Administrative Board
Meeting Minutes
May 31, 2005
Present: Stacie Chun, Sandy Frost, John Swarr, John Quintero, Sheila McClelland, Kendra Johnson; (later) Fred Hempel, Jill - (Baia Nicchia)
Announcements/New Business-
1. Sheila has recruited Connie Jordan to join Admin. Board. All in favor of inviting her to join.
2. Fred/Baia Nicchia have drafted a contract between B.N. and H.C.G. All reviewed, approved for signature.
3. New Fax machine and printer needed for garden office. All approved authorizing Vern to spend up to $300 of garden money for fax, printer, and additional ink cartridge(s).
4. Chris Boynton of the Nutrition Network has purchased fava beans and seedlings from HCG and will continue to make substantial purchases. Needs invoices for all purchases made. Also interested in contracting with HCG to provide classes in exchange for considerable grant funds.
5. New truck still desperately needed to effectively sell at the Farmers’ Market and for other uses. All approved authorizing John Q. to research purchase of used truck up to $1,000. Diesel approved for potential use of vegetable fuel.
6. Kendra regrets she no longer has time to remain a committed board member, and will be leaving to begin graduate school in September. She resigns as secretary of the board.
REPORTS
1. Estrella taking hiatus from garden during summer. Challenges she faced in her position have included lack of interest/time for training for court and other volunteers to do greenhouse work or selling at market; also limited space allowed only a given number of plants to be grown, most of which have been sold, with very little left to keep the garden selling during the summer. She plans to be back in fall.
2. Fred and Jill joined meeting to discuss their lease of HCG greenhouse space in exchange for workshops, seedlings, and potential profits from marketable new varieties. Willing to maintain Eden Greenhouse and share plants to make relationship win-win. Fred and Jill to hold fall workshop (fulfilling SFF grant requirements) on the genetics of tomatoes, including a tasting.
3. Long-term challenge faced at gardens: Knowledgeable market people are essential to the presentation of HCG seedlings and produce at the farmers’ market. Current volunteers may have limited English or interest in presenting the best of HCG’s unusual seedlings, etc. Also, next year’s seedling project should start earlier and run longer, explore new markets.
4. Stacie turned in SFF grant report today. Roger Kim, the SFF liaison to HCG, has left so we would do well to get in touch with a new contact person there.
5. Other grants: Suggestion made to pursue core operations costs only from CDBG, and search for staffing/other money elsewhere. PG&E? John Q and/or Sandy will talk to Jeff Williams. Hayward Arts Council also a very good garden contact- Fernando interested in further collaboration with HCG.
6. Compost Toilets. Sheila and Ben Jordan met with the City (Glen Martinez?). All apparently went well. A letter must be drafted describing how toilet will be maintained (and by whom). Sheila and Ben to do this. East Bay Regional Parks willing to donate wheelchair-accessible but low volume toilet. Sheila will accept, with intention to build a second of greater volume for general membership use. All approve.