ANNOUNCEMENTS
THIS MORNING!! Annual Poinsettia Tour of Peterson Bros. Nursery: Free tour will take place TODAY, Wed, Nov 28th from 10am to Noon at 1630 Creekview Dr., 78219. Park on the far side of the lot. Come and be “wowed” and wear walking shoes, bring a camera, and don’t be late! Contact David Rodriguez for details. 2 CEUs; 2018 Code: 001
HURRAH!! Our project, Children’s Vegetable Garden Blog, took 3rd Place in the Innovative Project category of the 2019 International Master Gardener Conference (IMGC) Search for Excellence competition. The 17th biennial conference for the international master gardener community, Penn’s Woods: Digging into Our Roots, will be held June 17-21, 2019 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, Valley Forge, PA. Online registration will open soon and you can subscribe to the IMGC newsletter for conference updates.
BCMG Poinsettia Sale Ends THIS Friday, November 30th, Noon!
Visit the BCMG website and order some gorgeous, floral quality Poinsettias for 2018: Red, White, and Variegated (Pink & White). [Note: Red Glitter has sold out!] Remember proceeds benefit the Master Gardener Scholarships!
And, Another Great Gift Idea:
Buy some stocking stuffers and help BCMG at the same time! Birdies for Charity® 12 Days of Giving ticket campaign will be underway Dec 1-12 and BCMG will receive $10 proceeds from each ticket sold online. when you select Bexar County Master Gardeners as beneficiary. You can get all the Valero Texas Open details here. And, BCMG will again participate in the 2019 Birdies for Charity® Fundraiser with pledge forms available in early 2019.
And, Watch Your Email Inbox for the December SCION NEWSLETTER!
BCMG REMINDER: Saturday, Dec 15, is the last day to record your 2018 Volunteer and CEU Hours in VMS! Don’t wait til the last day, add your hours to VMS TODAY!! If you are having issues recording your hours, please email Lisa Nixon, membership coordinator.
If you have already met BCMG Re-certification Requirements for 2019 (30 volunteer hours and 6 CEUs– 3 hrs thru attendance at monthly meeting programs), you can now visit the Membership Dues page on the BCMG website and pay your 2019 Annual Membership Dues of $25, either online or by mail. NOTE: Dues must be paid by January 31, 2019.
SIGN-UP for VOLUNTEER EVENTS using the Event Calendar in the VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – VMS. Find number of volunteers still needed, who has signed up, Project Code and even request an event reminder! REMEMBER: If you volunteer for any event and have a last minute change of plans, please contact the coordinator listed on VMS to let them know!
Come and Help with the Poinsettia Sale! On Fri, Dec 7: unload plants from 8:30-11am; assist with sales pickup from 11am-1pm, or 1-3pm.
MGs Who Completed SABOT Culinary Docent Training!
Volunteers Needed Each Day: December 8, 22 
Our public BCMG Facebook Group provides an online space to communicate about shared gardening interests with people who have requested to join our group. This group platform provides a vital outreach vehicle to our local community with currently over 1600 group members! We are in need of some additional administrators who have time to check the group on a daily basis and make daily posts. If you are interested, please email Lisa Nixon TODAY!
BE OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN: Needed for Board of Directors Meetings (11 meetings each year: 2 hours per meeting). Must become knowledgeable of BCMG Bylaws and Policies (available on the BCMG website) and have working understanding of parliamentary procedure. Bylaws referenced below! Email President Grace Emery for more information or to volunteer to serve!
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
….The President of the Corporation may appoint a Parliamentarian to serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XIV – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Corporation in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Corporation may adopt.
Take on an ongoing role and participate throughout the year as a member of the new Logistics Committee or the new Events Committee. These committees are key to our success as a Master Gardener organization. We need you! Please email Grace Emery, or call (210) 875-6919, if you are interested in playing a part in BCMG’s foundation for stability and endurance!
Volunteer NOW with Construction Chair, Rich Geisler (Construction dates are Jan 22-Feb 6); Van Drivers Chairs, Brian and Candy Roach; Hospitality Chair, Susan Noonan; Watering Team Lead, Ted Ritchie. Rodeo Dates are Feb 7-24.
Sign-ups for all other Rodeo Volunteer Shifts will begin at the Christmas Party (Dec 11th). You can learn about Little Buckaroo Farms where BCMG will be located on the SA Stock Show & Rodeo website.
HELP with Youth Gardens Program: at schools and libraries to educate our local youth about gardening, insects, soil, and veggies! Two volunteers for each event to facilitate these lessons. Email Ruby Zavala for details. 2018 Code 980e – School Gardens; 2019 Code 1200 – Youth
When: School is flexible. Facilitate soil lesson from Junior Master Gardener curriculum. Email Ruby Zavala with your date preference.
Where: Tuscany Heights Elementary, 25001 Wilderness Oak, 78258
When: Wed, Dec 12, 2018 from 3pm-4pm
Where: Locke Hill Elementary, 5050 De Zavala Rd, 78249
Topic: Insect Lifecycles
When: Fri, Jan 11, 2019 from 2-4pm
Where: BiblioTech East, 1203 N Walters St, 78202
Topic: Plants and Gardening
When: Wed, Mar 20, 2019 from 3-4pm
Where: Locke Hill Elementary, 5050 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249
Topic: Veggie Game
When: Wed, Apr 17, 2019 from 3-4pm
Where: Locke Hill Elementary, 5050 De Zavala Rd, 78249
Topic: Terrariums and Watercycle
BCMG’s BIGGEST Event & LARGEST Plant Sale!
ALL Hands Needed!
Rodeo is an excellent time to get those volunteer hours!
11 different types of volunteer opportunities, 16 days of construction,
18 days of Rodeo, and 677 total different volunteer shifts,
for a total of over 2,200 hours of volunteer time!
Introducing the Rodeo Team:
Sign-Up NOW:
Rodeo Construction and Landscaping – Rich Geisler: [email protected]
Van Drivers – Brian & Candy Roach: [email protected]
Hospitality – Susan Noonan: [email protected]
Watering Team – Ted Ritchie: [email protected]
Sign-ups starting at the BCMG Holiday Party for:
Plant Sales/MG Booth
Greeters
School Tour Docents
Adopt-a-Tree
and more!
__________________________________________________________
Everyone will need to have a Release and Indemnification Agreement Form (available soon).
Completed form is due Jan 18th.
Form must be printed out double-sided, notarized, and mailed to:
ATTN: Rodeo Form
Bexar County Master Gardeners
3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 208
San Antonio, TX 78230
Or, drop-off with Nick at the Extension Office front desk.
2019 BCMG VMS Codes (As of: 11/16/2018)
CEU CODES
001 – AgriLife Extension/BCMG Presentations: These are programs that are hosted by, or presented by, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service staff, Texas A&M System staff, retired AgriLife staff, or Bexar County Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau programs.
- Horticulture-related programs given by AgriLife Extension Service staff
- Horticulture-related programs given by Texas A&M System staff (ex. Texas A&M Forestry Service)
- Horticulture programs given by Bexar County Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau
- Programs at the Texas Master Gardener State Conference
002 – BCMG Monthly Meeting Seminars
VOLUNTEER OUTREACH CODES
100 – Community Outreach Events: The BCMG BoD and the AgriLife Horticulture Agent must approve community Outreach Events each year. The following events have been approved for 2019:
- Basil Fest
- Monarch Butterfly Festival (Zoo)
- Monarch Festival (Pearl)
- Texas Folklife Festival
- SABOT Culinary Garden Docents
200 – Cultivate!
300 – Master Gardener Hotline
400 – SA Rodeo
500 – Speakers Bureau
600 – Water Conservation Activities: These are SAWS-sponsored events or our participation has been requested:
- Cultivating Communities
- Earth Day(s)
- Festival of Flowers
- Habitat for Humanity
- Home and Garden Show (Spring/Fall)
- Spring Bloom (SAWS)
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CODES
700 – BCMG Committees: All committee work, including, but not limited to…
- Awards Application
- BCMG Monthly Meeting set-up & tear-down
- Communications (Facebook, Leaflet, Scion, website, publicity, etc.)
- Fundraising (All fundraising activities, to include Birdies for Charities, Poinsettia Sale, merchandise sales, etc. Not included: plant sales that are part of a Community Outreach Event, such as SA Rodeo.)
- Grant Writing
- Holiday Party
- Hospitality
- Scholarship
- San Antonio Garden Center (Special Note: BCMG is a member of the San Antonio Garden Center, and we host one meeting a year and help with their plant sale. Use Code 700 for these two activities.)
800 – Board of Directors
- Attending the BoD Monthly Meeting
- All work associated with BoD activities (Finance, Membership, etc.)
- Texas Master Gardener Association Quarterly Meetings
900 – MG Training Class Support
1000 – Special Projects – AgriLife/BCMG Approved (None at this time)
1100 – Texas A&M Extension Support – Adult
- Assisting Extension staff with presentations
- Assisting with plant trials, seed extraction, etc.
1200 – Texas A&M Extension Support – Youth
- Children’s Vegetable Garden Program (SABOT & PHP)
- Approved Classroom Garden Program – support
- Approved youth activities and presentations
- Youth activity supply preparation
- Learn Grow Eat & Go! Program support
- Youth Garden Educator and JMG Training support
See all the Details for Classes in the Bexar County area on the MG Calendar! Classes listed below may be of special interest to you.
BCMG January Rodeo Kick-Off Speaker & Meeting: Plan to join us and bring your favorite Chili or Cornbread to share while we hear a special Rodeo presentation on Thu, Jan 17, from 6-8pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. Bring you calendar and sign up for Rodeo Shifts. 1 CEU; Code: 002.
New in 2019: Advanced Master Gardener Home Fruit Class – Southern Texas has been scheduled for February 2019! Details and application available HERE.
And remember, you can find all the TEXAS MASTER GARDENER ADVANCED (formerly SPECIALIST) COURSES offered in 2018 at the TMGA website. If you are interested in attending any courses, please email David Rodriguez, Extension Agent-Horticulture, Bexar County. BCMG CEU Code: 001.
Composter training will take place Dec 5-7, and will be hosted by Fort Bend County in Rosenberg, TX.
Coming in 2019!
Home Fruit (South Texas) – Feb. 7-8, 2019, hosted by Gonzales County, Gonzales
Vegetables – Feb. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Dallas County, Dallas
Tree Care – Mar. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Dallas County, Dallas
Tree Care – Jun. 12-14, 2019, hosted by Kerr County, Kerrville
Save the Dates (More Info coming soon):
Turfgrass – Mar. 14-15, 2019, hosted by Montgomery County, Conroe
Earth-Kind® – May 16-18, 2019, hosted by Henderson County, Athens
Vegetables – Aug. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Bexar County, San Antonio
Great Gardening Events on the BCMG November Calendar. Bookmark the Calendar and visit it frequently! Here is a sample of what is coming up over this next week:
- Now thru Dec 31 – SABOT Holidays in Bloom
- Nov 27 – Drip Irrigation System Made Easy!
- Dec 7 – All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: Pantry Pests
Participate in the 300 for 300 Pollinator Garden Initiative! Visit Garden Style San Antonio and Texas Butterfly Ranch for all the details! So far more that 200 gardens have been registered.
Registration NOW OPEN for the Spring 2019 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at SABOT. Program will include sixteen Saturdays from March 2nd to June 15th. Time to share with family & friends!