Green Saves Green Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, August 14, 2023

6:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library


Present: Karl Brandspigel, Nita Coleman, Phil Donahue, Marlene Greer, Rodney Johnson, Charles Jordan, Anne Radke, Jared Tardiff, Adam White, Sheila Wrenn 


Financials

Sheila presented the July 31 financial report and the proposed 2023 budget. GSG has total assets of $32,917, $10,176 of which is held in a CD maturing in January 2024. 

New items added to the 2023 budget include $250 for student outdoor education, $500 for GSG exhibit materials, and $5,000 for the Green Saves Green Action Grants program for students, educators, and youth groups. The $250 will be used to replenish consumables in our water quality testing kits, include soil and mulch with group tree plantings, and other needs. The $500 will be used for signage, giveaways, and other items needed for GSG booth setups at various community festivals and events.

The funds for Albemarle Watershed Watch water sampling were removed from the budget because we are being reimbursed for all costs through a grant.

We did not program or plan for any spending in 2023 of the Clay Foreman or Jim Sakolosky memorial funds. Funds are still available and will move to 2024. Nita advised the parties involved with the Sakolosky Fund have informed us they are satisfied with what we have done to honor Jim and we are free to use the funds in other ways. The Foreman Fund is for wildlife habitat and pollinators. It could be used to fund an Action Grant project that meets the requirements or perhaps a seed giveaway. It does not have to be anything permanent. 

 

Comments and Suggestions

  1. For tree giveaway next year, create a survey where people can tell us how their trees are doing and send us a photo to share. Maybe scan a QR code with link to survey when they pick up a tree.

  2. Different student water quality testing kits with easier removal of tablets. Nita advised LaMotte seems to be the premiere student kit supplier but will check with another organization she knows that does student water testing and see if they have any suggestions.

  3. Adam offered to provide mulch in bulk at no cost for any group tree plantings we do next year.

  4. Phil suggested GSG swrite a grant request to the Elizabeth City Foundation in the amount of $2,500 for the GSG Action Grants program. Phil offered to write the grant. Grants will be awarded Nov. 1.


Actions Taken

The board voted unanimously to approve the 2023 budget in the amount of $13,065.

The board approved applying for a $2,500 Elizabeth City Foundation Grant.

  Next Board Meeting

No date set.