MCMGA Board Minutes for January 6th, 2026

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6:00pm via zoom

Attendees:
Cynthia Chase, Rich Becker, Valentina Chau, Jack Lazareck, Marcia McIntyre, Linda Goldser, Kim Butchereit, Jen Hazen, Susan Marcus, Angela Myatt, Lorna Schilling, John Jordan, Jennifer Nottingham, Heidi Nichols, Claudia Groth, Sarah Bennett, Carole Hardy, Hannah Hudson, Amanda Rondeau, Sharon Helms, Ellen Gehringer

Discussions:

  1. Acceptance of Board minutes from December

    • Motion to approve: Cynthia C.

    • Seconded: Linda G.

  2. Proposed changes to 2019 By-Laws:

    • Discussion

      • Changes include the following:

        • Language changes from “executive board” to “board”

        • President in conjunction with Treasurer will appoint a bookkeeper

        • Treasurer position updated from one-year position to two; annual budget approval by board rather than members

        • Chairpersons of standing committees to be nominated by president and approved by board

    • Question: Need clarity as to who is formally a board member that can vote. Carole and Cynthia will clarify.

    • Vote

      • Motion: Cynthia C.

      • Second: John J.

      • Board move to send to membership for vote: approved

  3. President Actions:

    • Appoint Temp Treasurer - Jen Hazen

    • Appoint Historian- Hannah Hudson

  4. Review Board Positions:

    • Officers:

      • Past President: Cynthia Chase (key executive)

      • President: Carole Hardy – elected 2026

      • Vice President: OPEN

      • Secretary: Sarah Bennett – elected 2026

      • Treasurer: Jen Hazen – appointed by President 2/6/26 (key executive)

      • Historian: Hannah Hudson – appointed by President 2/6/26

      • OMGA Representative: Angela Myatt – 2nd year of a 2-year term

      • OMGA Alternative Representative: Rich Becker – 2nd year of a 2-year term

    • Directors:

      • Communicate! – Susanne Cavicchi

      • Demonstration Garden – Linda Goldser

      • Educate! OPEN

      • Fundraising – John Jordan

      • Member Connect – OPEN

    • Committee Chairs:

      • Bookkeeper: Jennifer Nottingham (key executive)

      • Awards and Recognition: John Jordan

      • eNews Editor: Carole Hardy

      • Demo Garden:

        • Heidi Nichols

        • Linda Goldser

        • Carole Hardy

    • Membership:

      • Heidi Nichols

    • IE Plant Sale:

      • Carole Hardy – co-chair

      • Linda Goldser – co-chair

    • Program Education Coordinator

      • Kim Buchereit

    • Social Media Team

      • Cynthia Chase

      • Shu-Ju Wang

      • Alyse Heartwell

    • Speakers Committee:

      • Tony Barsotti/Alice Goldstein/Shu-Ju Wang

    • Technical Support:

      • Lisa Martins

      • Shannon Lambert

  5. 2026 Budget Overview

    • Jen Hazen presented the revised 2026 draft budget. There were no changes recommended. The membership is to approve the budget.

      • Vote

        • Motion: Linda

        • Second: Cynthia

        • Board move to send to membership: approved

  6. Reports from Directors:

    • Demo Garden Report: Linda Goldser: expressed need to replace the washing station canopy in the Demo Garden. She will bring back a budget request to the board. Planning for new MG class and volunteer activities has begun Carole Hardy recommends that Linda bring back a budget proposal to the board.

    • Heidi Nichols: Heidi reported that there have been 25 renewals with total dues paid of $460 and $1160 in other contributions for total revenue year to date of $1620. She will send out reminders to those who owe their dues

    • Fundraising Report: John Jordan: John noted that we increased our Bottle Drop earnings in 2025 to $2000, up from $1,500 in 2024.

    • IE Sale Report:

      • Carole noted that the planning for the IE Sale has begun. Linda has created the SignUp Genius for volunteers. A planning meeting with the leads will be held in January.

      • Rich Becker: Rich and Beven received the 2026 plant availability and price list from West Wind Nursery.. He’s begun mapping the order that is to be submitted by the end of January.

  7. 2026 Strategic Action Plan: Carole Hardy, Kim Butchereit

    • Discussion: What does the future look like for MGMA from a collaborative perspective from both MCMGA and OSU Extension Master Gardener Program. A Needs Assessment was conducted by Srijana Sreshna of community needs related to OSU Extension Services in the Portland Metro Area..

    • A request was made for the presentation to be sent to attendees of the Board meeting.

  8. Social Event: Steeplejack Event Sunday, January 25th 1-3pm: Social event and celebration for 2025 class

Next meeting January 27th 6pm

Meeting led by: Cynthia Chase & Carole Hardy
Adjourned at: Carole Hardy
Notes taken by: Valentina Chau & Sarah Bennett
Minutes approved on: 1/27/2026