SWQV Community Garden Meeting Agenda. March 14, 2014 @ 6:30 pm

Please come with by-law sheet signed (see attached).  This will save time and move things along.

1. Pay Dues, Hand in By-law Signature page, Sign-up for water 6:30-7:00

2. Welcome to the 2016 Season (1 Min)

3. Treasurer’s Report (Suzanne – 4 Min)

4. Chairs’ Report Part 1 (Thom – 5 min)

- Water turn on

- Recap & Thank you

5. Chairs’ Report Part 2 (John – 5 min)

- Recap & Thank you

6. Proposal to move of Bee Hives – See earlier email below (John and Carolyn -15 mins)

Current options:

1. Move hives out to where the patio benches are.  These are the benches that are tucked behind the picnic tables.
2. Place the hives into an open plot, suggestion being the plot opened by Jarred and Kristy’s departure (back row. plot 63).  The hives would go towards the back of the plot, partially under solar panels.
3. Move the hives to other location(s) in the garden (e.g., near/at berry batch along main path)
4. Don’t move the hives this year and revisit issue in 2017.

7. Election of New Officers (John – 10 mins)

Chair:                               Shanna Flanagan

Vice Chair:                        Mark Raymond

Treasurer:                         Ed Mitinger

Recording Sect:                 Isabelle Buonocore

Communication Sect:         OPEN

8. New Officers introduce themselves and close out meeting (15 mins)

Previous Bee Moving Email:

Gardeners –

It appears that they have lost two hives and most likely will lose at least one more (out of four).  That is about the same loss as last winter which was very cold, compared to this year.  While it was a tough year for bees throughout PA (around 50% loss rate) this has been the third tough year for our hives.  The bee keepers think that the location of the hives does not get enough sun.  They have a few suggestions:

1. Move hives out to where the patio benches are.  These are the benches that are tucked behind the picnic tables.
2. Place the hives into an open plot, suggestion being the plot opened by Jarred and Kristy’s departure (back row. plot 63).  The hives would go towards the back of the plot, partially under solar panels.
3. Move the plots to other location(s) in the garden
4. Don’t move the hives this year and revisit issue in 2017.

The cost of not moving the hives is if current location is the issue we can expect a spotty hive success into the future.  This would mean a cost of restarting hives on semi-regular basis that could run as high as $300 a year and we would not reap any sales as we wait to see if the new hives survive for a full year.

Of course, the cost of the moving them would be an inconvenience to some or all gardeners.  If moved, we would like to do so that minimized the inconvenience to gardeners.

It is important to understand, these are not final options, nor decisions.  Other options have already surfaced since I started this email.  We have a little time and we could convene a group to develop a list of options agreeable to key stake holders, including the bee keepers, to be presented for vote in April (new hives would need to be started before May, so location(s) need to be established).

Anyone who wishes to discuss either prior to the meeting or after can call Carolyn (267-254-9627) or myself (215-850-0605).  This will be on the agenda to discuss on Monday and while I would like to take a vote on an action, it appears likely that it will be postponed until April’s meeting.

–  Southwark Queen Village Community Garden

1.      Welcome, Approval of May Meeting Minutes and Review of Tonight’s Agenda (John – 2 min)

2.      Treasurer’s Report (Suzanne – 3 min)

3.     Final discussion and vote on By-law changes (John and Shanna (20 min)

• Confirmation of a quorum & identification of person voting for plot.

4.      Chairs’ Report Part 1 (Thom – 10 min)

• Upcoming clean up – Timing & Key Tasks (Depends on which of us are leading this month’s clean-up)
• Water Report:

                      A reminder when watering please fill all barrels – two just north of gazebo have been missed more than a few times this year.

If pressure is low – try turning main value off and then back on (though not confirmed, some have reported it helps).

• Year-end comments

5.     Chair’s Report Part 2 (John – 10 min)

• Trash to curb this winter.
• Call for officers
• Year-end comments

6.      Special Reports (5 min total)

• Bees (Carolyn)
• City Harvest (Ed or Janice)
• Holiday Party (Barbara S.)

7.      Additional Topics (10 min)

• As needed…

SWQV Community Garden Meeting Agenda
September 15, 2015 @ 7:00 pm – The Garden
*** Tickets BBQ on sale at meeting. Oct 3rd @ 3pm $15/$7 for Adult/Child. Bring cash!***
1. Welcome, Approval of May Meeting Minutes and Review of Tonight’s Agenda (John – 2 min/split)

2. Treasurer’s Report (No report – Suzanne is away)

3. Chairs’ Report Part 1 (Thom – 15 min)
a. Upcoming clean up – Timing & Key Tasks (Depends on which of us are leading this month’s clean-up)
b. Water Report

3. Chairs’ Report Part 2 (John – 5 min)
a. Tree work this winter – Met with Hal Rosner at Schectner – estimate coming.
b. Holiday Party – We are set for Old Swedes on December 2nd
c. BBQ Clean-up We will have a special clean-up for Clean-up. Preferences? Friday evening the 2nd or Saturday morning?
d. Reminders – Donations to City Harvest

4. BBQ Update – Shanna (5 min)

5. By-law committee update – Shanna (5 min)

6. Special Reports (10 min)
a. Bees (Scott)
b. City Harvest (Ed or Janice)

7. Additional Topics

Southwark Garden & Renegade Theater Company – we have been approached for our garden to be the setting of pop-up play. John met with theater coordinator. See notes below – sent in separate email as well.

From Mike Durkin of Renegade Company:

The Renegade Company, known for creating site-specific performances of iconic works of art is aiming to present a one night pop-up performance event. Renegade is embarking on a three year journey exclusively presenting works outdoors to explore the relationship between nature and the body, sites include: parks, swimming holes, rivers, cemeteries, farms, and gardens. We never treat any performance location as a venue, we treat it more as a partnership where the environment contributes to the story we are telling. We have worked with churches, parks, museums, and cemeteries to use the history, environment, and culture in the work we are presenting. We will be looking to utilize 4 ingredients in the garden (TBD) and creating performance works and cocktails around them. This endeavor will be the second partnership with cocktail purveyors Spirit Forward. The first was a sold out pop-up Stories and Spirits, where we creating 4 cocktails inspired by classic novels and had readings of the novel. Spirit Forward is run by Dan Lan Hamm, head bartender at A.Bar in Rittenhouse Square. We are interested in spotlighting the garden and reimagining how we can use green spaces in the neighborhood.

From Interacting with Mike:

How many performances? One, in later spring.

How many people will there be in the garden for a performance? Between 40-60 people

What kind of use of the garden will be needed prior to the garden for rehearsal, set-up, etc.? Set up would occur two hours before the party. We would use that time for rehearsal as well. I would need to walk through the garden a couple of times just to get a sense of how to stage the show.

How might you use the garden? There would be maybe 4-5 stations. One where our mixologist would create cocktails inspired by the garden. The other stations, would be set where performances/readings would take place, again inspired by the garden, plants and gardening. The audience would walk about the garden, experience the space and performances. Taking the the uniquiness of the garden within the city.

Insurance? We use Domenick and Associates.

Port-a-John? No problem for them to get.

SWQV Community Garden Meeting Agenda
August 10, 2015 @ 7:00 pm – The Garden
Special notes:

Tickets for Oct 3rd’s BBQ on sale at meeting. $15/$7 for Adult/Child. Bring cash!

Small quantity of honey  will be on sale at meeting. $10 for our small jar (not sure of volume)

1. Welcome, Approval of May Meeting Minutes and Review of Tonight’s Agenda (John – 2 min/split)

2. Treasurer’s Report (Suzanne – 3 min)

3. Chairs’ Report Part 1 (John – 5 min)

a. Upcoming clean up – Timing & Key Tasks (Depends on which of us are leading this month’s clean-up)
b. Water Report
c. Inspection update
d. Dunks and Screens – Reminder that the dunks and screens are there for mosquito control. Dunks should be kept in barrel      and screens placed back when done taking water.
e. Reminders – Trash take out, donations to City Harvest, …
4. BBQ Update – Shanna (5 min)
5. By-law committee update – Shanna (5 min)
6. Special Reports (10 min)

a. Bees (Carolyn)
b. City Harvest (Ed or Janice)
c. Water Duty (John K)
7. Additional Topics

a. Holiday Party – We are penciled in for Weds. Dec 2nd at Old Swedes. The cost this year is $500 dollars, up from $400 last year. Discussion and consensus on cost and date. Alternatives? (John – 10 min)

SWQV Community Garden Meeting Agenda
July 13 2015 @ 7:00 pm – The Garden
1. Request for recording secretary for the meeting!
2. Welcome, Approval of May Meeting Minutes and Review of Tonight’s Agenda (John – 2 min/split)
3. Treasurer’s Report (Suzanne – 3 min)
4. Chairs’ Report Part 1 (Thom – 15 min)
a. Upcoming clean up – Timing & Key Tasks (Depends on which of us are leading this month’s clean-up)
b. Water Report
i. A reminder when watering please fill all barrels – two just north of the gazebo have been missed more than a few times this year.
ii. If pressure is low – try turning main value off and then back on (though not confirmed, some have reported it helps).
c. Inspection update

5. Chair’s Report Part 2 (John – 15 min)
a. NGT’s Community Garden Day Review
b. By-law committee
i. Has been created and has met already twice
ii. Will take results of Council’s meeting identifying change needed and if needed, add to it.
iii. August/September: Deliver to council for their approval
iv. September: Send to membership for review prior to September meeting
v. September meeting: Discussion by membership
vi. October: Any changes based on meeting will be discussed by committee and council
vii. October meeting: Vote (Up or Down) on final Draft
c. Gates and Locks
d. Fill ALL Water Barrels! Next to last row (half row north of gazebo) has been forgotten on occasion. There are two barrels in     that half row.
6. BBQ Update – Shanna (10 min)
7. Special Reports (10 min)
a. Bees (Carolyn)
b. City Harvest (Ed or Janice)
c. Water Duty (John K)
8. Additional Topics
a. As needed…

1.    Welcome, Approval of May Meeting Minutes and Review of Tonight’s Agenda (John – 2 min/split)

2.    Treasurer’s Report (Suzanne – 3 min)

3.    Chairs’ Report Part 1 (Thom – 15 min)

• Upcoming clean up – Timing & Key Tasks (Depends on which of us are leading this month’s clean-up)
• Water Report
• Row Captains update
• Inspection update

4.    Chair’s Report Part 2 (John – 15 min)

• Importance of paperwork for Garden and NGT
• NGT’s Community Garden Day June 20^th
• Garden Map

5.    Special Reports (10 min)

• Bees (Carolyn)
• City Harvest (Ed or Janice)
• Water Duty (John K)

6.    Special Topic (John and Thom – 15 min)

• Introduction of new gardeners:
• By-Laws: Council review and direction:

- Gardeners/Co-gardeners and assistants
- Plot Secession
- More…

• Next step to complete By-law update.

1.    Welcome, Approval of March April Meeting Minutes and Review of Tonight’s Agenda (John – 2 min/split)

• Upcoming Clean up – Timing & Key Tasks (Depends on which of us are leading this month’s clean-up)
• Water Report
• Row Captains Update

• Importance of paperwork for Garden and NGT
• Reminder: Dues per plot, watering sign up per plot, bylaws signed by each adult gardener, and NGT agreement signed by each gardener that works in the plot “regularly” (including minors)
• Co-gardeners should get on it if they wish to have their own plot someday.
• NGT’s Community Garden Day June 20^th – Ideas and Volunteers needed
• Garden Mavens

• Bees (Carolyn)
• City Harvest (Ed or Janice)
• Water Duty (John K)

6.    Special Topic (John and Thom – 15 min)

In reading the By-laws one will see points written that either no longer applies are not fully followed or are vague.  There is one issue in particular that gets brought up regularly: Plot Heritance.  Who, when and how?  By-laws say Council will update by-laws but a small committed group would be of great value in presenting suggested changes.  We are looking for by-law review and update team volunteers.  Delivery timeline will to be set by the team. (John)