2013 Year End Report from President of the CMGA

Debi Stalvey

December 2013

January:  The year started with brainstorming for the organization.  We needed to recruit committee chairpersons and discuss fundraising ideas, as well as lay out our goals for the New Year.  We wanted to focus on raising money to support our Master Gardener Projects.  We also wanted to make our organization more visible to the community through continued calendar sales and participation in Earth Day, the Home Show, Community Market, County Fair, etc. 

February: Tammy Valdovino agreed to be the organization historian and Sherline Alexander became the chair of Community Markets. 

March:  We participated in the Home Show with a beautiful booth organized by Chairperson Kathy Singh.  We had several speakers and a great response by attendees.  At the executive meeting we picked our new logo and agreed to participate in the Arboretum’s plant sale in July.  In addition we decided to go forth with the “Regarden” fundraiser to be held in June and approved Sherry Markel’s T-shirt fundraiser.  At our general meeting we announced that we would award $1250 in grants for Master Gardener Projects. 

April:  We participated in the Earth Day celebration at City Hall by providing a table and speakers.  At our general meeting we announced the theme for the annual calendar, Flagstaff-a horticultural perspective, and asked for submissions.  A committee was established for the Regarden Sale that included, Debi Stalvey, Sheryl Houston, Kathy Deasy and Crys Wells.  (Debi Stalvey was out of town for executive meeting).   

May:  We accepted pictures for the calendar and applications for the grants.  We also started collecting items for the Regarden sale. 

June:  The executive committee worked on creating a policy for posting items on the Listserv and chose Grant Applications for awards.  On June 2^nd we had our Regarden sale which was definitely a financial success of over $900, but it was a lot of work.
July:  We participated in the Arboretum Plant Sale. 

August:  We had a table at Native Plant and Seed for First Friday Art Walk.  The executive committee finalized dates for the 2014 calendar and Debi Stalvey took over compiling the calendar.  In addition we discussed buying markers for Master Gardener Projects.  At the general meeting we asked for volunteers for the 2014 Executive Committee. 

September:  We had our annual recognition picnic on the 8^th at Fort Tuthill.  It had rained all day, but was nice and sunny for the event.  At our September executive meeting Tammy Valdovino presented her thoughts on how to archive our association records.  The board agreed with her recommendations and outlined the budget.  We also discussed our annual Holiday party and decided to have it at the Shepherd of the Hills church as we have grown so much to have at someone’s home. 

October:  The executive committee agreed to give our 2014 calendar to our County Supervisors, City Council members.  We also agreed to change the price to $10 each or 3 for $25. 

November:  The executive committee approved the document “Riordan Action Network” as a means of continuing our association with Riordan as a Master Gardener Project.  Charlotte Dodgson was given the go ahead to order signage for current and previous grant sponsored Master Gardener Projects.  Calendars were made available at the general meeting.  Finally officers for the 2014 executive committee were nominated and voted on. 

December:  We participated in the NAU bazaar selling several calendars while continuing our effort to be a more visible organization.  The executive committee met with the president elect, Hunter Kemmet and secretary elect Sherline Alexander.  The time and place for next year’s meeting were agreed on.  We discussed planning for the Home Show for March.  To end, we had our Holiday party on December 12^th with a very good turn out and lots of fun. 

Final Notes:

I am very proud of where the Coconino Master Gardener Association has come in the two years since I have been president and three and a half years since inception.  I believe we have met our mission of providing support for volunteers and Master Gardener graduates, continuing education* and opportunities to participate in community programs that increase the visibility and participation in the Master Gardener Program.  We grew to 94 members by the end of 2013.  We were very successful with fundraising through calendar sales, the Regarden Sale and membership.  We are solvent and are easily able to maintain our $1000 base for operating expenses.  I want to thank you all for this opportunity; I have really enjoyed my time as president. 

* Throughout the year we provided 10 wonderful speakers who provided continuing education on varying gardening topics.

See the side bar for CMGA other annual reports for 2013.