest Dinner – Friday, November 9 at the Bijou Grille. There is a separate entrance for the banquet room.
Historian – Matt Dore is greatly in need of assistance with the historian archives. There is a lot of documents and there needs to be a way to get that information out to the membership.
Landscape Awards – Now is the time to take photos for the landscape awards program. There is a category to fit everything.
Leaf a Legacy – Jeanetta Hanlon and Ed Dore met with the Buffalo Green Fund to see if we would be interested in working with them on a future project at the Central Library downtown. The library received funding for a reading program but not for the outdoor space.
Sally Cunningham gave an update on the Front Yard Makeover contest. She heard from a resident of Crowley Avenue and they have kept up their properties and are still very appreciative. It was suggested that when doing a Leaf a Legacy project, the recipient will need to know they are to take care of it and we need a commitment before we do the project. We can educate them on how to take care of the trees or landscape and supply gator bags, etc. Sharon Webber suggested the need for a lead/point person for the project.
Nominating Committee - Nominations are being accepted for secretary.
Plantasia – 2019 theme is Plantasia in Paradise. We will be having tropical plants which allows us to open up to new plant material and colors. We would like each of the landscapers to have something in their gardens for the theme.
Policies & Procedures - The committee has not had a follow-up meeting.
State Reps – There is a ban on nitrogen in region 1 and usually what happens there, snowballs to the rest of the state. The State would like to increase membership. Our region is one of the stronger regions
Dave McIntyre motioned to accept the minutes of July 18, 2018; Elaine Sieczkarek seconded the motion. All in favor.
On behalf of the membership, Teresa thanked Steve Sypniewski for the arboretum tour and providing a place to hold the meeting. Teresa thanked Mike and Sue Frank for catering our picnic.
Sally Cunningham motion to adjourn the meeting; Ed Dore seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 8:14 pm
PLANT WNY SECOND ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
PLANT WNY SECOND ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES - Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
6:00PM
Flying Bison Brewery – 840 Seneca Street, Buffalo, NY 14210
Call to order was made at 6:21pm by Teresa Buchanan, president.
By a show of hands, it was determined we had a quorum.
Jeannetta Hanlon, secretary, welcomed the following new members to our association: Bonnie's Barefoot Gardening Service; Buffalo Horticulture; Ecoverde Organics; The Gutter People of WNY
Phil Tripi, treasurer, gave the financial report which was included in the agenda packet.
Committee Reports:
Arbor Day - Arbor Day and Leaf a Legacy will be working together. Kids Espcaping Drugs has lost 200 trees and asked for our assistance. Jeannette reached out to ReTree and the Buffalo Green Fund to assist with trees or funding and media assistance. KED will provide the volunteers to do the planting. Carolyn Stanko, NCCC, and students will lend guidance to the volunteers planting as well as Liz Bonadonna from Busy Beaver. Chestnut Ridge Nursery, Akron Tree Farm, Russell’s Tree and Shrub Farm committed to providing going to trees, shrubs, mulch and stakes. We will need tools – shovels, rakes, brooms. It is tentatively scheduled for Arbor Day Friday, April 27. KED has a partnership with Channel 2 and will do either a live shot or taping. Jeanetta also called Kathy Hochul’s office and is working on a press release.
Botanical Gardens - Kristy Schmitt stated they had best Lumagination ever. There is an opening for two full time horticulturists. Chestnut Ridge Nursery has donated a tree for their upcoming Arbor Day planting.
CNLP Awareness - There is one spot open for the CNLP booth at this time. The State CNLP tour will be in region 6 in the fall.
Ed Day/Trade Show - Was very successful for 2018. Roger Restorff stressed that members should consider sending staff to Hort 101 and Education Day. It is a valuable experience for them.
Foundation - Fund balance is over 500,000. Silent auction, held at Friday’s Education Day, proceeds are going to benefit the endowment account. Thank you to all who participated in it.
Golf Outing – Our annual outing will be held on Friday, September 14 at the Buffalo Tournament Club.
Harvest Dinner - our annual dinner will take place November 9 at the Bijou Grill, downtown Buffalo.
Historian - Dave McIntyre is passing the torch to Matt Dore. Welcome to Matt as our new Historian and many thanks to Dave. Matt has been sorting through the file boxes of historical materials that have been saved over the years and passed on to him. Matt is looking for others to be on the “historical committee.” He believes the committee should serve 5 roles: (1) Managing, storing, and protecting the archives; (2) The active collection of contemporary materials (meeting minutes, financial reports, membership directories, photographs, press releases) for archiving; (3) Curating historical materials for display at public events such as Plantasia - The history of the organization can be used in branding efforts; (4) The Historical Committee would interact and provide content for the Association’s social media; and (5) participate and facilitate the ongoing retelling (and recording) of the organization’s past.
State Reps – The State would like to tighten up the membership payment period by making make it 3 months before the company is not in good standing.
Mike Frank reported on the State’s Advocacy Committee tackling the “Call in Pay” legislation that may be passed. As an employer, you are to give two weeks notice to schedule your employees. If you put an employee on call and you don’t need them (such as it doesn’t snow or it rains) as an employer, you will still need to pay them. Mike stressed the importance of the work of the Advocacy Committee and how belonging to the NYSNA gives voice and backing to speak on our trade. Mike also stressed to read the emails that from come from NYSNLA as well as our own region. They are of no value if you don’t read them. Also, the management company, ADG, is basically our executive secretary on the state level. They manage a lot of things but we as members are the association and it is up to us to actually act on the things that ADG and the state board bring to our attention.
Policies and Procedures - The Committee met and has additional work ahead of them. They hope to meet at Plantasia but most likely be during the summer.
New Business
- Gardenscape is back and going on right now. Members should take the drive and attend.
Kim Schichtel motioned to accept the minutes of February 1, 2018; Mike Telban seconded the motion. All in favor.
Dave McIntyre motioned to adjourn the meeting; Kim Schichtel seconded the motion. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.
