PLANT WNY ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – 7 pm
Lakeside Sod – 6660 Goodrich Road, Clarence Center, NY 14032
Our meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Phil Tripi, president. Phil and our membership thanked Lakeside Sod for hosting our meeting and providing a tour.
New for this meeting, agendas with financial statements were emailed to attendees. The sign-in sheet was not circulated and since members were asked to RSVP for this, there is a record of attendees based on that list and will be used as proof of attendance.
By a show of hands, it was determined we had a quorum.
Steve Sypniewski, secretary, welcomed our new members: The Guy Next Door Landscaping and Pro-Cut Property Services.
Kristy Schmitt, treasurer, gave the financial report. Kristy noted that changes were made to the Foundation’s profit and loss statement to make it easier to follow.
Committee Reports:
Audit Committee – The audit will be scheduled soon.
Botanical Gardens – Like many other not-for-profits, 2020 has not been good for the Botanical Gardens. There are many ways in which our members can support the Gardens including a raffle and online classes. Ticketing is time-ticketed for visiting the gardens. Thursday night has food trucks.
CNLP/Awareness & Promotion – By a show of hands, people did express interest in attending a CNLP tour. Kim will look into options.
ED Day/Trade Show – As of right now the committee is planning an Education Day however, they are looking into a hybrid version which would include an online option. If need be, we may do a virtual one. CNLP and DEC credits would be available. There are many factors to consider such as attendee limits and is it financially feasible to hold with event with all the constraints. A concern was raised as to a problem with online ticket purchase in that one ticket purchase can allow for a crew to watch the classes as well. Landscape Ontario would be a good organization to contact as they have been doing online events for a while.
It was suggested to survey past attendees and exhibitors on whether they would attend.
Foundation – Investments were down drastically at the start of the pandemic and has slowly been recovering.
Golf Outing – The outing is planned for September 18 at a new location, Chestnut Creek Hill in Darien Center.
Harvest Dinner – Due to past experience with our Harvest Dinner being held in tighter spaces with several people to a table, it is looking like November is not a good fit for the dinner. Phil was thinking of a combination October membership meeting with the Harvest Dinner. He has been in contact was a facility that would allow for space and at the same time provide a wonderful dinner. A short business meeting would need to take place which would include elections and 2021 budget. Landscape Awards could possibly be presented.
Historian – The committee hasn’t been able to get together. Since Plantasia did not take place, the committee gave thought to what took place for income before Plantasia. Members offered memories of involvement with Buffalo Home & Garden Show, Eastern Hills Mall, Junior League Home, and Buffalo armory. Matt is looking to put together a timeline.
Landscape Awards – The program will take place with a new procedure to enter. Members were encouraged to start taking photos of their work.
Membership – Phil stressed the importance of working with social media to attract new members.
NCCC – Tom Mitchell stated that enrollment is at or very near capacity for horticulture classes. There will be both online or online combined with in-person classes. The demand for NCCC students is continual so they need to keep moving ahead.
Nominating Committee – The committee is accepting nominations for incoming 2021 secretary. Voting will happen at the October/Harvest Dinner.
Plantasia – We have the dates but we don’t know the future so things are on hold right now. Vendors and landscapers were given the option to receive a refund or put toward next year as a deposit and almost all landscapers are onboard for 2021. Plantasia’ s Show Stoppers insurance claim was denied. The membership agreed that we should seek legal advisement.
Media/Marketing – PLANT WNY’s Facebook page has almost 750 likes and almost 850 followers. Joan Mariea is hoping to feature members and CNLPs with profiles on Facebook. She would ask people what they did in their past and how it brought them to horticulture.
State Reps – Kim and Phil will be attending the State Board meeting on August 20. The NYSNLA has a new management group and is trying to get up-to-speed.
Phil Tripi made the motion to accept the minutes of March 4, 2020. Ed Dore seconded the motion.
Dave McIntrye motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ed Dore seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 8:27 pm
Minutes submitted by: Joyce Janson