Committee Minutes, February 27, 2003

Committees

minutes - ggia - february 27, 2003,
pike family nurseries corporate headquarters

The regular business meeting of the Georgia Green Industry Association was held on Thursday, February 27, 2003 at the Pike Family Nurseries Corporate Headquarters in Norcross, Georgia. Members in attendance included: Andy Hull, Wayne King, Sr., Chris Butts, Joe Napoli, John Strickland, Gary Wade, Mel Garber, Brendan Smith, Bobby Flowers, Paul Millers, Paul Chappell, Hugh Woodruff, Rick Barnes, Shirley Berry, Mike Sikes, Jim Midcap, Mike Cunningham, Andy Rogers, Tim Rogers, David Winters, Mickey Harp, Wayne Juers, Rusty Hadaway, Wayne Bagwell, Kevin Karel, Alan Shultz, Rex Bishop and staff members Trudy Williams and Sherry Loudermilk.

Chairman Hull called the meeting together at 9:15 AM. He reviewed the new committee structure for 2003. Hull discussed the importance of the Governmental Relations committee at this time due to water legislation and other impending issues. Hull announced chairpersons for all committees and noted that Trade Show has become a committee rather than a sub-committee.

Loudermilk discussed the current membership numbers of GGIA and related those to numbers shared by other Associations at the Southern Officer’s Conference host by SNA. Napoli noted that an article needs to outline the savings of GGIA members and the membership dues return on investment. Discussion ensued that a membership drive, brochures, etc. should be done. Hull noted the value of Lighthouse program with ANLA.

Minutes from the previous meeting held on November 7, 2002 were reviewed. Flowers made a motion to accept the Minutes as presented while Smith seconded the motion. Motion passed.

John Strickland presented the Treasurer’s Report for GGIA. He noted that the Association is in a stronger position than last year. Strickland noted the net profit from the show and indicated that in the future GGIA will have to work harder to make the bottom line positive. Miller made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Shultz seconded the motion. Motion passed.

The group discussed the trade show, reviewing the list of suggestions generated by the board and committee members through previous correspondence. Following the trade show discussion, the group conducted committee caucus meetings from 10:45 AM until 11:40 AM. The group then recessed for lunch from 11:40 AM until 12:30 PM.

Committee reports were presented as follows:

The Governmental/Environmental Committee report was presented by Garber. He said that the committee had prepared an agenda for a meeting with Governor Perdue. The agenda includes describing the scope of the green industry and how the industry can help in water quality/quantity issues. Additionally, the group will identify on-going areas where GGIA members have been involved in policy making. Garber noted that Bill Fallin, GGIA lobbyist, had reported that House Bill 237, “the water bill,” will be on the House of Representatives committee agenda this afternoon. Fallin reported to Garber that he did not expect any surprises in the passage of HB 237. Garber stated that the Georgia Urban Agriculture Coalition will meet next Wednesday, March 5, to discuss water legislation. King continued the report stating the committee is researching other environmental groups and discussing how to work with these groups in outreach

Gary Wade stated that an Invasive Plants Committee or task force should be formed. He stated that a group is already together at the State Botanical Garden and noted that GGIA should work with that committee. Wade stated that he had four volunteers willing to serve on this committee and ask for more volunteers. He said that a committee meeting would be arranged to discuss the various exotic pest plant lists and how GGIA can work with other organizations.

Andy Rogers presented the Marketing Committee report. He reported the Georgia Grown program price quotes on tags and stakes. Individual growers will have to make their own decisions in purchasing advertising materials.

There are no state funds for television/radio commercials this year. Rogers encouraged all growers to participate in the program by purchasing tags or stakes to mark their material as “Georgia Grown.” He also encouraged all retailers to request their growers to utilize the program. Bishop stated that GGIA should request that Walter Reeves and Richard Ludwig to plug the program. Rogers then suggested that retailers include the “Georgia Grown” logo in any advertising that the retailer may have scheduled for spring.

The committee also discussed the GGIA booth at SNA. Brendan Smith will be designing the booth. The committee suggests that sponsors be sought for T-shirts outlining the “Top Ten Reasons to be a GGIA Member.” These T-shirts will be distributed at the SNA show. The committee will continue working on these plans and will have final details at the May Board and Committee meeting.

The Marketing Committee discussed holding a membership blitz and membership drive. The goal is to gain 100 new members in 2003. A new brochure will be designed to promote membership. The brochure will be 8-panel and include benefits of membership for all segments of the industry. The membership drive will be held during June-July. This event will require volunteers to sign up so that the staff can do background work to assess non-member companies in the local area of the volunteer. Gary Wade stated that two seminars are scheduled for prospective new landscapers. He requested that GGIA provide membership materials and Journals for these two seminars.

The Marketing committee also stated that promotion for the 2004 show should target the Greenville/Spartanburg area as a way to increase attendees. Rogers suggested that the GGIA office incorporate an e-mail list serve for the membership. The committee suggests including more links on the website for other organizations as well as one-page recaps of meetings attended by the Board members representing GGIA.

The Trade Show Committee report was presented by Joe Napoli who stated the show should continue to improve in providing member benefits and member services. Napoli will be writing an article each Journal issue to discuss the show, exhibitor services, proposed new activities, and educational opportunities. Napoli stated that an idea for future show includes an on-the-show-floor “how-to” clinic. These clinics would be sponsored by companies increasing revenue for the Association.

David Winters continued the Trade Show report by discussing the consumer event which is planned for the Saturday following the show. Winters stated that the Association will work with the Georgia Master Gardeners to see if there is a way to combine GGIA’s event and the state Master Gardener annual meeting. The group discussed the pros and cons of working with the Master Gardeners. Winters stated that further meetings must take place before all of the information is ready to share with the group.

John Strickland reported for the Landscape Certification Committee stating that the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional exam scheduled for March 8 in Savannah has been cancelled due to lack of participation. Strickland stated that a new local association has been formed in the coastal area and he will follow-up to see if there is promotion opportunities for the test with the new group. He stated that MALTA has nominated Zak Campbell to serve on the GCLP task force. MALTA is currently discussing hosting training for the exam. Strickland stated that the average pass rate for the recent exam was 30%. He stated the Task Force needed to market the training value of the exam to employers. Strickland said that in the future decisions must be made as to whether the exam will continue to be industry-driven or if the Association should work to have the exam state-sanctioned.

Wayne Juers presented the report for the Certified Plant Professional Test Committee. He stated the group needs to determine the need for state sanctioning or the State’s “stamp of approval.” Juers indicated that the manual had been reviewed and the necessary corrections needed for the revised manual had been completed. He also said the committee needs to address marketing concerns for the test.

The Education Committee report was presented by Jim Midcap. He stated scheduling for the 2003 event seemed to work well and the committee will pattern the 2004 event accordingly. He said the keynote address may include invasive plants. Midcap noted there is interest in conducting a special session about starting a nursery business for people interested in getting into the business. He also stated the committee will work on finding sponsors and presenters for “how-to” clinics to be held on the show floor. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled in April to work on the educational schedule for the January, 2004 meeting. The committee plans to announce a finalized educational schedule at the May meeting.

Bobby Flowers reported for the Awards Committee. Flowers stated the committee will add a seasonal color category. New entry rules and applications will be prepared for review by the May, 2003 Board and Committee meeting. The committee also wishes to add another individual award entitled “Innovator of the Year Award.” Flowers noted the committee requests that individual award winner nominations be mailed earlier in the year for 2003 so the board can have more time to make its decision. Additionally, the committee suggests that Loudermilk prepare reminders of the Awards Program to appear in the Journal during the Spring months. Lastly, the committee suggested that a listing of previous award winners be listed on the individual award nomination form.

The Scholarship sub-committee report was presented by Kevin Karel who stated the first scholarship was presented in January, 2003. Karel stated that the program needed to grow. He suggested a voluntary multi-level donation program. He asked the group to discuss this program and if adopted, print the information in all GGIA published materials. Karel suggested that a fund-raising drive for the scholarship fund be combined with a membership drive. He continued this idea stating that a fund-raising drive could be held that would target non-green industry organizations and companies.

Following the committee reports, the group held Divisional meetings from 2:10 PM until 2:45 PM.

The Landscape Division report was presented by Brendan Smith. Smith stated the group suggests that the GCLP Task Force discuss the merits of having a two-tiered certification program that would include a designation of Landscape Technician as well as the current Certified Landscape Professional designation. Smith announced that the Hands-on portion of the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional exam will be held on October 4, 2003 at the Research and Education Garden in Griffin.

The Wholesale Division report was presented by Andy Rogers. He reviewed the schedules of tours that will take place in Cairo on June 5 and in Lavonia and Anderson, South Carolina on June 10. Paul Miller then shared the concerns of the Division regarding proposed rule changes from the Department of Agriculture dealing with nursery licenses. It appears that no fee cap has been set for inspections. Loudermilk will contact Department of Agriculture officials to determine the fee structure. If needed, the group will have representation at the March 25 hearing at Department of Agriculture.

David Winters presented the report for Retail Division stating the group is interested in partnering with Master Gardeners during their annual meeting. Winters to meet with the planning committee of the master gardeners to discuss the details and will have a report ready for the board to review at the May meeting. The Division wants to conduct a tour of retail garden centers and suggests touring two locations in the morning and round-table discussion following lunch. Winters noted that more planning needs to be conducted for this event.

The Sales and Marketing Committee report was presented byWayne King, Sr. He announced the following persons had agreed to serve on the golf committee: Chris McCorkle, Jay Dietz, Mike Cunningham, Brendan Smith and Wayne Bagwell. The annual tournament is scheduled at Orchard Hills Golf Club in Newnan, Georgia on October 16. King also announced that funds for Georgia Section 319(h) grants are now available. The committee will work with government entities to apply for outreach funds.

There was no Old Business to discuss. In New Business, Juers noted that the schedule for the planning retreat may be too early for those in the Retail Division and that future retreats should be scheduled one- to two-weeks later in June.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 3:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Loudermilk
Executive Director

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