The following is a summary of the Board meeting held in July 19 at the Milton home office.
Opening comments from president Bob Tubby included appreciation for a well-organized Toronto Chapter golf tournament. Tubby expressed regret that he cannot attend all chapter events.
Finance committee
Treasurer Sally Harvey reported that LO’s financial position is sound. The Board discussed policy for funding promotional projects. In past years, $20,000 has been allocated annually for promotional activity at the chapter and commodity group level. The Finance Committee recommended that these funds be redirected to support the London/Windsor staff position, and that funding requests for promotional projects be considered through the Industry Development fund. The Board would like to see a promotion fund maintained within annual budgets if possible, and discussion will continue in the budgeting process. Jeff Olsen’s Branding Committee is developing recommendations on promotion strategies that may generate further budget requests.
Chapter development
The Chapter Development Taskforce presented recommendations to strengthen chapter effectiveness, based on the vision that chapters and commodity groups are communities for mutual benefit and improvement, focused on growing a more prosperous, professional, ethical industry trusted by the public. The recommendations centred around four themes:
• Human resource development
• Branding LO as a symbol of trust
• Staff assistance needs
• Communication improvement
As a result, chapters and commodity groups are charged with the responsibility to execute the recommendations based on resources, and are encouraged to use business plans with timelines. A subcommittee of the taskforce will look at chapter performance criteria and standards. Everyone recognized the importance of communication in chapter effectiveness. Chapters and commodity groups should accept responsibility to initiate communication improvements, both within their groups and at the upcoming Governance meeting.
Legislation Committee
The Ministry of Labour is considering excluding employees working on irrigation and retaining walls from its definition of landscape gardeners, which affects employment standards. Committee members Gregg Salivan and Tom Intven are working to prevent the change. A preliminary meeting with the MOL is scheduled Sept. 22.
Efficiency in meetings
The Board discussed ideas to streamline future meetings. Ideas included setting time limits for agenda items, prioritizing agenda items, focusing on the future as much as possible and submitting written reports a week in advance of the meeting.
Term limits and succession
President Bob Tubby asked Board members to consider the merits of term limits and succession planning for association leadership positions. Many volunteers have held positions for a number of years, and term limits could encourage fresh faces. Board members were asked to consider whether open-ended terms lead to stale and tired groups with stifled personal development, and if term limits are instituted, how to implement them to ensure continuity. The discussion will continue within LO’s groups and at the Governance meeting.
Canada Blooms report
Canada Blooms Board member Gerald Boot reported that LO plans to take more responsibility for 2007 show. Specifically, the Contractor’s Commodity Group will be in charge of feature gardens. The garden builder’s subsidy is raised to $9 per square foot, and garden builders will have more responsibility in sourcing their own plant material. The revenue shortfall for this spring’s show was $30,000. Planning meetings are scheduled with the show partners.
Chapter reports
Georgian Lakelands has published a group ad, is working on New Tecumseth’s IPM policy, will do a project with the Elizabeth Fry Society and planted a commemorative tree in Collingwood.
The Golden Horseshoe chapter is holding its famous Chicken Roast on Sept. 15 at Connon NVK in Flamborough, in conjunction with the Growers Auction.
The Ottawa Golf Tournament is planned for August, and renovations to the Ronald McDonald House property will take place September 25-29.
The Toronto chapter staged a very successful golf tournament, and is planning a barbecue for its past presidents.
Upper Canada’s golf tournament was also a success. The chapter is planning its fall meetings and working to get good representation at the Governance meeting.
Waterloo has its meetings and speakers lined up, and plans a baseball tournament in September.
Commodity group reports
The Garden Centre group is promoting its October Symposium, and is working on an electronic gift card program as well as a public relations initiative involving charities.
Grounds Maintenance is launching a new symposium in March and assisting with CHT exams in Milton and Niagara.
The Growers group held a successful tour, is working on its September Auction and hopes to host three annual dinner meetings.
Interiorscape is working with the Designers to plan a garden for the IIDEX show. Its Conference and Trade Show is planned for October. The CHT Interiorscape manual should be available early 2007.
Lawn Care is considering future action on municipal bylaw issues, and is meeting with a municipal working group to discuss policy.
The Snow and Ice group approved endorsing PinPoint as an endorsed supplier and is working toward the joint business development seminar with SIMA and the Snow Symposium.
Committee reports
The Publishing Committee reports both publications are doing well, and an improved Online Source Book is available.
The Building Committee is in negotiations with Halton Hills and developers to build a pond on the property.
