Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

September 11, 2023 Ellicottville Town Center

Members attending: Sue Blesy, Pat Kerl, Nan Miller, Gretchen Plough, Diane Smith and MJ Brown.

Absent was Steve Ward.

  • Approved agenda.
  • Call meeting to order and welcome everyone.
  • Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of August 14, 2023 meeting. A revision was made by Steve along with a spelling correction.  Gretchen moved and MJ seconded the motion to accept the minutes.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Correspondence – no report
  • Treasury: Pat reported a total income of $5837 for the 7/1/23 to 8/31/23 quarter. Expenses totaled $2499. Gretchen moved and MJ seconded to accept report.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Reports from committees/projects:
    • Herb garden:
      • Steve is donating some additional fence posts to use around dogwood collection. He will bring by October 2nd for deer fencing day.
    • Update on volunteers:
      • Volunteer luncheon menu flyer was distributed for the October 10th We are to fill out and return to Steve ASAP.  It will be catered by Villaggio’s.
      • Reminder that ice cream social is at Nan’s on September 12th at 2:00.
  • Update on Pruning Plan:
    • Plan was reviewed on T.V. screen.
  • Update on Grounds Maintenance Plan:
    • Nan is installing new bricks on Celebration walk after following up on some printing issues.
    • No new progress on the shed maintenance.
    • Discussed using a “pond shark” in the pond for cutting the cat tails.
    • Julie Tretts has almost competed mulching project
  • Membership Committee: No report
  • Education and Interpretive Signage
    • Pat reported a successful Hydrangea class.
    • Steve made a correction to the September minutes to have ECS students to be involved in choosing a tree to plant next Arbor Day at ECS not the Arboretum as originally stated in the minutes.
    • A wreath making class is scheduled for November 30th.
  • Memorial Brochure – Discussed what needs to be done to utilize the bed tax money for printing our new brochures and the estimated cost.
  • Master Gardener Report – Kelly McDonald, Executive Director, spoke of another Master Gardner class beginning in 2024. They will also have a mini Hybrid Series – Growing Garlic in western NY starting at noon to 12:30pm on Wednesday September 20 followed on September 26th -Winterizing Your Garden, Growing Herbs October 26th, and ending with National Pickle Day on November 14th.
  • Board Members
    • Nan brought it to our attention that some of the officers terms are going to expire next year and that we need to have a nominating committee in place to choose new officers for 2024. Gretchen made a motion and MJ seconded it to keep existing officers in effect until April’s yearly meeting.  The vote was unanimous.
      • Pat suggested that we have an audit and make any suggestions or changes at that time.
      • A motion was made to add two more board members to the current seven we have in place now.  Gretchen made a motion and MJ seconded it.  All voted unanimous.
  • Unfinished Business:
    • We will move forward with “Giving Tuesday”
  • New Business: No report
  • Adjournment: Motion was made by Sue and seconded by Pat. It was approved unanimously.
  • Next meeting is October 9, 2023 at 10:30.

 

Respectively submitted Diane Smith, secretary