March 2020
THE MARCH MEETING OF THE MISSOULA IRIS SOCIETY IS:
MARCH 7, 2020 at 6:30 PM at FORT MISSOULA in the T1 BUILDING!
We will have a potluck, discussion of the effects of our mild winter, and a business meeting.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! (Remember it is time for payment of your yearly dues.)
Betty Ann Gustafson, President
TREASURER'S REPORT: as of February 25, 2020
SAVINGS ACCOUNT: January 20, 2020 $ 9674.42
No activity in February so balance remains as shown above
CHECKING ACCOUNT: January 20, 2020 $ 562.62
Deposits 30.00
sub total 592.62
Expenses paid 278.75
Balance $ 313.75
The expenses paid were: To American Iris Society : $70.00 for 3 year membership for Carol Addeo to be the MIS Secretary; To American Iris Society $30.00 for MIS's annual affiliation fee; To Billie Gray - $28.87 for her expenses during the 2019 Christmas party; To Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula - $150.00 for reservations to hold the annual iris show at this facility.
I recently completed the necessary paperwork with our bank institution which allows Gary Clark to do our Society financial work in the event I am unable for some reason.
Pursuant to a request of a couple of members at the February meeting, I am publishing a clearer list of the items and values for the 2020 budget which was accepted by the membership present at the February meeting.
2020 BUDGET AS ACCEPTED
CATEGORY VALUE
SHOWS :
MEDIAN 300
JUNE 600
IRIS SALE: 500
OPERATIONAL EXPENSES:
GENERAL 400
NEWSLETTER 150
PRINTING 100
CONTRIBUTIONS 200
REGION 11 RVP 50
FORT GARDEN: 400
LAWN CARE 300
GARDEN WEEDER 1700
MISCELLANEOUS 200
SPECIAL EVENTS OR PURCHASES:
PLANT MARKERS 200
GARDEN RENOVATIONS 2500
JUDGING SEMINAR
DURING THE JUNE SHOW: 200
TOTAL OF VALUES IS $ 8800. THESE VALUES ARE JUST GUIDE LINES FOR US TO USE DURING THE YEAR. M.I.S. HAS NEVER OVER SPENT THE BUDGET VALUES AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN TREASURER. IN FACT IF WE SPEND MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL I WILL BE SURPRISED.
Respectfully submitted, Erling Gustafson, Treasurer
MINUTES OF THE MIS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8, 2020
The Missoula Iris Society meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by President Betty Ann Gustafson at the Fort Missoula T-1 location. Prior to the meeting start an interesting program was presented by Swede Gustafson on Siberian iris.
Swede passed around last year’s membership list for everyone to correct/update their information. The membership list will probably be available at the March meeting.
The minutes of the previous meeting were in the newsletter and were approved as printed.
The treasurer's report was read by Treasurer Swede Gustafson.
OLD BUSINESS
Gary reported on plans for the June 13, 2020 Iris Show. The visiting judge will be Patrick Spence from Cascade Gardens in Lake Stevens, Washington. He will be here through Saturday and Sunday evening so there will be judges training classes available on Sunday. A location is needed to hold the judges training session and equipment will be needed to show videos. Cindy Davis offered her church which has the equipment for power point programs.
Betty Ann explained that the judge was chosen by a committee of Cindy, Donna, Gary, Jim and Roger at a meeting in November.
Gary is looking for a member home to host the visiting judge. Part of the budget cost for the visiting judge will have to include his flight and meals. Most previous judges have driven.
The proposed budget for 2020 was reviewed and approved by a motion of Cindy Davis and a second by Donna Dowell.
Betty Ann reported that the Median Iris Show is scheduled for May 23, 2020 and Judy Blunt is willing to host the show at her home. Details need to be finalized.
NEW BUSINESS
Cindy Davis, Regional Vice President (RVP) for AIS made a presentation on AIS changes. AIS encourages us to post our activities, including training online. Some of her duties have become overwhelming, including 30 or more emails each day from various sources. Many of these emails do not affect our region. AIS is making lots of changes and sometimes the website is not working correctly for teleconferences. Many more changes are coming to the judges handbook. However, not all judges have email for easy communication.
Betty Ann mentioned the passing of our former member Elizabeth Friesz and she thanked Carol Addeo for writing the brief memorial article in our January newsletter.
Gary Clark announced a June 9, 2020 three-garden tour sponsored by the Missoula Garden Club. The tour of three gardens will start at 10:00 a.m. The tentative schedule is Fort Iris Garden 10:15, Rose Garden 11:15, University Peony Garden at noon, followed by a luncheon provided by the Missoula Garden Club. Car pooling is encouraged because of parking restraints at the University. Gary is the Program Chairman of the event.
Betty Ann discussed details of our show location. Due to ongoing construction at the former JC Penney location, Penney Square will not be available for our iris show in June. Holiday Inn Parkside Downtown is a possibility for a charge of $250, using a portion of the atrium or near the windows. Tables are provided and are set up for that price. All we have to provide are our containers. We could also hold our banquet there that evening in their restaurant. This option looks positive but is still being finalized. A printed information brochure from Holiday Inn Downtown was passed to members, including a restaurant menu.
Plans for our 60th Anniversary show program are being coordinated by Gary Clark and Judy Blunt. The theme will be “Honoring Montana Author Judy Blunt” and her book titled “Breaking Clean”. Many of the artistic classes originate from some of the book chapters. A proof copy of the show program was passed to members.
Swede discussed the Fort Weeder program. Ronda Leno is unable to continue as a paid weeder and she will try to volunteer as an unpaid weeder in the future. Swede has talked with Barb Sower, who is willing to work as an independent contractor for $15 per hour. She will weed about 16 hours per month for six months for an approximate cost of $1440. He plans to meet with her in March or April.
Renovations on soil improvement are needed in the near future, he reported.
Betty Ann read two notes and thank you cards from the historical museum and member Joan Knutson.
Fred Frey reported that a local attempt led by Germaine Conrad wants to start a botanical garden in Missoula.
Presidential rhizome winners were December: Swede Gustafson. January: Fred Frey February: Ron Dowell.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Addeo
Presidential Rhizomes: August: Gary Clark, September: Cindy Davis, October: Marie Nyquist, November: Jim Sadler, December: Swede Gustafson, January: Fred Frey, February: Ron Dowell.
MIS MEETING/EVENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 7, 2020 - Meeting and pot luck supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Fort Missoula Building T-1.
Saturday, April 4, 2020 - Meeting and pot luck supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Fort Missoula Building T-1.
Saturday, May 2, 2020 - Meeting and pot luck supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Target Range home of Gary Clark and Steve Hesla.
Saturday, May 23, 2020 - Median Show
June 2020 - Ice cream social - date to be announced
Saturday, June 6, 2020 - Meeting and pot luck supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. at home of Fred Frey.
Saturday, June 13, 2020 - MIS Iris Show at Holiday Inn Downtown
Show Banquet - Time and location to be announced
Saturday, July 11, 2020 - Meeting and pot luck supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. at home of Jim and Linda Sadler.
Monday, July 20, 2020 - Sale preparation begins. Additional details to come later.
Saturday, July 25, 2020 - Annual Rhizome Sale near Fort Missoula Display Gardens - Sale begins 9 am to 1 pm
1:30 pm. - After sale patio party at home of Billie Gray
August, 2020 - No meeting
September 2020 - No meeting
Saturday, October 3, 2020 - Meeting and pot luck supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. at home of Swede and Betty Ann Gustafson
Saturday, November 7, 2020 - Board and Budget Meeting at 5:00 p.m. at home of Carol Addeo and Al Ledford. Regular meeting and potluck supper beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 13, 2020 - Christmas party and pot luck supper at home of Billie Gray beginning at 4:30 p.m