Minutes for Board of Directors Meeting Lindheimer Chapter NPSOT July 8, 2025
Meeting start time: Called to order by President Sara Torres at 9:39 AM, at TPML.
In attendance: President Sara Torres, Secretary Dick Bigelow, Treasurer Sarah Mato, Director of Formal Education Craig Bruska, Director of Plant Sales Debbie Kyrouac, Past President Mickey Riviere, Facebook Coordinator Nancy DeMarco. Quorum requirement was met (6 of 6 required directors present).
Not attending: Director of Communications Marian Stasney, Membership Coordinator Bev Willmann, Field Trip Coordinator Christina Campbell, Hospitality Coordinator Charlotte Wright, Plant of the Month Coordinator Leon Dominick, Director of Community Outreach (Open).
Old Business:
None.
President’s Report: Sara Torres:
- Celebrating 25 Years! See “Wildscapes Workshop” Plan.
- Tentative date September 27th, date has been officially reserved, however it will not be confirmed until 7/28-7/31.
- We will prepare our online registration form to go live at the beginning of August using the State’s Neon platform.
- Feedback to the plan so far has been that we are trying to do too much. I propose cutting the silent auction and exhibitor booths, unless someone really wants to manage either. Also, do we have someone who wants to manage the book sale? If not, we may cut that also, or just sell books by our speakers. Schedule was discussed. Raffle was discussed, we think a free ticket to registrants will encourage greater participation.
- Volunteer needed to contact potential speakers. Ideally, we would start with Wildscaping Basics, have at least one author, and someone local talking about what to plant to attract birds and butterflies in our area. Dick volunteered to contact potential speakers.
- VOTE: Who do we want the proceeds to benefit? Ideas so far include supporting the statewide Native Seed Library Program (NSLP) that Craig is working o and/or, the Native Plant Rescue Project’s expansion into Comal County. A donation to the Friends of the Library should also be considered, as a thank you for hosting the event. Sara T. moved that we split the proceeds after expenses between the statewide Native Seed Library and the Native Plant Rescue Project’s expansion into Comal County. Dick Seconded. Passed with 5 ayes (Sara T. recused herself since she is on the board of Native Plant Rescue Project).
- Continue Board meetings at TPML at 9:30, on the second Tuesday, reserved for September to December at TPML. During construction our Board can meet in the Chamber of Commerce meeting room. Ideas for where to hold Chapter meetings if library is not available? Mammen Library? Was discussed, we do not know when of if an alternate place will be needed.
- Please turn in your Event Liability Forms.
Secretary’s Report: Dick Bigelow
- Mickey moved that the June minutes be approved, Craig seconded, unanimous approval. Mickey approved by email.
Treasurer’s report: Sarah Mato:
- Chase Checking $5,288.04 as of 7/7/25.
- Time to renew Library Friends Membership and Chamber of Commerce Membership?
- Budgeted donations to NPSOT State Programs include $300 for BBMT, $100 to I-35 Monarch Waystations, and $200 to the Fall Symposium Fund. Let’s go ahead and make the BBMT and I-35 Waystation donations and hold off on the Fall Symposium fund until closer to the event.
- We have $1,000 in donations budgeted to give out. Suggestions? One suggestion was to use it to assist in moving the TPML native plant garden. No decision made.
- Does anyone need reimbursement? No.
Director of Formal Education – Craig Bruska:
- NLCP Level 4 will be taught at the Headwaters of the Comal on Nov. 4th once construction is complete.
- Native Seed Library Program, what are the August Seed Cleaning Workdays?
- July 10th Mammen seed cleaning 2-4 PM.
- July 11th TPML seed cleaning 2-4 PM.
- July 17th Garden Ridge seed cleaning 1-3.
- August 8th TPML seed cleaning 2-4 PM.
- August 14th Mammen seed cleaning 2-4 PM.
- August 21tst Garden Ridge seed cleaning 1-3 PM.
Director of Community Outreach: Sarah Torres, acting:
- NICE Committee
- We are planning to have information tables at each of our NICE Nurseries in the Fall, Spring was just a little too busy.
- Outreach Events
- Chamber of Commerce CLACC – Here is the list of upcoming Chamber events. Would anyone like to attend with me?
- JULY – 7/22/25 SERVE & PROTECT MIXER Benefiting Comal Country Constables Pct 1 & 4 Goofy’s Event Center
- AUGUST – DATE TBD GVTC to host joint event for CLACC, Bulverde SB and Blanco Chambers
- SEPTEMBER – 9/23/25 CRRC and Hope Hospice
- OCTOBER – 10/11/25 WORD/COE to host Canyon Lake Area Chamber 26th annual BBQ Cook Off at Canyon Park.
Director of Communications: Marian Stasney:
- Email group for Chapter Communications Team, Lindheimer-comm@npsot.org. FB, Web post, and Newsletter content can now be sent to one email address and all the relevant parties will get it.
- Facebook – Nancy, any new updates? Nancy said we were up to 51 likes and 73 followers.
- Website – goal to clean up the resources page and update links.
- Communications Committee is working on the design of Wildscape Workshop Tee shirt, they hope to have preliminary design ready for the August board meeting.
- Send upcoming events to Dick to be updated on the website.
Director of Plant Sales – Debbie Kyrouac:
- Fall plant sale will be held at our Wildscapes Workshop event in September. Debbie said she is focusing on trees and shrubs.
- Does anyone need plastic pots to pot up plants for the plant sale or know of someone who does?
Past President – Mickey Rivere
Demonstration Gardens:
Chamber of Commerce demonstration garden.
- We have $268.67 left to spend on plants and $87.23 to spend on supplies.
- Our next workday is on Wednesday, July 16th at 9:00 (3rd Wednesday)
Texas Museum of Handmade Furniture – Craig Bruska
- Upcoming workdays: any updates to the time?
- Tomorrow, July 9th (2nd Wednesday) 9:00 AM
- July 24th (4th Thursday) 9:00 AM
- August 13th (2nd Wednesday) 9:00 AM
- August 28th (4th Thursday) 9:00 AM
- Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country: Mickey Riviere, 1st Thursdays at 9:30-11:00, unless otherwise noted.
Membership: Bev Willmann:
- Bev Willmann, 135 total members, 92 home chapter members and 43 affiliates.
Hospitality: Charlotte Wright:
- Do we want to spend chapter money to buy some things for September chapter anniversary raffle?
- Charlotte is researching food options for Wildscapes Workshop. Decision to be made before end of month, so we know the food options to offer on registration
Program Committee Chair: Sara Torres, acting.
- July 18th, tentative Rachel Sarlls, San Antonio Regional Urban Ecologist. Sara T. has not been able to reach Rachel and confirm, she is looking for a backup in case Rachel won’t be available.
- August 19th is Haeley Giambalvo, Chair of the Society State Committee Native Plants in Schools
- September 16th is Ashley Landry of the Native Plant Rescue Project
- October 21st tentative Cheryl Hamilton, Invasive species
- November 18th is our annual seed exchange
- December is our annual holiday party.
Field Trip Coordinator: Christina Campbell:
- Any updates?.
New Business.
None.
Adjournment:
President Sara Torres adjourned the meeting at 11:26 AM.
By Dick Bigelow, Secretary.