Green Saves Green Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, September 9, 2024

6:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library

 

Present: Nita Coleman, Marlene Greer, Charles Jordan, Cody Marks, Jane Snyder, Adam White

 

Pasquotank Blueways

Due to a short timeline for Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County to submit a Great Trails State Grant application, prior to today’s meeting board members approved via email and text the following actions:

  • Submit a letter of support on behalf of GSG, with all board members listed.

  • Request personal letters of support from our members and other individuals and organizations in the community. 

  • Pledge a $3,000 donation toward the local match from GSG’s fund balance.

  • Encourage our members, partners and others in the community to pledge individual donations to help cover the local match. 

  • Submit a detailed report to the city and county documenting the many hours of “in-kind” services GSG has provided as we scouted paddle trails over the past 9 months. The value of these services may help offset the match, and will show evidence of strong community support.

 

Board Members

Six board members will cycle off the board at the end of the year. Our ECSU student board member has a 1-year term remaining but has been inactive since he was appointed. We have potentially seven board seats to fill beginning in 2025. The question was asked if we should reduce the number of board members. The consensus was to keep it at 15 members. This provides more opportunity for diversity.

It was suggested to have an expectation of each board member to bring someone on the board.

Also suggested was to increase partnerships and connect with other organizations to target a different demographic for board membership.

 

Change in Leadership

Nita advised the board she will be stepping down as Chair at the end of the year. Marlene has agreed to step up as Chair. We will need a new Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Jane said she would be willing to be the treasurer.

 

Love Your River

GSG put a lot of time and effort into planning Love Your River for April 2020. The worldwide pandemic caused us to postpone and ultimately cancel the event. Nita asked if anyone objected to handing over our Love Your River program to Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. to potentially hold the event in the future. There were no objections.

 

Native Landscaping Requirements for Commercial Projects

              A recently built commercial business on Ehringhaus St. used non-native plants in its landscaping. Charles will look into what rules/laws there are for the county. Adam will discuss with the board members of the Urban Tree Commission to see what they might do as an organization to encourage planting of natives.