Green Saves Green Board Meeting Minutes

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Pasquotank County Library

Present:  Nita Coleman, Woody Garthwaite, Marlene Greer, Sue Miller, Misti Rewis, Jared Tardiff, Jeanne Tardiff, (Annette Garthwaite by proxy to Woody Garthwaite)

Chair Report on Incoming and Outgoing Board Members 

Board terms end Dec. 31 for Charles Jordan, Chip Lewin, Jane Snyder and Adam White.  Marlene thanked them for serving on our board. Nita felt it would be beneficial for Charles to remain on the board for continuity. Joining us in January will be USCG Gavin White for a 1-year term. He might be transferred before his term is done, but he is excited to be on our board. Any suggestions for others to join the Board, please let Marlene know.

Treasurer Report on Financial Position

GSG has recently received two generous donations of $1,000 and $300. Total cash on hand is $40,958, however $9,000 is earmarked for the Pasquotank Blueways Feasibility Study grant match and $800 toward scholarships. Approximately $20,000 is invested in two 10-month CDs, staggered five months apart for best interest rates. GSG is in a strong financial position.

Membership Fee Recommended Changes  

The Executive Committee has talked about different membership tiers, levels, or categories, without causing difficulty for the Membership Chair to keep track of each category. Misti suggested a 1, 3, or 5 year term, with membership dues reduced for longer terms (1 year, $25; 3 years, $60; and 5 years, $100).  Marlene will check to see if we can apply the options on our website and PayPal platform. A Motion was made and the new membership tiers were approved unanimously.

Scholarship Program Recommended Changes

The Executive Committee recommended not developing a scholarship program. The team feels our funds are best used for our student and community environmental outreach, events, and programs. A Motion was made to use the $800 scholarship earmarked funds and add $200 from the GSG general fund and pay $500 to the ESCU GAP Fund and $500 to COA Foundation for its COA Cares Fund. The motion was approved unanimously. 

Community Grant Program Recommended Changes 

A Motion was made to eliminate the Community Grant Program as is and move budgeted funds of $1,000 to general program funds.  Woody suggested we just allow the funding for the GSG Community Grant Program to expire at the end of the year, so another budget would not have to be created. The Board agreed to let the funding expire. The Board also agreed to continue considering proposals from the community for environmental projects on a case-by-case basis. Proposals for funding will be presented at future GSG meetings.

Next Board meeting is Monday, February 9, 2026  at 6:30pm at the Pasquotank County Library.