PLANT WNY MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Chestnut Ridge Nursery, 532 Mill Street, Springville, NY 14141
6PM
The meeting was called to order at 6:19PM by Lou Sardo, president.
Much appreciation was given to Chestnut Ridge Nursery for being our meeting host.
Congratulations to Court of Honor recipients:
CNLP of the Year Award: Steven S. Sypniewski, Lifetime CNLP
The President’s Award: Carolyn A. Stanko, CNLP – SUNY Niagara
Ryan McMillan, vice president, in the absence of Crystal O’Hara, secretary, determined we had a quorum.
Roger Restorff, treasurer, presented the financial report. The financials were emailed to the membership prior to the meeting and included a full Plantasia report, PLANT WNY profit and loss/balance sheet as well as the Foundation profit and loss/balance sheet.
Committee Reports
CNLP Awareness and Promotion – There are already five individuals interested in taking the CNLP review courses and the exam.
Ed Day/Trade Show – The dates for 2025: February 6 and February 7. Kerry Mendez is the keynote speaker. We are looking for vendors, speakers, and sponsors of this event.
Erie County Fair – The Fair will be Aug 7 through August 18. Contact Steve Sypniewski if you can assist with set up, watering, and break down
Foundation – Matt Dore gave an update on the Foundation. The Foundation has provided financial support for Ed Day, plants for McKinley High School, funding for SUNY Niagara to attend Ed Day, and CNLP funding. Endowment account is over $500,000 and is consistently going up. Funds are allocated in January. If you know of a need for funding submit to the Foundation through Joyce. The Foundation would like to review their policies and procedures.
Golf Outing – The Golf Outing will take place October 7 at the Springville Country Club.
Historian – Matt Dore holds all the historical records. Question was asked whether we can have a presentation on the history of the Association. Suggestion was made to get those photos and documents scanned and saved.
Media Marketing – Engagement on Facebook and Instagram is up – more followers and more reels. Maria Provenzano is posting weekly member spotlights and is also promoting the Buffalo Snow & Ice Management Conference.
Membership – The 2024 Member Services Guide is available now. If you have someone interested in the membership, let us know. We have members who sponsor them for a year and then they usually renew after that. Question was asked why aren’t people joining. We need to do a better job at promoting educational opportunities. Need to restructure our meetings, streamline it. We need to give them reasons to belong. We have to do more to promote ourselves.
Nominating – Steve Sypniewski has reached out to a few people informally. Being on the executive board has been rewarding for him and he encourages members to consider joining the board.
Plantasia – The theme for 2025 is Welcome to the Jungle. We will be doing something special with Jordan’s Jungle to create a theme related display. Chris Zeisz presented checks to PLANT WNY and the Foundation. After all the invoices are paid, policies and procedures are followed to disburse the profits. Last year Plantasia donated community affairs funds to SUNY Niagara for a garden shed
State Reps – The Court of Honor will take place Wednesday, August 21 statewide conference will take place October 20 – 22 at the Albany Capital Center. It will include a trade show, speakers, CNLP refresher courses, and the CNLP exam. The Dept of Labor has an apprenticeship program and only needs two participants. 8,000 hours are required for the apprenticeship program – schooling and experience can count toward it.
Snow & Ice Management Conference – Last year was our first ever. We are growing it and this year will be a full day that will take place at Kotecki’s Grove on Thursday, August 22. Phil Tripi stated we will be following the format of the Trade Show & Education Conference. There are sponsors, exhibitors, demonstrations and speakers.
McKinley High School – McKinley High School offers a 4-year program in horticulture which even include management. The horticulture program has plant sales to fundraise. Ron Callea said they are very thankful for all the support of the Foundation and PLANT WNY. All the plant material from Plantasia is used. There is a mayor’s summer youth program and the students can help water at the Erie County Fair.
New Business
The Chestnut Ridge Conservancy will be planting 30 trees at the entrance of Chestnut Ridge Park. Roger Restorff is coordinating volunteers and could use some assistance from our membership. It will take about 4 – 5 hours of time. Members that are interested in helping to plant trees should contact Roger.
Lou Sardo asked for a motion to accept the minutes of March 6, 2024. Roger Restorff motioned to accept the minutes of March 6, 2024. The motion was seconded by Nick Fleckenstein. All were in favor.
Lou Sardo asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Neil Stern motioned to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mike Gallo. Meeting adjourned at 7:05.
Respectfully submitted by: Joyce Janson