Minutes from the December 6, 2004 Meeting

President Susan R called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.

As there were no addition or correction to the November minutes, Betty S made a motion to accept the minutes as printed, seconded by Joanne F. Motion passed.

Treasurer's Report

Total net worth as of today is $7,219.63
This consists of the following accounts:

Activity since the last report on November 1 was as follows:

Net decrease of $388:
Income of $2:

Expenses of $390:

Year-to-Date vs. Budget:
Income: Gross Plant Sale revenue $1,751 above Plan ($5,601 vs. $3,850).
Expenses: $239 over Plan.  Plant sale split higher due to higher revenue, but Community Benefit expenses $296 below (Share the Bounty and Habitat for Humanity not entirely used this year). Plant sale costs are $170 over Plan, due primarily to purchase of calculators, new plastic to cover tables, and storage containers to store supplies.  Speaker fees are $229 below Plan and Meeting Supplies are $125 less.

Year-to-Date vs. Last Year:
Income: Slightly below ($370) due to plant sale income $262 less than last year and lower interest on savings and CD.  Expenses: Higher than last year by $947 due to Miscellaneous (2 large smokestack bricks purchased) and higher plant sale costs (primarily purchase of calculators, new plastic to cover tables, and storage containers to store supplies). Also spent $200 more than last year on tree maintenance, and $150 more for Community Benefit/Schools & Education for the landscape design at The Academy, and $301 more on Library Donations. Lower year-to-date by $120 on speaker fees. Paid $204 less on the plant sale split.

Nancy S asked if it is legally a good idea to carry over large sums of money from year to year as a non-profit. Mae W will investigate this question.

Mary L, who works for a non-profit, said that it is good 2-3 years of budgeted expenses from year to year. Margaret S stated that budget cycles run from May to May.

Old Business

Thank you to Officers and Board Members
President Susan R gave a thank you to the 2004 Officers including Susan G, Kim K, Mae W, Ursula P, Nancy S, Judy J and Ron Z.

2005 Election of Officers
Nancy S, on behalf of the nominating committee presented the following slate of officers:

Nancy S asked for nominations from the floor. A motion to close the nominations was made by Ursula P, seconded by Deb B. Motion passed.

A motion to accept the slate of officers as nominated was made by Ursula P, seconded by Betty S. Motion passed.

Thank You to Master Gardeners
Susan R thanked Masters Gardeners on behalf of the River Falls Garden Club who helped with the various pathways in River Falls. Those thanked included: Bonnie L who helped with the Memorial Brick Pathway; Ted A and Sam G, who helped with the White Pathway; Nancy H, who helped with Heritage Park; and Yvonne K-P, LeAnn H, Margaret A and Herbert F, who helped with Hospital Hill at the Ingram Center.

New Business
No new business

Announcements
There in not a meeting in January 2005

There is a Board Meeting on Saturday, January 15 at 4pm at the River Falls Public Library.

Eric F from the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust is working to create rain gardens in the community. Two rain gardens are planned for St. Bridgette's. There are other areas in River Falls that could benefit from rain gardens. The south-west corner of St. Bridgette's has a drain that flows directly into the Kinnickinnic. A rain garden would use the water rather than draining water into the river. This is a possible funding opportunity for the River Falls Garden Club.

Plant Sale will probably be the third weekend in May. Check for details in the February newsletter.

Nancy S noted that there is a huge amount of buckthorn up above Greenwood Park. Who is responsible for this area? A member stated that the City of River Falls and the Boy Scouts work to control buckthorn in this area.

Nancy S announced that she has a friend who is selling property with a large number of plants and is looking for a good home for the plants. A member asked if the plants could be used in the RFCG plant sale or for other projects in the community. This will be discussed at a later date.

Margaret S stated that Eric F of the Kinnickinnic Land Trust would like to see River Falls schools work together and each have a rain garden.

Mae W asked if the 2005 Budget needed to be approved. It was decided to discuss the budget at the January 15 Board Meeting and then to present the budget at the February 2005 meeting.

Nancy S made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Deb B. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned.