Minutes

April 21, 2018 Minutes

Hollenback Community Garden Meeting
Minutes
Introductions: (see sign-in sheet) of committee leaders and all members.  There was lots of excitement today of past and new members.
Membership requirements reviewed. Dues. 3 Meetings. 3 Workdays. 4 Open Hours. There are also different levels of membership. 2 people can act as one member. Only one member per household. Dues $10-50 per year (sliding scale). Join as a member between March 15-May 31.
Members get a key. Quorum is needed to vote on spendings of $250 plus.   Just a majority is needed for spending under $250.

 

There are lots of ways to get in your time in addition to the standard requirements. For example, attend a BQLT meeting and report back to HCG meeting.

 

For now, untiling banking gets sorted out, dues should be paid in cash or via pay-pal.

 

Plots need to be planted by June 15.  Use them or lose them.

 

Signing-off on bylaws by all in attendance
HIstory of HCG and NYC/Brooklyn Community Gardens:  Connection to Green Thumb and BQLT for support and assistance with managing/insurance/water

 

Saturday, May 5 HCG will be hosting the BQLT meeting

 

Events:
Review of season’s schedule:  Plant Sale next week – volunteers needed.  Baked goods are encouraged to be donated. They bring in another revenue source.  

 

Events committee will send a survey about possible events and event updates.  Baked goods always welcome.

 

Members can propose and lead educational talks.  

 

We are aiming for full-open hours on the weekends. Thursday’s 5-7 (spring) and 6-8 (summer) Friday’s 4-6.  Additional hours will be write-in the binder.

 

Communal Herb Garden in the works – more info to come

 

Water Committee:  Communal plots always need watering.  Do not drink the captured water, it is only for watering the garden.  BQLT will hopefully be fixing the spigot and turned on by the end of the month.

 

Garden Work Days

 

Operations:  Review and of day’s work:  compost toilet, replacing wood in beds, clean up wood stacks, clean back shed, bench rehab, general weeding, overall cleanup, composting.  Plots assigned today.

 

There will be a list of things To Do posted

 

BQLT update

 

Compost:  Pay attention to plastic bags and non-compostable materials to be place in the garbage and the brown bins. Brown bins are collected for composting by the city.  Ensure HBC has clean, easy compost (no dairy, meat, thorns, avocado/peach pits, etc).

 

Beautiful day for a workday!  
AGENDA

Introductions
  • Welcome to the Hollenback Garden 2018 Season! What’s your name and how long have you been here, or why did you join?
  • Membership requirements are: Dues/ 3 Meetings/ 3 Workdays/ 4 Open Hours
  • Alisha gives brief history of Hollenback Community Garden, and our relationship to BQLT & Greenthumb


Schedule
  • Sat., April 28: Plant Sale in front of garden, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Garden. Rain date 4/29 (Let Alisha know if you can help).
  • Wed., May 16: Garden Meeting, 6:30-8 p.m. at Clinton Hill Public Library
  • Sat., May 19: Garden Meeting & Workday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Garden
  • Sat., June 9: Garden Meeting & Workday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Garden

   

Operations Committee Update
  • Early season goals include: Fixing and teaking the compost toilet, fixing doors of backyard shed, replacing old wood on garden beds, installing bat house, trellis for the grapevine.
  • Clean out the back shed, store all tools in Knack box, take inventory of supplies, and clear off table to use for seedlings.
  • Benches:  Sand, oil, and reassemble  (4+ ppl).
  • Plots: We ID’d several that need repair (3-4 ppl). Go through lumber piles to consolidate wood we’re keeping, stack the to-be-trashed lumber for removal (including stuff by fence; relocate tall table).
  • Clear out compost toilet and get rid of old stuff.
  • Help Jane clean off potting table, and line w/ reclaimed marble panels.
  • General cleanup! Weeds, trash, broken pots, etc. plus pruning; we’ll make a list of remaining tasks for people to do during Open Hours.
  • Make a shopping list of what supplies we still need. (Peter)

Membership Committee
  • Membership will summarize bylaws and circulate sheet to be signed, indicating that you agree to abide by Hollenback Garden regulations.
  • New Open Hours proposed: Fri 4-6; Sat/Sun 10-4; discuss, and Shana will have an official sign made for us.
  • New members get to choose their plot, in the order they picked numbers at March’s plottery. Plots that say ‘OPEN’ are available. Paint signs in May.
  • Any plots not planted by June 15 may be offered to any eligible members without plots, or for apprentices to share. If you need to take a one-year sabbatical, please contact with Membership. Keep the garden beautiful by maintaining your plots throughout the season.


Treasurer
  • Pay your dues on a sliding scale ($10-50, cash or PayPal), to Robert Moskal by June 15th.
  • The current balance of our account is approximately $3,200.
Events Committee Update
  • We will continue with educational talks before workdays; if you’re interested in learning about something or sharing your knowledge, ask Clara or Vicky
  • Fundraising Ideas: Plant Sale, Sidewalk Sale at Workdays, DIY Workshops


Other Business
  • New York City Brown Compost Bins and what to put in them
    • We have a lot of these now! Please use for compost, and discourage accumulating used plastic bags within bags around the compost area  They don’t get reused, and they do grow mosquitos. (Ew.)
  • Greening Together at Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Winnie’s going on 4/26 for Seed and Bulb Trade/Giveaway
  • Water Committee duties: Keep the buckets full, and put dunk rings in them.
  • BQLT Updates:
    • Hollenback will be hosting the next BQLT Operations Meeting on Saturday, May 5 at 10am. All gardeners are welcome—excellent opportunity to represent Hollenback & meet members from other gardens.
    • WATER: Aiming to turn water on by end of the month, but no set date yet. Use the caterpillar (rainwater collection system) for the time being. We’ll try to get water spigot/key fixed.
    • EARTH DAY: Open gardens on Earth Day, Sunday April 22— BQLT would like the garden gates to stay open for visitors, if possible.
    • Fees for BQLT member gardens have increased from $50 to $100/year, starting Jan. 2019. We’ll help them this year by paying $100.
    • Encourage all members to attend BQLT meetings and events (including May 5 at Hollenback!), meet representatives from other gardens, sign up for workshops, visit other gardens in the community.
    • List of other BQLT gardens: Alisha will place in the compost toilet
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