02 feb 2012

FEBRUARY MEETING:

DATE & TIME: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012 AT 6:30 P.M. Potluck supper followed by the meeting.

PLACE: Eagles Lodge Community Room east end of bldg next to Rosauers, 2420 South Ave West. Meeting hosted by Ed and Anita Verplancke.

PROGRAM: 1ST annual iris photo contest. Bring your favorite photo of iris and win a prize. Photos can be anything picturing iris; ex: single iris, clumps of iris, iris gardens, bouquets or arrangement of iris, etc. Iris photo must be taken by members of MIS. Entry is one photo per member. Photos need not be matted or framed. Judges will be all attendees at the February meeting. Voting will be by paper ballot. 1st place and 2nd place prizes will be awarded. Come and have fun whether you have a photo or not. For additional information contact Betty Ann Gustafson at 251-3526.

"FYI" NEWS

Cleo Swanson: Our long time MIS member Cleo Swanson passed away Monday January 9, 2012. Her daughter Laurie Swanson's address is 3245 Home Harvest Loop F6, Missoula, MT 59804.

REMINDER OF UNPAID DUES: Judy Blunt, Elizabeth Freisz, Denise Lockridge, Honk Meyer, Pat and Nancy Ryan, and Lynn Weger. lets get 100% paid up in February.

It's Their Birthday!!....Let's Give 'Em a Cheer!!!

Happy birthday to Alayne Hilditch, February 27th, Misty Pepperock, February 22nd and Lynn Weger, February 24th. Have a happy birthday all.

TREASURERS REPORT

CHECKING ACCOUNT: I paid four bills totaling $215.90 and deposited $110 for 11memberships this month. The beginning balance of December 19, 2011 was at $589.53. With the above activities the balance is is $483.63. Bills paid were to Carol Addeo -- $150 for newsletter expenses through June 2012; Betty Ann Gustafsoon -- $8.97 for Sunshine flowers to Alverta Symes and Cleo Swanson; and

Swede Gustafson -- $6.93 for printing of financial reports for the January meeting; $50.00 to the

Eagle's Lodge for February's meeting room rental charge.

Memberships are still due for these people-- Carol Barbian, Judy Blunt, Elizabeth Freisz, Denise Lockridge, Honk Meyer, Pat and Nancy Ryan, and Lynn Weger. lets get 100% paid up in February.

Respectfully submitted

Swede Gustafson, Treasurer

MINUTES OF THE JANUARY MEETING:

The meeting was called to Order by Ed Verplancke on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 7:23 P.M. At the home of Pete and Carol Addeo. Minutes for the November meeting and Treasurers Report was approved and accepted as printed in the Newsletter.

Old Business: Budget-The Executive Board, consisting of Ed Verplancke, Betty Ann Gustafson, Jim Sadler and Swede Gustafson met in December for the purpose of reviewing the dollar amount allotted to each category of the 2011 and 2012 expense budget. Several modifications were proposed which will alter the 2012 budget. Swede presented a handout of the full report of the board meeting.

Jim Sadler discussed ideas for improving the show by awarding prizes, such as giving out new rhizomes, like we do for the Presidential Rhizome. Also because the Malls tables as getting fewer and fewer the club buy 2 to 4 tables for the Clubs use. Swede priced light weight folding tables at Costco they were $49.99 each, they can be kept in the shed at the fort and be used for events such as the shows, ice cream social and others. The cost of the tables was added as a line item under the General Expenses. The cost of the prizes for the show was added to the General show expense.

Betty Ann discussed the show expenses and suggested we invest in a Display Banner to indicate to the general public the show and who is sponsoring the organization. Jim stated that the Rose and Dahlia clubs have made PVC pipe stands that they use to display their Banners and they are inexpensive and are easy to set up and display. The stands cost approximately $65.00. Also discussed bringing in more outside judges, with the stands and the expense of bringing in outside Judges this brought the line item up from $300 to $800.

Questions were asked about the purpose of the budget when the club has so much money. The Budget is used as a guide line - it allows the chairman a guide as to what they can spend without having to go to the Board for approval on what is spent, unless it becomes necessary to go over their allotted amount.

Jim made a motion that we accept the budget as shown.

Carol Barbian asked as postage is going up is what is budgeted enough, and where does the cost to the banners come from.

Carol & Pete stated that since the majority of the news letters are emailed, the cost that is budgeted is sufficient. And the costs of the banners are approximately $150.00 will be figured into the General show expense. Adding them as a separate line item. Bring the Total Expenses for the Budget up to $5625.00.

Alverta seconded the Budget as amended. Vote and approved as amended.

New Business: Ed brought up that no new Iris are going into the Fort and people buying the Iris at the sale do not know how to properly plant the iris they buy, so he suggested prior to the sale we have a planting session at the fort inviting the public.

Gary thought that a committee be put together to get catalogues from various growers to pick out a variety of new Irises especially the HM and AM to be added to the fort 1) so the judges have the new varieties to view as they grow to help in voting our ballots and 2) we have new varieties for our sale. A committee was elected of Gary Clark, Ron Dowell, Donna Dowell, Carol Barbian and Scott Drake.

Ed mentioned the problem of lawn care at the fort and we have a mower that is hard to start and we need a weed eater, he ask Ron Dowell about mowing and weed eating at the fort as he already does this for others. Ron gave a cost to $15.00 a week to care for the lawn. Carol made a motion to hire Ron to care for the lawn. Linda amended the motion to $25.00 every other week, Cindy seconded as amended. Motioned passed.

Alverta and Bob brought up having the club buying a laminator for the cards in the card file. Swede tabled the discussion until costs of laminator and material for it can be determined.

Swede went over the various accounts the club has, such as Checking, Savings - General, Savings - Club Activity, Savings - Judges Account and Saving Memorials, see Page 1 of handout for more info.

Alverta, thanked the club for the flowers she received while she was in the hospital, she had a small surgery and is doing well. While Betty Ann was delivering them, she also delivered flowers to Cleo, she was in the hospital with a Kidney infection, she appreciated them. However, that same day and the following day Cleo had a massive heart attack and is not expected to make it. Our prayers and thoughts are with her and her family. Roger let us know that Joyce Walters fell and broke her arm. So, hopefully, everyone one else in the club stays healthy this year. OKAY!

Carol went over meeting locations. February - Eagles Lodge, community room on east end of building next to Rosauers, 2420 South Ave W. Hosted by Ed and Anita Verplancke. March - Eagles Lodge, community room on east end of building next to Rosauers, 2420 South Ave W. Hosted by Ron and Donna Dowell.

April - Judy Blundt, 1901 1/2 South 4th St. W.

May - Gary Clark, 2275 Sunlite Lane

June - Elizabeth Friesz, Alberton, MT

July - Jim and Linda Sadler, 1220 Clemments Rd

September - Alverta and Bob Symes, 3029 River Bend Drive, Bonner, MT

October - Betty Ann and Swede Gustafson, 3128 Eldora Lane

November - Pete and Carol Addeo, 5805 Helena Drive

It was suggested that we do theme potlucks, possibly Irish for March, Mexican for May was defiantly decided, Cindy signed up for tacos. Give Gary a call prior to the meeting as it is at his house so, we do not duplicate dishes.

Fred wanted to know if we were going to do a garden tour. Jim suggested that we do a MIS garden tour where we visit each others gardens. Will discuss more next meeting

Betty Ann - passed out a flier on the 2012 National Convention in California, being held the week of April 16th - 21st. Sponsored by AIS Region 15 Southern California and Arizona. She also read an exert from the 'Magic of Iris' a book from the Public Library. They have a series that everyone should go and check out.

Betty Ann announced that for the February meeting, bring your favorite photo of Iris and win a prize!! Photos can be anything picturing Iris; ex: single iris, clumps of iris, iris gardens, bouquets or arrangement of iris, etc. Iris photo must be taken by members of MIS. Entry is one photo per member. Photos need not be matted or framed. Judges will be all attendees at the February 4th meeting. Voting will be by paper ballot. 1st place and 2nd place prizes will be awarded. Come and have fun whether you have a photo or not! For additional information, contact Betty Ann Gustafson at 251-3526.

Drawing for the Presidential Rhizome was won my Carol Barbian. Note: Winners - November: Elizabeth Houston, October: Gary Clark, September: Jim Sadler, August: Laurie Kammerer. We will need to pick 2 winners in February, for December and February.

Bob made a motion to adjourn, Swede seconded.