South Carolina Gourd Society January 28, 2012
Executive Board Meeting Ghost Creek Gourd Farm
Laurens, SC
Welcome and call to order: President Dickie Martin opened the executive board meeting with prayer. Executive Board members present- Dickie Martin-President, Terri Humphries- Vice President, Debbie Wilson- Secretary, Linda Kincaid- Treasurer and Membership chair, Kristie Hull-Cypress Patch, Peggy Ash-Palmetto Patch and Festival Class Chair, Linda Martin- festival registrar
Minutes from the previous board meeting were read and approved
Treasurer’s Report: Linda reported that we have $ 4,796.57 at present time. Current except for misc. expenditures- (stamps).
Approved and passed. There will be an audit this year of books before next board mtg. as per the constitution bylaws.
Membership Chair: Linda K. reported what she had learned while corresponding with GA, FL, Ala. and NC. Georgia was really helpful with ideas for getting word out about membership and patches. Some of the ideas that she shared were to contact ETV-free radio and TV ads, electric coops, give handouts at Cherokee about Patches, Local free newspapers, SC Agricultural paper.
There were 81 people on list that she had, have culled that down to active membership and we now have 50 people at present time.
Discussion: If people signed up for classes at festival and joined SC Gourd Society at same time they would receive 10% off classes. We will prorate memberships starting Feb.1 through June 1. At that time (June 1) we will charge $1.00 per month for membership for those that join after June. Seconded and approved.
Linda K. also brought up how Georgia has 2 people from their society that go around the state and teach and demonstrate. This helps their membership and serves as an education tool. Discussed among board members and it was decided that if this is what someone would like to do they need to bring their proposal before the board for approval, funds for gas and expenses. Publicity of this proposal needs to be put on website for members.
Newsletter/Website Report: Marianne was not in attendance; however these items were discussed under this category
Corrections for website editor are as follows: Secretary/Treasurer needs to be separated. Membership/Treasurer need to go together.
Publicity for “touring teachers, demonstration” as outlined above
Discussion on whether we need both newsletter and website, discussion will be deferred till Marianne is attendance.
Marianne does need write ups on patch news, individuals, and pictures for newsletter.
We had in place a plan from previous Exex. Board mtg to have patches take turns for a spotlight in the newsletter. Secretary, Debbie Wilson will now remind patches when their “turn” is coming up.
A motion was made to include the minutes into the website. Motion was seconded and passed in approval. Swap and Sell space on website was discussed, motion made, seconded and passed into approval
Old Business-
State Fair 2011- it was decided that we have a simple “make and take it” or a “try It” at the demonstration booth next year with audience attendees , with help from teacher/demonstrators.
Motion made to do this was seconded and approved.
Update on 2012 Ghost Creek Gourd Festival-
Peggy will get an evaluation form on classes and instructors emailed to board for approval prior to festival use.
Goody bags will have a competition on which patch can make the best unique contribution to the bags. All patches are supposed to support and give to goody bags. Reggie Eakins and wife will be asked to judge the “goody bag completion” the patch that wins will receive for each member an Ikea large shopping bag. These are ideal to haul around all your gourd stuff. Motion was made and passed. Registration: already begun, classes are filling
Food: John Wilson will need updates as we get nearer to time.
Signs: Kristie Hull already has these done
Groups on Touring Trips: Linda will call area senior action and other recreation groups to invite, letter needs to include date of event and they will need to bring their own chairs, they will need to be a mobile population group.
Fundraising Tent: Linda will look in storage to look for tickets
Sales Tent for SCGS-Kristie will ask members from her patch to help. They have 1 tent. Sales tent is for people to buy supplies, and finished gourds. All items are gourd related. If you sell in booth the fee is 10% of sales netted.
Kiddie Tent: Kristie H. will get supplies , Linda Martin will inventory what we already have on hand.
Make and Take area: Debbie will do morning session, it was decided to do wild women pins again. Need an afternoon person
Publicity /Postcards: everyone took postcards to pass out around the state. More publicity will be done.
Competition: Ribbons gave approval of option one, Flat Ribbons. Suggestion made to make certificate also to go with ribbon. Debbie W. and Peggy A. will take care of the certificates.
Nominating committee for April elections is Kristie Hull, Linda Martin and Peggy Ash.
Offices up for reelection are Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and Historian. Election will take place at SC Ghost Creek Gourd Day.
Closing business
Next Executive Board Meeting is Aug.11, 2012. Next SC gourd meeting is April 28th
No patch reports at this meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Wilson