Minutes of the May 2008 Meeting
June 29, 2008
Minutes of the May 12, 2008, Meeting:
Newly elected President Bob Cleveland called the meeting to order and welcomed all to the “Yankee Swap” meeting which will replace the annual “Seedling Night” this year.
Treasurer’s Report Carl Burnham reported $3333.31 currently in our account.
Old Business
Members are reminded to please add their address and e-mail address to our master list if they have not already done so by contacting Jessie Bruns.
New Business
Suzy Massey has set up a dummy website for the Society which she has based on “WordPress,” which is a blog program. Suzy gave a demonstration of the site and reported that we would need to do our own hosting and would need a separate domain name. She reported that both “Maine Orchid Society.org” and “Maine Orchid Society.com” are still available. Pictures can be added to the site, which has the capability to do a slide show, and we would be able to access it to make changes. We would need an account with GoDaddy and the e-mail address must be kept up to date at all times so that we don’t lose the domain name. Yearly cost is $17 plus $49 = $66. It was VOTED AND APPROVED TO GO WITH THIS WEBSITE.
John Mattor, who has hosted the annual June picnic at his house and lovely gardens for several years, announced that, due to prior commitments, he will not be able to do so this year. After thoughtful discussion it was VOTED that we scratch the June meeting/BBQ this year, skip the December 2008 meeting also (due to low attendance), and hold a June meeting in 2009 instead.
Bob Cleveland noted that the Society used to have “limited judging” for the show table in years past and we used to give out ribbons. He would like to start this again in the fall with possible categories of: Best Windowsill Culture, Best Under Lights Culture, Best Greenhouse Culture, etc. A discussion of the Portland Flower Show was held. We did not participate this year. It was suggested that we may want to consider having a small display booth and sales area next year. This would ensure a more visible location. The sales table would need to be staffed during the entire four day show. It was noted that the flower show site is currently for sale, but its status for next spring is uncertain at this point. If we did have a display booth, a point person from the Society would need to step forward to head it up. It was VOTED that starting in September we will look into exhibiting at the flower show in Portland next year.
Bob Cleveland reviewed the abundant and colorful show table and encouraged members to bring in those blooming plants for all to see.
The business meeting concluded and the evening’s much anticipated program began.
Carl Burnham explained the rules of the Yankee Swap and presided over a lively and fun event with each member leaving with at least one new mature seedling or blooming size plant.
Respectfully submitted, Sue Hamilton, Secretary