From Pam

[Dave Leeman]

Dave, Please post this for me on the Google Group. Pam

I would like to start out with a thank you to everyone that
participated in the
Garden Club meeting this past Wednesday evening.

Everyone took part with voicing there viewpoints, which I found
interesting.
We would veer off the main discussion point occasionally, but it
seemed
fitting, as each discussion point seemed to be interconnected with
another
point not yet thought of for discussion, or one that was dissuced that
was
never thought to be linked with the current one.

It was a lot of information to go home with and ponder over.

My, and I do stress …. My, thoughts are currently running along the
lines
of structuring the Club itself as itself with the idea that our
Garden Plots
will be here sooner rather than later. Allow ourselves a bit more
than
concentrating on rule making for the Garden Plots (we do have quite a
few main
points covered.). Structure the Club rules one meeting, possibly . The
next
talk about who might we be interested in coming to talk about “The
Growing Seasons”, “ Organic Fertilizers, which are best in Florida,
which are best for which plants”, and so forth. Another meeting could
be
for anticipating the needs within the Harmony Organic Garden, and its
relationship to Harmony the town and to Harmonies’ CDD.

I hope everyone went away from the meeting with more ideas for the
future than
what they came in with.

I know I would like to hear from you. I will admit I never would have
by
myself seen so many different approaches to a single subject.

And last, should you like to comment on how totally crazy MY thoughts
above
are, please think of a kind way to say it. I’m finding that I can
agree
with a different view than my own first view, easily.

Thanks again, Pam LeMenager

[Beth Maxim]

Hi all,

Here are the minutes from Wednesday's meeting.

 

HARMONY ORGANIC COMMUNITY GARDEN MEETING MINUTES

October 8, 2008

 

 

All decisions and votes taken tonight are provisional. If you disagree with any of the postings below or wish to vote on an item, please respond by October 30^th. If there are no objections, we will vote to carry over all notes below at the beginning of the next meeting.

 

Meeting Attendees:

Lisa Littler

Kerul Kassel (+ proxy)

Dave Leeman

George Schiro

Pamela LeMenager

Margaret Odden

Glen Boisseau Becker

Beth Maxim

Joan Boisseau Becker

Nancy Snyder

Lisa Lewis

Madison Amy Lewis

 

Beth read a brief of the minutes from last meeting (Sept 28^th)

Items ratified from this meeting are:

·        The soil will be tested in multiple locations

·        The word “Organic” will remain in our title

·        A lottery will be held for any plot that more than one member wants

 

Lisa Lewis read a report for John regarding Soil Testing:

 

“Contacted Osceola County Extension Services and was connected with Jessica, coordinator or Community Gardens, working under the University of Florida. Either I, as a representative of Harmony Community Garden Group or another assigned individual is to appear at her office, at which time she will give instructions how to properly obtain soil samples in containers that will be provided. The containers shall be returned to Jessica and the test results will be determined. The test is to be completed at no charge to our Community Garden Group.” 

 

Yaee!

 

Lisa Lewis reported that in order to receive grants we would need to incorporate. Lisa spoke through the steps and costs on this process, which would cost at a minimum $750. There was discussion between the attendees on whether this would be worth it or not, our chances of getting a grant, the restrictions a grant could bind us to, etc.

Glen proposed partnering with the CDD to see if we could fall under their company for the purposes of the grant (and checking account).

·         Dave will speak to Greg about this, so it may be brought up at the next CDD meeting.

 

If anyone has specific grant questions or would like more details on the process described above, please contact Lisa via our online discussion group.

 

Glen presented his idea for an alternative voting structure. Glen’s concerns are (1) multiple votes going to those with multiple plots and (2) confusion determining what category (administrative or operational) a vote should fall into.

 

His proposal included keeping each membership at $20 and having a $10 per-plot fee. Each paid membership deserves a single vote, regardless of the vote type or how many plots that membership holds.

 

Attendees voted on Glen’s proposed structure of 1 Membership fee = 1vote (regardless of what is being voted for).

Yes: 9                        NO: 3

Results: Provisionally Passed*

 

*All others wishing to vote should notify the group via the online forum by October 30.

 

Attendees discussed the pros and cons of a plot fee vs. just a membership fee. George proposed no plot fee (to encourage people to take on more plots since we have so much available space). Nancy is concerned that a membership fee alone will not cover costs, especially water. A question to be addressed later (once we know where the land will be and if the CDD will cover water costs or not) is: will those people with multiple plots be required to pay the same as those with only one plot? This is not fair to those with fewer plots.

 

Attendees decided to table the discussion on Committee Rules for another meeting.

 

After discussion, we understand that we will NOT need to incorporate in order to attain a checking account for the group.

 

Attendees voted on the whether the treasurer should decide how the money is handled (ie: they decide if they want to checking account, accept cash only, etc.)

Yes: 1                        No: 2              Abstained: 8

 

All others wishing to vote should notify the group via the online forum by October 30.

 

The next meeting will be posted for a Doodle vote. Options are: Sunday, Nov 2 at 4:30 p.m., Nov 3 at 7 p.m. or Nov 5 at 7 p.m.

 

Pam, Kerul, Lisa, Glen, Joan and Nancy have requested Beth cast their votes for Sunday, Nov 2.

 

 

###

 

[Geo]

Thank you for posting these minutes Beth.

Could you please let us know who's proxy Kerul was voting as?

On Oct 13, 12:26 am, "Beth Maxim" <bma...@cfl.rr.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Here are the minutes from Wednesday's meeting.
>
> HARMONY ORGANIC COMMUNITY GARDEN MEETING MINUTES
>
> October 8, 2008
>
> All decisions and votes taken tonight are provisional. If you disagree with
> any of the postings below or wish to vote on an item, please respond by
> October 30th. If there are no objections, we will vote to carry over all
> notes below at the beginning of the next meeting.
>
> Meeting Attendees:
>
> Lisa Littler
>
> Kerul Kassel (+ proxy)
>
> Dave Leeman
>
> George Schiro
>
> Pamela LeMenager
>
> Margaret Odden
>
> Glen Boisseau Becker
>
> Beth Maxim
>
> Joan Boisseau Becker
>
> Nancy Snyder
>
> Lisa Lewis
>
> Madison Amy Lewis
>
> Beth read a brief of the minutes from last meeting (Sept 28th)
>
> Items ratified from this meeting are:
>

> *        The soil will be tested in multiple locations
>
> *        The word "Organic" will remain in our title
>
> *        A lottery will be held for any plot that more than one member wants

>
> Lisa Lewis read a report for John regarding Soil Testing:
>
> "Contacted Osceola County Extension Services and was connected with Jessica,
> coordinator or Community Gardens, working under the University of Florida.
> Either I, as a representative of Harmony Community Garden Group or another
> assigned individual is to appear at her office, at which time she will give
> instructions how to properly obtain soil samples in containers that will be
> provided. The containers shall be returned to Jessica and the test results
> will be determined. The test is to be completed at no charge to our
> Community Garden Group."  
>
> Yaee!
>
> Lisa Lewis reported that in order to receive grants we would need to
> incorporate. Lisa spoke through the steps and costs on this process, which
> would cost at a minimum $750. There was discussion between the attendees on
> whether this would be worth it or not, our chances of getting a grant, the
> restrictions a grant could bind us to, etc.
>
> Glen proposed partnering with the CDD to see if we could fall under their
> company for the purposes of the grant (and checking account).
>

> *         Dave will speak to Greg about this, so it may be brought up at the

[Geo]

I guess Beth doesn't fell comfortable answering this question.

For the record, could you please let us know on whose behalf you were
voting during the last meeting Kerul?

[Kerul Kassel]

Don Garwood gave me his proxy for that meeting as he was away. It was
mentioned at the meeting.

Would you please support how you came up with the notion that Beth doesn't
feel comfortable answering the question, rather than some other possibility
for her not having yet responded?

[Geo]

Thank you for your feedback Kerul. Perhaps Beth is busy.

I missed this in the meeting. That's why it is important that proxies
be in the meeting minutes, just like who attended the meeting. I am
sure we can all agree on that.

I hope we can keep in mind the point of all this. We are just getting
started on something new in Harmony, something not run by Bob Evans
(ie. the developer). It's important that we set precedents now that
can be carried forward independent of any one of us.

IMHO, making the process of managing the new community garden open,
transparent and accountable in every detail will go a long way to
building confidence for future prospective members and for the Harmony
community at large.

I know this may be a turn-off for some, but no doubt most of us
understand that just like any new business venture, non-profit or
otherwise, having everything written down up-front in a detailed plan
is crucial for the long-term health of any new organization.

Keeping an accurate record of how decisions were made is just a part
of that process.