Minutes for Board of Directors Meeting Lindheimer Chapter NPSOT December 11, 2023
Meeting start time: Called to order by President Sara Torres at 5:02 PM, at TPML.
In attendance: President Sara Torres, Secretary Dick Bigelow, Director of Plant Sales Debbie Kyrouac, Hospitality Coordinator Charlotte Wright, Treasurer Sarah Mato, Director of Formal Education Craig Bruska, Director of Community Outreach Marian Henderson, Membership Coordinator Bev Willmann, Plant of the Month Coordinator Leon Dominick. Quorum requirement was met (6 directors).
Not attending: Director of Communications Bob Drake.
Secretary’s Report: Dick Bigelow
Dick said that the October 9th 2023 Board meeting minutes had “Preliminary” removed on our web site, and the November 14th minutes had been posted as “Preliminary”. Sara T. moved that the November minutes be approved, Sarah M. seconded, passed unanimously.
State NPSOT: Sara Torres:
- The Spring Symposium is March 2, 2024, is at the LBJ Wildflower Center.
- 2024 Fall Symposium – Committee met in December. If you are interested in serving on the Planning Committee, please email Jean Wilson, jeanfaces@aol.com, chair of the committee. There are a variety of roles available. The next meeting is January 11th at 2:00 over Zoom. After that, plans are to meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, if needed.
President’s Report: Sara Torres:
- Continue Board meetings at TPML at 9:30, reserved through April 2024.
- Society Biodiversity sign in German has arrived.
- I am willing to continue arranging programs for 2024, since we don’t have a President Elect. I am also willing to serve a second term as President, if needed.
- We have found a date for our next Brauntex event. March 9th (Saturday) at 1:00 pm (matinee) showing the 5 short films by Fin & Fur Productions with panelist Q&A afterwards. VOTE: to approve Lindheimer to pay the $700 Brauntex deposit to reserve the date from Chapter funds. Chapter will be reimbursed from the proceeds of the event. We expect it to go very similarly to last time, selling tickets through the Brauntex Box Office, as well as selling sponsorships and accepting door prize donations. HEB will sponsor the speakers and the movie, and it will provide a $500 gift certificate as a door prize. Debbie made a motion to approve the $700 deposit, Sarah M. seconded, passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s report: Sarah Mato:
- Checking $1,722.00 and Savings $2,088.70 as of 12/11/23.
- 2024 Budget – Was emailed and available at the meeting. The budget was discussed and a number of changes were agreed to including adding $150-$200 for a camera to do picture in picture for the Zoom part of the chapter meetings. Sara T. made a motion to approve the budget as amended, Marion seconded, passed unanimously.
Director of Communications: Bob Drake:
- Who wants to make a Post about the Christmas Party? Don’t forget to get pictures. Debbie and Marion will do this.
- Bob did a Zoom training about how to make a post on our website. The recording is available.
Membership: Bev Willmann:
Bev Willmann, 133 current members, 95 list Lindheimer as their home chapter.
Hospitality: Charlotte Wright:
- Preparing for the Christmas party!
Director of Formal Education – Craig Bruska:
- Spring Level 1 is April 27th and library has been reserved. Working on some plant substitutions for Level 1 class.
- Bev sent an email to promote December 16th Class, there is room for last minute registrations.
- Spring Propagation Class, Craig wants to do this quarterly.
Director of Community Outreach: Marian Henderson:
- NICE! Plants for 2024 have been chosen and Lorraine Fries is designing the 2024 poster.
- Sunday December 9th Outreach event at Holiday Bazaar in Startzville. Debbie, Marian H., and Sara T. attended and handed out Lindheimer Chapter wildflower seeds, accepted some donations for Mountain Laurel seeds, and told everyone about our Chapter and Native Plants. It went well.
- Upcoming Xeriscape program at Hidden Trails HOA on April 20th. Organized by Andrea Friend, we plan to have a table with at least 2 volunteers.
- Sara T. said that she talked to Mystic Shores about having a table.
Director of Plant Sales – Debbie Kyrouac:
- Debbie Kyrouac, Date for Spring plant sale, April 27th in conjunction with NLCP.
Programs: Sara Torres (acting):
- January is Jessi White from LBJ Wildflower Center.
- February is Ashley Landry from the Native Plant Rescue Project.
- March is Andy Blair, Native Plants that will Survive Summer.
- April is our annual chapter picnic.
- May is Colleen Dieter from Central Texas Seed Savers.
- June is Rufus Stephens co-author of Birds for Central Texas.
- July is Joann Hall with South Texas Growers about ornamental native grasses.
- August is possibly Ricky Linex, Society President
- September is possibly Craig Hensley, iNaturalist, September ahead of October BioBlitz for Native Plant Week
- October is possibly Dr. Shawn McCoshum, Inviting Pollinators & Other Wildlife Into your Garden
- November is our annual seed exchange.
- December will be our holiday party.
Demonstration Gardens:
Handmade Furniture Demo Garden: Craig Bruska:
- Demonstration Gardens Heritage Village – Landscaping around new Church Building
- Upcoming workdays:
- December 13 (2nd Wednesday) 10 AM – 11:30 AM
- January 10 (2nd Wednesday) 10 AM – 11:30 AM
- January 25 (4th Thursday) 10 AM – 11:30 AM
- February 14th (2nd Wednesday) 10 AM – 11:30 AM
Heritage Museum – Mickey Riviere & Peggy Haley.
Workday is the first Thursday of the month, 9:30 AM.
Sara said it is looking good and that there are a number of small plants there that could be dug up.
New Business.
None discussed.
Adjournment
President Sara Torres adjourned the meeting at 5:30 PM. By Dick Bigelow, Secretary.
